As the best teams from across the globe gear up for the start of Worlds this week, we’re already thinking about how to assist new and returning teams as they look ahead to the 2015 season. The first vital step for any team is to have a strong supporting cast behind them, which is why we’re pleased to announce official recognition and support for LCS team coaches in the 2015 season.

This year the competitive edge that a skilled coach brings to a team has been clearer than ever. For years, they’ve been a must-have for winning traditional sports organizations – and we’ve seen how Korean esports teams benefit from having a full support team, led by a coach. Coaches like Locodoco, Leviathan, and Charlie not only help to focus and motivate their teams, they bring them together as a competitive force.

“Our coach helped us find a more disciplined version of ourselves, optimize our strengths, improve on our weaknesses and be the voice of reason without anyone of the players having to tell each other off for their mistakes. I cannot underline how important the latter actually is,” said Jacob Toft-Andersen, Team Owner of Alliance. “On top of that, alongside some of our analysts, our coach is also a cornerstone of our strategizing, keeps a cool head and adds perspective to our sometimes otherwise crazy ideas.”

Supporting coaches ultimately benefits players and teams and promotes new levels of competitive play. Which is why as of next season, we’ll be offering additional support to all official coaches of LCS teams including assisting the teams in financially supporting these critical team members.

By recognizing coaches in this way, we’re aiming to make it easier for talented folks to dedicate themselves to coaching the teams as a full-time career. Our hope is that teams themselves support coaches as a vital part of their organization – and reap the benefits that a dedicated mentor and strategist can offer their teamplay.

“They have a dramatic impact on the performance of the team. Of course they should – it follows the same model as traditional sports,” said Steve Arhancet, Owner of Team Curse.

“I think our coach has proven to be just as important as any one of the players,” adds Toft-Andersen.

After Worlds, we’ll be publishing further details about the requirements to qualify as an official LCS coach, as well as exactly how this process will be rolled out for new and existing coaches.

In the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts about coaches who’ve made a real difference this season. We look forward to welcoming a wider bench of coaches in the 2015 season – and watching them inspire teams to even greater levels of competition.