UKETC Publishes Principles

The UKETC (UK Esports Team Committee) has today announced the publication of the UKETC Principles which have been signed by all of the current membership.

The UKETC aims to empower its members and act as role-models to ensure a level of professionalism and consistency across key issues including safeguarding of minors, reducing online incidences of abusive behaviour, and improving diversity and equality within the esports industry, whilst ensuring that there is more opportunity for people to enjoy, engage, participate and achieve within esports. Accordingly the Principles set out best practice for its members to adhere to, and for other esports orgs and aspiring or future members to consider.

The Principles are non-exhaustive in that they can be amended from time to time, and additional categories included, but for the inaugural version the five topics that are addressed include:

• Developing practices to help professionalise the esports industry. 

• Implementing a safeguarding policy and actively training and educating staff and players on the importance of safeguarding.

• Actively promoting a positive, inclusive  and welcoming environment for all, and responding appropriately to any instances of abusive behaviour or misconduct. 

• Actively supporting the wider esports industry by ensuring best practice in respect of work experience, volunteering and internships.

• Routinely reviewing performance and identifying ways to improve and take positive action.

All members will be expected to showcase the Principles within their Organisations and implement the safeguarding policy contained within the Appendix of the Principles.

During August’s UKETC meeting taking place in between the Commonwealth Games Esports activities, the signing of the document took place, and there was discussion around how the UKETC should address potential infringements.

The Principles can be viewed here.

Oliver Weingarten, Chair of UKETC (and Chief Executive Officer of LDN UTD) said: 

“It is important for the members that the UKETC is not seen as a talking shop with no tangible output. The Principles show that the members have the ability to work in a cohesive manner, with the aim of showcasing best practice. We recognise there will be some who say they could be more exhaustive, and we welcome feedback from stakeholders to iterate these Principles and discuss improvements at our regular meetings. In any event we believe these to be a positive step in the right direction.” 

For further information please contact
Elliot Bond, Admin UKETC | uketc@britishesports.org 
or Oliver Weingarten, Chair | oliver@ldnutd.gg

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The UKETC is a collective of UK based esports teams that formed in 2021 as a committee of like-minded individuals, with the aim of progressing and growing the UK esports industry, and representing the voice of teams within wider industry discussions.