BroadcastHER Academy returns to help women enter esports

02 February 2021

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Not-for-profit organisation The 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF) has launched its third annual BroadcastHER Academy, an esports and gaming fellowship programme for women interested in pursuing a career in the industry.

The 2021 BroadcastHER Academy Challenge commences on February 2nd, with the initiative concluding on March 11th. Throughout the five-week event, 10 women will be chosen to receive $1,000 (£731) micro-grants, mentorship, and other resources to help them enter the esports and gaming industry.

Image credit: 1,000 Dreams Fund

RELATED: Hitmarker partners with 1,000 Dreams Fund to help more women enter esports

Winners will also receive an all-expense-paid trip to visit the HyperX Esports Arena in Las Vegas where they will receive a hands-on tour and shadow the Allied Esports team. There, grant recipients will spend time with the broadcast unit to learn about operations, share a meal with an Allied Esports executive or broadcast professional, and have the opportunity to call a game in a professional broadcast booth.

Other resources given will include a 60-minute mentor session with an executive from one of 1DF’s partners by video conference. Winners will gain access to additional ‘pop up’ opportunities with partners, which could be through live events, conferences, tournaments, project-based contract roles, internships, apprenticeships, or even full-time employment.

Christie Garton, 1,000 Dreams Fund Founder & CEO, told Esports Insider about the challenge’s return for another year: “Once we announced the BroadcastHER Academy Fellowship with our partners Allied Esports and HyperX in 2020, we knew that we would want to make a return in 2021 to welcome even more fellows to this once-in-a-lifetime funding and professional development opportunity.”

Applicants will answer a series of questions such as describing their dream in gaming as well as how a fellowship would help them on their journey. 1DF will choose Fellowship recipients based on their passion or their chosen career paths.

Garton stressed that the current pandemic situation won’t deter them from their efforts, particularly with 1DF utilising its experiences from last year’s event. 

“This year, just like in 2020, we will continue to follow all CDC guidelines while also working closely with the Allied Team at the HyperX Esports Arena in Las Vegas to ensure we have another round of safe trips,” Garton explained.

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RELATED: British Esports Association teams with FACEIT for Women in Esports initiative

The 1,000 Dreams Fund launched in 2019 with the intent of helping young women to attain their career goals. In 2020, the programme expanded to include esports and gaming industries by partnering with Allied Esports, HyperX, Hitmarker, Twitch, and others.

Emily O., a college student who plays under the gamer tag ‘AbsoluteSodium’ on Twitch, was one of the BroadcastHER Academy winners of 2020.

“I started as the only woman on my esports team at SUNY Canton, and captain of my team,” Emily told Esports Insider. “After my experience with the BroadcastHER Academy, I moved up to manager. This allowed me to realise my dream in esports is to become a Coach or Coordinator and I will use my experience in the BroadcastHER Academy to push myself even further.”

Esports Insider says: A lot of organisations have banded together to promote women in esports over the years, but it seems as though these kind of programs are becoming more commonplace. Good luck to the applicants!

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