Berlin, January 12, 2021 – Together with OMEN, BIG is launching the casting process for the new BIG. OMEN Academy team to find Germany's best talents for the successful youth development project.
Since jointly entering youth development with OMEN, the official BIG. OMEN Academy team was presented to the public as part of an intensive five-week application and casting phase in October 2018.
Within two years, the team worked its way to the top of the national scene, climbing into the highest division of the 99damage Profiliga. Alongside a successful ascent into ESL Meisterschaft, the team went on to win the 99damage League Season 15 in 2020 and achieved numerous respectable results internationally in various cups and leagues.
Today, the BIG. OMEN Academy team is considered the most successful academy project in the German region and a springboard for young talents into professional esports. More than six former BIG. OMEN Academy players have made the step up to full-time professional to date.
BIG and OMEN now invite ambitious players between the ages of 16 and 20 to register for the application process. The casting follows the proven principle of the previous selection procedure. After successfully registering, applicants can prove themselves in a multi-stage casting process through various stages, starting with a separate ranking in the #GoBIG League.
The top five talents from the selection process will form the next BIG. OMEN Academy team. Under their talent contracts with BIG, they will be gradually introduced to professional esports, and their skills will be continuously developed through the extensive expertise of the coaching staff.
Registration is already open and closes on January 14, 2021, 11:59 PM CET. All terms of participation, further information, and registration can be found at the following link:
Statement Daniel Finkler, CEO BIG
The BIG. OMEN Academy team is a very important institution for our organization. As a professional organization, we understand the importance of a functioning youth development department to discover the best talents early for our pro roster. The business moves quickly, and we are already thinking about tomorrow today to have as many options as possible for our roster composition. That is why I am very pleased that together with our partner OMEN we can once again offer five young talents the opportunity to prove their skills in the new BIG. OMEN Academy team and accompany them on their path into professional esports.
Statement Christian Lenz, CGO BIG
Our youth development concept has worked excellently since the start. Within 2.5 years, we successfully developed a total of six youth players into full-time professional players. Together with our coaching staff, our players from the pro team, and our social media department, we provided valuable insights into day-to-day business and trained the team under the best possible conditions. Now it is time to select a new group of youth players and support them on their path to becoming professionals. Here too, the motto applies: "Work hard, dream BIG".
Statement Alphan Ozbaltaci, HP Gaming Marketing Manager DE & AT
When we entered into the partnership with BIG in 2018, it was important to us that we support the team not only as a sponsor by providing our products, but also jointly contribute to the development of the German esports scene, because as a brand OMEN has a deep interest in the future of gaming. That is when the idea of founding our own youth team, the BIG. OMEN Academy team, emerged. Back then, our vision was to offer young esports talents structures so they could realize their dream of a professional career in esports. We are all the more pleased that two years later we were able to develop six excellent players who have now turned their passion into a profession. We wish them every success and look forward to the next generation of the BIG. OMEN Academy team.