British eSports Association opens its doors

eSports in the UK just got a trifle more professional, thanks to the formation of the government-authorised British eSports Association.

Based, oddly, at Pinewood Studios, the British eSports Association has no lesser aim than to be the national governing body for professional gaming across the United Kingdom. Working in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, its mandate includes: 'to help and represent players at all levels; develop a grassroots competitive video game scene that will nurture future talent; support existing professionals and provide the infrastructure to create future British global champions.'

'I am an admirer of the work of other sports associations such as British Cycling, and I am very confident that if we welcome and embrace all parties in the UK eSports scene, we can deliver a range of benefits to all players, from professional to amateur in the UK over time,' claimed Andy Payne OBE, chair of the British eSports Association. 'These are exciting times in eSports and the time is right to build this organisation from the grassroots up.'

'The establishment of the British eSports Association is an important initiative in furthering the credibility of the eSports industry in the UK,' claimed Jules Robinson, head of business development at Pinewood Studios. 'Pinewood is excited to be part of this National Governing Body for eSports and is aiming to have a new National Training Centre for eSports to help with grassroots and future British Champions.'

The Association has announced it will spend the next three months in a consultancy period, gathering feedback from the UK eSports sector to 'ensure it fully represents the interests of individuals, teams, game publishers and broadcasters alike.' More information is available on the official website.