Plant High School hosts a variety of clubs to suit all interests, specifically the modern appeal of online gaming. The Plant E-Sports club is a community for people that play video games that includes competitive programs, open servers, and functions as an overall host for people to come together and game as a team.   

The club helps unite people who enjoy gaming equally; it’s usually a seemingly isolated activity. Alex Reanud (12) said, “I feel like it’s just that kind of community, it’s pretty small, and not many people share that interest. I also think that people are paraded, insulted, or just made fun of when it comes to that kind of stuff. I’m no recipient of bullying, but for others, I think the club is a safe space for people to meet others if they’re nervous or scared of new interactions. It’s [E-sports club] the place I go to interact.”   

The club provides opportunities beyond meeting people with similar interests; it can also serve as a source of career opportunities in relation to E-Sports. The president, Ben Seatts (12), works at a local players club outside of school. The ESPC (E-Sports Players Club) facility in Tampa is located on Kennedy Boulevard and sponsors the E-sports club at plant. Seats Said, “I probably will not continue in an E-Sports after high school, but I plan to continue working with the company I’m with right now and grow alongside them.”    

The E-sports club provides opportunities for people who enjoy a competitive or more leisurely style of gaming as well. Competitions are held every Saturday at the ESPC and open to people apart of the club as well as the public.