U SPORTS has announced a three-year partnership with CSL Esports ©U SPORTS

U SPORTS, Canadian university sport's governing body, has announced a three-year partnership with CSL Esports and is launching a gaming division.

A preliminary U SPORTS Gaming event is due to take place this summer, before the division runs its first official competition later in the year.

CSL Esports operates Canada's largest esports leagues and tournaments for university students.

Teams from 22 U SPORTS member institutions participate in leagues organised by CSL Esports.

"We are excited to form this unique partnership with CSL Esports and launch an initiative that is the first of its kind in our history," Dick White, interim chief executive of U SPORTS, said.

"U SPORTS Gaming will expand the programming offered by our members beyond traditional sports competition, while also creating additional opportunities for engagement on campus beyond our 14,000 student-athletes in a rapidly-growing and cutting-edge industry."

U SPORTS Gaming will stage a first official competition later this year ©Getty Images
U SPORTS Gaming will stage a first official competition later this year ©Getty Images

Rob Johnson, chief executive of CSL Esports, added: "This alignment with U SPORTS is a clear partnership that helps continue CSL Esports' mission to build more sustainable collegiate esports programmes.

"We look forward to helping U SPORTS' member institutions build on their successes, provide new opportunities and to connect North American partners with U SPORTS Gaming."

CSL Esports also recently announced a partnership with the American National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and other leading esports companies to create the NACE Starleague.

The NACE Starleague promises to feature more than 14,500 students and 600 institutions to become North America's largest collegiate esports league.