Electronic sports (e-sport) utilizing information technology has during the past years gained huge success as competitive sports at the highest level as both individual and team sport. At the moment e-sport is getting more attention and growing faster than any other sport in Finland and the same thing is happening globally as well. Classic Family has decided to be actively involved in this society transformation by launching e-sport series at competitive and recreational levels.

”Classic Family brand and values are now constituting two sports, which are super popular among children and youngsters and are exercised by a massive amount of people. For us it has always been very important to be a social association where we all look after each other. Could the whole world some day become such a common and caring family?”, ponders Mr. Pasi Peltola, Executive Director of Classic.

Comprehensive concepts for junior activities and varsity teams

The target for Classic Family has always been to be a global sport brand following the trends. E-sport as a modern and global sport is enhancing Classic Family objectives very well. Classic is building up a full concept around the e-sport where children and teenagers are offered an excellent foundation for increasing physical exercise, but not forgetting the importance of nutrition, rest and education. Another important aspect within this concept is the encouragement of children’s social skills especially needed in e-sports.

Alongside wide range of e-sport junior activities, Classic Family will also establish professional/varsity teams aiming for success starting with Moba games. As next steps at competition level expanding into Rocket League and eMotorsport games is considered. The scale of games within junior e-sport activities is wider, and so is the scale in the event promotion, which will be one of the main focus areas of Classic Family.

Partnership with Ideapark, gaming center provider Zones by Särkänniemi

Ideapark will be in the center of Classic Family e-sport activities by offering excellent facilities to organise important e-sport events. Zones by Särkänniemi, the largest indoor activity park in Finland, is going to provide an unique gaming center for teams to practice and to play minor-league e-sport matches.

”I’m personally very satisfied with our negotiations which were soon completed with the partnership. We have here a modern sport, interesting target group, common values between partners and the social responsibility – a solid foundation for the successful partnership.”, says Mr. Visa Vainiola, Managing Director of Ideapark.

Another important partnership will begin with the soon to be established e-sport center in Tampere, through which the City of Tampere, Varala Sports Institute and Ahlman, will provide supportive functions for e-sport, training and education. In addition, Classic, Manse PP, Pyrintö and Tampere YMCA will together offer top class activities especially for the juniors.

Operations will start early 2019

E-sport activities will start in the beginning of 2019 and for these operations a new limited company will be found. The shareholders of this company will be Classic ry and Mr. Matti Joutsikoski, an entrepreneur based in Singapore. He is a long term partner of Classic e.g. in organising an official Salibandyliiga (the top floorball league in Finland) game in Singapore. Joutsikoski has also been one of the founders of Classic Floorball Academy’s international activities, which are nowadays managed by Mr. Asser Jääskeläinen, a former and longterm Classic player, now in Singapore.

Classic’s e-sport Managing Director will be Mr. Pasi Peltola. Mr. Miikka Seppälä, Managing Director of Särkänniemi, will operate as General Manager and the overall e-sport coordinator will be Mr. Ville Kesänen. The rest of the organisation functions are under review and execution.

”I am more than thrilled as we together with Zones by Särkänniemi, Ideapark and Classic are creating an unique concept which offers fantastic possibilities to practice e-sport with a certain strategy – not forgetting the opportunity to be a member of the varsity teams. Stay tuned, this will become a success story!” says Mr. Miikka Seppälä, Managing Director of Särkänniemi.

Source: SC Classic