# eSports Industry Events The Esports Academy Will Help New Players Enter the Competitive World By Justin Lam | Published 2018-04-14 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/esports-academy References: [esportsinsider](http://www.esportsinsider.com/2018/04/esl-microsoft-store-esports-academy/) & [ca.ign](http://ca.ign.com/articles/2018/04/13/microsoft-store-and-esl-launch-esports-academy) The eSports Leage, or ESL, has recently entered into a partnership with Sydney's flagship [Microsoft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skyesports-1) Store to create the [Esports Academy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnic-ai-1). This new initiative will run for a limited time, from April 16th to April 22nd, will see the Microsoft retail space transform into a venue in which members of the esports community can grow and learn from one another. The aim of the Esports Academy will be to educate and instruct up-and-comers in the industry in a way that extends beyond playing better. The academy will feature speeches from important figures within the esports industry who will also be sharing insights into the scene and advice to those wanting to participate. Some of the featured speakers include professional League of Legends player Jayke “Jayke” Paulsen, former Counter-Strike Player and coach Rohan “Brucey” Bruce and host of the [Oceania Pro League](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-high-school-esports) Laura “Saerianne” Scott. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Esports Academy:** Opportunity for creating more esports education and mentorship programs - **Professional Development:** Opportunity to expand professional development programs in the esports industry - **Esports Networking:** Opportunity to create more esports networking events and conferences ### Where This Applies - **Technology:** Integrating gaming technology and software within the esports academy for the optimal learning experience - **Education:** Partnering with educational institutions to provide esports education and training - **Event Planning:** Opportunity to specialize in esports event planning, coordination, and promotion for esports networking events and conferences ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Expansive Esports Training Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/team-singularity-academy.md) - [Amateur Esports Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parabellum-esports.md) - [Educational Esports Endeavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/british-esports.md) - [Youth Esports Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/navi-visa-academy.md) - [Educational Esports-Focused Courses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iesf.md) - [Esports Training Academies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kgen.md) - [Esports Digital Literacy Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moonton-games.md) - [Entrepreneurial Esports Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/esi-next-gen.md) - [Indian Esports Education Efforts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skyesports-3.md)