Esports Futures
Bridging Creativity, Digital Media, and Industry-Ready Skills
We delivered digital media and creative skills training as part of the Esports Futures Programme, a UK Community Renewal Fund initiative. Designed for NEET young people (16-24), the programme equipped participants with hands-on experience in esports production, content creation, and media storytelling at the University of Warwick’s Esports Centre and MIRA Technology Institute.
IN A NUTSHELL
10 WEEK PROGRAMME
A dynamic programme delivering digital skills sessions designed to inspire and upskill young people.
200 YOUNG ATTENDEES
Empowering 16-24-year-olds from across Warwickshire, providing them with industry-relevant skills and future opportunities.
LEGACY RESOURCES
Custom-created educational materials, ensuring teachers and schools can continue the journey and integrate digital skills into the curriculum.
About the project
Esports Futures was a pioneering programme funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund, designed to equip NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people aged 16-24 with essential digital, creative, and employability skills. Developed in collaboration with the University of Warwick’s Esports Centre, this initiative provided participants with an immersive two-day experience blending gaming, media production, and career development. Through a combination of esports tournaments, digital media training, and industry mentorship, young people were given the opportunity to develop transferable skills, explore career pathways, and build confidence in a supportive and dynamic environment. The programme was delivered at the Esports Centre in Warwick and the MIRA Technology Institute in Nuneaton, extending its impact to young people across North Warwickshire.
Our Role
Blunt & Brave was responsible for programming and delivering the digital and creative media training—a vital arm of Esports Futures designed to bridge the gap between gaming and employability. Our hands-on workshops focused on digital content creation, esports media production, and storytelling, ensuring that participants not only played but also learned how to document, edit, and market their experiences like industry professionals.
Using gameplay footage from their esports tournaments, participants learned video editing, graphic design, branding, and social media storytelling. Our sessions empowered them with practical, industry-relevant skills, helping them create promotional assets, edit engaging content, and develop digital media strategies.
By integrating gaming, media production, and digital skills training, we provided young people with a holistic experience, combining creativity, technology, and career development. This multi-disciplinary approach ensured participants left the programme with valuable skills, portfolio-ready work, and greater confidence in pursuing careers in esports, media, and digital industries.
Showcase
The 10-week programme culminated in a showcase event at Warwick Arts Centre, where every participant was invited back alongside their families and friends to celebrate their achievements. The event featured:
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Cinema screenings of participant-created films, offering a professional and immersive experience for their storytelling work.
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A curated exhibition showcasing digital artwork, branding projects, and media pieces, with participants’ creations professionally printed and displayed.
This final event provided a powerful moment of recognition for participants, reinforcing the value of their work and giving them a platform to share their creative journey with the wider community.
PARTNERS
Participant Feedback
I enjoyed all parts. It has really opened my eyes to careers in esports. Very thankful for the opportunity!
Participant
Mentors are extremely welcoming and are very inclusive, treating everyone equally. They are just an overall friendly bunch.
Participant
It was a great experience over two days and I would recommend it to anyone. I didn’t know a lot about esports and this experience has made me more aware of what it takes to play and even plan the event out.
Participant
It was a heap of fun, even if we lost the tournament. I learnt a lot and had fun
Participant
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