November 21, 2023
Leagues at Center of Generations connect young and old alike
When Jason Yin started working at the YMCA of Metro Denver four months ago, he couldn’t believe that he was getting paid.
“I get to mentor kids playing video games and play with them. It’s basically the dream job,” the Esports Coach shared.
Esports is short for electronic sports, video game competitions between gamers – either individually or as teams. Yin’s role includes instruction as well as oversight—something he knows well from 6+ years as chess instructor with PALS Chess Academy, which serves public schools across southern Denver. “I show kids how to play and understand each of the games they choose. I often record and run through analysis of their games to help them learn how to improve.”
The YMCA of Metro Denver opened its Center of Generations in The Streets at SouthGlenn late this summer to host various opportunities for locals of all ages, including kids and older adults. This included the YMCA of Metro Denver’s first ever esports center and league, which was specifically opened as a safe and inviting space for teens in the area. On any given day, two to seven kids can be found in the center’s esports room, which is next to its game and craft rooms. The center hosts esports leagues on Tuesday and Thursday. Leagues give participants a chance to compete online against peer groups at set times.
Brothers Kevin (15) and Santiago Grado (12) visit almost every day between the end of school and seven in the evening. It was the friendships that brought them to the center, and the opportunity to play esports together on high quality monitors that brings them back.
“We started esports when we first came here. We scooter over from Arapahoe High School and live in the area,” Kevin Grado said.
“A friend told us about it,” Santiago Grado added. “We only have an Xbox at home, so the quality of the computers is so much better here.”
The Center of Generations also offers a range of activities including art, 3D print designing and chess classes as well as movie and card/board game nights. Many of these offerings provide opportunities for teens to spend time with older adults, which is one of the center’s goals.
Esports encourages intergenerational connections too. “We’ve definitely had some older adults come and just watch the kids play or try to learn to connect with their grandkids,” Yin shared.
While the Grado brothers haven’t tried other non-computerized games yet, Kevin shared that they “would definitely consider the opportunity to explore other games like chess.”
From his perspective as a chess instructor, Yin recognizes esports as more than just an activity to keep kids busy.
“I think it would surprise people to realize what chess and esports have in common—both require tremendous strategy and skill. They teach kids how to be committed to a goal and how to lose well,” he explained. Plus, esports provides opportunities for future advancement on an even wider scale.
“Esports has exploded because it is a truly international event—unlike traditional sports, it is not confined to one country,” Yin explained, pointing to the League of Legends Championship underway this fall with well over two million views worldwide. “The kids can come here, watch the competition and see all the infrastructure around it. They could totally pursue a career in the field as part of the camera crews or as commentators.”
Even if they never enter the professional esports world, Yin’s central goal is that local teens will be able to spend time together while engaging their minds.
“Kids can come in and learn different genres of games, and just generally have fun,” he added, nodding to the cozy couches and stacks of games in the Center of Generations’ game room. “They can meet friends with the same interests and hang out together in a safe space.”
The YMCA’s Center of Generations is a partnership with the City of Centennial bringing together youth and older adults in a multi-generational space. The center is open to all although some programs have a fee and registration is required while some activities are free for City of Centennial residents and YMCA members and a drop-in fee is required for non-residents. See all the program offerings at denverymca.org/centennial-ymca.