Barnsley Griffins win Overwatch and VALORANT charity tournament

Barnsley College University Centre’s esports team, the Barnsley Griffins, won both the Overwatch and VALORANT competitions at a charity tournament held at the close of the academic year. The event raised more than £150 for Cancer Research UK through a charity livestream.

The Griffins took part after an invitation from Luke Swaby, a former Barnsley College student who now teaches esports at Oldham College. Matches formed part of an extracurricular event that was streamed online to collect donations.

Each player from the winning Overwatch lineup received a Puma Play chair donated by Man City Esports. Members of the victorious VALORANT team each received a £20 gift voucher.

Alfie Caunt, a Barnsley Griffins player, reflected: ‘We’re doing this for a great cause, supporting Cancer Research UK. It’s a good opportunity at the end of the year for everybody to come together, take part in some extracurricular activity, use what we’ve learned throughout the year, put it into practice and come out victorious.’

The Griffins compete in the National Student Esports leagues. British Esports is involved in student competitions and works with the UK Esports Advisory Panel and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Organisers said the tournament provided a social end to the year for students and staff while supporting a charitable cause.