Team Dignitas signs a women’s CS:GO team

The women of Selfless Gaming’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive roster will now compete as part of Team Dignitas.

The Philadelphia 76ers-owned organization picked up Selfless’ team captain and AWP Emmalee “emuhleet” Garrido, entry fragger Amanda “rain” Smith, entry fragger and support Mounira “Goosebreeder” Dobie, lurker Carolyn “artStar” Noquez, and Catherine “Cath” Leroux. Dignitas’ women’s CS:GO team will make their debut at the Intel Challenge during IEM Katowice in Poland from March 2 to 3.

Dignitas wasn’t necessarily looking to pick up a women’s team, Dignitas CEO Jonathan Kemp said in a statement. The organization was just looking for top-tier talent. “Naturally, we support the growth of female gamers in the industry, but chiefly saw this as an opportunity to bring premier talent into our Team Dignitas family,” Kemp added.

The former Selfless roster has seen success in past women’s tournaments, taking second to Team Secret at the Esports World Convention in 2016. In 2015, the players—then part of Team Karma—placed first at Copenhagen Games Female Tournament.

“We are extremely happy to have signed a team who desires, as we do, to compete and win at the highest levels of play,” Dignitas president Michael O’Dell said. “We look forward to working alongside them in their journey and continued development as professional gamers.”

They’re the first women’s roster to be signed to Dignitas in its 13 years of operation. “For over a decade, Team Dignitas has been a well respected name in the business,” Team Dignitas CS:GO manager Heather “sapphiRe” Garozzo said. “To join such a historic organization is an absolute honor. As someone that has worked in both esports and professional sports, and been an avid fan of both, it’s exciting to see these two worlds collide to become a harmonious unit.”

Following IEM Katowice, Team Dignitas will head to Philadelphia in June to participate in the CS:GO Fragadelphia 11 Semi-Professional North American Cup.