The British Esports Federation has officially launched its Coach Development Framework, complete with various classes meant to educate and elevate the standards across esports.
Gaming is becoming more and more prevalent in society nowadays, and esports in particular is growing as a result. A good example of this is the Olympic Esports Games accepting and solidifying the sport on an international level.
The British Esports Federation worked with several different groups to create the Coach Development Framework, including UK Coaching (and its organization 1st4sport), the National Crime Agency, UNICEF UK, and the NSPCC.
At launch, the Coach Development Framework includes two classes: Duty to Care in Esports and Introduction to Esports Coaching. These are both online programs that coaches can take that’ll focus on creating well-rounded and well-educated coaches. This includes things like talent scouting and keeping players safe.
Duty to Care in Esports is a free class that goes through the responsibilities of everyone in the esports industry. The goal is to create an esports scene that’s all-inclusive, safe, and healthy for everyone involved. There are seven takeaways from the class:
- Safeguarding
- Child Rights
- Online Safety
- Cyber Choices
- Mental Health
- EDI
- Health and Wellbeing
Liz Twyford, the Sports Programmes Specialist at UNICEF UK, said the following about the class:
“We recognise that significant numbers of children engage with esports everyday so it is really important coaches and leaders in the esports industry understand more about children’s rights. Duty to Care in Esports’ will support coaches and leaders on this learning journey and help them to embed child rights, safeguarding, and other critical focus areas, into their practice.”
Introduction to Esports Coaching isn’t free, but it is endorsed and certified by UK Coaching. The program is beneficial for both new and veteran coaches, as it helps them learn about understanding their players on both an esports and personal level. There are four main areas in the program:
- Coach
- Environment
- Player
- Game
UK Coaching Director of Development Hayley Khan shared her thoughts on the program:
“Establishing recognised coaching standards is essential for the growth and professionalism of esports, just as it is in any other sport. ‘Introduction to Esports Coaching’ provides esports coaches with an introduction to fundamental skills and knowledge to support their players and teams effectively, setting them on the path to long-term development and success.”
President of British Esports Chest King spoke about it as well:
“Just because an individual is, or was, a good player, or just because they have excellent in-game knowledge, doesn’t automatically mean they are a good coach. Effective esports coaching incorporates much more than simply game-based skills and strategies. It involves empowering the holistic development of individuals and teams in safe, healthy, positive, inclusive environments. With these new courses, we’re helping to develop knowledge and best practice to improve standards in esports with the long term goal of developing Olympic champions.”
Other leaders in the involved organizations had thoughts to share as well. Tom Dore, the Vice President of British Esports Federation, said:
“While the esports industry has successful coaches linked to specific game titles, unlike traditional sport it does not currently have globally recognised professional standards for esports coaches and leaders. Nor does it have suitable expectations around safeguarding and protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults when they are playing esports.
The esports industry must do all it can to support and protect every member of our community. All stakeholders within the industry must understand their individual and collective responsibilities in achieving this.”
Sam Mathews, the Founder and CEO of esports organization Fnatic, also said:
“Esports has always been about pushing limits – whether in gameplay, strategy, or competition. But if we want to stand alongside traditional sports, we need real infrastructure.
At Fnatic, we’ve invested heavily in building structured coaching, player development, and wellbeing initiatives because we know talent needs more than just skills to succeed. With the Olympics on the horizon, this initiative is a big step in setting the standards esports needs – not just to develop talent, but to build careers and make sure the future of esports is built to last.”
Youth have been a hot topic in esports lately as groups around the world are dedicating resources to making sure children in esports are safe and included. A good example of this is the Global Esports Federation’s partnership with GAKU.
