SAN ANTONIO — January marks the beginning of a new era at the YMCA of Greater San Antonio as the organization kicks off its first esports league.
Executive Director of Sports Patrick Bryant says the league launched after getting input from families.
“We heard a lot of the interest level of our participants. They’re interested in gaming and what the future could hold,” Bryant said.
Bryant says it’s an opportunity to give families more than a place to connect and compete.
“What I’ve noticed, what we’re going to make the most difference in is we have structure,” Bryant said. “If we’re going to do this we’re going to do this right and make sure we have someone that has the expertise to expand across the whole association.”
Bryant hired Chris Saenz, the YMCA’s new esports director. Saenz has an extensive background in gaming and tournament organizing. He is the CEO of Texas Gaming Empire, and his resume includes organizing the first-ever esports night at the AT&T Center with the San Antonio Spurs.
“We want to be as inclusive as possible,” Saenz said. “We want to get the high schools and colleges involved, we want to provide internships and volunteer opportunities and continue to build.”
The YMCA will start with online leagues for ages 12 to 17, but hopes to expand in the future. The YMCA has taken the opportunity to partner with Austin’s YMCA so kids and teens from both cities can compete against each other.
“We can get that nice I-35 rivalry, San Antonio versus Austin, and hopefully in a few years envelope Dallas and Houston in as well and have some good ol’ Texas Competition," Saenz said.
The YMCA of Greater San Antonio will be getting a boost from the Greater Gaming Society of San Antonio to kickstart its esports program.
“I think it’s important to recognize the YMCA also understands how important gaming is for young children and for the growing generation,” Ansley Partosa said. “Because this isn’t just a fad. This is where we foster social skills. This is where we build friendships. This is where we get a good competitive outlet.”
Partosa is the chair of the Greater Gaming Society. She stepped up to the role after the founder of the organization took a job outside of the United States.
The group, which started as a Facebook group in 2015 after Pax South, is organizing its first Smash Tournament in January called Royal Brawl with plans to donate proceeds to the YMCA.
"I just love San Antonio a lot,” Partosa said. “I love the gaming scene and I think there’s so much potential.”
Partosa hopes to take the Greater Gaming Society to the next level and work towards making the organization a nonprofit.
“If we have this strong community there can be so much growth in the future,” Partosa said. “If we create more events, we’ll bring more business to San Antonio and help the locals.”
Families interested in joining the YMCA’s esports league can visit ymcasatx.org. Registration for the first season ends on Jan. 24.