Student Victory and Recognition in Esports and Games at Lichfield College

SSC Serpents Storm to Victory at Rocket League Tournament 

On Wednesday 9th July, the college’s Esports team – the SSC Serpents – went undefeated to claim the title at the Rocket League tournament hosted at Halesowen Town Hall. The tournament, organised by Halesowen College, brought together some of the region’s strongest college teams.  

In their first-ever in-person competition, the SSC Serpents made up of Cameron Powers, Aidan Price, Ashton Simmons, and Filip Patrzykat (coach), delivered a flawless performance, overcoming both the Sandwell Wolfpack and the Halesowen Halestrom. Level 3 Year 1 student Ashton Simmons earned special recognition, taking home the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.  

Ashton said “The tournament that took place in Halesowen was amazing, as a team we had practiced for a long time and for that to really shine during the experience as we didn’t lose a game was a really proud moment. While the nerves of being onstage in front of a lot of people can be daunting at first, as soon as I found my footing and people started cheering and clapping when I scored; all of that nervousness went away and I had a blast. Getting the MVP award was an honour and will be something I cherish as a symbol of how much dedication I’ve put I to the game over the years and I hope there will be more to come!” 

The win marks an exciting milestone for the college’s rapidly growing Esports provision, giving students valuable competitive experience and the chance to apply their technical and strategic training in a high-pressure, professional setting.  

Wil Sutton, Programme Leader for Esports said, “I couldn’t be prouder of my SSC Serpents Rocket League team for attending and absolutely smashing this win! The four lads who took part showed professionalism, resilience and excellent teamwork throughout the tournament, with a special shoutout to Ash who earned MVP. A big thank you to Halesowen College and Anastacia Cooper for inviting us. As Programme Lead for Esports at SSC, it’s always fantastic to see and get involved in activities that support the growth of esports within the Midlands – something I’m truly passionate about.” 

Games Art and Animation Student Named WorldSkills UK Finalist  

Just a day later, on Thursday 10th July, Level 3 Year 2 Games Art and Animation student Veronica Smirnova was officially named a WorldSkills UK finalist in the prestigious 3D Digital Game Art competition. Veronica is one of just eight finalists from across the UK, and the only representative from the West Midlands.  

A trailblazer from the college’s first-ever Games Art and Animation cohort, Veronica has consistently excelled throughout her time at South Staffordshire College. She has been awarded Student of the Year for both years of her course and is now progressing to the University of Staffordshire this September to continue her journey in digital art and game development. 

We caught up with Veronica who said: “I’m officially 1 of 8 finalists for the World Skills UK National Finals for Game Art! It’s an incredible honour that I get to complete alongside some incredibly talented young professionals and move on to this stage. I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to all the support I have received from South Staffordshire College and my tutors, especially a special thank you goes to Jennifer Wynn, who has supported me throughout this entire process, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Onto the finals!” 

Jennifer Wynn, Games Art and Animation Lecturer said, “I cannot put into words how incredibly proud I am of Veronica’s achievements across the two years with us and this fantastic news of her reaching the World Skills finals has topped the list! It’s been amazing seeing Veronica’s talent and dedication in developing her skills over the past two years and I can’t wait to see her compete on the national stage in November! Good luck Vera, you’ve got this!’  

We wish Veronica all the best as she competes in the national finals taking place across South Wales from 25–28 November 2025.

Lichfield College Games Hub  

Both achievements highlight the strength of our Games and Esports provision at South Staffordshire College. These courses are based at our Lichfield Campus where our state-of-the-art Games Hub supports students in developing technical, creative and strategic expertise.  

We offer dedicated pathways in Games Production, Games Art and Animation, and Esports, giving learners access to professional-standard software, industry-led projects, and competition opportunities that prepare them for future careers in this exciting and fast-growing sector.  

Adam Cross, Curriculum Manager for Computing and Digital at South Staffordshire College said, “’I’m incredibly proud of all the students who took part in competitions this year, and the dedicated staff who support our Digital learners across all campuses. With cutting-edge facilities at Cannock, Tamworth, and our Games Hub in Lichfield, we’re delivering world-class courses in Game Art & Animation, Games Production, Esports, Creative and Technical Computing.  

This week, our Esports team won the Rocket League Invitational hosted by Halesowen College, and Veronica was named a WorldSkills UK finalist in 3D Digital Game Art after excelling in the national qualifiers.  

Competitions are a vital part of our enrichment offer. They not only help our students stand out, but also develop key skills like teamwork, problem-solving, handling pressure, and working to a brief—all essential in today’s digital industries.” 

Know a school leaver passionate about Esports or the games industry?
We’re now accepting applications for our Games and Esports courses starting in September, but places are filling up fast! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to turn a passion into a career. 

Learn more and apply here: www.southstaffs.ac.uk/careers/school-leavers/games-and-esports