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Update (October 28th 2024): Scottish Esports has today announced the Scottish Esports in Education Mini-Conference 2024 (SEEMC2024).
This will take place on Friday November 15th 2024 from 10am to 4pm at the University of the West of Scotland’s Paisley Campus.
The new annual event ‘plans to establish a new network of esports and games educators from across Scotland, sharing best practice and understanding of the role competitive video games play within Scottish education’.
The conference will feature speakers from across the educational sector, including representatives from Education Scotland Digital Team, leading academic institutions, and games industry expert, Brian Baglow of Scottish Games Network.
Attendance is free and spaces are limited. There’s a registration link in the tweet link above.
Original article (October 3rd 2024):
Scottish Esports has launched, billing itself as as ‘the national body dedicated to the growth and development of competitive video gaming in Scotland’.
The Community Interest Company (CIC) says it’s focused on supporting casual gamers to esports players competing in teams, and the wider gaming community.
It’s been set up by CEO Mark McCready, an esports lecturer who previously worked as the Scottish Liaison Officer at the British Esports Federation, along with Dale Murray of the Scottish Esports Network and Guild Street Fighter player Assad ‘Suleymon’ Suliman as non-executive board members.
“We’re not only building a strong and passionate foundation for competitive video gaming in Scotland – we’re building a community,” said Mark McCready, CEO of Scottish Esports.
“By delivering national-scale stability, we’re committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space where players and teams of all levels can thrive and feel supported. It’s an exciting time for us all to inspire the next generation to learn and explore esports in a more encouraging and positive environment.”
The news comes after separate body Esports Scotland announced it had been acquired by David Hamilton and is now operating under the eRena Sports brand.
Scottish Esports says it will take on the role of the national body in Scotland as a not-for-profit CIC.
What will Scottish Esports do?
Scottish Esports says it will raise awareness and engage the community by developing educational resources and in-person events and workshops.
It will host online activities and initiatives to support and grow the community and develop a national esports club framework.
Additionally, it says it will manage the national esports teams representing Scotland in international competitions.
“By working closely with existing esports organisations including sports and digital national bodies, we plan to strengthen esports development nationally,” Scottish Esports said in a press release this morning. “Scottish Esports aims to position Scotland as a leader in developing a sustainable esports industry from the beginning.
“As a team we are committed to creating opportunities to improve the standards and integrity of esports nationally.”
“We aim to provide a platform where gamers and businesses can thrive, encourage collaboration, and raise the profile of esports across the country. Although playing video games is a popular activity, across all ages and facilitates accessibility for all, it lacks the support and national recognition it deserves.
“The increase in video game consumption presents a space for Scottish Esports to champion and shape inclusive environments for all.
“The team will collaborate with businesses, key industry stakeholders, and educational organisations to create impactful opportunities in the esports industry. This will be done by supporting volunteers who are at the core of supporting the growth locally and nationally, as they are already contributing to the development of esports in Scotland, from grassroots weekly clubs to the international competitions.”
There’s more information on the Scottish Esports website and Scottish Esports Discord server
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.
