Today, in the biggest shake up of domestic Esports development, sees British Esports Association fully launch their website and project with more information on who is behind the project. Many of us who have been around for many many years in the Esports industry in the United Kingdom, will remember similar projects coming and going (UKeSA!!). However, back in July, British Esports Association announced itself to the UK. No-one really knew what they were setting out to do, what they wanted to achieve and what exactly they were going to do tackling any kind of issues within the domestic scene.

It seemed a massive coincidence that post-WESA (for those who missed out, you should google), there was a lot of speculation that some elements of the industry were going to start their own (specifically in the UK). However, the British Esports Association had been quietly working behind closed doors and had started something with the announcement of Egames at Rio 2016. Although it wasn’t a massive success by usual metrics, it meant they could get a feel of the gaming and Esports industry.

We still don’t have very specific information regarding future plans of British Esports Association, however they have today announced their brand new website, some of the goals they hope to achieve, and a rough plan of what they want to do, along with the members of their board.

Taken from the website:

British Esports announces Advisory Board and launches website 6th December, London; The British Esports Association (British Esports) – the UK’s esports national body – established to support, promote and instil good governance for amateur esports players and teams– confirms its Advisory Board and launches its full website. Led by British Esports Chair, Andy Payne OBE, the board for 2017 includes: Paul “ReDeYe” Chaloner, Veteran Esports Host, Caster and Presenter

Chaloner, Veteran Esports Host, Caster and Presenter Richard Lewis, Esports Journalist of the Year

Michael “ODEE” O’Dell, President Team Dignitas

O’Dell, President Team Dignitas Craig “Wizzo” Fletcher, Founder Multiplay

Fletcher, Founder Multiplay Chris Mead, Twitch’s UK Director of Partnerships

Ryan Hart, World Champion Esports Player

Ceirnan “Excoundrel” Lowe, Colour Caster

Lowe, Colour Caster Josh Williams, Founder, National University Esports League

Carleigh Morgan, Academic

Andrew Nixon, Partner at Sheridans View Advisory Board The board, which possess a wealth of experience across all aspects of esports and are some of the leading figures within the industry, will discuss developments and areas of focus for the British Esports Association, and offer their guidance and advice to constantly develop esports in the UK. The first board meeting will take place in January 2017 and each member will sit on the board for a minimum of 12 months.

Andy Payne, British Esports Association Chair, had this to say:

I am really proud and honoured to be taking this role on for British Esports at such an exciting time for the industry. We have assembled a really talented group of esports professionals to interact with the community and guide our activities. There is much to do, but given the talent assembled, we will be able to make a significant difference over the coming 12 months, bring it on.

What seems really positive about the project so far is that they have covered their bases on a wide variety of areas in the UK Esports Industry, they have picked up a journalist, a versatile host, an esports team owner, an event owner, a streaming platform director (in terms of the UK), a player, a caster, the University League founder, an academic, and a lawyer. Much better and much more positive start from British Esports Association than when WESA revealed itself to the world. It should be noted, that there seems to be a few notable exclusions from the original board, one of which being ESL UK.

There are many questions still left unanswered around what they will be trying to enforce, how will they tackle issues in the industry (from paying out prize money in good time to cheating in esports), and whether they will be in actual fact a proper governing body. Whatever happens, will be interesting to see going forward into 2017. We will endeavour to find more out about this project and see if we can get some time with Andy Payne and others on answering some questions around what British Esports Association hopes to do in the local scene.