Last month, Weston College’s Esports Academy celebrated a historic achievement as its students secured their first-ever tournament victory at the Radiant Rumble 2026 event, organised by South Devon College.

Hosted at Arena Torquay and delivered by South Devon College students, the tournament brought together the four teams that had successfully progressed through the online qualification stages earlier in the academic year. The finalists represented South Devon College, Exeter College, Teignmouth Sixth Form, and Weston College, creating a highly competitive showcase of Esports talent from across the South West.

Throughout the event, the Weston Waveriders demonstrated exceptional teamwork, communication, leadership, and resilience, combining these qualities with their passion and skill for competitive gaming. The tournament also provided an excellent opportunity for students to network with like-minded peers from other institutions, share experiences, and gain insight into different approaches to gameplay and team strategy.

The day began with Exeter College defeating South Devon College to secure their place in the Grand Final. Weston College then faced Teignmouth Sixth Form in a semi-final, where the Waveriders held-up under pressure to achieve a 13–11 victory and secure their place in the final alongside Exeter College.

The Grand Final was played as a Best-of-3 series. Exeter College claimed the opening map despite a determined Weston comeback attempt, but the Waveriders responded brilliantly in Map 2 to level the series and force a deciding map. Due to time constraints, the final map was played as a Swiftplay, with the first team to win five rounds crowned champions.

Weston College endured a difficult start, falling 1–4 behind and facing elimination. However, the team displayed remarkable composure and determination, surviving match point on four separate occasions before completing an incredible comeback to win 5–4. The victory secured the team's first tournament title and trophy, crowning the Weston Waveriders champions of the Radiant Rumble 2026.

Experiences such as these provide students with far more than competitive success. Participating in high-pressure tournaments helps learners develop confidence, communication skills, leadership qualities, and resilience, while reinforcing the importance of teamwork and adaptability. The Waveriders’ performance throughout the competition was a perfect demonstration of their ability to remain calm under pressure and perform at the best of their ability.

The Weston College Esports Academy brings together students from a wide range of curriculum areas, including Esports, Computing, Business, Electrical Installation, and A Levels. Despite their varied academic backgrounds, they have built a close-knit and highly effective team, demonstrating the collaborative skills that are essential both within Esports and the wider workplace.

Will Price, Computing Lecturer at Weston College, said: “This year has been a fantastic one for our Esports Academy, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch the team grow and achieve the success they have. I would like to say a special thank you to the six students who have helped shape this team and kept it not only running, but winning. They have demonstrated the value of participation, proving that hard work, perseverance, and dedication lead to success and help develop resilient individuals.

“Their mentality throughout the year has been outstanding. Even when faced with setbacks, they never panicked. Instead, they continued to push forward, adapt, improve, and trust the process until they achieved the results they deserved. A huge thank you goes to Harry Blake, Harry Lister, Taylor Kelly, Lucas Rodgers, Jayden Rnjak, and Brian Ridley for their commitment and dedication to the team this year. We would not have achieved this result without their efforts.”

Congratulations to the Weston Waveriders and everyone involved in the Esports Academy on this fantastic achievement to conclude the academic year.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.