Scottish Borders – A groundbreaking Esports development event took place last week, attracting over 100 pupils from secondary schools across the region. The event, a collaborative effort between Borders College, Scottish Borders Council, DYW Borders, and South of Scotland Enterprise, aimed to spark young minds and ignite a passion for Esports and the wider creative economy.
The day was filled with exciting activities, including a mini-Esports competition featuring 24 teams battling it out across four leagues. Pupils also had the opportunity to participate in engaging development and gaming sessions, learning valuable skills and gaining insights into the industry.
Industry Pros
A highlight of the event was a presentation by Esports industry veteran Michael O’Dell, founder of Team Dignitas and current Director of Pro Gaming and Esports at SCAN Computers. Joined by Paul Coyle, Business Manager and Esports and Gaming in Education at SCAN Computers, O’Dell provided an inspiring overview of the diverse career pathways available within the Esports and games industries.
The possibilities are endless, from professional gaming to game design, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. O’Dell and Coyle highlighted the importance of academic skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, which are essential for success in Esports and related fields.
The event also featured a special guest, Esports gamer Reece Devlin, who represented Scotland at Euro 2020. Devlin shared his experiences and insights, inspiring young players to dream big and pursue their passion for Esports.
Inspiring The Next Generation
This event marks a significant step forward in recognising the potential of Esports as a tool for education and personal development. By fostering a love for gaming and technology, initiatives like this can help to inspire the next generation of creators, developers, innovators and entrepreneurs.
As Esports continues to grow and gain mainstream recognition, events like this play a crucial role in showcasing the industry’s potential and encouraging young people to explore its many facets.
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said:
Today has been incredibly exciting and I’m delighted that the first Borders Esports development event has taken place. This is an exciting journey as we bring Esports into our communities and continue to create and develop new and exciting pathways for our young people.
Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), added:
Last year, with support from both local councils, we produced the first ever South of Scotland Creative Economy Guide, which highlighted the importance of our culture and creativity in driving economic growth.
One of the key creative economy sub-sectors is computer-gaming, and the Scottish Borders first Esports event showcased to the region’s young people the wide range of careers available in the industry.
SOSE, alongside our partners, believe we can unlock creative cultural excellence across the South of Scotland to ensure we continue to grow our strong Creative Economy.
Looks great. It is brilliant that councils and schools are getting into the idea that careers in the Creative Industries exist 🙂