GRAND CAYMAN (GIS) – This month, the Youth Services Unit (YSU) is partnering with Gamers Bay, a Cayman Islands-based eSports organisation, on a new initiative to host school tours on technology and video game play, as well as facilitate a workshop for select students.

Organised by Gamers Bay with support from the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture, and Lands (MEYSAL), the school visits will include guest speakers from the University of Tampa’s Art Institute, specifically the Media Arts and International Admissions programmes; along with YouTuber/professional eSports player, Trevor Martin; and cosplayer/social media influencer, Joanie Brosas.

“I know technology is inter-woven into every aspect of our lives and students will benefit,” said Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Minister for EYSAL. “Speakers will also explain how young people in the Cayman Islands can access future earning potential and careers in video game playing and technology.”
Tours are scheduled for Layman E. Scott High School on Tuesday, 25 September; John Gray High School, Wednesday, 26 September; and at Clifton Hunter High School, Thursday, 27 September.

This will conclude with a technology workshop for 33 ICT/Art and STEM students selected from the public and private schools, the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI). It will be held at the UCCI on Friday, 28 September and will teach students about the emerging market for eSports and video gaming.

“It’s a pleasure for the Youth Services Unit to partner with the organisers of the 2018 Gamers Bay Video Game Tournament and Technology Convention – this is the third year for the homegrown eSports event in the Cayman Islands and the Unit’s first time partnering to host a youth workshop on this topic,” said Head of the Youth Services Unit Katherine Whittaker. “The video game industry is growing and is estimated to be worth $12.5 billion by the year 2020. The organisers see this event as another quality sports tourism event in the Cayman Islands, much like NORCECA’s Volleyball tournament, Flowers Sea Swim, and the Intertrust Marathon. Their focus on youth participation at the workshop is not limited to youth attendance, but to encourage their participation in the growing business of video gaming.”

Daniel Scott co-founder of Net Geekz Media, which set up Gamers Bay, also highlighted the initiative’s potential, “We appreciate the Youth Services Unit and the Ministry for being forward thinkers,” said Mr. Scott. “We hope to help educate students, parents, teachers, media and government about what eSports is; its benefits; and its career opportunities. Our goals are to promote, improve and inspire.”

For information on the Gamers Bay convention on Saturday, 29 September, visit (https://gamersbaycayman.com/about/).

IMAGE:Picture and caption
Gamers: YouTuber and past professional eSports competitor, Trevor ‘TmarTn’ Martin poses at last year’s Gamers Bay convention with local school students.