The Florida High School Athletic Association could potentially sanction competitive video gaming, or esports, as an official sport, amid growing interest from member schools.
The FHSAA Board of Directors held a discussion about esports during a meeting in Gainesville Monday, with talks focusing on the share of Florida schools that would be interested in offering programs if the games are sanctioned as an official sport.
The organization distributed a survey and received responses from 425 schools, which accounted for 58 percent of its combination and senior high schools.
“Two questions were about current participation and interest, while several other questions were asked to guide future research and decision making, if necessary,” a document included in the board’s agenda said.
Overall, 26.4 percent of schools that responded reported sponsoring an esports team or club. Of that overall number, 24.9 percent of public schools have teams or clubs, while 25.2 percent of private schools and 39.1 percent of charter schools said they have such programs.
The FHSAA requires at least 20 percent of schools in at least two of its four “sections” or regions of the state offering a sport in order for it to be eligible for sanctioning.
Interest in offering esports is high among the member schools that did not report having programs.
More than half — 54.6 percent — of the schools surveyed said they would be interested in offering esports to students if the FHSAA sanctioned the games. Nearly 50 percent of public schools surveyed indicated interest, while more than 56 percent of private schools and 82 percent of charter schools expressed interest.
Of the state’s four FHSAA regional sections, schools in Section 4 encompassing South Florida expressed the highest level of interest at 69 percent.
FHSAA board member Trevor Berryhill, who also is athletic director for Oviedo private school The Master’s…
