SNOHOMISH COUNTY, AUG. 16: Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County youth are gearing up for the 2nd annual eGaming tournament with local law enforcement on Thursday, Aug. 22.
Last year Mayor Cassie Franklin and former Everett police Chief Dan Templeman proposed an eGaming tournament to cultivate lasting and trusting relationships between the youth community and police officers, Officer Natalie Given wrote in an email.
Former Youth Services Sergeant Jeff Pountain connected local police agencies and the BGCSC to set up the tournament in 2023.
“The event last year was a complete success, and the department is looking forward to our tournament this year…” Given wrote.
This year’s event will be double in size, with 12 local BGCs and 10 law enforcement agencies gathering at the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club, Given wrote.
Club youth have been practicing with their local law enforcement for the past month, Robert Cannon, BGCSC Director of Club Resources and Development, wrote in an email.
There are 32 teams, two youths per law-enforcement mentor, Cannon wrote.
“It is extremely meaningful to all of us here at BGCSC to have the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club hosting this year’s kids and law enforcement eGaming tournament,” Cannon wrote.
Cannon said the significance is twofold for the Tulalip Club located at 7707 36th Ave NW, Tulalip. The club opened in 1997 as Snohomish County’s first tribal club, and the sixth tribal BGC in the nation.
BGCSC now serves over 3,000 Native youth across eight tribal clubs in the county.
“With more than 1,000 teens now enrolled at the Tulalip BGC, activities like eGaming play a growing, significant role in bringing teens to Club programs, so that they spend their days in a safe, positive environment like the Boys & Girls Clubs,” Cannon wrote.
The video game of choice is critically acclaimed Rocket League, a combination of arcade-style soccer and vehicles, according to the Rocket League website. Outside the tournament, there will be lots of other activities for kids to participate in, Cannon wrote.
Seattle Pacific Science Center is putting on a Radical Reactions Science Show. Dave & Buster’s is bringing full-size arcade games, and shaved ice company Vampire Penguin, serving their famous snow.
“With Everett Police Department and BGCSC at the heart of the planning work we are doing something really special here. Not only are they gaming Aug. 22, but the youth are also fired up for the action that is being brought to us from so many community partners,” Cannon wrote.
Buffalo Wild Wings and Xfinity are also among the community partners for this event. Buffalo Wild Wings is sponsoring a wing eating contest, and Xfinity STEM-focused activities, Given wrote.
The winning team will bring home an eGaming trophy to show off to their local community. Last year, Mukilteo took home the trophy.
“This is still only the beginning. We want to continue to grow our work in the eGaming space and the community space. Our club is committed to serving teens, especially those who need us most,” Cannon wrote.
Photo contributed by MyEverettNews.com. The local publication was the first to report on the event last year.
