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Esports Academy
SGS Sport is one of the leading Further Education Sport Providers in the UK. Throughout our history a number of athletes have gone on to represent their country in Olympic, Paralympic or International Tournaments. Additionally, a number of athletes have gone on to achieve professional contracts enabling them to play at the highest level of their Sport. Other positive destinations include of athletes going on to play at the highest levels of semi-professional or University Sport in the UK and abroad. All candidates for SGS Sport must be on a full-time course at SGS College. We offer a range of educational and vocational opportunities such as A Levels and Vocational Qualifications across our WISE and Filton Campuses.
About Us
Whether you are a top-level player or you just want to give something a go, you can get involved in our Esports Academy. We provide coaching for players and teams of all levels.
The primary goal of the Esports Academy is to promote and nurture talent and to provide our young players with a platform to develop vital skills and gain experience competing in grassroots esports.
The SGS Esports Academy takes a holistic approach to developing aspiring professional players, providing them with the knowledge and skills to improve their performance in-game, whilst educating players on the importance of social and psychological factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Players will have access to a varied programme of in-game skills training, communication and team building exercises, performance analysis, health & fitness workshops and psychological skills training programmes.
This will inspire and promote learners not only with an interest in becoming a professional player, but also those passionate about coaching, with the opportunity to assist our head coaches in planning and designing bespoke sessions.
Players will be given the opportunity to find their place within grassroots Esports and begin developing their brand and player reputation through interactions with professional players and scrims against other tier 3 and tier 2 teams.
We also promote our learners with the opportunity to take ownership of the production and social media for the Academy, developing the technical and specialist digital skills required to support even more pathways into the Esports industry, such as Shoutcasting, Production and Broadcasting, Live-streaming and Content Creation.
Join the Firstshot Esports Academy
We are currently fielding teams that compete in the British Esports Student Championships, which is a national tournament for schools and colleges across the UK.
The tournaments run across four Esports titles:
- VALORANT
- Rocket League
- Overwatch 2
- League of Legends
Throughout the year there are also opportunities to enter other Tier 3 tournaments, playing against top teams in the country and internationally.
The Programme includes:
- Up to 8 hours of elite training per week
- Individualised development player 1-1s
- Player performance profiling
- VOD review and performance data analysis
- Team building activities and bootcamps
- Team and individualised training programmes, focused on developing micro and macro skills.
- Strength, conditioning and fitness bootcamps
- Individual Health and well-being and psychological skills training programmes
- Fixtures against top level academy professional clubs
- Scrims against top level academy clubs, tier-3 and tier-2 professional teams.
- Elite professional coach dedicated to player development and team performance
- Game specific coaching bootcamps from guest professional coaches and players
Top level coaching
Gil Hamilton - Head Esports Coach
Gil is a passionate and motivational coach, her inspirational leadership and management is the driving force behind our Esports Academy's growth and development. Gil specialises in creating a cohesive team environment. Her core values are that esports is for everyone.
- Coached our Rocket League team all the way to the Grand Finals of the British Esports Student Champs
- Coached our Valorant team to the quarter-finals of the Student Champs
- 10 years experience in Esports including Esports Events management at regional and international locations
- Experience coaching in Tier 3 Valorant tournaments
- Experience competing in the Welsh Esports League in Dota 2
- Currently managing a team in the Welsh Esports League in Dota 2
- Ambassador for Women in Esports, aiming to promote diversity and opportunities for all and help make esports a place for everyone
Esports Staff
Gil Hamilton
SGS Sport Staff
Dr Craig Barden
Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy
Jordan Barnes
Sports Therapist
Max Cooper
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Will Crowfoot
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Pip Dickin
Sports Therapist
Daniel Newman
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Katie Northwood
Sports Therapist
Tom Riddell
Sports Rehabiliator
Connor Sidley-Adams
Curriculum Director of Personal and Social Development
Choisze To
Operations Lead
Dominic Williams
Sports RehabilitatorHow to Apply
Thank you for your interest in joining an SGS College Sports Academy!
Our Sports Academies are highly regarded, boasting national success, Olympic and Paralympic representation, medals, and pathways to professional contracts. Due to this popularity, we hold trials for each academy in October, February, and Easter.
To stay informed on trial dates and all SGS Sport updates, you can either apply formally or simply register your interest. Both options ensure our coaches have the details needed to keep you up to date on important developments with more information below.
Register interest for a Sports Academy
Register Your Interest Stay Updated: By submitting this form, you'll receive updates about trial days and taster events hosted by our Sports Academy throughout the year.
Apply for a Sports Academy
- Add a full-time course to your basket.
- While still on that full-time course page, add a sports academy by clicking on the "Sports Academy Add-Ons" tab and selecting a sports academy.
- Finally, click the Basket icon at the top right of the screen and then "Proceed with Application".
Apply for a Higher Education Course and Academy
For students interested in pursuing a Higher Education degree at SGS College, applications for academic courses can be made via Search - UCAS. Those wishing to combine their academic studies with a Sports Academy program should also complete the Register Your Interest form here.
Please Note: Higher Education students are eligible to join our American Football, Men's Football, Netball, Women's Football, or Basketball programs.