Heracles Almelo have become the first football club in the world to open a ‘youth academy’ for their own in-house eSports team.
Yes, you read that correctly and that is why you’re now involuntarily weeping.
Not only do Heracles have an eSports team, but they now have an eSports academy with which they plan to gather, nurture and cultivate young eSports proteges of the future.
🎮 Heracles Almelo presenteert jeugdteam eSports ➡️ https://t.co/I0nlbJJRsr pic.twitter.com/COdx82no3Q
— Heracles Almelo (@HeraclesAlmelo) July 17, 2017
The Dutch team unveiled the six inaugural inductees into their ‘eJuegd’ academy – Gunnar Nieuwenhuis (aged 16), Rik Weits (18), Melih Bingöl (19), Finn Mulder (13), Tim Slaghekke (16) and Sjors at Tije (18), who will all be trained by senior Heracles ePlayer, Bryan Hessing.
Once graduated to the full team, they will compete in competitive FIFA Xbox tournaments in the club’s name.
Speaking to Heracles’ official website, chief commercial director Rob Toussaint said:
The eJeugd […] will make sure we produce trained and qualified ePlayers in-house.
These players will represent Heracles at the highest level.
Erm… ‘highest’ level?
What does it matter, we’re all doomed anyway.