There’s a new Wichita coaching business for kids, but it’s not for traditional sports
There’s a new west-side coaching business for kids, but it’s not for traditional sports.
XP League Northwest Wichita is “a competitive youth e-sports franchise,” said Cody Ruebke, who is opening it with is wife, Becca.
“We have a 10-year-old son that isn’t really into sports,” Ruebke said. “He would much rather just game with his buddies online.”
The fast-growing North Carolina franchise, which has almost 50 sites nationally, is designed to help kids improve their competitive play.
XP League employees are coaches who work with children age 7 through seniors in high school.
“They work with the same coach week after week,” Ruebke said.
They play on the same teams, too, after coaches assess their skill levels.
“We are able to create a safe space for kids to play with each other,” Ruebke said.
The business has a membership model. The cheapest memberships start at $139 a month for six months.
There are silver, gold and platinum tier divisions.
The silver level is more casual or for kids who are just learning.
The gold tier is far above the silver one but not a pre-collegiate level.
The platinum tier is on par with a collegiate level.
Ruebke said some of what XP League offers is even more than what some high school programs have.
The business, which is at 2110 N. Maize Road, near the southeast corner of 21st and Maize Road, is still in its opening phase. It had its first open house last week and will have another one soon.
Children can have one free coaching session by signing up through the XP League website.
“We’ll always offer that,” Ruebke said.
He said it’s a way to determine skill levels.
XP League teaches Fortnite, Minecraft, Valorant, Overwatch and Apex Legends.
“Anymore, it’s hard to find a college that doesn’t have an e-sports team,” Ruebke said. “Colleges are offering scholarships for e-sports.”
He said there is a professional level, too.
Ruebke said the money may not be quite as good as, say, the NFL, but he said, “It’s still pretty good money if you make it to the top tier.”
