# British Esports Federation

## Who They Are

The **British Esports Federation** (formerly the British Esports Association) is the **UK’s national body for esports**, established to support and promote esports in the UK at a grassroots level. It is a **not-for-profit organisation** recognized by the UK Government and works to improve awareness, infrastructure, and opportunities in the esports sector—especially among young people and in education.

## History

* **Founded in 2016**, the British Esports Association was created to address the lack of structured support for esports at grassroots and amateur levels in the UK.
* In **2023**, it rebranded as the **British Esports Federation** to reflect its growing role on both national and international stages.
* It was created with the support of the **Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)**.
* The BEF are based at the National Esports Performance Campus, in Sunderland

## What They Do

British Esports focuses on the **development of esports in education and the community**, including:

* **Supporting schools, colleges, and universities** to run esports clubs and teams.
* Hosting and managing **student esports competitions**, such as the **British Esports Student Champs**.
* Producing **educational resources** for teachers, parents, and students to understand esports safely and positively.
* Representing UK esports at **international events** and helping form **global partnerships**.
* Providing **career pathways** and resources to help young people understand jobs within the esports industry.

## How They Are Funded

* British Esports is a **not-for-profit organisation**, and its funding comes from:

* **Government support and grants** (e.g., from DCMS).
* **Sponsorships and partnerships** with industry leaders.
* **Commercial activities** related to tournaments, training camps, and events.
* **Educational programs** and consultancy services.

## Key Achievements and Examples

### British Esports Student Champs

* A **nationwide competition** for school and college teams across the UK.
* Helps develop teamwork, communication, and digital skills.
* Popular games include **Rocket League**, **Overwatch 2**, and **League of Legends**.

### Esports in Education

* Partnered with **Pearson** to create the **BTEC in Esports**—a formal qualification available at Level 2 and Level 3.
* The course covers topics such as **esports business, event management, health and wellbeing,** and **live streaming**.

### National Esports Performance Campus (NEPC)

* Opened in **Sunderland in 2023**, the **NEPC** is a state-of-the-art training and education facility.
* It includes gaming arenas, production studios, and learning spaces.
* Designed to be a **hub for UK esports talent development**.

### International Representation

* The British Esports Federation represents the UK in global events, including the **Global Esports Federation** and **International Esports Federation**.
* They help promote UK esports talent on the world stage.

## Interesting Facts

* British Esports was one of the **first national esports bodies in the world** dedicated to grassroots development.
* The organisation is **heavily focused on inclusivity**, creating guidance on topics like **mental health**, **safeguarding**, and **diversity in gaming**.
* They run **Women in Esports**, an initiative launched in 2019 to support and spotlight women and marginalised genders in esports.
* They collaborated with **British Armed Forces**, **BT**, and **RISE Gaming** on youth engagement and education campaigns.

## Summary

The **British Esports Federation** plays a crucial role in shaping the future of esports in the UK through **education, grassroots development, and community engagement**. With its structured approach and strong support from both industry and government, it continues to create opportunities for young people and promote esports as a **legitimate, safe, and valuable activity**.