British Esports, the national governing body for esports in the UK, has secured significant funding from the UK Government to roll out an innovative campaign aimed at teaching young people valuable digital skills while promoting online safety. The initiative, called Safe to Play, will partner with the English Football League (EFL) to engage communities across the country.
This campaign will run for 6 to 8 weeks and be conducted within the communities of 10 football clubs from the EFL. The focus will be on providing digital learning experiences in a safe and inclusive environment, utilizing esports to help young people develop essential skills for the digital age.
Each week of the Safe to Play campaign will feature a combination of educational workshops and esports play sessions. These sessions are designed to merge digital skill-building with practical esports participation. The initiative aims to give young people not only an understanding of esports but also the tools to navigate the online world safely.
The funding from the UK Government will primarily go towards creating tailored training content and developing resources for the programme. Sheffield United’s Community Foundation will serve as the lead organisation for the campaign, ensuring smooth implementation across all participating clubs. Sheffield Hallam University will provide external advisory support, offering expert guidance on educational strategies.
“We’re incredibly grateful to receive the Government’s support for this new Safe to Play campaign with the EFL,” said Chester King, President of British Esports. “This backing will allow us to work alongside Sheffield United’s Community Foundation and other partners to deliver vital digital skills and online safety training to young people through esports.”
Pilot Programme
The Safe to Play campaign will start as a pilot, with 10 EFL football club charities acting as the first test cases for the programme. If successful, the programme could eventually expand to all 72 clubs within the EFL pyramid, reaching thousands of young people across the UK. This growth potential highlights the importance of esports as a tool for education and digital literacy.
British Esports has been making significant strides in expanding its role in the UK’s rapidly growing esports sector. The Safe to Play initiative is part of a broader effort by the national body to strengthen its presence and impact.
In addition to this, British Esports announced plans earlier this year to open a state-of-the-art esports and gaming facility in 2026. The facility will serve as a hub for training, education, and community engagement, further reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in esports.
British Esports continues to forge influential partnerships. In July 2025, the organisation announced a collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence to host the International Defence Esports Games. This annual tournament will be open to members of the UK’s armed forces, further promoting esports as a force for skill development, teamwork, and camaraderie within the military.
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