UKCS doesn’t necessarily have the most thriving women’s scene. So far in ESL Impact aside from Chloe “KittyTM” Geaney playing two games and then being kicked from GamerLegion Prism for discriminatory comments, we have only had Mia “aiM” Cooper to cheer for. However, this might all change as Jodie “Jodiee” Billington and her team have signed with Elite Klan heading into the ESL Impact Season six.
Unfortunately, previously Jodiee and Team Violet have failed to make ESL Impact Season five after losing in both of the open qualifiers. Instead of disbanding and finding new projects like many teams would, the core decided to stay together. The only change they made to the roster was adding Hungarian AWPer Réka “kim” Luca after Ljudmila “Mileyyy” Mikitová left. They also were bolstered by coach Rasmus “Mupplo” Berglund.
With the exit of Mileyyy who was also IGLing, Jodiee took up the captaining role. Even though she had no experience with calling, Jodiee said to UKCSGO that she had played a lot with UK IGLs such as Sash “SashAFP” Fomin & Lorenzo “LTH” Venanzi, taking a lot of inspiration from them both. She also mentions their biggest change is that they play much more structured CS and don’t default every round, resulting in a lot more success from playing more tactically.
It is hard for any women’s team to not qualify for ESL Impact, and even harder to stay together with any organisational backing. Nonetheless, the team stuck it out and is currently the #15 rated women’s team in Europe.
UKCSGO reached out to Jodiee to talk about what it means to join Elite Klan:
Violet joining Elite Klan has been an immensely positive experience for the entire team. We were all so excited for them to announce the creation of the Org and us joining alongside them. We have been orgless and been in talks with various orgs for a while but we didn’t find any to be a suitable match.So it feels rewarding to wait for something that suits us rather than make a rash decision.
The next ESL Impact Qualifiers are a month away and since the last Qualifiers back in February, we have all been working so hard and putting in a lot of time to improve, so to finally find a home that recognises our work ethic has given us a confidence boost and reassurance.
Elite Klan is a new organisation founded by Swedish 1.6 legend Dennis “walle” Wallenberg. The organisation has put a strong focus on economic and social sustainability, not relying on results. Jodiee found this extra appealing:
For me personally, the thing that sparked my interest was how certain and immediate they wanted an Impact team. I’ve noticed a lot of orgs see having an Impact team as a consideration for the future which is a shame.
We also found their business structure refreshing as they focus on content, community building and partnership success. Rather than focusing on teams providing results which can cause unnecessary pressure for players. We are proud to represent Elite Klan and I hope we can make it through these next qualifiers under their name
UKCSGO also reached out to walle about why they are investing in the women’s scene and his goal for not only Team Violet but Elite Klan.
We’re super stoked to be live with our club, as well as entering the feamle scene with acquiring Team Violet. The decision was made on the people in their team solely. We believe we can give them a home, support and tools to grow and they can focus on playing. We do the rest.
The reason we’re going into the female scene is to show example, simple as that. We don’t wanna do what everyone else is doing and be a copy of a hundred other clubs. We will go our own direction, and we chose female CS as one direction, because there is so many possibilities of developing and making this scene better. They work hard and deserve it. As an esports company, Elite Klan works backwards. We focus on content, partnership and community value instead of heavily relying on sports results.
Elite Klan in their press release said the short-term plans for the team are to play in the upcoming ESEA season, compete in any female tournaments, and to provide entertaining content for the fans and followers.
With the ESL Impact Season six qualifiers nearing us, Elite Klan VIOLET will include:
Jodie “Jodiee” Billington
Réka “kim” Luca
Silja “Siljeeeh” Heinonen
Emma “Emma” Äijö
Emma “piku” Lampila
Rasmus “Mupplo” Berglund (Coach)
So gassed for me & my team to be apart of this exciting project from the beginning💜#WarriorsRise https://t.co/fYn3a8HQzt
— jod (@JodieeCS) July 9, 2024
