esports
Shaun 'Shellzz' Springette gave up college to play FIFA full-time. Next week, he could win $200,000 at the FIFA Interactive World Cup.
Shaun 'Shellzz' Springette should be an inspiration for every young gamer who dreams of becoming an eSports pro. While many players participating at the FIFA Interactive World Cup this month have been competing for years, Shellzz seemingly came from nowhere to finish second at the FIFA Ultimate Team Championship in Berlin, pocketing $80,000 in the process. Not bad for a sixth former who had just been playing at home prior to the release of FIFA 17.
Next week, the young British player will have a shot at winning $200,000 at the FIFA Interactive World Cup Final in London, something that not even he believed was possible. Ahead of the big tournament, he told us why he gave up school to pursue his dream, how the FUT Championship changed his life, and what he's learned from his last-gasp defeat in the Berlin final.
“I've been playing FIFA ever since I was a little kid," says Shellzz. "I always thought I was good at the game but never thought I could compete at this level. When the FUT Champions game mode was added into the game, it gave me an idea that I had a chance to compete with the best as I was finishing on high wins every weekend. I just needed that opportunity to prove myself and show that I am good enough.”
Swapping school for FIFA
His success has come at a cost though as he had to give up his studies. Balancing an eSports career with education is never easy and most players have to choose between the two – for Shellzz, the chance to compete in competitions around the world was too enticing to ignore.
“I was in my second year of sixth form, but my school told me to leave as they were not going to allow me to participate in tournaments. It was a big decision that I had to make but this is what I wanted to do. Luckily, I've been able to put all this time in practising and it has worked out in a way.
"My family were a bit worried about my decision to play FIFA professionally, which is understandable. They were disappointed when they heard about my decision to leave school. However, they are extremely proud of what I achieved in my first year. The main thing is that they are happy because I am able to make a career of something I dreamed of doing.
"My friends were also extremely supportive, which has helped me a lot during these times. Most of them were watching me play in the tournament on stream. Seeing them recording themselves on Snapchat while cheering me on was a great feeling and it is nice to know you have that type of support.”
FIFA changed my life
No one predicted that Shellzz would reach the FUT Championship grand final in Berlin, and although he didn't win the tournament, he was the champion PlayStation player, receiving a life-changing sum of money for his efforts.
“Berlin was an unforgettable experience, and as this is my first year competing, to win the PlayStation division is a dream. I didn't feel like an underdog, more like a dark horse. No one really knew who I was before the tournament which helped because I was allowed to go under the radar.
"Still to this day, I can't believe I won $80,000. It has honestly changed not only my life, but my family's too. I can now help them out whenever they need. I haven't done much with the money to be honest – the hardest thing is not going to splash all of it at once. I've done well at not letting it go to my head and hopefully I will get to win more in the future.”
Learning from defeat
While winning $80,000 was a dream come true for Shellzz, it could have been more. Leading on away goals in the 90th minute of the FUT Champions grand final, he gave the ball away on the edge of his box, letting Vitalty_Rockyy in to score the winner and take home $160,000. That loss was hard to take for Shellzz and he knows he will have to learn from his mistakes before he competes in the FIFA Interactive World Cup.
“I learned a lot of things from the final against Rocky, things that you can only learn from being in that moment yourself. Simple mistakes such as not keeping the ball very well and not playing it safe in certain positions.
"I think the lack of experience was the thing I was missing in the final, experience makes a huge impact in tournaments like these. If Hashtag Tass or Unilad Gorilla were in my position, I am sure they would have come out with the win. I can only learn from that loss, but it still breaks my heart till this day."
Shellzz will have an ideal opportunity to put the defeat behind him at the FIFA Interactive World Cup. "It's going to be really tough because everyone that is going there will be capable enough to win it. I do believe that I can win the FIWC, and all these events that I've been to have helped me prepare for a tournament at this stage."
What next for Shellzz?
Shellzz fought off tough competition from players representing professional football clubs such as Schalke 04 and Vfl Wolfsburg to reach the final in Berlin but he has yet to choose a club or organisation that he wants to represent himself.
“I have had a few offers from clubs and organisations which I am currently looking at. This is a tough time for me as I do not know much about the eSports scene so I am trying to take my time and wait for the right offer that I think is best for me.
“My ambitions for my eSports career are to hopefully one day be a champion and to also have a long successful career. Whether that will be playing FIFA or another game, who knows.”
The FIFA Interactive World Cup takes place in London from 16-18 August.
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