A new esports competition has been revealed solely for left-handed players and staff.
The League of Lefties has been announced at Insomnia62 and aims to make the UK esports scene more inclusive for left-handed people.
It’s been set up by a mix of esports organisations and grassroots talent and will kick off on International Left-Handers Day on Monday August 13th. It will be streamed online, with the LAN finals taking place at the Left Bank venue in Leeds.
The tournament is starting off in League of Legends, hence the name League of Lefties, and there are plans to move into other games in the future.
“I’m proud of my left-handed casting. I think it’s something left-handed people can identify with and sympathise with, because sometimes it can be really difficult for left-handed casters.”
John Allen, esports caster
Some of the first left-handed people in esports joining the league include those pictured above (from left to right), with more to be announced soon:
- Newcastle Jaguars mid-laner Chris “Carniflexin” Swain
- Hyperion support player Rich “Snuggli” Farmery
- Caster John Allen
- Top-laner Sam “Artorias” Willis
- Enclave Gaming egirl Olivia Ward
- Misfits Academy support player Tom “Prosfair” Willis
John Allen commented: “I’m really proud of my left-handed casting. I think it’s taken off very well, and I think a lot of left-handed people are really proud of it, because it’s just something people can identify with and sympathise with, because sometimes it can be really difficult for left-handed casters.”
Snuggli added: “As a left-handed person I often feel left-out from upcoming tournaments, so I’m really looking forward to taking part in the League of Lefties.”
British electronic music group Leftfield have also signed up to write the theme song for the League of Lefties.
Those interested in taking part in the League of Lefties tournament can register their interest by emailing us here with their name and area of profession.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
