Jamk launches nationwide network for esports coaches
The “Coaching Network: Employment in Esports” project (eVAVE), coordinated by Jamk University of Applied Sciences, is building Finland’s first nationwide network for esports coaches. Co-funded by the European Union (ESF+), the project runs from June 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027, with the Central Finland ELY Centre serving as the funding authority.
The goal is to strengthen the skills and employment opportunities of esports coaches, bring together stakeholders from across the country, and establish a lasting, community-based structure in the field. The project is open to anyone interested in the topic – coaches, students, unemployed individuals, people with partial work ability, and career changers. While the network operates in Western Finland, participation is open nationwide and free of charge.
Main objectives: Community, encounters, and development
The project is built around three core components:
- A virtual networking and learning platform where esports coaches can share knowledge, participate in events, and receive support both during and outside of scheduled meetings. In practice, this is a Discord-based community server that will be integrated into coesports.gg. Read more of the Discord server here!
- Workshops at major esports events focus on foundational coaching skills and career paths. These workshops also facilitate encounters between industry experts and aspiring coaches—field activities help reach professionals where they are already naturally present.
- The Esports Coaching Days in Jyväskylä introduce a new event format that offers participants intensive learning experiences through expert talks and practical networking. The event will be held at the main campus of Jamk University of Applied Sciences, in the GamePit Pro environment dedicated to electronic sports.
Building professional structures through collaboration
The eVAVE project collaborates with organizations such as the Finnish Esports Federation (SEUL ry), Incoach Oy, the University of Jyväskylä, and the Finnish Institute of High Performance Sport (KIHU). The long-term goal is to create a sustainable, collaboratively built model that supports the professionalization of esports coaching throughout Finland.
More information:
- Elmo Hämäläinen
Project manager, Jamk
elmo.hamalainen[a]jamk.fi - Perttu Leppä
Specialist, Jamk
perttu.leppa[a]jamk.fi
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Jamk launches nationwide network for esports coaches
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