Scottish Borders Council has formally integrated esports into its Sport and Physical Activity Strategy – an important step in connecting esports, sport and education within local policy.
The move recognises that participation in sport and structured competition is evolving. By including esports within its strategic framework, the Council acknowledges the role digital competition now plays in engaging young people and widening access to structured participation.
Scottish Esports welcomes this recognition and the leadership shown in progressing this work.
Why This Matters
Modern sport strategies must reflect how communities engage today. Esports provides structured, team-based competition that can reach young people who may not otherwise access traditional sport, while supporting confidence, communication and leadership skills.
It also creates progression routes into education, events, coaching and digital careers, and strengthens connections between schools and community activity. Its inclusion does not replace physical sport; rather, it broadens participation pathways and provides an additional route into organised competition.
Education-Led Development
The integration of esports followed a formal proposal to the Education Sub Committee, outlining its contribution to attainment, inclusion and wider youth development.
The work was supported by Paul Graham, Education Director for Scottish Esports, alongside political leadership from Euan Jardine. The approach demonstrates coordinated cross-department delivery, structured planning, alignment between education and sport policy, and a long-term framework for participation development.
Part of a Wider Strategy
The Council’s 2026 Strategy sets out a broad, evidence-based approach to sport and physical activity. Within this framework, esports expands opportunities in places of learning, supports groups with lower participation rates, strengthens inclusive pathways and contributes to skills and workforce development.
Further detail on how esports is positioned can be found in the full Strategy and supporting committee papers.
A Positive Signal for the Sector
The decision reflects a broader review of engagement approaches within local sport policy. Esports offers a structured and scalable pathway that can complement existing sport provision.
Scottish Esports acknowledges this milestone and recognises the continued development of partnerships exploring how esports can support participation, education and community outcomes.
Further information can be found here:
- The official Scottish Borders Council announcement
- The full 2026 Sport and Physical Activity Strategy
- The Education Sub Committee report outlining the proposal
Photo: Ella Don / Unsplash