Support ILIAD Esports: Coaching, Tournaments, and Player Scholarships

Hi, I’m Sharon — Founder, Admin, and Community Manager of

ILIAD Esports, as well as the ILIAD Invitational, our in-house tournament series showcasing competitive Overwatch teams from across the FACEIT League ecosystem.

ILIAD Esports is an inclusive, competitive, welcoming and non-toxic Overwatch community built on connection, development, and improvement. More importantly we are all about helping players grow — in skill, in confidence, in mindset. Your donation helps us to keep offering that structure and support so they can keep leveling up — in-game and in life. We are currently home to 8 active teams, spanning entry to the highest level of competition, including top-level FACEIT League competitors in Masters Division. Most of our players are 17 to about 21 years old, graduating from high school and college age. For more context our highest level team ILIAD ARTEMIS is just one level below going "pro" and competing for up to 50k in prizes in the North America Division. This team in particular has been together for 3 years and some have developed in ILIAD from the entry level (lowest) which is hugely impressive and so close to achieving their goals. I cannot give up on them now even if times are tough. They've been climbing the ranks together slow and steady and with a commitment and dedication I've never seen. We are not casual gamers, we are very active in the competitive scene AND we pride ourselves in spreading positivity and inclusivity. In addition the other teams are all in various stages of growth and development and I take pride in our player vetting process. Players have to truly believe in our values for them to succeed here which includes being supportive, kind and encouraging of others around them and across teams. They must have the mindset to improve and develop and to be open minded to the process. We have a "Performance Coach" who helps those for things like performance blocks or even with in life concerns that prohibits them from being able to perform. Every team has a coach, manager and a captain to help provide checks and balances. ARTEMIS practices (scrims) 5 days a week for 2 hours + 2 tournament matches a week during tourney season. Tourneys last for 3 months and there are 3 seasons a year. It's a lot. Other teams practice 3 or 4 days a week. It all depends on their schedule and we carefully craft schedules based on their avails and dedication level and to prevent burnout. When people join they rarely leave because it is a unique space in the scene. Hopefully when people do move on they leave with a different perspective on whats possible and help to share this forward so we can help make the gaming space a more positive one for everyone. Aka "healthy competition" :)

What Is Overwatch?

Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer game by Blizzard Entertainment, where players compete in fast-paced 5v5 matches using characters with unique abilities and roles. It’s one of the most popular games in the esports scene, with official leagues, collegiate programs, and competitive ladders like FACEIT League, where rising players compete for cash prizes, team elevation up the ranks and recognition to potential collegiate scouts.

How We Started

ILIAD Esports began in 2020, during the heart of the pandemic. Originally co-founded as Odyssey Gaming, I eventually parted ways with my former partner due to a difference in values — I wanted to create something different: a space that prioritized developing skills on a player and team level, safety, inclusivity, and zero tolerance for toxicity, while also empowering players to compete at a high level.

More than that, I wanted ILIAD to be a home away from home — a place of belonging for those who needed connection, structure, and support during difficult times.

That vision became ILIAD Esports, which launched with just 100 members. Today, we’ve grown to over 1,100 members, a testament to the culture we’ve built and the opportunities we provide — not just for players, but for coaches, staff, and anyone looking to thrive in a safe, competitive community.

What We Do

Field all levels of teams with an emphasis on promoting our top players–(Masters teams) in FACEIT League for the chance of achieving their goals.

Our People

ILIAD Esports is powered by an incredibly passionate, small but mighty and mostly volunteer staff:

Works 1-on-1 with players on mental health, confidence, and teamwork.

Assists coaches and helps with team dynamics and in-game synergy.

Reinforces the connection between real-life growth and in-game mindset

We also invest in creative professionals

Some of our teams have been together for three years, and as their level of play has risen, so has the demand for higher-level coaching and support — which comes at a cost.

A Safe, Structured Space That Changes Lives

ILIAD Esports isn’t just an organization or community — it’s a place where players feel seen, valued, and challenged. Not every young person fits into traditional athletics or school clubs, but they do thrive here. For some, this is the only place they’ve found structure, accountability, and purpose.

We offer players

Let’s be real — when they’re grinding ranked, focused on practice, or prepping for tournament day… they’re not out partying or getting lost. They’re part of something that gives them direction.

We enforce a strict no-toxicity policy

Everyone is welcome here — no matter their background or identity. This is more than gaming. It’s mentorship. It’s community. It’s growth.

Why I’m Asking for Help

I’ve personally funded almost every aspect of ILIAD’s operations:

I’m also working toward building a dedicated website for ILIAD — a place for players to discover us, learn how to join, and showcase our tournaments and resources. Your donation helps make that a reality too.

I run a resale side business and have been actively job searching, but at this point, I’m $5,000 in credit card debt from supporting this community — and that doesn’t include all the out-of-pocket cash I’ve contributed.

I’ve already scaled back operations where possible — fewer teams, smaller staff — but I don’t want to throw in the towel. ILIAD means too much to the people who depend on it to grow, compete, and connect.

It’s really hard for me to ask for help. But I’m doing it anyway — not for myself, but for the players who count on this space as their outlet, their team, their home.

This isn’t just a team, an organization or community — it’s a home away from home for so many. If you’ve ever found safety, growth, or connection in a game, you know how much this matters.

Our Goal: $5,000

This fundraiser will help cover:

Want to See What We’re About?

Watch past tournaments on Twitch:

https://www.twitch.tv/iliadesports

Follow us on Twitter for updates and highlights:

https://x.com/IliadEsports

Join our Discord to see the community. It's a very team focused server:

https://discord.gg/sS8VMkFWNd

Every donation helps — even a share goes a long way.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for being part of this journey.

ILIAD Esports is more than an org — it’s a movement.

And I’d love your help to keep it going.

—

Sharon

Founder, Admin & Community Manager

ILIAD Esports & ILIAD Invitational