Barnsley College University Centre’s Higher Education Esports students have stepped into the competitive spotlight, taking part in an official Pokémon Regional Championships event in Birmingham.

The tournament, part of the global Pokémon Championship Series, brought together players from across the country to compete at a high level, testing strategy, teamwork and decision making in a fast-paced competitive environment. For our students, it was a valuable opportunity to experience the esports industry beyond the classroom and apply their skills in a live competitive setting.

Student Charlie Sheppard shared how their journey into competitive Pokémon began through the College:

“I joined Pokémon competitively due to the College club. Participating at the club really built on the interest of Pokémon that I already had, allowing me to interact with it in a new way.

“What I really liked about participating in the Barnsley College Pokémon club was being able to express my wild ideas of how I played my deck and the competition. Despite the competitive nature, it was always chill and calming.”

“On the buildup to regional competition, I started to think about how my deck choice would affect how I played so testing and getting people to play certain matchups helped me prepare for the event.”

In preparation for the regional event, Charlie and his fellow students focused on refining their strategies and understanding how different approaches could impact performance in competitive matches.