FIGHT IT OUT OF EDINBURGH’S PRIZE INTEGRATES ESPORTS

Source : Ayo News

In yet another sign that esports has gone truly mainstream, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) has introduced esports to its program. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a youth award program founded in the UK in 1956, by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The scheme, which is now run as a royal charter corporation, awards young people for achieving various self-improvement exercises.

Following a successful pilot, which concluded that esports can help develop skills like strategic thinking, communications, leadership, and teamwork, esports will now be added as part of the activities required to complete the award. To be recognised as a DofE Skills activity, esports must take place through an organised and structured adult-led group, such as a school or college enrichment club.

The DofE’s CEO, Ruth Marvel commented: “Esports is one of the fastest growing activities in the UK and helps young people develop essential skills. DofE has a proud history of evolving our programmes to reflect the changing interests and needs of young people, so I’m delighted that, following a successful pilot, we’ve added esports to the DofE Skills list.  

“DofE is all about helping young people develop themselves, so they have the skills and confidence to make the most of whatever life throws at them. Setting yourself challenges and mastering new skills is core to the DofE experience and esports provides a structured and safe way to do this, while also being a lot of fun.”

The British Esports Association’s (BEA) Head of Education, Tom Dore, added: “The BEA couldn’t be more delighted that the DofE is now recognising the value of esports. Like all traditional sports, it teaches young people many life-enhancing skills. It can also lead to a whole host of exciting education and career opportunities, not just within the global esports industry, but also wider digital, creative and STEM-based industries.”

In addition to the United Kingdom, the program (or direct offshoots) also operates in 143 other nations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, India, Korea, Ghana, and Cyprus.

AYO.NEWS says:

The DofE Award has been key in providing young people with life skills and confidence for almost 70 years, so it’s great to see its continuing to evolve and stay relevant. We’re sure the integration of esports will prove popular, and being recognised by such a prestigious organisation certainly can’t hurt the sector. 

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Source : Ayo