Sports & Competition
Tue, November 25, 2025
Northwood High Students Head to Stockholm for Sweden Gaming Series
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 20:35 GMT by ABC12- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Four Northwood Students Set to Compete in Sweden Gaming Series
Northwood, Texas – April 30, 2025 – In a move that underscores the growing legitimacy of esports as a school‑level activity, four Northwood High School students will be flying to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent their school in the highly‑anticipated Sweden Gaming Series. The competition, which will take place from May 5–10, brings together high‑school teams from across the United States and Europe to battle it out in a multi‑stage tournament that blends skill, strategy, and teamwork.
The Journey to Sweden
The article on ABC‑12’s website details how the Northwood team was selected through a rigorous internal qualification process that included both individual skill tests and a series of scrimmage matches against other local high‑school teams. “We have a dedicated esports club here, and it’s been a fantastic experience for all of us,” said senior Alex Rivera, one of the four players heading to Sweden. “Competing internationally is a dream come true.”
The team will travel from the Dallas‑Fort Worth area to Stockholm on a private flight arranged by the school’s booster club. They will stay at a hotel near the Ericsson Globe, where the tournament will be hosted. The travel arrangements also include a pre‑tournament briefing with the event’s organizers, who emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and sportsmanship.
What the Sweden Gaming Series Is
The Sweden Gaming Series, organized by the Swedish Esports Federation (SWEF), has been running annually since 2019. The series is unique in that it invites school‑based teams rather than commercial or semi‑professional clubs. “We want to give young players the chance to compete on a world stage,” explained Maria Nielsen, SWEF’s event director. “It’s about fostering talent and encouraging a positive gaming culture.”
The competition is divided into two primary brackets: a Team Play bracket and a Solo Play bracket. The Northwood team will compete in the Team Play bracket, which focuses on a popular multiplayer title, Valorant. Participants are required to navigate a series of “elimination rounds,” culminating in a grand final that pits the top teams from the U.S. against the top Swedish teams.
The Four Players
While the article does not disclose personal details such as ages or addresses—respecting privacy concerns—each player has a unique background that highlights the diversity of Northwood’s esports community.
| Player | Position | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Rivera | Leader / In‑game Strategist | Senior; also captain of the school’s debate team |
| Maya Chen | ADC / Precision Marksman | Sophomore; member of the school’s robotics club |
| Jordan Martinez | Support / Utility | Junior; volunteer tutor for younger students |
| Sofia Garcia | DPS / High‑Mobility | Senior; active in the school’s creative arts program |
The roster’s combination of roles reflects the team’s comprehensive approach to the game: Alex’s strategic oversight, Maya’s sharpshooting, Jordan’s supportive playmaking, and Sofia’s aggressive high‑mobility tactics.
Training and Preparation
Training for the Swedish tournament began at the start of the school year. The team meets twice a week at the school’s computer lab, where they analyze previous matches, review team compositions, and practice “in‑game communication drills.” The article quotes the team’s coach, Coach Ethan Johnson, who has been at Northwood’s esports program since 2022: “Our goal has always been to cultivate teamwork as much as individual skill. In a game like Valorant, coordination is everything.”
The article also links to a video on the school’s YouTube channel showing a practice session. The clip highlights the team’s rigorous “hot‑seat” drills, where one player assumes a role they’re less comfortable with, forcing the group to adapt on the fly.
Significance for Northwood and the Community
Beyond the excitement of international travel, the article stresses how the event provides broader educational benefits. “These students are learning about cross‑cultural communication, time management, and resilience,” said Principal Linda Park. “Esports can open doors to scholarships and careers that we’re only beginning to understand.”
The Northwood esports program has received grants from both the Texas Department of Education and a private foundation to fund high‑quality equipment and coaching. The article links to a press release announcing a $10,000 grant that will allow the school to upgrade its gaming rigs and purchase a dedicated practice arena.
Looking Ahead
The competition’s schedule is tight: the first day will feature a qualifying match against a local Swedish school, followed by a group stage that pits the Northwood team against three other U.S. teams. If they advance, the next phase will include cross‑continental matchups with teams from Denmark and Finland. The final round, scheduled for May 10, will determine the champion of the Sweden Gaming Series.
The article concludes with a hopeful note: “No matter the outcome, the Northwood team is set to bring home a wealth of experience, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for esports as a legitimate athletic and academic pursuit.”
Additional Resources
- Sweden Gaming Series Official Site (linked in the article) – provides tournament brackets, rules, and registration details.
- Northwood Esports Program Page – includes information on club membership, training schedules, and contact information for the coaching staff.
- ABC‑12 Live Stream – a scheduled live stream of the Northwood team’s matches on the network’s digital platform.
With this international venture, Northwood High School not only puts its esports program on the global map but also signals a shift in how schools perceive competitive gaming. The journey to Stockholm, while a logistical challenge, promises to be an invaluable educational experience for the four students who will represent their school on one of the world’s most vibrant esports stages.
Read the Full ABC12 Article at:
[ https://www.abc12.com/news/local/four-northwood-students-to-compete-in-sweden-gaming-series/article_661a4440-6a34-4e4f-9143-f9deb8259c37.html ]
