British Esports Association enters into education-focused partnership with North America Scholastic Esports Federation

Dominic Sacco

5 min read | 25 Feb 2020

February 25th, London: The British Esports Association, the not-for-profit organisation set up to promote and support grassroots esports, has partnered with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF).

The two organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together and share best practice around the benefits of esports for young people.

British Esports and NASEF are both focused on highlighting esports as a positive activity that allows students and others the chance to boost their character development, STEAM skills, leadership, teamwork, communication and other transferable skills.

Through the new partnership, British Esports and NASEF will design, develop and implement new programs, run joint esports tournaments and other events, as well as running exchange programs for coaches, esports managers, teachers and more, bringing the UK together with North America at the grassroots level.

The pair will also jointly develop content for third party programs, such as an existing online student learning programme, as well as a coaching manual for prospective esports coaches.

British Esports and NASEF will also provide input for each other’s board, offering an international perspective. For example, NASEF management attended British Esports’ most recent advisory board meeting in London, as observers. They shared insights into NASEF programs and learnt about the UK system and how these learnings can be applied to benefit students in North America.

The aim is to share different educational approaches and programming methods, including curriculum development and learnings about esports careers and the industry’s ecosystem, and to set new standards for the esports community at a scholastic level.

The British Esports Association runs the British Esports Championships for schools and colleges in the UK, among other activities promoting esports’ benefits, while NASEF similarly runs student tournaments, helps high schools in the US set up esports clubs, provides coaching and mentorship and more.

British Esports Association chair Andy Payne OBE commented: “We are delighted to partner with NASEF and work on shared learnings around esports in education. Some positive first steps have been taken in this space over the past few years, and by teaming up with another respected organisation we can combine forces, develop new programs faster and work stronger together.”

Gerald Solomon, executive director of the Samueli Foundation and founder of NASEF, added: “NASEF is excited to be partnering with British Esports to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults through a scholastic and academic approach to esports. 

“It is rare when two entities have the same set of values and moral compass. NASEF and British Esports are two such organisations. Working together, we can accomplish so much more for children around the world.”

You can watch a video discussion on the partnership with members of British Esports and NASEF here 

ENDS 

About the British Esports Association 

The British Esports Association is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2016 to support and promote esports in the UK. 

As a national body, its aims are to foster future British talent, increase the awareness of esports and provide expertise and advice. It’s focused on the grassroots level of esports and is not a governing body.

The Association helps educate the masses – including parents, teachers, media and government – around what esports is and what its benefits are. Its three goals are to Promote, Improve and Inspire. 

www.besports22.wpengine.com 

About NASEF

The North America Scholastic Esports Federation is working to ensure that all students possess the knowledge and skills needed to be society’s game changers: educated, productive and empathetic individuals. 

NASEF is on a mission to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to acquire critical communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills. The Federation’s core values are intertwined through all aspects of education and play: learning, opportunity, community, diversity and respect.

www.esportsfed.org

Contact 

For press enquiries or for more information please contact the British Esports Association at info@britishesports.org  

Dominic Sacco, content director 

07834 793627 

ds@britishesports.org