YMCA Wishaw, with coordination led by Emma Williamson, is spearheading an exciting new esports initiative that will engage young people across multiple YMCAs in Scotland and Ireland.
The project combines digital inclusion, personal development, and youth empowerment through structured esports education and competition.
The initiative involves YMCAs in Wishaw, Kilmarnock, Glenrothes, Bellshill, Tayside, and Larne (Ireland). Each location is currently in the process of setting up dedicated esports spaces, with local staff now in place.
YMCA Bellshill recently secured funding for its esports setup and will be utilizing young volunteers to lead the programme, a testament to the project’s commitment to youth-led delivery. Glenrothes is also preparing its space with support from the project team. Other participating YMCAs have demonstrated strong readiness and are progressing independently.
An exciting collaboration with YMCA Scotland’s Circuit Project has also been confirmed. Wishaw YMCA will train a separate group of young people in esports broadcasting, in partnership with Charge Entertainment, a university-linked production company. This media team will provide live tournament coverage, giving participants new skills in digital storytelling and event production.
A potential highlight of the project is the in-person tournament final, with an exciting venue in the works, a move that would offer high visibility for the young players and the broader YMCA community.
Structured Learning & Competition
The programme is structured in three phases, each building on youth engagement, skill-building, and healthy competition:
Phase 1: Staff & Leader Training (starting end of July)
Training modules for staff cover:
- Esports as a youth work tool
- Safeguarding in digital spaces
- Club identity and team foundations
- Coaching and youth development
Phase 2: Young People’s Learning (Aug–Oct)
Youth participants will explore:
- Wellbeing and online safety
- Teamwork and communication
- Game-specific knowledge and strategy
- Live scrimmages and match analysis
Phase 3: The Tournament (Oct–Nov)
- Weekly group-stage matches begin on 11 October
- Semi-finals on 25 October
- The Grand Final is scheduled for 8 November
Weekly social media updates will spotlight each team’s journey, and all matches will be streamed on YouTube.
This initiative, funded by HP Inc. demonstrates YMCA Wishaw’s commitment to inclusive innovation, using esports not just for play, but as a pathway for community building, digital literacy, and leadership development. With the support of local partners and the broader YMCA Scotland network, the project is set to make a strong impact and set a new standard for digital youth engagement.
