Manchester City Launches Esports Academy Programme
Manchester City Football Club has announced a new esports academy programme, set to begin in September 2024. This initiative is a collaboration between the club’s charity, City in the Community (CITC), and Oldham College. The programme aims to provide young people with education and training in the esports industry. mancity.com+4mancity.com+4in4group.co.uk+4esportsinsider.com+1mediacityuk.co.uk+1
Programme Details
The esports course is part of CITC’s City BTEC programme. Participants will have the opportunity to gain a Level 2 Certificate in Esports after one year and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Esports if they complete the full two years of the programme. mancity.com+1mancity.com+1
The course covers various aspects of esports, including:
- Esports games, teams, and tournaments
- Streaming for esports
- Health, wellbeing, and fitness for esports players
- Esports eventswam.ae+5mancity.com+5reddit.com+5
The objective of the new course is to provide students with comprehensive education and training in esports. The course also aims to develop technical skills, offer industry insight, and prepare students for various careers within the esports world. mancity.com
Collaboration with Manchester Esports Academy
In addition to the programme with Oldham College, Manchester City’s CITC has partnered with the Manchester Esports Academy (MEA) for a six-week pilot grassroots esports programme. Starting on Saturday, 23rd September, the collaboration will provide training and coaching in esports for 20 young people from the Greater Manchester area, focusing on young carers or those from low-income backgrounds. pro-manchester.co.uk+4esportsinsider.com+4in4group.co.uk+4
The scheme also aims to provide education on career pathways within esports to parents. The six-week course will take place at Gametech’s campus in the Home of Skills & Technology, Salford, and will be delivered by coaches who have received certifications from the Esports Coaching Academy. esportsinsider.com+3esportsinsider.com+3mediacityuk.co.uk+3
Statements from Programme Leaders
Commenting on the launch of the course, City in the Community’s 11+ Education Manager, Jonathan Pauley, said:mancity.com+5mancity.com+5in4group.co.uk+5
“We are incredibly excited to launch this new esports partnership with Oldham College. The course represents a fantastic opportunity for students to gain valuable skills and knowledge that will set them up for success in their future careers.mancity.com
“The esports initiative will also enhance students’ professional development and networking opportunities. They will be able to combine academic learning with practical experience, with an emphasis on teamwork, health, and well-being, whilst also encouraging innovation and creativity.mancity.com
“We can’t wait to see the positive impact this programme will have on our community and the bright futures it will help create.” mancity.com
Sam Dainty, Head of Partnerships and Fundraising at City in the Community, commented on the MEA collaboration:esportsinsider.com+1in4group.co.uk+1
“We are pleased to be taking our first step into esports as a charity by offering this pilot scheme to our young participants.mancity.com+2esportsinsider.com+2in4group.co.uk+2
“City in the Community exists to empower healthier lives through football, which includes building education and employability pathways for city youth through our Healthy Futures programmes. I know this ethos also rings true for the Manchester Esports Academy, and we are looking forward to seeing how this collaborative project can create new opportunities and skills for our participants.” in4group.co.uk+2esportsinsider.com+2mancity.com+2