Borders secondary schools take part in first Borders Esports Development event

Secondary schools from across the region have come together to take part in the first Esports Development Event to take place in the Borders.
  
The event which we organised in collaboration with Borders College, Scottish Borders Council and DYW Borders took place on Wednesday 13 November and gave young people a platform to develop the entrepreneurial skills required to create, promote, and manage an Esports team.
 
With over 100 pupils participating in the day, 24 teams were able to compete across four leagues in a mini-Esports competition.  

Pupils also enjoyed learning development and gaming sessions, with each group being able to meet and learn more about Esports and the wider creative economy.

Guest speakers
 
Guest speakers included Esports industry veteran and Team Dignitas founder Michael O’Dell (ODEE), who is currently Director of Pro Gaming and Esports for SCAN Computers, along with Paul Coyle, Business Manager and Esports and Gaming in Education for SCAN Computers.
 
Odee and Paul gave an inspiring presentation on the Esports industry, highlighting to pupils the wide range of career pathways linked to the industry, from roles in Esports such as coaching, analysis and playing professionally to tech-based careers such as gaming design, gaming systems, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. 

The pair also highlighted the academic links and skills sets that develop through Esports.
 
With Esports due to have its own Olympics under the International Olympic Committee, pupils were also able to chat to Esports gamer Reece Devlin, who represented Scotland at Euro 2020.

Find out more about our thriving Creative Economy here.

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), said:

“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.”

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”.