🎮🎾 A UK First: HADO and VR Tennis Unite for an Unforgettable Esports Experience
History was made this month as the UK hosted its first-ever combined HADO and VR Tennis event, bringing together two of the most exciting and innovative physical esports experiences in one action-packed day.
Hosted by UK HADO at their fantastic Coventry arena, the event showcased both HADO, the world’s first techno sport combining augmented reality and physical movement and VTEC VR Tennis, an immersive virtual reality tennis experience developed with Tennis Esports and supported by Skill Serve Experience.
The event marked a significant milestone for the growth of immersive esports in education, highlighting how physical, digital, and social engagement can merge to create the next generation of sport-tech learning experiences.
A Day Packed with Energy, Excitement and Engagement
The HADO centre was buzzing from start to finish. Families, students, and educators of all ages; from as young as 6 to players in their 50s, took part in matches throughout the day, switching between HADO battles and VR Tennis rallies.
“It was packed out all day with people playing HADO and VTEC VR Tennis,” said Nik Turner, Managing Director at NTesports.
“It was great to be there representing NTesports and to see so much excitement for both activities. The crossover between physical activity and digital competition is where the future of esports education really lies.”
The event gave attendees the chance to experience both sides of the esports spectrum, the fast-paced, AR-powered teamwork of HADO and the realistic, full-body immersion of VR Tennis.
Nik also brought along his demo headset for guests to try, offering a hands-on experience of what’s possible with NTesports’ education packages.
Community, Collaboration and Connection
The event was a true team effort. Jim Sephton and the UK HADO crew provided the perfect venue and hospitality, while Stuart Kosters from Skill Serve Experience led the VR Tennis demonstrations and kept energy levels high all day. Stuart summed up the atmosphere perfectly:
“It was such a fantastic day, huge thanks to Jim Sephton for the invite and to the amazing team that day. Also, NTesports for the incredible support from Nik and Bobby.
We showcased the fun and engagement that Tennis Esports has to offer, we had players from 6 to 50+, even a family of five playing together on one court! The inclusivity was heart-warming to watch. We’ve already had so many enquiries asking when we’ll be back. The student response was incredible, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, confidence building – it’s everything esports education should be.”
Multimedia Manager at UK HADO Zi Chang took the opportunity to try Tennis Esports for the first time.
“This was my first time experiencing VR Tennis and I absolutely loved it! As a badminton athlete, I’ve been competing in racket sports for years, and I was surprised by how real and competitive the gameplay felt… I’m glad to see HADO and VR Tennis had this collaboration, we’re passionate about using technology to make physical sport accessible and exciting, and this collaboration showed how powerful that combination can be.”
Esports, Education and STEM: A Perfect Match
One of the highlights of the day was seeing how these experiences naturally align with STEM learning. Both HADO and VR Tennis combine physical fitness, digital literacy, and teamwork, creating opportunities for students to explore technology, engineering, and design through sport.
The educational impact was clear to everyone there.
Ryan Chisholm, who attended the event and met Nik in person for the first time, shared:
“It was great to finally meet up with Nik and talk all things esports, including esports’ place in the new V-Levels.
The demos of HADO and VR Tennis were fantastic. I can see how these tools can enhance classrooms and help create esports leaders of the future.”
Available Now for Education Centres
Both HADO and VTEC VR Tennis are now available through NTesports’ education and community packages, designed for schools, colleges, universities, and sports centres.
- These systems are ideal for:
- Enrichment and after-school clubs
- Esports and digital technology courses
- Physical education and wellness programmes
- Open days, taster sessions, and STEM events
Find out how you can bring these incredible experiences to your centre: 🎮 HADO 🎾 VR Tennis
The Future of Physical Esports
The success of the HADO vs VR Tennis day proves that esports continues to evolve, not just as a digital pursuit, but as a fusion of sport, technology, and community engagement.
NTesports will continue to support initiatives that make esports inclusive, active, and educational, helping schools and colleges build the facilities and experiences that inspire the next generation.
“Watching people of all ages take part, from families to students to educators, shows exactly why these technologies belong in education,” added Nik Turner.
“They promote teamwork, inclusion, and confidence, all while keeping students active and engaged.”
With such an incredible response, this is just the beginning. Plans are already underway for more collaborative events bringing HADO, VR Tennis, and education together across the UK.
For media or partnership enquiries:
📧 info@ntesports.uk
🌐 www.ntesports.uk
