British Esports Association partners with EOB Academy, Prince’s Trust backed workshops

23 October 2017

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The British Esports Association has entered into a partnership with the Enemy of Boredom Esports (EOB) Academy, a series of workshops for young people which is backed by the Prince’s Trust. 

Andy Payne, British Esports Association

The EOB Esports Academy offers education programmes for those aged between 14 and 30. These are designed to help young people and those currently out of work learn new skills, access new opportunities and find employment.

The courses aim to build confidence and provide a qualification. Through League of Legends, game design, journalism, 3D printing, virtual reality and social media skills, the purpose is to work on teamwork and communication skills. 

Each workshop or course is hosted by WUWO Media, an agency which has been designing educational programmes for the creative industries since 2012. The association’s Projects Executive Rob Allen, who’s well versed in League of Legends coaching, will be working closely with the workshops

Andy Payne OBE, Chair of the British Esports Association, commented: “The work of Enemy of Boredom is important and aligns well with our goals at the British Esports Association – to promote, improve and inspire.

“Getting people interested and involved in esports from a young age can not only help bolster the industry in the long-term, but it also gives something positive back to the community, promoting teamwork, communication and development.”

EOB Esports Academy Watford has been in operation since May 2017, while the London Academy opened in September 2017. Another academy will launch in Birmingham at some point in 2018. Enemy of Boredom also intends to host after-school clubs for younger pupils as well as holiday clubs, and it’s running a one-week game design course in Peterborough in October, which will include Rocket League training.

Another project in the making is the EOB League. This will be a grassroots esports schools league for secondary schools and sixth forms, which will kick off with four schools in South London involved, but the plan is to expand this. 

The British Esports Association has a brief history of working with schools; at Maida Vale Library it held a series of esports clubs for kids this summer gone by. 

Steven Godwin, Creator of the Enemy of Boredom Esports Academy, stated: “It’s a great feeling to be teaming up with others to create a positive and strengthened future. WUWO Media’s EOB Esports Academy is delighted to be partnering with the British Esports Association.

“We share a common goal, and that’s to promote esports, educate young people and provide grassroots participation. Having the knowledge and skills available from British Esports helps the young people at the EOB Esports Academy build confidence, gain qualifications and gain careers.”

A statement from the Prince’s Trust on the partnership read: “We are delighted to partner with WUWO Media on their EOB Esports Academy to help young people gain the skills and experience they need to forge a career in the esports, digital and cyber industries. By attending events, hearing from guest speakers and learning from experts, this course will inspire the group and open their eyes to different employment opportunities within the digital world.”

Esports Insider says: Nice to see the British Esports Association making another cool UK youth focused partnership. The Enemy of Boredom Academy is clearly doing well with plans to open a further centre in Birmingham, and a Prince’s Trust backed body working to support grassroots esports can only be a positive.