CANDI and WestKing students embrace esports at Red Bull Gaming Sphere

Students from CANDI and WestKing visit Red Bull Gaming Sphere to compete against other colleges in a FIFA tournament.

Students from City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Centre for Applied Sciences and Centre for Business, Arts and Technology (CBAT) joined students from Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) for a visit to the Red Bull Gaming Sphere on 23 April to take part in a gaming tournament. The Red Bull Gaming Sphere is an East London tournament venue and creator space that supports esports professionals and gaming communities.

During the event, a group of eight CANDI students and seven WestKing students took part in the FIFA23 North London Championship Tournament. The competition was hosted by Rumble Esports, an organisation that aims to bring gamers together and encourage them to showcase their skills in a friendly community-driven setting. The student visit was organised and supported by CANDI Student Engagement Officer Natascia Bernardi and WestKing Animation Course Lecturer Zoe Llewellyn. 

Also available on the day was a reaction response machine that challenged competitors to test their reflexes with a range of speed tests. CANDI student Tristan Smiley won the speed reaction test and was awarded a cash prize.

The students competed in the FIFA23 Tournament and showcased their esports skills, with many of them progressing beyond the first round. Students Alex Mertiris, Ben Bor-Thompson, Emiko Eyetsetunokan, Yusuf Turkmen and Ethan Ramiraz reached the second round of the competition. Jayden Miller reached the third round of the tournament and Michael Mainoo did extremely well, reaching the quarter-finals before being knocked out.

In addition to gaining direct experience in an esports tournament, the students were also able to interact with other competitors who came from a range of London colleges.

Natascia Bernadi, Student Engagement Officer at CANDI, said: “I found this tournament very inclusive as students that are not always able to be included in sports or physical activities are capable of competing and performing as well as getting to meet other like-minded people.”

If you have an interest in Esports and computer games, why not take a look at our Esports courses?

For those looking to participate in Esports alongside their studies, the Esports Academy, offers access to a fully-equipped Esports training centre with support from a professional Esports coach.

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