ESPORTS

2023 ESPORTS CLASSES

Founded in 2021, Affinity Esports is Connecticut’s premier organization for healthier gaming. They are on a mission to create safe spaces that deliver holistic experiences for all gamers, achieving this through structured programming that increases accessibility, community education, and inclusion. By elevating the long-term benefits of esports to the forefront of discussions and normalizing people’s passion, Affinity Esports has created an engaging community of gamers and advocates who are committed to balancing wellness, education, mentality, competition, and socialization. They have a distinct focus on growing esports across Connecticut.

Through their recreational programs, children are introduced to the world of esports, full of new and emerging career paths, experiential learning, and highly engaging social activities. Each of these programs has been structured to reinforce critical life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Through their time with us, we will guide children to build healthy habits and harness their passion with an extreme commitment to balancing wellness, education, mentality, competition, and socialization. Esports have been linked to powerful outcomes, such as improved social and emotional skills, problem solving, future career viability, and academic performance.

Intro to Esports (Ages 7-13)
Have your child join us for An Intro to Esports where they will get to experience playing various “E for Everyone” rated games (Minecraft, Rocket League, Knockout City, Fall Guys, Super Smash Bros, and Mario Kart) in a social, team-based setting. They will have the opportunity to learn about these games and the booming esports industry, while focusing on a skill of the day (such as character, teamwork, communication, problem solving, or leadership). They will also have the opportunity to see our production and competition room to experience what the next level of esports competition looks and feels like. This course is designed to spark passion and interest by exposing your child to a wide range of games, activities, and opportunities, while also focusing on an extreme commitment to balance, health and wellness, and basic internet safety. We also provide guidance and ideas to help parents along their individual household journey as they support their children’s passion and normalize gaming achievements.

Ages: 7-13

Duration: 6 Weeks

Min/Max: 6/10

STAY TUNED for upcoming programming!

Rocket League (Ages 7-13)

Have your child join us for our Rocket League class, where they will have the opportunity to learn about how this game fits into the booming esports industry, while focusing on a skill of the day (such as character, teamwork, communication, problem solving, or leadership) and how to apply that skill within the game itself and also in life. We will take all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and work with each individual and the collective to improve their mechanics, game sense, and overall performance. They will be placed within a team where they will learn to grow, strategize, and function cohesively in a competitive environment, learning both from their wins and losses. Rocket League is a 3v3 fantastical sport-based game, developed by Psyonix (it’s soccer with cars). It features a competitive game mode based on teamwork and outmaneuvering opponents. Players work with their team to advance the ball down the field, and score goals in their opponents’ net.

Ages: 7-13

Duration: 6 Weeks

Min/Max: 6/10

STAY TUNED for upcoming programming!

 

 

 

Joe DeFilippo

Executive Director of Baseball Operations, Coach

Joe has done it all in his 40+ years in baseball as a player, coach/instructor, scout/ talent evaluator, and umpire.

Following a highly decorated career as a middle infielder, Joe immediately began teaching and coaching young players the game he loves, in Alabama, Texas and Connecticut. In addition, Joe has 20+ years experience as an umpire in youth, high school, and college baseball. He has also been involved in the scouting end of baseball as a talent evaluator at showcases/combines for prospective college and professional players.

Coach Joe has also been involved in coaching youth basketball, and football at both the youth and high school level.

Previously the organization founder & co-owner of the Connecticut RiverDogs, Coach Joe’s teams and players have won innumerable league and tournament championships.

RICH LICURSI

Executive Operations and Player Development, Coach

1st Team All American and Highest decorated player in Sacred Heart University baseball history; Coach Rich was player of the year in 1990 and earned a spot in the Cape Cod league for the Brewster Whitecaps. In high School Coach Rich was decorated with all state honors, All FCIAC, 1 State Championship at THS (1986), and selected to the All Daily News Baseball Team in 1987.  Coach Licursi is the All-Time record holder at SHU in career and season strikeouts, career and season wins, complete games career and season, total innings career and season, and total career appearances.  Coach Rich enjoyed a 5-year professional career with the LA Dodgers and Boston Red Sox organizations as well as independent baseball.  Coach Licursi has been in child development or over 30 years ranging from Director of the Westport/Weston YMCA to Board of Directors for in town sports.  When asking Coach Rich what his biggest accomplishment is, he states that he takes great pride in his students and players he works with, and the response from the community has been amazing.  Coaching now for over 30 years in youth sports ranging from Baseball, Football and Basketball, coach Rich will always be here for the kids and with a focus on personal and team growth.  Previously the organization owner & creator of the CT Dodgers, Coach Rich produced many championship teams over the past 7 years and signed over 30 ballplayers to college opportunities and scholarships.  A master in the art of pitching, Coach Rich is considered one of the best available to work with.

“I’m more than excited to partner with such a great Sports Forum such as InSports of Trumbull.  We have been looking for the perfect platform to build the states best AAU Baseball program, and I feel with this new location we have access to the best ballplayers in the state to do so.  We are great at what we do, and we look forward to meeting so many new players and their families this October during tryouts for our 2022 Spring/Summer teams.