Guild bolster Women’s Esports Roster with three new signings
Football Eseries winner Mariam ‘FUTHeda’ Musa
The winners of the first-of-its-kind women’s only esports initiative have been crowned, earning themselves a pro contract with Guild Esports.
Grete Lajal and Mariam ‘FUTHeda’ Musa both from London came out on top, as the three-phase tournament, produced by Guild and brought to life by Sky Broadband, came to an end last weekend.
The winners of the Women’s Esports Finals have also secured a portion of the £50,000 prize fund, which is shared between all finalists, and free Sky Broadband for 24 months. The tournament marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a more inclusive esports industry.
Launched in April by Guild in partnership with Sky Broadband, the initiative was designed to provide a platform for talented women gamers to showcase their skills, following research that revealed only 5% of esports pros are women, despite women making up 47% of UK gamers.
In the run up to the Women’s Esports Finals, the open competition enabled gamers from across the UK to go head-to-head in the Racers Eseries (a sim racing-based competition) and Football Eseries (EA SPORTS FC 25) tournaments. It is the first women’s esports tournament to award professional contracts as well as cash prizes, a share of which was given to all 15 finalists.
Racers Eseries winner Grete Lajal (left) and Clara Bucciacchio (right)
The Guild contracts will see Grete and FUTHeda receive access to top-class facilities at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre and opportunities to connect with other professionals and sponsors as they develop their skills. The winners will also receive support from experts to guide their progress, coaching and mentorship to help develop their competitive play.
The finalists battled it out at Sky’s headquarters with the event live streamed on Sky Sports and Guild’s YouTube, Twitch & X channels, hosted by renowned esports presenter Frankie Ward.
She led the charge with Rachel Stringer who helped break down the action alongside Alia Harvey, and Anita Abayomi who stepped into the football commentator’s seat. Presenter Iain Chambers was on the studio floor, whilst Nina-Jade Paul and George Morgan provided commentary for the Racers Eseries.
Nine of the best women drivers in the UK competed on fan favourite tracks where Grete Lajal topped the podium in the sim racing-based competition.
Grete Lajal, the Racers Eseries winner said:
“I am so happy, and also surprised! I definitely didn’t know what I was getting myself into! I would have never thought I could participate in a race like this if it wasn’t for this event. I’m so excited about finding a new hobby where I can constantly improve at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre. Today went really well, but I know there’s so much more to come.”
Fellow Racers Eseries competitor Clara Bucciacchio won a Guild Academy contract following an impressive set of races. The contract will give her access to support and training with us to raise her game to the professional level.
After a hard-fought regular season, the Football Eseries saw six players go head-to head in three rounds of EA SPORTS FC 25. FUTHeda dominated the competition, defeating the first ever England eLioness Lisa ‘LisaManley15’ Manley in the final 5-2.
Mariam Musa the Football Eseries winner said:
“It feels crazy to be the Football Eseries champion, it doesn’t feel real. It was amazing to have that many women come out and showcase their talent at Sky. I’m looking forward to the support that Guild can offer, hopefully I can work with their coaches, compete in more tournaments and show more representation as a person of colour as it’s really hard to enter the space.”
Luke Jones, VP, Commercial, Esports, and Gaming from Guild Esports and Gaming, said:
“We are excited to welcome Grete Lajal and Mariam Musa to Guild Esports and Gaming. This tournament was about showcasing the immense talent within the women’s gaming community, and these two players have undoubtedly proven themselves to be the best. This is just the beginning of their journey as professional esports athletes, and we are excited to support them every step of the way as they compete at the highest level.”
Sky Broadband is the official partner of Guild Esports and Gaming, supporting us in our shared mission to make the industry inclusive and equal for all.
Amber Pine, MD, Sky Connectivity, said:
“Huge congratulations to Grete Lajal and Mariam Musa on becoming the first ever champions of our Women’s Esports Finals. At Sky Broadband, we’re incredibly proud to have partnered with Guild Esports and Gaming on this groundbreaking initiative, together we are changing the game and proving that esports is a space for everyone.”
