Burnley College and Burnley FC enter esports partnership

The esports teams from Burnley College Sixth Form Centre Team and Burnley FC have combined their resources in bid to make their mark on the world gaming stage.

The college launched its esports course this year, with learners working towards an Advanced Level Diploma in Esports - the fastest growing entertainment industry in the world.

Its competitive Esports team – BEES (Burnley Elite Esports) has officially become a feeder team for Burnley FC’s already well-established group of players – and together have formed the Elite Esports Athlete Programme.

The partnership sees the college’s logo on the Burnley Pro Esports shirts and vice-versa and gives the most talented players the chance to play for the Burnley Esports team.

The Esports industry has grown massively over the last decade and is expected to return more than $2bn turnover in the coming years.

Esports combine dexterity, focus, analytical skills and problem solving, and experts are actively recruited by some of the world’s leading technology-driven organisations such as the Royal Airforce, BAE and Emirates.

Specialist Tutors on the popular course ensure students develop an in-depth knowledge and skills in every aspect of managing a successful Esports team - including business strategy, marketing, design, event planning, video production and editing, journalism and “shoutcasting” – when fans live stream their own commentary over the internet.

The course places a focus on the multiple pathways into this cutting-edge industry available to students and puts the emphasis on careers and transferable skills – skills which are in high demand.

Ed Foulds, curriculum leader in esports, says it puts Burnley College at the vanguard of this competitive industry: "We are proud to announce this exciting and innovative relationship with Burnley FC and become the first college in the country to form a link with a professional football club.

"It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to be playing for the Burnley Esports Academy teams. We now have the opportunity to share our expertise, our cutting-edge equipment and technology with the elite of the industry."

Steve Hawthorn, Burnley FC’s head of esports, said: “It’s great to have a Premier League football club partner with their local college. Burnley College demonstrates that thirst to innovate and put technology at the forefront of everything they do.”

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