NASEF expands its esports reach with UK partnership

The education-focused deal with the British Esports Association gives the North America Scholastic Esports Federation an opportunity to collaborate on tournaments and exchange programs for teachers.

After sealing a partnership deal with the Japan High School Esports Federation a few months ago, NASEF is expanding its global reach again … this time in the UK.

The North America Scholastic Esports Federation, which is a signature program partner for this year’s Academic Esports Conference and Expo, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding agreement with the British Esports Association, a not-for-profit organization that runs the British Esports Championships for schools and colleges in the UK.

The alliance is a natural for the two organizations, which both work to use esports as a positive activity to boost students’ character development, STEAM skills, leadership, teamwork, communication and other transferable skills. The non-profit NASEF also runs student tournaments, helps high schools set up esports clubs, provides coaching, mentorship and more.

“NASEF is excited to be partnering with British Esports to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults through a scholastic and academic approach to esports,” said Gerald Solomon, executive director of the Samueli Foundation and founder of NASEF. “It is rare when two entities have the same set of values and moral compass. Working together, we can accomplish so much more for children around the world.”

Through the new partnership, British Esports and NASEF will design, develop and implement new programs, run joint esports tournaments and other events, as well as running exchange programs for coaches, esports managers, teachers and more. The two groups also plan to develop content for an existing online student learning program, as well as a coaching manual for prospective esports coaches.

“We are delighted to partner with NASEF and work on shared learnings around esports in education,” British Esports Association chair Andy Payne OBE said. “Some positive first steps have been taken in this space over the past few years, and by teaming up with another respected organisation we can combine forces, develop new programs faster and work stronger together.”

British Esports and NASEF also will provide input for each other’s board, offering an international perspective. NASEF officials recently attended British Esports’ advisory board meeting in London, sharing insights into their programs while learning how the UK organization’s thoughts can be  can be applied to benefit students in North America. The aim is to share different educational approaches and programming methods, including curriculum development and learnings about esports careers and the industry’s ecosystem, and to set new standards for the esports community at a scholastic level.


Chris Burt is the Esports Editor and the Conference Chair for the Academic Esports Conference and Expo at the Hilton Chicago, October 19-21. To learn more about the show or to report any news on esports and education, contact Chris at [email protected].

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