The Hunt for Talent: How Do Esports Coaches Recruit Top Players?

Summary In this episode of the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard interviews Marlon Melo from Team Secret in Brazil and Adrian from the UK. They discuss their journeys in esports and their current roles in the industry. Marlon is the head coach and team manager for Team Secret's Rainbow Six Siege project, while Adrian is a player on the team. They talk about the responsibilities of their roles, the difference between a manager and a coach, and the qualities they look for in players. They also discuss the process of finding and hiring players, setting pay scales, and making job offers. Adrian discusses his journey to becoming a professional gamer and the importance of connections and networking in the industry. He emphasizes the need to be yourself and show confidence in your skills when trying to join a professional team. Marlon highlights the importance of cultural fit and the role of a coach in developing players. They discuss the onboarding process for new team members and the challenges of building chemistry and managing emotions within the team. They also mention the transfer windows in the esports industry and the various platforms used to showcase skills.   Takeaways Esports offers opportunities for individuals to turn their passion for gaming into a career. In esports teams, the manager is responsible for the overall organization, while the coach focuses on player development and team strategy. When hiring players, teams look for a combination of skills, communication abilities, and a positive attitude. Pay scales for players are determined based on their market value, skills, and media presence. Job offers in esports are typically made after a trial period and involve negotiations on salary, contract length, and bonuses. Connections and networking are important in the professional gaming industry. Being yourself and showing confidence in your skills can help you fit in with a professional team. Culture fit is crucial for a team's success, and coaches play a role in developing players. The onboarding process involves presentations, tactical introductions, and adaptation periods. Managing emotions and building chemistry within the team are ongoing challenges. Transfer windows allow for player changes in the esports industry. Using platforms like YouTube and Twitch can help showcase skills and build an audience.     *  *  * Featured in this episode: Marlon Mello is a manager at Team Secret where he previously served as the Head Coach. He is passionate about games and has coached successful teams in Faze Clan and Furia Esports in Brazil. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlon-mello-2b174415a/ Adrian Tryka is a professional esports player from the UK with Team Secret. Adrian is also a gaming streamer on YouTube and twitch. Twitch: https://kick.com/adrianr6s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adriant6802 *  *  * Please subscribe to our podcast wherever you are listening to this episode. Leave us a rating and a review if you like our content for others to discover what we are doing. And tell your friends! CONNECT WITH US ELSEWHERE: Visit our website at https://www.gamerschangelivespodcast.com/ to learn more about our program, our blog, and sign up for our emails to be notified of upcoming episodes. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GamersChangeLives  Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegclpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamerschangelives/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TRl42z9cbMyZMhcpNo0cw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamerschangelives PRODUCTION: Creator and host: Tom Leonard (Italy) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/ Executive Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/ ABOUT THE SHOW: Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives. This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face. Thanks for listening to The Gamers Change Lives Podcast!