News

Is video gaming really a sport?

Published

3 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.

Community

Carmarthen Youth Opera receives King’s Award for Voluntary Services

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CARMARTHEN and District Youth Opera has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services in recognition of its outstanding contributions to providing musical theatre opportunities for young people in the West Wales area.

Recognising outstanding examples of voluntary work, the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

Established in 1979, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has been a cornerstone of the performing arts community in Wales for over four decades. What began as a small group of dedicated individuals at Carmarthen’s Further Education Centre youth club has flourished into one of Wales’s most successful cultural societies, thanks to the dedication of volunteers.

Under the leadership of the late Elizabeth Evans MBE and her husband David, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has grown from strength to strength, showcasing high-quality musical entertainment and earning accolades such as the Lord Snowdon Award for its first annual music production of “Snow White” in 1979. Over the years, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has continued to captivate audiences with productions ranging from “Oliver” to “Jesus Christ Superstar,” garnering national praise.

Further major Lyric refurbishment works in the early 1990’s and later, gave a home to the Youth Opera with a venue and facilities in which it could deliver productions of the highest quality to an audience of approximately 500 people. For a period of 15 years, it functioned as an entertainment centre run voluntarily by the Lyric Trust, drawn from the Youth Opera’s supporters. The theatre is since owned and run by Carmarthenshire County Council as a venue for current and future generations.

Carmarthen and District Youth Opera’s impact extends beyond the stage, with many former cast members pursuing successful careers in music and dramatic arts. The organisation’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity has earned it widespread recognition, including from Her Majesty the Queen, the Emir of Qatar, and their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

As Carmarthen and District Youth Opera celebrates this prestigious award, it remains firm in its commitment to nurturing young talent and enriching the cultural landscape of Wales.

Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism said: “Carmarthen and District Youth Opera embodies the spirit of community and dedication to the arts that enriches our region. Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Services is a testament to the unwavering commitment of its volunteers and the profound impact the organisation has on nurturing young talent. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions to the cultural vibrancy of West Wales.”

Business

Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.

CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.

Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.

The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.

We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”

The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.

Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.

During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.

For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.

Education

Young people dive into My River project to learn about Cleddau

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DURING the Easter Holidays, young people from The Edge Youth Centre and the Army Welfare Service took part in a two-day environmental project in Haverfordwest in partnership with the Cleddau Project.

The ‘My River’ project enabled young people to connect with the River Cleddau, learn about the importance of looking after rivers and discuss what their river means to them as young people.

At the start of the project, the young people linked up with the West Wales Rivers Trust for the Big River Clean Up in Haverfordwest.

The young people helped clean up a stretch of the Western Cleddau River that runs alongside Bridge Meadow Park and Morrisons.

In the afternoon, they enjoyed an engaging session delivered by the Darwin Centre looking at the mini-beasts that live in our rivers under microscopes.

On day two the young people reflected on their findings creating a story with illustrator Fran Evans.

The young people created a piece of art telling the story of their river and the importance of looking after the river.

The story is called the ‘adventures of the trash trio’ and will be exhibited to the public at the ‘My River’ Art Exhibition at HaverHub, Quay Street, Haverfordwest at the end of June.

The young people will be coming back together in May Half-Term to explore the river in Haverfordwest by canoeing up the Western River Cleddau.

Steve Lewis, Senior Youth Worker said: “This project educated young people on the importance of our rivers and how they support wildlife, ecosystems and recreation activities. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm from the young people and to see them connecting with their river.”

This project has been made possible by funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.