With no soccer happening at any level right now, we wanted to shift some of our focus to the companies who help to make soccer happen during the regular times. Skadi soccer is fairly new to the grassroots scene here in the US and Canada too – this francophone entreprise de foot is looking to break into the market with original designs at respectable price points. We reached out to hear more about what their plans were before the Covid-19 shutdown and where they’re going once we’re all back online. Entrepreneur Antony de Varennes was kind enough to walk me through his plans.

When was your company founded and what gave you the impetus to get started? Is there are story behind your brand name - what does it mean?

To talk a little about my history around soccer, for the past few years I have been one of the chief editors for Culture Soccer, a French-speaking website, and I am more specifically in charge of the lower division category of the site. I officially founded Skadi Soccer a month ago. I started this project to unite my two biggest passions: Design and Soccer. Before launching my project, I was looking for a name and a logo that would make my brand unique. I also wanted a name that referred to the North, since I'm Canadian. So, I did some research in Nordic mythology and the name Skadi came up. I immediately liked the name and it referred to a mountain goddess. The logo came later.

Who is your target clientele? We've seen your work with NorthPen FC, what other soccer/football clubs have you worked with?

First of all, my target clientele is the lower division clubs whether amateur or semi-pro. My main goal is that each club have the opportunity to have a unique uniform without spending huge amounts of money. Every club has the right and should wear uniforms that represent them perfectly. For now, I have collaborated with a Quebec senior team, Bandjos FC, a few clubs from the Dairy Cup in Utah, Saratoga Springs or MOAB Nomads, and some others. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has put a little pause in the project, but my subscribers will still have content.

Skadi honing their skills by laying out an entire leagues worth of shirts!

We caught a rumor that you landed an entire league? How many sides are involved? Are you designing the kits as well as manufacturing?

First of all, I would like to make it clear that this is not a real league, but a project that I am launching in order to remain active despite the events that are taking place at the moment. So, I have started a "league" that will be based in Eastern Canada. Starting the week of March 30th, every three days, I will be announcing a club with its jersey. If the demand is strong enough, some may eventually be produced.

Do you help produce or design any other products? If not, do you have it on your radar to add a few things to your catalog?

At the moment I'm only making uniforms, but I'm open to anything depending on club demand. It will be possible in the future to produce everything a club needs in terms of sportswear like joggings, jackets, hoodies and more.

Complete kits recently designed for new Washingtonian side NorthPen FC.

Where do you see Skadi in a few years? What will be the sign that you've "made it?"

In a few years, I see Skadi Soccer helping several amateur or semi-pro clubs. Whether in Canada or in the USA, I want my brand to be more and more present. However, I would also like to break into the professional world if the opportunities allow me to do so. So, I think the sign that I've "made it" will be if an American or Canadian club of 2nd or 3rd division approaches me or agrees to work with me. Even though I'm mainly targeting amateurs and semi-professionals, collaborating with a big club would be a great accomplishment.

How can interested clubs or owners contact you? Do you have an online catalog to look through?

The best way to contact me is by email at skadisoccer@gmail.com . Otherwise I am available at any time on my social networks, i.e. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@SkadiSoccer). Also, it will be soon possible to contact me and see my catalog via my website, but it is currently being developed.