Barnsley Griffins win double at charity esports tournament for Cancer Research UK

Craig Robinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 12/06/2026

Barnsley College University Centre’s Esports team, the Barnsley Griffins, are celebrating a double victory after winning both the Overwatch and VALORANT competitions in a charity tournament held at the end of the academic year.

The event was organised after Luke Swaby, a former Barnsley College student and staff member who now teaches Esports at Oldham College, invited the Griffins to take part.

Alfie Caunt, a Barnsley Griffins player, spoke to the Barnsley Chronicle on what the tournament meant to the team. “We’re doing this for a great cause, supporting Cancer Research UK,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity at the end of the year for everybody to come together, take part in some extracurricular activity, use what we’ve learned throughout the year, put it into practice and come out victorious.”

The Griffins backed up those words with results across both titles. Each player from the winning Overwatch lineup received a Puma Play chair, donated by Man City Esports, while the victorious VALORANT team walked away with £20 gift vouchers each.

Beyond the trophies and prizes, the event also served its charitable purpose, with a charity livestream of the tournament raising more than £150 for Cancer Research UK.

The team is tracked under the National Student Esports leagues, alongside British Esports, which is listing its recent successes. The latter of which is part of the recent UK Esports Advisory Panel committee formed in part with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

It’s a nice way for the Griffins to cap off the year, picking up silverware in two titles while putting their skills to good use for a cause beyond the game itself. It’s also nice to see youthful players getting some tournament wins in, adding more talent that shows they can compete in those stressful grassroot tournaments that often forge pathways to pro. Just ask Benjyfishy.

Craig Robinson, Senior Editor

Craig began his career with Esports News UK back in 2015/2016, looking to write about a passion while studying at Manchester Metropolitan University. He stayed there for several years before moving on to other websites to begin his career after graduating. Now he's back, covering esports adjacent topics and UK stories.

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