Weekly esports leagues
Organized online leagues featuring age-appropriate titles such as NBA 2K and Undisputed — emphasizing teamwork, communication, accountability, and healthy competition.
North Carolina pilot proposal
Play More. Learn More.
A 12-week online GameAthlete pilot for approximately 50–100 North Carolina youth — using games they already love as a gateway to mentorship, technology education, leadership, and career readiness.
Why this exists
Meet youth where they already are
Rather than asking young people to stop gaming, GameAthlete turns competition into structure: positive adult mentors, teamwork, accountability, and practical skills. The goal is belonging and opportunity — protective factors associated with reducing the risk of youth violence and gang involvement.
This page describes a proposed pilot for partners such as schools, juvenile justice programs, Boys & Girls Clubs, law enforcement youth initiatives, and workforce development organizations across North Carolina.
Pilot at a glance
What the 12 weeks include
One-on-one mentoring
Weekly sessions with adult mentors. Educational guidance and progress coaching — not licensed mental-health counseling.
Technology pathways
Structured introductions to web development, programming & AI, cybersecurity, networking, IT support, and cloud computing.
Life skills workshops
Communication, leadership, conflict resolution, teamwork, financial literacy, and career exploration.
Measurement
Pre- and post-program assessments covering engagement, confidence, technology knowledge, leadership development, and interest in education and career pathways.
Community & belonging
An online community where participants build relationships with mentors and peers — and begin envisioning productive futures.
Technology tracks
Learning pathways in the pilot
Participants explore career-ready tech fields connected to the games and projects they care about.
- Web Development
- Programming & AI
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- IT Support
- Cloud Computing
Safety & families
Adult supervision and clear boundaries
Pilot participation is designed with guardian awareness for minors, scheduled mentoring windows, and community guidelines that emphasize respect, accountability, and age-appropriate competition.
Mentoring is educational — not therapy. Outcomes are measured honestly; we do not guarantee prevention results for any individual.
Who it’s for
Approximately 50–100 North Carolina youth in a single 12-week cohort (exact ages and referral partners to be finalized with stakeholders).
How it’s delivered
Fully online: leagues, mentoring sessions, workshops, and learning pathways — so youth can participate beyond traditional after-school settings.
Partner model
Built to complement existing prevention work and scale through schools, clubs, justice programs, and workforce partners statewide.
Platform
Live at GameAthlete.net — leagues, paths, programs, and mentoring intake already in place for demonstration.
Founder
Built by a technology professional
GameAthlete was founded by Brian Burnett, a technology engineer with more than 20 years of experience and a Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) certification. The platform exists to make mentorship, technical skills, and positive community accessible through gaming.
Next step
Let’s walk through the platform
We welcome the opportunity to brief partners on the proposed pilot, demonstrate GameAthlete, and explore how Play More. Learn More. can support safer communities and expanded opportunities for North Carolina youth.