Columbus Seniors Prepare for International Esports Games in Los Angeles
Senior Esports USA will represent the nation in Rocket League after gaining Columbus City Council recognition and county wellness backing.
The Columbus City Council held a recognition of the senior esports competition team on its meeting agenda, according to council records. The floor recognition took place Monday, Oct. 19, at City Hall. The players will represent Team USA at the 2026 Global Esports Games in Los Angeles from Dec. 1-7, according to CW Columbus. The team is expected to play Rocket League, a video game that combines soccer with rocket-powered cars, against Senior Team Belgium, according to CW Columbus.
Senior Esports USA team members pose with Dr. Melita Moore (standing center) at Game Arena during their draft day announcement in Columbus, Ohio.
Credit: Senior Esports USA via ABC News / Yahoo Sports Image source
Senior Esports USA operates under the LevelUpLand program, an initiative launched in 2024 by the nonprofit Health-e-Gamer Foundation to promote healthy gaming and older adult well-being, according to CW Columbus. The team is supported by local public partners including the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Franklin County Office on Aging and the City of Columbus, according to Senior Esports USA. "It is incredibly meaningful for these seniors to represent the United States at the Global Esports Games during America's 250th anniversary, proving that gaming has no boundaries," said Dr. Melita N. Moore, Vice President of the Global Esports Federation and founder of the Health-e-Gamer Foundation, in an organization announcement.
Training for the Global Stage
Senior Esports USA hosted an official Draft Day at Game Arena on North High Street in Columbus, where the team of local senior citizens was announced, according to CW Columbus. The event featured walk-ups as players heard their names called and came forward to receive custom Team USA jerseys, according to CW Columbus. Training weekly at Game Arena in Columbus, Senior Esports USA operates as a robust, holistic health-led initiative, according to organization materials. The exhibition match against Senior Team Belgium is scheduled to take place during the Global Esports Games running Dec. 1–7 in Los Angeles, according to Senior Esports USA.
Before traveling west, the squad is scheduled to participate in a public send-off event in Columbus in late November, according to the team events calendar. Senior Esports USA is scheduling a community watch party in December so supporters can watch the match streamed live back home, according to the team calendar. The team comes home in January 2027 when the season's story gets told and the next chapter is announced, according to the organization schedule.
Public Health and Digital Equity
County officials described the esports program as an investment in senior health and activity. "Franklin County is proud to support innovative programs that help older adults stay active, connected and engaged," Franklin County Board of Commissioners President John O'Grady said in an announcement from the team. Chanda Wingo, director of the Franklin County Office on Aging, said seeing older adults represent central Ohio shows the value of investing in healthy aging, according to Senior Esports USA.
Senior Esports USA serves as an example of Columbus becoming a place where innovation and community come together, Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said in an announcement from the team. Since its launch, the LevelUpLand program has reached more than 2,500 seniors across the region, according to reporting by CW Columbus. In addition to Rocket League gameplay, participating seniors receive coaching focused on physical and cognitive health, nutrition, emotional intelligence and mental wellness, according to program documentation.
Addressing Senior Isolation
The initiative addresses broad public health concerns surrounding loneliness among older adults. In the United States, about 25 of every 100 community-dwelling older adults report social isolation, according to research cited by the American Academy of Family Physicians. 72-year-old Ladee Pamela Shields, also known by her online username, MzDu-Wickle, said "This platform gives us an opportunity to engage in all of that and be seen, be heard, be understood," according to ABC News.
"We suffer, many of us, from depression," Shields said, noting that many peers are widows and widowers and that "this platform through e-sports has built a brand-new community, a brand-new family," according to ABC News. Dr. Aaron Pinkhasov, chair of psychiatry at NYU Langone Hospital--Long Island, encouraged older adults to make social connections as part of their regular routine, having places to go, activities to look forward to and people they expect to see, according to medical coverage of the program.
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How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (1)
The Columbus City Council held a recognition of the senior esports competition team on its meeting agenda, according to council records.
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Columbus City Council Meeting Recording of “Columbus City Council Meeting”. The full timed transcript is retained; read it in sections. Topics: • t001 Call to Order, National Anthem, and Pledge of Allegiance (s0001–s0002) • t002 Invocation (s0003–s0010) • t003 Roll Call and Approval of the Journal (s0011–s0014) • t004 Council Member Announcements (s0015–s0077) • t005 Resolution 242 X 2026: Breast Cancer Awareness Month [242 X 2026] (s0078–s0127) • t006 Resolution 244 X 2026: Champions of Hope Recognition [244 X 2026] (s0128–s0167) • t007 Announcement of Public Utilities Committee Hearing (s0168–s0170) • t008 Resolution 0238 X-2026: National Disability Employment Awareness Month [0238 X-2026] (s0171–s0211) • t009 Recognition of Michael Woodford (s0212–s0216) • t010 Recognition of Senior eSports Competition Team (s0217–s0272)
Supporting evidence (6)
The players will represent Team USA at the 2026 Global Esports Games in Los Angeles from Dec. 1-7, according to CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
The players will represent Team USA at the 2026 Global Esports Games in Los Angeles from Dec. 1-7.
The team is expected to play Rocket League, a video game that combines soccer with rocket-powered cars, against Senior Team Belgium, according to CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
The team is expected to train weekly at Game Arena and play Rocket League, a video game that combines soccer with rocket-powered cars, against Senior Team Belgium.
Senior Esports USA operates under the LevelUpLand program, an initiative launched in 2024 by the nonprofit Health-e-Gamer Foundation to promote healthy gaming and older adult well-being, according to CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
The program grew out of the Health-e-Gamer Foundation’s LevelUpLand initiative, which uses gaming and technology to help older adults stay socially connected, build digital skills and improve overall well-being. Since launching in 2024, LevelUpLand has engaged with more than 2,500 seniors through its programming.
Senior Esports USA hosted an official Draft Day at Game Arena on North High Street in Columbus, where the team of local senior citizens was announced, according to CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
Senior Esports USA hosted an official Draft Day on last week at Game Arena on N. High St. in Columbus, where the team of local senior citizens was announced.
The event featured walk-ups as players heard their names called and came forward to receive custom Team USA jerseys, according to CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
The event featured walk-ups as players heard their names called and came forward to receive custom Team USA jerseys.
Since its launch, the LevelUpLand program has reached more than 2,500 seniors across the region, according to reporting by CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
Since launching in 2024, LevelUpLand has engaged with more than 2,500 seniors through its programming.
Supporting evidence (8)
The team is supported by local public partners including the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Franklin County Office on Aging and the City of Columbus, according to Senior Esports USA.
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Current partners include Levels Unlocked Enterprises, Esports Foundry, Game Arena, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Franklin County Office on Aging and the City of Columbus.
"It is incredibly meaningful for these seniors to represent the United States at the Global Esports Games during America's 250th anniversary, proving that gaming has no boundaries," said Dr. Melita N. Moore, Vice President of the Global Esports Federation and founder of the Health-e-Gamer Foundation, in an organization announcement.
Read supporting passage
"It is incredibly meaningful for these seniors to represent the United States at the Global Esports Games during America's 250th anniversary, proving that gaming has no boundaries," said Dr. Melita N. Moore, Vice President of the Global Esports Federation and founder of the Health-e-Gamer Foundation.
Training weekly at Game Arena in Columbus, Senior Esports USA operates as a robust, holistic health-led initiative, according to organization materials.
Read supporting passage
Training weekly at Game Arena in Columbus, Senior Esports USA operates as a robust, holistic health-led initiative.
The exhibition match against Senior Team Belgium is scheduled to take place during the Global Esports Games running Dec. 1–7 in Los Angeles, according to Senior Esports USA.
Read supporting passage
a team of central Ohio seniors will represent the United States in an international Rocket League competition, a video game that combines soccer with rocket-powered cars, against Senior Team Belgium during the Global Esports Federation 2026 Global Esports Games, Dec. 1–7, in Los Angeles.
"Franklin County is proud to support innovative programs that help older adults stay active, connected and engaged," Franklin County Board of Commissioners President John O'Grady said in an announcement from the team.
Read supporting passage
"Franklin County is proud to support innovative programs that help older adults stay active, connected and engaged," said John O'Grady, President of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Chanda Wingo, director of the Franklin County Office on Aging, said seeing older adults represent central Ohio shows the value of investing in healthy aging, according to Senior Esports USA.
Read supporting passage
"We're proud to support innovative programs that keep older adults active, connected and engaged. Seeing these seniors represent our community, and our country, shows what's possible when we invest in healthy aging," said Chanda Wingo, director of the Franklin County Office on Aging.
Senior Esports USA serves as an example of Columbus becoming a place where innovation and community come together, Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said in an announcement from the team.
Read supporting passage
"Columbus has become a place where innovation and community come together, and Senior Esports USA is another example of that," said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.
In addition to Rocket League gameplay, participating seniors receive coaching focused on physical and cognitive health, nutrition, emotional intelligence and mental wellness, according to program documentation.
Read supporting passage
Senior Esports USA combines competitive gaming with critical wellness pillars designed to promote healthy aging, digital literacy and digital equity. Beyond Rocket League training, participants receive coaching focused on physical and cognitive health, nutrition, emotional intelligence and mental wellness.
https://senioresportsusa.org/events
Supporting evidence (3)
Before traveling west, the squad is scheduled to participate in a public send-off event in Columbus in late November, according to the team events calendar.
Read supporting passage
Late November. Columbus gives Team USA a proper send-off before the flight to Los Angeles. Public event. Bring a sign.
Senior Esports USA is scheduling a community watch party in December so supporters can watch the match streamed live back home, according to the team calendar.
Read supporting passage
December. Can't make Los Angeles? Watch the match with the whole community back home — streamed live, cheered loudly.
The team comes home in January 2027 when the season's story gets told and the next chapter is announced, according to the organization schedule.
Read supporting passage
January 2027. The team comes home, the season's story gets told, and the next chapter is announced.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/retirement-rocket-league-us-senior-095903101.html
Supporting evidence (4)
In the United States, about 25 of every 100 community-dwelling older adults report social isolation, according to research cited by the American Academy of Family Physicians. 72-year-old Ladee Pamela Shields, also known by her online username, MzDu-Wickle, said "This platform gives us an opportunity to engage in all of that and be seen, be heard, be understood," according to ABC News.
Read supporting passage
In the U.S., about 25% community-dwelling older adults report social isolation while another 22%-35% report feeling lonely, per the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In the United States, about 25 of every 100 community-dwelling older adults report social isolation, according to research cited by the American Academy of Family Physicians. 72-year-old Ladee Pamela Shields, also known by her online username, MzDu-Wickle, said "This platform gives us an opportunity to engage in all of that and be seen, be heard, be understood," according to ABC News.
Read supporting passage
This platform gives us an opportunity to engage in all of that and be seen, be heard, be understood," says 72-year-old Ladee Pamela Shields, also known by her online username, MzDu-Wickle.
"We suffer, many of us, from depression," Shields said, noting that many peers are widows and widowers and that "this platform through e-sports has built a brand-new community, a brand-new family," according to ABC News.
Read supporting passage
For Shields, this is something she notes to be common among her peers. "We suffer, many of us, from depression," she said. "Many of us are widows and widowers. So when we talk about loneliness and what it does for us in this aging process... this platform through e-sports has built a brand-new community, a brand-new family."
Dr. Aaron Pinkhasov, chair of psychiatry at NYU Langone Hospital--Long Island, encouraged older adults to make social connections as part of their regular routine, having places to go, activities to look forward to and people they expect to see, according to medical coverage of the program.
Read supporting passage
"I encourage older adults to make social connections as part of their regular routine, having places to go, activities to look forward to and people they expect to see," says Dr. Aaron Pinkhasov, chair of psychiatry at NYU Langone Hospital--Long Island.