News

Is video gaming really a sport?

Published

9 months ago

February 14, 2024

HERE in Pembrokeshire we take sport seriously! Whether its supporting local teams as they advance through country leagues or following the ins and outs of national leagues, there’s a real appetite for sports and sports coverage. While disciplines like football and rugby are still upheld as examples of traditional sporting pursuits, a new discipline has emerged in recent years that is bringing into question just what sports are in the digital era.

eSports, short for electronic sports, is a burgeoning sector of the gaming industry and a hot topic of debate right now. As digital gaming takes centre stage and professional players are participating in elite-level competitive tournaments, the boundaries between physical sporting pursuits and those that are largely mental are becoming increasingly blurred. So, is video gaming really a sport? Let’s find out.

An Introduction to eSports

The origins of eSports, short for ‘electronic sports’, can actually be traced back to the early days of the video gaming industry. Even before 21st century innovations catapulted the sector to the world’s stage, avid gamers were travelling on a national basis to participate in in-person video gaming tournaments and events. The term itself emerged during the late 1990s and, as gaming tech became more advanced, eSports would quickly gain momentum.

Several key events have played a pivotal role in shaping the diverse landscape of competitive gaming. The advent of high-speed internet, cutting-edge PC technology and, of course, the constant development of groundbreaking video games since the early 2000s has launched pro gaming into the mainstream. Meanwhile, titles like League of Legends, StarCraft II and Dota 2 have emerged, providing digital realms for elite-level players to showcase their skills to a global audience.

eSports is now worth somewhere in the region of $1.9 billion and it’s an ecosystem that, much like football, encompasses international tournaments, dedicated leagues, live-streamed competitions, star players and big brands keen to sponsor household names. It is worth noting that electronic sports is actually well connected with the more established mindsports sector. Playing mentally challenging games at a professional, competitive level isn’t limited only to the digital landscape, organised mindsports events have been taking place for decades.

The Mind Sports Olympiad is just one of many international events offering competition in a vast range of “games for mental skill”, such as chess, bridge, draughts, backgammon and Othello. More recently, the classic card game poker has been added to the list of recognised mindsports, possibly in recognition of the fact that it’s now became a lot more accessible to adult gamers thanks to the numerous ways to learn and participate in the game remotely via operators like PokerStars. In fact, the digitalisation of poker has even led many within the gaming industry to unofficially declare it an eSport, particularly since several notable eSports champions are also successful poker players.

Pro Gamers are Athletes Too

Speaking of eSports players, it’s all too easy to assume that the life of a pro gamer is a lot less taxing than a Six Nations rugby player or even a professional snooker player. In truth, however, professional-level gamers are athletes and follow training and performance schedules that are just as packed as those competing in physical sports.

Sure, gamers aren’t exactly sprinting down a football pitch, but the demands of competitive gaming require a unique skillset that takes discipline to accrue. Professional gamers must maintain mental acuity, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking — all of which are crucial elements of traditional sports, too.

Staying “in shape” for eSports involves rigorous practice schedules, strategic analysis of opponents and maintaining peak cognitive performance. Nutrition, exercise, and mental wellbeing are all integral to a gamer’s success, especially since the top-ranking players regularly need to travel to attend international championships like The International or the League of Legends World Championships.

Does Categorisation Matter?

While nothing will ever take the place of in-person, physical sports events, we are living in an increasingly digitalised world and the roaring success of eSports proves changing tastes of each new generation. Ultimately, what are the attributes that truly define what’s considered a competitive sport? Is it physically, mental prowess or audience engagement? In an era where virtual arenas can draw in millions of viewers and professional gamers become household names, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate traditional definitions.

One thing that is certain, however, is that pro gamers deserve the same respect and recognition for their dedication, skill and passion as athletes and sports players. Whether video gaming is truly a sport, or if gamers are considered athletes or not, there’s no denying the cultural impact of the former or the commitment of pro and budding eSports players.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

16 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.

News

New hope for rare dormouse after forest find

Published

16 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RARE hazel dormouse has been discovered in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, bringing fresh hope for the survival of the endangered species in the area.

The golden-brown rodent, known for its distinctive big eyes and long whiskers, has seen a dramatic population decline across Britain—down 70% since 2000. It is now one of seven vulnerable mammals in Wales.

Conservationists made the significant find during a project aimed at linking habitats across the park. Volunteers had set up nesting boxes in the Nevern woodland, roughly five miles west of the dormouse’s known habitat in Pengelli Forest.

A lucky discovery

Park conservationist Mary Chadwick said the team had been trying to connect isolated dormouse populations across the park’s ancient oak woodlands, including Pengelli Forest and areas near the Pentre Ifan Neolithic site.

“We were looking at linking up those important sites and checking whether populations were isolated,” she explained. “A licensed dormouse volunteer took on a new site and set up the boxes. It can take years for dormice to use the boxes, but we got lucky this year.”

The discovery marks the first recorded dormouse population in the Nevern valley, raising hopes for the species’ ability to spread across the landscape and bolster genetic diversity—key to its long-term survival.

Supporting conservation efforts

To ensure a brighter future for dormice, conservationists are calling on farmers and landowners to adopt wildlife-friendly practices, such as cutting hedgerows less frequently.

“We’re asking people to trim hedges on alternate sides each year,” said Ms. Chadwick. “That would be much better for our dormice.”

Building a future

With ongoing conservation efforts and discoveries like this, researchers hope the dormouse can move closer to recovery in Pembrokeshire. The new find has confirmed their belief that dormice could thrive across the Nevern valley, creating vital connections between isolated populations.

*Nesting boxes placed in the forest where dormice were found (Pic: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park)*

Crime

Burglar jailed for stealing cars worth £90,000 from Sinclair Garage

Published

16 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BRIAN DAVIS, 53, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to three counts of non-dwelling burglary at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Davis and an accomplice targeted Sinclair Garages in Neyland during the early hours of April 2 last year, stealing four vehicles: a Mercedes CLA, an Audi A1, an Audi Q3, and a Volkswagen Tiguan worth around £90,000 in total.

Sentencing Davis, Judge Paul Thomas KC said the crimes were too severe for a suspended sentence and noted little hope of rehabilitation. “These offences display planning and determination,” the judge remarked.

The burglars forced entry into the garage, using a crowbar to access a key storage board. Nine sets of keys were stolen, allowing them to take multiple vehicles. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy told the court: “The men left with two cars initially, returned 14 minutes later to steal a third, and returned again for a fourth.”

The stolen cars were valued at approximately £90,000. Three vehicles – the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi A1, and Audi Q3 – were recovered the following day. However, the Mercedes CLA, worth £12,382, was only located in January this year. Damages included £5,541 to replace locks on several vehicles.

Police traced Davis through partial fingerprints found on a glove left in one of the stolen cars. He was arrested after surrendering at Haverfordwest Police Station on August 14.

Struggles with addiction

The court heard Davis had left Pembrokeshire in December, breaching post-sentence supervision for an unrelated offence, to stay with family in Glasgow and recover from drug addiction. Stuart John, defending, explained: “The defendant struggled with heroin addiction from a young age. Family bereavements caused a relapse.”

Mr John noted that Davis had been clean when he returned to Pembrokeshire and voluntarily handed himself in. While in custody, Davis completed courses and attended counselling, demonstrating awareness of the consequences of further drug use.

Recovered vehicles