UK Government funds British Esports and EFL pilot to deliver digital skills workshops
A new government-backed esports pilot will run across ten English Football League club communities, testing how structured gaming programs can support digital inclusion, online safety, and skills development for disadvantaged young people.
British Esports has secured government funding to launch a pilot esports education program with the English Football League, targeting young people in disadvantaged communities.
The initiative, approved under a national digital inclusion fund, signals growing interest from policymakers in esports as a structured pathway for digital skills, safeguarding, and youth engagement.
Safe to Play pilot launches across ten club communities
The new Safe to Play campaign will run across ten football club communities and aims to reach around 400 young people. Delivered through existing football club charity programs, the project uses esports as a structured environment to support digital confidence, online safety, and wellbeing.
Each participating club will deliver a six- to eight-week program combining weekly workshops with supervised esports sessions. The content is designed to sit alongside existing youth provision, positioning esports as a tool for engagement rather than a standalone activity.
The pilot has been approved for funding by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under its Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.
Training, governance, and safeguarding framework
British Esports will act as a national partner for the project, with funding supporting facilitator training, content development, and accreditation. As part of the Play it Safe model, British Esports will deliver e-learning and one-day in-person training to 60 facilitators drawn from ten football club charities.
Training covers safeguarding, wellbeing, digital confidence, online safety, and positive esports delivery. Guidance for the program is informed by British Esports’ Duty to Care in Esports framework, which sets standards for safe and responsible participation.
EFL in the Community will oversee national coordination, governance, and monitoring, while Sheffield United’s Community Foundation is acting as the accountable body. Sheffield Hallam University is providing external advisory input.
Potential national rollout
Project partners say the pilot is intended to test whether esports-based delivery can scale across the wider EFL network, which includes 72 clubs. A successful outcome could lead to a broader rollout through club community programs nationwide.
Debbie Cook, director of community at the English Football League, says, “The Safe to Play campaign is an exciting and innovative way to support young people in our EFL Club communities. Using esports as a vehicle for digital inclusion, online safety, and wellbeing, we’re equipping disadvantaged young people with essential skills for the modern world.”
Chester King, president at British Esports, adds, “We’re incredibly grateful to receive the Government’s support for this new Safe to Play campaign with the EFL. 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.”
The announcement follows wider government action on youth engagement, including the launch of a new National Youth Strategy supported by a £500 million investment. The strategy, titled Youth Matters, has been shaped by feedback from more than 14,000 young people across England and focuses on rebuilding youth services and addressing social isolation.
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