Empowering Youth Through Competitive Gaming: The Journey of Affinity Esports Club Teams
Affinity Esports
Connecticut’s Premier Esports Organization for Happier & Healthier Gaming Experiences
At Affinity Esports , we’re doing more than just playing games—we’re building a culture of excellence, teamwork, and personal growth. Our youth esports programs are designed to empower players, teaching valuable life skills through structured competition, high-level coaching, and a strong sense of community.
Over the past year, our players have achieved incredible milestones—including championship victories, major personal growth, and stronger team connections. From our Minecraft Bedwars and Valorant teams claiming VHEL Championships to our players leveling up in skill and leadership, these successes highlight what makes Affinity Esports special.
But it’s not just about the wins. We foster an environment where players can develop confidence, resilience, and lifelong friendships. Parents, coaches, and teammates rally behind one another, creating a support system that extends beyond gaming.
To celebrate our players’ dedication and achievements, we go beyond competition by hosting Media Days and Banquets each Fall and Spring—moments designed to highlight success, build confidence, and strengthen our community.
Take a look at our Fall '24 Highlights and get to know our amazing players and coaches!
Building Superstar Humans
At Affinity Esports , our mission goes beyond creating great competitors—we are dedicated to developing well-rounded young people who grow through gaming. That’s why we create experiences that reinforce confidence, identity, and teamwork outside of competition.
One of the most exciting ways we do this is through Media Day, held each Fall and Spring. Media Day is more than just a photoshoot—it’s an opportunity for our players to see themselves as the athletes they are. Every player gets their moment in front of the camera, striking a pose in their Affinity Esports gear and capturing the pride of being part of a competitive team.
The experience is about more than just cool photos. It’s about showcasing personal growth, helping players embrace the commitment they’ve made to their craft, and fostering a deep sense of team identity. We want every player to feel valued, recognized, and empowered, and Media Day plays a key role in reinforcing that mindset.
To share these incredible moments, we’ve included some photos from our latest Fall Media Day, highlighting the passion and dedication of our players! ??
Recognizing and Celebrating Success
At the end of each season, we bring our players, families, and coaches together for a banquet unlike any other—a night of recognition, reflection, and celebration.
The Affinity Esports Banquet is our way of honoring the hard work, commitment, and resilience our players demonstrate throughout the season. Whether it’s their first season competing or they’re hoisting a championship banner, every player has earned their place in our community.
This year, we introduced our first-ever GOAT Awards, recognizing one standout player from each team for their MVP moments, leadership, and personal growth. We also presented the first-ever Coaching Impact Award, celebrating those on our team who go above and beyond to guide our players not just as competitors, but as young people developing confidence, accountability, and teamwork skills. A huge congratulations to Coach Nolan "Mojo" Picco and Brandon "Briggyninja" Brigeman, whose work with our Valorant teams has been instrumental in their success.
Beyond individual awards, the banquet highlights the impact of esports in shaping character. Players and coaches reflected on the challenges they overcame, the friendships they built, and the lessons they’ll carry forward—proving that what happens in-game is just one part of a much bigger journey.
Why do we put so much emphasis on celebrating success? Because esports isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about the journey. Every season comes with challenges, learning moments, and opportunities to grow. By taking the time to reflect on those experiences, we reinforce the values that will help our players succeed in gaming and beyond.
To commemorate this incredible event, we’ve included photos from our Fall Banquet, capturing the energy, excitement, and sense of accomplishment that make Affinity Esports special! ??
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Spring 2025 Tryouts: Be Part of the Next Generation
As we celebrate our past success, we’re also looking ahead to the next wave of Affinity champions. If you or someone you know is ready to compete, grow, and be part of an esports family that values teamwork and leadership, now is the time to step up! We will be hosting Spring 2025 Tryouts out of our Newtown Studio (27 Glen Road, Sandy Hook, CT) and Milford Studio (125 Old Gate Ln, Milford, CT) on the following days and times for each of our six titles:
Saturday February 1st & 8th
Sunday February 2nd & 9th
We’re looking for dedicated players ready to train, compete, and develop their skills in a structured, championship-winning environment. This season, we are also exploring new teams for Rainbow Six Siege (R6) and other titles like League of Legends and Overwatch 2, expanding our commitment to competitive gaming across different titles.
Currently we have more than 40 competitors prepared to attend our tryouts over the next two weeks! Don’t miss your chance to be part of something extraordinary. Whether you’re an experienced competitor or just starting out, Affinity Esports provides the coaching, community, and competition to help you take your game to the next level.
?? Register for tryouts today: https://lnkd.in/eDZED9n6
A Thank You to Our Community
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our parents, coaches, and partners, who make our teams so special. From late-night pickups after playoff matches to learning about Twitch and esports terminology, your commitment means the world to us—and more importantly, to your players.
A huge thank you to our leadership team, coaching staff, and community partners for shaping this program into what it is today:
Kate Petersen | Kaohom Boonyalai | Maxwell McGee, M.Ed. | Connor Lincavicks | Bryant Recker | Christopher Serreti | Roger Caramanica, Ph.D. | Julie Mavrogeorge | Matthew Turner | Clint Kennedy | Rebecca Dixon | Post University | Connecticut Esports | Mark Kilpatrick | Emily Kilpatrick
And a special shoutout to Joshua Cyr and Variation Visuals for capturing our players' journey through another amazing Media Day video! ??
This is just the beginning. Join us for Spring 2025 Tryouts and be part of the future of Affinity Esports !
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