In partnership with Blackburn College
ESPORTS ROADSHOW: BLACKBURN
The Esports Education Roadshow brings esports education leaders from across the North together for a day packed with conversation, insight and networking.
You’ll hear from educators who have already built programmes, launched courses and filled arenas. They’ll tell you what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known before opening their doors.
Maybe you’re just curious about the benefits. Maybe you’re planning a course, or you already run esports and want to take it further. Either way, this day is for you.
YOU'LL LEARN
- See a college esports arena in action
- Hear how Blackburn College built theirs
- Learn from educators already doing it
- Getting more girls into esports
- Contacts across the North on the same journey
- Talk with Nik Turner and esports education leaders
YOU'LL HEAR FROM
Nik Turner
YOYOTECH
A teacher for 15+ years, Nik helped shape the esports BTEC.
Stuart Kosters
ESPORTS ACADEMICS
Global Partnships and Education Director, Consultant and advisor for esports institutions.
Shannon Sinadé van Zyl
Leeds City College
Women in Games Ambassador, championing women in esports.
WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2026 · 9:00AM - 2.00PM
STEP INSIDE A WORLD-CLASS FACILITY
Blackburn College built its arena to attract new learners, give students a professional space to compete, and become an esports hub for Blackburn.
It’s a working classroom, too. The F1 simulators turn a love of motorsport into engineering and telemetry skills. The management software keeps lessons focused on teaching, not on fixing PCs.
Come and see it for yourself on the tour.
| 09:00 | Arrival and refreshments |
| 09:30 | Welcome from Blackburn College |
| 09:45 | Welcome from Yoyotech |
| 10:15 | Talk: Esports and Education: Why It Works with Nik Turner |
| 10:45 | Coffee and tea |
| 11:00 | Talk: Esports Educational Delivery and Course Sustainability with Stuart Kosters |
| 11:30 | Tour of the esports arena |
| 12:00 | Panel discussion with Nik Turner |
| 12:30 | Lunch and networking |
| 13:15 | Talk: Bridging the Digital Divide: Equity, Empowerment, and Representation in Gaming with Shannon Sinadé van Zyl |
| 13:45 | Close and networking |
WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2026 · 9:00AM - 2.00PM
