Barnsley College has formed a partnership with Grassroots Sports Academy.

Barnsley College has teamed up with Grassroots Sports Academy to offer over 100 work experience placements and job opportunities in the esports sector.

These placements will take place at sports and esports clubs managed by Grassroots Sports Academy within primary schools and community centers. This partnership is designed to provide Barnsley College students with valuable work experience and career opportunities, while also benefiting local children by offering engaging activities and programs.

The initiative focuses on helping students develop employability skills through managing activity-driven camps and groups. Currently, six Barnsley College students are employed at Grassroots Sports Academy, where they are gaining practical experience and skills in esports.

Grassroots Sports Academy is a well-known community organization in Barnsley, Yorkshire, offering a range of sports activities for young people, such as football and dodgeball, as well as corporate and team-building events for adults.

Chris Newton, Managing Director of Grassroots Sports Academy, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Barnsley College, as this will significantly boost the growth of the esports industry in Yorkshire. We identified a need for an esports division about 18 months ago and have been working on it since. Our introduction to the College’s Esports team led to the successful launch of Barnsley’s first esports event at the Metrodome.”

Barnsley College has been actively engaging in esports initiatives. In January 2023, the college partnered with Barnsley FC to organize esports tournaments and form a FIFA team. This ongoing collaboration aims to equip students with practical experience and skills that will enhance their employability upon graduation.