A Spark That Became Something Bigger

India Browne didn’t grow up imagining an eSports career. In 2018, she discovered a game through a YouTuber, got excited, and pleaded with her parents for a console. She just wanted to play.

Fast forward four years, and India was selected to represent England at a global eSports tournament. “I made the team, we won a gold medal, we went through the entire tournament undefeated,” she recalls. That victory created what she describes as a “snowball effect – contracts, sponsorships, everything coming together.”

Only then did the potential of competitive gaming fully sink in: “There are amazing career opportunities in eSports, especially for young people.”

Where Play Builds Real-world Skills

Competition taught India that eSports demands more than fast reflexes. Every match required teamwork, strategy, communication, critical thinking, and the resilience to adapt under pressure – the same skills that matter in classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life.

But it wasn’t just the gameplay that shaped her. Gaming helped India grow into a more confident version of herself and strengthened her as a young leader.

Finding Belonging Through Community

For India, eSports is as much about people as it is about performance. She values the camaraderie and sense of community she feels with fellow players – even her competitors. 

“Having like-minded people around me, who understand what I’m doing… to have them in the same space as me is very important,” she says. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

Healthy Gaming Creates Stronger Players – and People

India is clear that success in eSports requires balance. “Having a healthy lifestyle and balance is important in eSports, especially for my personal performance,” she explains.

Her routine includes regular fitness training and making time for activities she loves, like playing the piano, to stay grounded outside competition.

And at the heart of her journey is simple joy: “I love victory. I love glory. I love it all… I’m so happy I get to do it!”

A Message for the Next Generation

India’s journey isn’t a template, nor a promise. But it shows what can happen when passion is supported, nurtured, and made healthy. Gaming, when balanced and community-focused, can help young people build confidence, develop valuable skills, and find new opportunities.

For India, it began with a spark – and one decision: the moment she asked for a console.