PuffoBob

After seeing some responses to my tweet about the new UK board, I wanted to kind of clear up as to why I spoke about grassroots. I saw some people say that "oh the tier 1 isn't good in the UK that needs to be done first" but at least for me esports is something that started out as community events and then built into something much bigger. While we can sit here and criticise every aspect of UK esports its safe to say grassroots is in a terrible place and esports is something that doesn't work when built top down as seen over the past few years. I think it's unfair to say that grassroots doesn't need the support when that's the pipeline for new talent, staff, fans, and the process which turns gamers into competitors. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm upset my company isn't making £2million a year profit, I knew exactly what we were getting into when we started. But at least for myself and the other @TheCTRLEsports and a lot of the other teams in the UK, if we didn't exist then how are events going to grow? Teams bring A. Funding for players B. Narrative and excitement to events C. Unbelievable shit-posting around the events and more. I think it's apparent that something needs to change when the only event we have consistently is @EPICLAN and it's only consistent because of the sacrifices @jon_winkle and the other working there have made to ensure it's kept going. The UK as a whole has some incredibly talented people and nowhere near enough jobs to supply for everyone. But how can there be jobs when teams that are in even Tier 2 of VALORANT are working full-time at normal 9-5 jobs and pouring every penny they can spare into their teams with no rewards. My issue with this board is not that the people on the list are undeserving because that isn't the case, from the people I know on the list they are people who have worked hard and will hopefully to good for the UK scene. However, how can we be expected to sit here and smile when the main point that needs work (the foundation pillars of esports - grassroots) has essentially no one to speak for them. What we need is more government involvement, whether that is bidding to get new events into the UK, having grants open for esports that allow for companies to explore whether that is for events, talent development or something else. The main issue is, sponsors heavily invested during lockdown when things were peaking and now that growth doesn't yield as much return. I think it would be great if there was some sort of panel for grassroots esports where we could meet and pass on ideas to this panel. But in reality someone like @jon_winkle should be on there, not to glaze the guy too much but EPIC.LAN do 3 events per year and deal with the grassroots teams, players, fans, and talent all the time, they have an understanding of what is needed and how that can be provided sustainably. I think once we start building from the ground up, that's when we will see positive change, because how can you expect a sturdy system if the pillars it's built on are almost non-existent. Again, this is from my point of view, I'm sure there is certain aspects that I can't see from where I'm standing but I'd love the opportunity to pass on ideas and create a space for teams to flourish.

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