British Esports levels up coaching standards with new training and safeguarding programs

British Esports has introduced a Coach Development Framework and learning programs to establish professional coaching standards and improve safeguarding in e-sports.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with UK Coaching, 1st4sport, UNICEF UK, NSPCC, and the National Crime Agency, includes two online courses: “Duty to Care in E-sports” and “Introduction to E-sports Coaching.”

Establishing standards in e-sports coaching

With e-sports growing alongside traditional sports, coaching and safeguarding practices are increasingly important. The International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the first Olympic Esports Games in 2027 signals a shift, creating opportunities for players to compete at an elite level.

Tom Dore, vice president of British Esports Federation, highlighted the need for industry-wide standards:

“While the esports industry has successful coaches linked to specific game titles, unlike traditional sport it does not currently have globally recognized professional standards for esports coaches and leaders. Nor does it have suitable expectations around safeguarding and protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults when they are playing esports.

“The esports industry must do all it can to support and protect every member of our community. All stakeholders within the industry must understand their individual and collective responsibilities in achieving this.”

Two learning programs focused on safeguarding and coaching

British Esports has developed two online courses aimed at supporting e-sports professionals in key areas of coaching and safeguarding.

Duty to Care in Esports

This free online course focuses on safeguarding, child rights, online safety, cyber choices, mental health, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and health and well-being. Written by experts from UNICEF UK, NSPCC, and the National Crime Agency, it provides esports coaches and leaders with essential knowledge to create safer and more inclusive gaming environments.

Liz Twyford, sports programs specialist at UNICEF UK, emphasized the importance of protecting young player:

“We recognize that significant numbers of children engage with esports every day so it is really important coaches and leaders in the esports industry understand more about children’s rights. Duty to Care in Esports’ will support coaches and leaders on this learning journey and help them to embed child rights, safeguarding, and other critical focus areas, into their practice.”

Introduction to Esports Coaching

Endorsed and certified by UK Coaching and 1st4sport, this course introduces fundamental coaching principles and best practices. It covers four key areas: Coach, Environment, Player, and Game, helping esports coaches assess players' skill levels, motivations, and development needs.

Hayley Khan, UK Coaching’s director of development, highlighted the importance of structured training for coaches:

“Establishing recognized coaching standards is essential for the growth and professionalism of esports, just as it is in any other sport. ‘Introduction to Esports Coaching’ provides esports coaches with an introduction to fundamental skills and knowledge to support their players and teams effectively, setting them on the path to long-term development and success.”

Future of e-sports coaching

British Esports aims to develop a long-term pathway for professional coaching, aligning esports with traditional sports coaching frameworks.

Chester King, president of British Esports, said:

“Just because an individual is, or was, a good player, or just because they have excellent in-game knowledge, doesn’t automatically mean they are a good coach.

“Effective esports coaching incorporates much more than simply game-based skills and strategies. It involves empowering the holistic development of individuals and teams in safe, healthy, positive, inclusive environments. With these new courses, we’re helping to develop knowledge and best practice to improve standards in esports with the long-term goal of developing Olympic champions.”

Both courses are available through British Esports Learning, an online platform for professional development in esports.