Calne-based IT, website design and hosting company, Black Nova Designs, has become the first company to sponsor the Esports team at the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, marking a pioneering partnership that extends far beyond financial support.
Through sponsorship, hands-on involvement in lessons and industry-specific mentoring, Black Nova Designs is shaping how students gain real-world skills within the Esports and technology sectors.
Since the partnership began in 2024, Black Nova has provided students with team jerseys, collaborated on the growth of Esports within the college and wider community and actively participated in classroom discussions.
Esports teacher, Chris Baxter, said, “We are hugely grateful to have Black Nova Designs as a sponsor. From the very start, Danielle and Kyle have been a pleasure to work and collaborate with. Their enthusiasm and passion have been instrumental in providing my students with their very own jerseys, while also generating ideas on how Esports can grow, not only within our college but in the wider community. We are excited to build on this partnership and create even greater opportunities for our learners.”
As part of their Esports curriculum, Level 3 students have been working on Esports events, which tasks them with planning and running their own event. This has led to the creation of an in-person Valorant Tournament, which took place on Monday 17th March at the Institute. Black Nova Designs sponsored the event, offering in-person support and providing trophies in collaboration with Tilia Craft, a Black Nova Designs website client.
Beyond sponsorship, Black Nova has embedded itself in student learning, bridging the gap between education and the real-world tech industry. In recent months, Danielle and Kyle visited the college for an open discussion with T-Level Digital Support students about careers in IT, answering questions and providing insights into the industry.
An upcoming ‘Build a PC’ event will see students assembling PCs from individual components under the guidance of Black Nova’s Kyle Holmes.
Kyle explained, “I started teaching PC building to eight to 16-year-olds because I wanted to bridge the gap between using technology and truly understanding it. Too often, people in IT don’t fully grasp what’s powering their systems. So this partnership is all about giving students fundamental knowledge they can take into gaming, IT support or even future careers in the tech industry.”
With plans to expand the ‘Build a PC’ initiative and continued involvement in college-led Esports events, Black Nova Designs is demonstrating that it is a key player in shaping the future of Swindon and Wiltshire’s next generation of tech and gaming professionals.
Pictured above: (left to right) Danielle Holmes, Chris Baxter and Kyle Holmes
