SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Cody and Becca Ruebke recently bought into the XP League franchise with hopes of bringing positivity and safe online gaming to the youth of Reno County and the surrounding areas.
XP League is a nationwide youth esports league that has over 50 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The league is the first Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) competitive gaming league in North America for elementary, middle, and high school aged players.
“We’ve been interested in starting our own business for a while now,” Cody Ruebke said. “Our kids aren’t super big into sports, but play a lot of video games, so it just kind of made sense and is something our kids would be interested in, plus something we’re very passionate about.”
The coaches for the XP League don't just sign up and become a coach automatically, there is work that has to be done first.
"All of our coaches have to go through a certification," Becca Ruebke said. "They all have tons of coaching experience and/or really significant game skills. The coaches training goes through positive communication and teamwork and how to handle kids getting through a defeat."
The kids in the league in Hutchinson have the opportunity to play against other kids from all over the country and do some in a safe space.
"All of our kids get to play against other XP League kids from Texas, Florida, Washington and so on," Cody Ruebke said. "We have custom servers, so these kids aren't getting into matches with strangers, we're actually monitoring all of the servers, so we know they're live against other XP League kids."
XP League strives to make their product safe for all of its members to enjoy.
"I could talk all day long about our coaches," Becca Ruebke said. "We talk a lot about the different benefits. The coaching and the connection with teammates and the sense of belonging kids get from being on a team."
Esports is one of the fastest growing industries in the world with several high schools, colleges and universities adding teams, and for Ruebke that's another huge positive for the league.
"Kelsey Hensley, the esports coach at HutchCC has done a great job of being mentors for our kids," Cody Ruebke said. "Trying to bring esports into the spotlight and being something, people can be excited about. Also, we want to do this because there are career opportunities and further education opportunities that go along with this. There is only one high school in the area with an esports team and that's Buhler. HutchCC has scholarship opportunities they can give out every year and they don't have enough kids they can give them out to."
According to Cody Ruebke, there are several opportunities and varieties for kids to try.
"We offer seven different games right now," Cody Ruebke said. "XP League is always looking for new games to add to the lineup. When the kid signs up, they do sign up for a specific game."
When signed up, you're locked into that particular game for eight weeks.
"Each season is eight weeks long," Cody Ruebke said. "You can switch over from one game to another after that season is up, but you are required to stay in the one game for eight weeks."
If you or someone you know is interested in signing up, the process is simple.
"So, everybody has to sign up on our website," Cody Ruebke said. "Our signup is very similar to a subscription service. Once you sign up, it will charge your credit card once a month. We have different tiers to our membership, so price points are different."
Because the franchise is new to the area, there is a discount going on for those interested in signing up now.
"We are running a founding family discount right now," Cody Ruebke said. "Everybody that signs up for the league before September 5th gets $20 off their monthly membership until they get out of the league."
The couple held a grand opening celebration in late July to help promote the new organization in the area.
"We had a really good turnout for it," Cody Ruebke said. "I think we gave away 15 or more free coaching sessions, plus we had several walk ins that showed up, so I felt like it was a success."
The Hutchinson location can be found at 302 E. 30th Ave. in the conference room of the PRMI building. Although the official league name is "XP League of NW Wichita" Ruebke said it's more for franchising purposes.
"Our territory stretches to Wichita, so once Hutch is up and operational, we will move over to Wichita and open up a second location over there," Cody Ruebke said.
If you're interested in learning more about XP League and joining the Hutchinson team, feel free to reach out via Facebook.