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| (Image Source: Mashable.com/G2 eSports) |
G2 eSports, one of the world’s leading entertainment and eSports brands, is proud to announce the launch of its new team, Hel, that will compete in Riot Games' flagship multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game League of Legends (LoL). The team comprises some of the most successful and prominent female eSports talent within the industry. The team roster includes Olivia “Olizia” Nnenna Calistus (20), Agnė “Karina” Ivaškevičiūtė (22), Alena “TIFA” Maurer (28), Maya “Caltys” Henckel (20) and Ève “Colomblbl” Monvoisin (23).
G2 is continuing to pave the way for female representation in eSports following the establishment of the G2 Gozen VALORANT formed in 2021. It is part of G2’s goal to empower men and women to compete alongside each other in mixed leagues. The establishment of the new team is yet another step that G2 is taking to help create more role models that will allow the growth of their players through equal opportunities. In addition to adding further strength and skill to the organization, G2 strives to hire the best and highest performing gamers in the industry to compete at the highest level possible, irrespective of gender identity. Team member Maya “Caltys” Henckel comments on the importance of female representation in the sport for breaking stereotypes. “It’s no secret that women are extremely underrepresented in eSports and gaming in general. As a young girl, I didn’t have any female role models within the gaming space to look up to and aspire to be which was hard. Coupled with the fact that as a woman, I’ve had my fair share of negative experiences in championships ranging from gender inequity slurs thrown at me by competition to negative online groups made about me during official matches. While the female scene in League of Legends is still relatively small, G2 is taking a leap in picking up our roster and paving the way for more to follow. Having G2, one of the biggest eSports organizations in the world, invest in the scene helps show the world that there are women that play the game on a competitive level. I hope that this will open more opportunities for women to enter eSports and inspire more young girls to start playing competitively," Caltys said. Caltys holds the title for the highest ELO League of Legends woman player in EUW. She also has the most experience in mixed rosters. Caltys' long-term goal is to eventually play in mixed rosters at the highest level.
Team member Alena “TIFA” Maurer (28) shares her excitement about joining G2 eSports. “Joining G2 is literally my childhood dream come true. And I get to do it with the best teammates and staff I could ask for. This is a huge milestone that breaks stereotypes, full of opportunity and possibility for female gamers and the eSports sector in general – one we’ve all been hoping and waiting for for a long time. This simultaneously encourages the next generation of female gamers to embrace their dreams without restrictions or limits which will hopefully see more and more female pro gamers coming through," TIFA said. TIFA is one of the most well-known players in Europe. She has been very active in the professional League of Legends days since Season 2 and has been a heavy advocate for enhancing the opportunities for female players in the League of Legends ecosystem. Hel is a tribute to the mythical figure, Hel, the daughter of Loki. She is the Goddess of death and Lord of the Underworld Kingdom. It comes on the back of G2’s new team naming system – which is based on the names of female warriors or from female mythological figures, no matter when and where they are from, that represent G2’s brand values. G2 eSports Founder and CEO Carlos ‘Ocelote’ Rodriguez comments, "We took VALORANT by storm with the G2 Gozen team which includes five of the most gifted and entertaining players who happen to be females. You should expect nothing less from G2 Hel. We will dominate competitively, all while having fun the G2 way.”
G2 eSports is one of the world’s leading entertainment and most successful eSports brands. In the past five years, G2 has built a global fanbase of over 45 million fans spanning EMEA, North American, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. International household name brands are increasingly recognizing the opportunities that eSports can offer to tap into an engaged youth audience. G2 currently counts the likes of Ralph Lauren, adidas, New Era, BMW, Logitech G, Red Bull, Pringles, and Mastercard amongst its strategic commercial partners.
