On weekday evenings in YMCA centres across Scotland and Ireland, groups of young people gather around screens, log into matches, and prepare to compete. What might look like casual gaming is, in fact, part of a structured youth work programme designed to build confidence, teamwork, and digital skills.
This journey brought together young people from YMCA Kilmarnock, Larne YMCA Youth Club, Bellshill & Mossend YMCA, YMCA Tayside, YMCA Glenrothes, and YMCA Wishaw, who formed teams representing their local YMCAs.
Starting with training sessions in their own centres, they followed a shared progression pathway that culminated in the Y Esports Finals 2025, where teams stood on stage not just as competitors, but as representatives of their communities.
Y Esports was designed for young people who may not typically engage with traditional sports or clubs. Instead of informal gaming, the programme offered structure and progression.
Teams developed shared rules, defined roles, and learned how to communicate and collaborate under pressure. Esports was used not as an end in itself, but as a tool to support youth work outcomes such as leadership, emotional regulation, resilience, and digital skills.
A key part of the project was supporting staff. Many youth workers involved had limited experience with esports at the outset.
Through structured training and guidance, staff built the confidence needed to deliver sessions safely and consistently. This ensured that young people were supported in a values led environment where inclusion and wellbeing mattered as much as competition.
As the programme progressed, young people grew into different roles. Some emerged as team captains or shot callers, others as quiet strategists or motivators. All experienced what it meant to be part of something bigger than themselves. The tournament and finals provided a powerful moment of application and celebration, bringing together teams from across centres and reinforcing a sense of shared YMCA identity.
The impact extended beyond gameplay. Young people reported high enjoyment and a strong desire to continue esports at their YMCA. Many also expressed interest in wider roles such as broadcasting, tournament organisation, and content creation, highlighting future opportunities to widen participation and skills development.
The Y Esports project was made possible with the support of HP Inc, YMCA Europe, YMCA Scotland, Paterson Trophies, the University of the West of Scotland, and Wishaw YMCA Camera Club, whose contribution helped document and celebrate the journey.
Y Esports has shown that when competitive gaming is built around community, structure, and inclusion, it can become a powerful space for young people to connect, grow, and lead.
The full project report is available here for readers interested in detailed data and evaluation findings.
