Maevsince you're so new to competitive, I'd go check out newbie mixes. https://steamcommunity.com/groups/na6v6newbiemix
you'll be pared up with a coach who is experienced in the game and other new comp players to learn the game. the coach will help you understand the game and learn your class.
after that when you are comfortable with tf2 and not so new to the comp scene, you could either hop onto a ugc team, which is more forgiving to beginners, and free, or go straight on to esea if you feel you're ready.
good luck
Thanks for that, I joined that newbie group this weekend. I hadn't looked at it much since I joined because as far as I saw on their basic description I'm expecting all of the action to take place on Fridays.
parkyou should try Newbie PUGs as well sometime for your first pug experience too, think of it as newbie mixes without coaches.
Thanks, I'll look into this when I get home.