WATERLOO REGION — The courts may be quiet and the fields forlorn, but competitive teams are still thriving at post-secondary schools in Waterloo Region.

While traditional sports have been cancelled for the fall season due the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College are all upping their game in esports.

The latter two have joined 16 other schools in the upstart Ontario Post-Secondary Esports league. The OPSE is a first of its kind in the province and aims to mimic the Ontario University Athletics format, but for competitive video gaming.

“With the schools moving to a digital landscape it just made sense to have a digital league,” said OPSE commissioner James Fitzgerald. “The biggest thing for us was the lack of regional competition. There wasn’t anything in the collegiate esports space that let you compete against those schools that you would in traditional sports.”

Fitzgerald, a Carleton computer science graduate, took the idea to athletic directors at colleges and universities across Ontario in June when it appeared that the sports season was going to be scrapped for the fall.

And he found a ton of support.

“We have a chance here, a vacuum where people are lacking digital content,” he said. “Esports is something we can build on to maintain that student engagement and build the school spirit and be active in the community.”

The University of Waterloo has had a vibrant esports scene for years with teams placing in the top 10 in tournaments across North America. But it’s tough to knock off established powerhouse programs at American universities.

“It’s kind of like putting Warriors football up against Florida State,” said Greg Mittler, University of Waterloo’s co-ordinator of sports clubs and camps. “We wanted to see if we are the Canadian juggernaut and can we prove it in a Canadian-only league.”

So, the Warriors opted into OPSE for the upcoming season and will compete in three games — team-based character-driven titles “League of Legends,” “Overwatch” and “Rocket League,” which is like soccer with race cars.

The first wave of tryouts ran about two weeks ago and a second audition, that will finalize the school’s roster of about 50 players, is slated for later this month.

“I think it’s something that can definitely build school spirit and morale,” said Mittler, adding that UW also plans to field teams in other esports leagues. “We’re listening to what the students want on campus. I think this is something that can connect people, if they feel like they don’t fit in traditional sports.”

The OPSE regular season runs from October to February with the playoffs to follow. Matches will be shown on Twitch, a live streaming platform, and teams can win up to $24,000 in prize money.

“We’re going to miss those football and soccer games but there will be opportunities for students to tune in to Twitch and watch the Waterloo Warriors play the Queen’s Gaels and cheer for their team,” said Fitzgerald. “They’ll be able to catch highlights and engage on social media and have that school pride and spirit. I think that’s amazing that we’re still able to do that right now.”

Some American universities offer scholarships for players on varsity esports teams. Mittler can see a day when Canadian schools do the same. Other perks, such as building esports training facilities, holding live competitions on campus and budgets for equipment are possibilities.

Laurier decided not to take part in OPSE this season and will instead focus on other tournaments and fostering its newly launched in-house eSports Live league for recreational and competitive gamers.

“There is already a thriving esports community at Laurier so we’re trying to work with them instead of coming in and pretending that we’re inventing this,” said Sarah Broderick, WLU manager of recreation and wellness. “We’re trying to figure out how to help them.”

Laurier’s homecoming football game has been cancelled due to the pandemic but the school has shifted focus to keep student engagement high that weekend. Beginning Sept. 26, Laurier will kick off its esports league with a “Fortnite” battle that carries a $1,000 top prize.

Commissioner Fitzgerald expects OPSE to grow in time since it appeals to such a wide audience.

“The best part to me about esports is its inclusivity,” he said. “The fact that it’s coed, you’re not limited by physical abilities, anyone from anywhere can play, even language barriers get broken down. That, for me, is amazing to see, how much a community can come together around a shared passion.”