Learners Deliver Standout National Esports Event
22nd April 2026
Showcasing their talents, skills and communication skills, Esports learners from our Level 3 and HNC pathways came together to organise and deliver the annual NSCG Valorant Major Esports event at the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology.
The competition was entirely planned and executed by our Level 3 Esports students, who collaborated closely with HNC students to produce a seamless and memorable experience. Their efforts showcased not only strong teamwork but also exceptional organisational and technical expertise. Competing teams travelled from across the country to compete, bringing a high level of energy, skill and determination to the much-anticipated tournament. Following a series of intense matches, the top four teams advanced to the LAN finals, hosted in our state-of-the-art Institute of Technology facilities.
Beyond the competition itself, the event demonstrated the breadth of skills developed throughout the students’ courses. From logistics and event operations to live production, broadcasting and media management, students were responsible for delivering a fully immersive experience for both players and spectators. The professionalism and coordination on display highlighted the real-world capabilities they have built during their studies.
Liam Dowd, Curriculum Leader for Esports said: "Our Esports students worked so hard to pull off this prestigious event which took place in the incredible Institute of Technology. Events of this type require strong teamwork skills and our learners really stepped up to show off our state-of-the-art facilities."
Shrewsbury College emerged as the overall winner, securing the £250 grand prize, generously donated by the Institute of Technology.
We extend our congratulations to all participants and express our pride in everyone involved in delivering such a successful event.
Commenting on being involved in the event, William Hindmarsh said: “Organising the esports event meant coordinating multiple elements at once, from scheduling matches and managing player check-ins to ensuring the technical setup ran without interruption. On the day, everything moved quickly, and staying on top of timings while responding to unexpected delays became a constant priority. Bringing together all our theoretical learning into a huge practical event allowed me to see how much our hard work throughout the year could pay off and help me to secure a future in this industry.”
Oliver Harrison added: "“Planning and delivering the esports event was an engaging and rewarding experience from start to finish. Bringing everything together, from the initial idea through to the final matches made the process genuinely enjoyable, especially seeing it all come to life on the day. Watching players compete in a high-stakes environment highlighted the intensity and skill involved, and it gave real meaning to the concepts studied throughout the year. It reinforced how areas like organisation, teamwork, communication, and technical understanding all connect in a practical setting, turning theory into something tangible and memorable.”
