EU-projekt skal gøre esporten en mere integreret del af den klassiske idrætsforening
Esport, computerspil, gaming. Kært barn har mange navne. Men fælles er, at sportsgrenen at spille computer har taget verden, og ikke mindst Danmark, med storm de sidste 20 år. Genren er stadig voksende, men har også haft sin skepsis under vejs. En af de helt store problematikker som esport har stået over for, at det fysiske aktivitetsniveau. For kan noget være en sport, når man alligevel bare sidder foran en computer? Og hvad med pulsen, den skal jo op. Og selvom skak siden 1999 har været en godkendt sport hos den olympiske komite, så mangler det samme prædikat at blive smidt på esport. Flere lande, sports-, kultur- og videns organisationer har dog de seneste år godkendt esport som en sportsgren. Men det ændrer ikke på, at det fysiske aspekt i esport for mange kan være svært at få øje på. Men hvordan afhjælper vi dette?
Et nyt EU-projekt skal kaste lys over mulighederne for at integrere esport i den allerede eksisterende og velfungerende sports- og idrætsforeninger rundt om i Danmark. Dette projekt har AaB esport og AaB af 1885 siden 2020 været en del af. Esports har som nævnt lidt under, at det specielt for forældre kan være svært at gennemskue hvor den klassiske sportslige del lige bliver en del af det at spille computer. Siden 2017 har AaB esport været en del af AaB af 1885 og det har gavnet medlemmerne mener formand Kenneth Jensen: “Det er klart det giver noget. Vi har virkelig kunne se noget sparring og nogle muligheder i at komme under vingerne på en stor og veletableret sportsforening.” De muligheder som Kenneth Jensen nævner da også til at få øje på – men overraskende nok går de begge veje mellem moder- og underklubben. For esport gælder det at man er kommet med i en allerede velsmurt idrætsforening. Her er faciliteter og personale, som kan være en stor udfordring at skalere op med, hvis man er en helt nystartet forening. Samtidig er der andre sportsgrene under samme tag. Og netop det mener formanden er en kæmpe fordel. “Vi er helt vilde med det. Det giver et helt andet liv og vi ender ikke med at sidde i vores egen lille boble. Vi forholder os til hvad de andre sportsgrene laver og nyder at have fællesarrangementer og kunne hjælpe hinanden på kryds og tværs.” Og netop at kunne være en del af de andre sportsgrene giver en væld af nye muligheder til en esportsforening. Det gør det muligt at deltage i andre, ofte mere fysiske, sportsgrene. For medlemmerne, hvoraf størstedelen er i alderen 10-16, giver det også mulighed for at stifte bekendtskab med de andre sportsgrene som AaB af 1885 tilbyder. Samtidig præsenterer det medlemmer indenfor de andre sportsgrene for esport og de kompetencer og egenskaber som esporten udvikler, blandt andet reaktionstid, taktik, sammenhold og kommunikation.
EU-projektet løber frem til slut 2022 men allerede nu ser formanden for AaB esport det som en succes og ser frem til at resultaterne og projektet kommer til at gavne ikke kun AaB men hele den danske esportsverden: “Det har været super givende og vi lærer hele tiden nyt – ikke bare om hvordan vi selv gør det, men hvordan man gør det i resten af Europa. Det kan jeg slet ikke vente med at se hvad det kan udvikle sig til på sigt, bade i udlandet, men også herhjemme.”
EU project seeks to make esports an integrated part of the classical sports club
Esports, video games, gaming. We find many names for that which we love. But the common denominator is that gaming has taken the world by storm in the last 20 years. Denmark is no exception. The sport is still growing but has met its fair amount of skepticism through the years. One of the biggest challenges has been the physical activities – or lack thereof – in esports. Can something be a sport when the participants are only playing video games? And indeed, the pulse must be elevated when engaging in sports activities. Although chess has been a recognized Olympic sport since 1999, the same mark has not been given to esports yet. Several countries, sports, culture, and knowledge institutions have adapted and recognized esports over the years, but the broad public still needs convincing. The physical aspect is still critical in the debate of esports becoming truly accepted. But how can the esports scene and the traditional sports clubs help with solving this dilemma?
A new EU project seeks to shed some light on the possibilities to integrate esports into already existing and functioning sports clubs in Denmark, as well as in Europe. AaB esport and AaB 1885 have been a part of the project since 2020. Esports has, as mentioned, suffered under the fact that especially parents have problems understanding how the classical physical element of sports can become a part of esports.
Since 2017, AaB esport has been a part of the sports club AaB 1885. This has benefitted the members and players says chair of AaB esport, Kenneth Jensen: “There’s no doubt that it has its benefits. Becoming a part of a large, respected, and well-organized sports club has given us opportunities we wouldn’t see otherwise.” The opportunities mentioned by the chairman are clearly visible – but surprisingly are found on both sides of the table. For the young esports club, it has been a clear advantage to become a part of a well-functioning and already-established sports club. Here can be found existing facilities and staff, and this can be quite a milestone to reach for a newly established esports club. Another advantage is the several other sports under the same roof. And especially this has been a tremendous plus says the chairman: “We absolutely love it. There’s a life and flow in the clubhouse, and we avoid sitting in our own little bubble. We have to relate ourselves to other sports, but also enjoy creating events and helping each other across sports.” And exactly this aspect, being a part of other sports, give an ocean of opportunities for AaB esports. One aspect, in particular, is the ability to be a part of the workouts of the other often more physical sports. For the members of AaB esport, mostly in the ages 10 to 16, this can be an introduction to some of the other sports AaB 1885 offers. And this in turn goes the other way and gives an insight into esports and the skills that can be developed within the sport; communication, reaction time, tactics, and cohesiveness.
The EU project ends at the end of 2022, but even before the end, the results are looked upon as a success for AaB esport: “It has been an amazing journey, and has given us an amazing amount of insights – not only about ourselves but also about how esports are developed and incorporated in traditional sports clubs throughout Europe. I can’t wait to see how the scene will develop, both abroad and in Denmark.”, these are the closing remarks from AaB esports chairman Kenneth Jensen