The South West Supersonic Showcase, hosted by Teignmouth Community School (TCS) on Thursday, March the 20th, and sponsored by the Raising Digital Engagement programme, was a resounding success. This event brought together schools from across the region to compete in an exciting esports tournament, marking a significant milestone in promoting esports in education. The enthusiastic participation of all the schools involved was greatly appreciated.
Esports, short for electronic sports, are competitive video games where individuals or teams battle against each other in games, such as Rocket League and Valorant. Competitions often take place in leagues, tournaments and events and attract spectators either in person or online.
The event was organised by TCS students studying esports at BTEC level, providing them with practical experience in marketing, leadership, and organisation.
The final placings were as follows:
- 1st: Teignmouth School
- 2nd: Haygrove School
- 3rd: Teign School
- 4th: Uffculme School
Invitation for feedback
All participating schools are invited to provide feedback on this year’s event as planning for the next showcase begins. Additionally, there is consideration of whether to maintain the current timing or move the event to the winter term to avoid conflicts with assessment deadlines and exam preparations.
Building a collaborative network
This event is envisioned as the beginning of a collaborative network of schools developing esports capacity. This network will enable the organisation of friendly matches and support each other’s teams in their growth. Matches can be arranged during breaks or after school. If assistance or answers to questions regarding the establishment of esports in schools are needed, please use our contact us page to get in touch. A Teams chat can be arranged to discuss further.
Comments from the Raising Digital Engagement programme:
‘This is a great way to connect schools, so they can build a community and learn from each other about how to build esports into the curriculum,’ commented Simone Marillier, Devon County Council Senior Economic Development Officer. ‘We want to raise awareness and inspire students in Key Stage 3 (age 11-14) to pursue digital careers.’
Upcoming opportunities:
- Student Champs Tournaments: Organized by British Esports, registrations for the 2025/26 season will open in September. Given the calibre of some of the teams, they could excel in these competitions.
- Staff Training/CPD Opportunities: British Esports offers a free online CPD course, “Duty to Care in Esports,” aimed at creating safer and more inclusive esports environments. They also provide a coaching qualification, “Introduction to Esports Coaching.” More information can be found here.
Final remarks
A heartfelt thanks is extended to all the schools that supported the event. Participation has been instrumental in making the South West Supersonic Showcase a success. We look forward to making next year’s event even better!
