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| Team Excel | |
|---|---|
| Name | Team Excel |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Location | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Games | League of Legends, VALORANT, FIFA |
| CEO | Oliver "Oli" Harris |
| Coach | Rebecca "Becca" Martin |
| Championships | UKLC 2018, EMEA Challenger 2019 |
Team Excel Team Excel is a professional esports organization based in Manchester, United Kingdom, competing primarily in League of Legends, VALORANT, and FIFA. Founded in 2012 during the rise of competitive eSports in Europe, the organization has fielded rosters that participated in regional leagues such as the UK League Championship, the European Masters, and qualifiers for the League of Legends European Championship. Team Excel has been involved with industry stakeholders including tournament organizers like Riot Games, FACEIT, and DreamHack and has maintained partnerships with clubs and institutions such as Manchester City F.C. and local universities.
Originally established by a group of gamers from Manchester influenced by events like ESWC and Intel Extreme Masters, the organization entered the competitive scene through grassroots tournaments and ladder circuits organized by FACEIT, Gfinity, and regional qualifiers for the European Masters. Early milestones included promotion via the UK League Championship and appearances at finals hosted at venues like The O2 Arena and Copper Box Arena. Across the 2010s the team navigated roster changes amid the evolving landscape shaped by publisher-driven franchise systems exemplified by the League of Legends Championship Series model and the franchising moves of Riot Games. Team Excel's competitive trajectory intersected with other organizations such as Fnatic, G2 Esports, Origen, Splyce, and Team Vitality during cross-regional events.
The organization adopted a hierarchical model with executive leadership, management, coaching, and performance staff, mirroring structures seen at Manchester United F.C.’s academy and corporate models used by Red Bull GmbH in gaming ventures. Executive roles include a CEO and a Director of Esports Operations, while competitive squads operate under Head Coaches and Analysts who previously worked with organizations like Team Liquid, Evil Geniuses, and SK Gaming. Support departments cover content and media production collaborating with agencies similar to William Morris Endeavor and broadcast partners such as ESL. The structure also engages with academic partners such as University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University for performance science and athlete welfare programs.
Team Excel achieved domestic success with titles and high finishes in the UK League Championship and notable showings at the European Masters and EMEA qualifiers. The organization claimed a regional championship in 2018 and secured top placements during the 2019 EMEA Challenger season, competing against teams like MAD Lions, Schalke 04 Esports, and Rogue. They qualified for international LAN events including appearances at DreamHack Winter and participated in open qualifiers for IEM Katowice. Individual players from their rosters reached placements that attracted offers from Cloud9 and G2 Esports affiliates, and coaches moved to roles with larger outfits such as Fnatic Rising and SK Gaming Prime.
Training programs emphasized mechanical practice tools and rounds with platforms like KOVA and custom scrimmage schedules against academies from Fnatic, Misfits Gaming, and Vitality. The organization invested in performance analytics using third-party providers comparable to ProGuides and used sports science approaches inspired by FIFA performance departments and research from institutions like Loughborough University. Player development pipelines included youth tryouts, scouting at events like Insomnia Gaming Festival and Gamescom, and academy partnerships modeled after Ajax Youth Academy and the development systems of FC Barcelona.
Over time the roster featured players and staff who later joined or came from organizations such as Fnatic, G2 Esports, Team Vitality, Origen, and Team Liquid. Notable talent included mid-laners and coaches who competed at events like the World Championship and MSI, analysts who worked alongside personnel from Ninjas in Pyjamas and Heroic, and content creators who collaborated with channels like ESL Gaming and personalities from Pablo “Cautious” Hernandez-style streamers. Several alumni transitioned into roles with mainstream clubs such as Manchester City F.C. and media companies like BBC Sport.
Commercial relationships have spanned hardware manufacturers similar to Logitech G, HyperX, and Intel, apparel deals akin to Nike collaborations, and regional sponsorship with brands comparable to JD Sports and Betway. Strategic partnerships included media and production firms like Endeavor and event organizers such as ESL and DreamHack, along with community initiatives in coordination with institutions like Manchester City Council and local venues including Manchester Arena.
Community engagement focused on grassroots tournaments, educational workshops at institutions like University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and charity streams in collaboration with organizations similar to SpecialEffect and Childline. Outreach programs included youth scholarships, participation in conventions such as Insomnia Gaming Festival and panels at EGX, and local initiatives with councils and sports clubs inspired by partnerships seen between FC Barcelona and community projects.
Category:Esports teams