At five-years-old Chyloe Kurdas knew she would never get to play professional football; she knew that door was closed to her. But she has worked, instead, to make sure that door will never be closed for any other five-year-old girl, and her dedicated efforts will reap their rewards next year with the opening bounce of the new national womens AFL competition.Joining AFL Victoria 10 years ago, Kurdas was given the role of growing grassroots participation in womens football as well as developing a high-performance program and a high-performance structure. Add her 15 years as a player and coach, eight years on a club board and four years on the womens league board, and she has spent most of her life on her journey to the creation of a professional womens AFL league.I always wanted to make sure that that door didnt remain closed for those little five-year-old girls at some point in the future, and I think Ive been able to facilitate that by making it all really normal for girls and women to participate in [Aussie rules football] as players, Kurdas told ESPN.Kurdas involvement in the growth of grassroots participation has seen he develop football academies throughout Victoria, and there are now more than 300 womens teams in community competitions. Eight academies have been developed to involve more than 500 girls across Victoria.The national competition wouldnt be possible if we didnt have a critical mass of players at a grassroots level in Victoria, which is where 50 percent of the talent is going to need to come from, Kurdas said.My role has been growing this grassroots participation base and then alongside that Ive been growing a high-performance program and high-performance structure to introduce female footballers to high performance footy, build a structure thats going to be sustainable and continue to grow the participation of girls, and develop girls abilities once theyre in the academy.Kurdas believes the new competition is vital for Australian women in sport, saying the AFL is one of the most critical sporting organisations in the country and I think one of the most critical change agents in the country.I think its tremendous for women within our game, but I think when the AFL put their hand up and said well do this, I think a lot of other sports had to go geez, we have to be really competitive as well, so theyve all really upped the ante and look at what basketball, netball, cricket and now rugby sevens are doing.I like to think that our willingness to put our hand up and say were going to do this has actually helped drive to open more doors for girls in other sports.It was never going to be easy to build a womens competition in a male-dominated sport, and Kurdas faced many obstacles along the way.Certainly early days [there were doubts], she told ESPN. At my football club at Melbourne University, we had a few issues trying to access training facilities and playing grounds, accessing change rooms that were appropriate for women and girls. Absolutely back then we had to fight tooth and nail to even borrow a football to train with. Back then I never thought a national competition, when I first started playing football 20 years ago, would happen this quickly.Having said that, what Ive always found as soon as people see us playing, see the passion and how much we love it and engage, people fall in love with it. It was just a matter of time before we got the right people to fall in love with it. So we knew once we found the right people to fall in love with it, then it would happen.Certainly, along the way I definitely thought it would take longer than it has. At times it felt like people were dragging their heels and I always thought why are you taking so long to do this?. But its certainly the right time now and we all get to celebrate wonderful athletes and also we get to acknowledge the work of a bunch of key women around the country who have been driving this through for a very, very long time.Kurdas says she isnt jealous of the coming opportunities for young women, accepting that her role was to give them a chance she never had.I think when your potential or when a dream of yours is not achievable, when you realise that something youre brilliant at and something you could do great things with, when you realise that doors closed to you, theres a pain that occurs, a residual pain that lingers.People have asked me, am I jealous? And Im not, I really accept my time and place in history, and I feel really wonderful that that little five-year-old girl went through the heartbreak of realising that wasnt going to be a dream she could achieve.I feel, for me, watching those women going out there and playing, theres a bit of healing going on, and that little five-year-old girl is somewhat satisfied and somewhat pleased that her pain at missing out has somehow facilitated other girls not having that pain. That in itself is somewhat comforting for that little five-year-old girl and also for me where Im at right now; Im really proud of my contribution to the game and in my role in helping this wonderful experience.I dont need to play because so many of those girls have come through my program where Ive been involved in their journey in some shape or form; whether its been keeping them in the game, helping them to fix their kicking, or putting a really great coach in front of them to help them get better. The bit of my work thats reflected in what they do on the field.Your playing career is finite, but when you invest in the future of others thats when your legacy is infinite and I feel very proud and very comfortable with my contribution over all.Kurdas believes the national competition is just the next step in her job, saying there is plenty more to come from women in football.Putting 200 and then eventually 400 or 600 of the most talented and promising female athletes in the country, across all sports, putting them into those AFL clubs is the next step.Kurdas believes the AFL clubs will be surprised at the ability of the young women in so many different facets of life, and they have so much more than their playing abilities to offer.Theyll see that when you invest in their understanding of the game these women dont only want to play it; they want to lead it, coach it, facilitate it and lead the organisation and the industry, and not just only in female football. We have some terrific women and we have amazing leaders and future leaders who could really play a strong role in male football and other parts of life, in business and government and so on.I think what this does is not only open doors for women to play the game, but it also provides an opportunity for women to showcase what else theyre great at. Therefore these AFL clubs and the AFL industry as a whole will be able to value them for far more than just their playing abilities, but to also move them into leadership roles or management roles or coaching roles; and theyll absolutely be able to provide support in mens football, and theres no doubt that AFL clubs will discover brilliant coaching minds in our female rank.I absolutely have a responsibility ensuring that those doors are open for women and girls in the future, in whatever facet of the game and in life. Air Max 90 China . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Air Max 90 China 2018 .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. http://www.cheapairmax90china.com/ . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Air Max 90 China Free Shipping .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Green Air Max 90 China . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Wales star Jamie Roberts has delivered a damning verdict on his performance against opening autumn opponents Australia and says he fully respected head coach Rob Howleys decision to drop him.Roberts has been restored to the Wales midfield for Saturdays Principality Stadium appointment with Japan, when he will win an 85th cap and extend a 45-Test midfield partnership with fellow British and Irish Lion Jonathan Davies.And the 30-year-old Harlequins centre is determined to bounce back after paying a hefty and unfamiliar price for Wales 32-8, five-try Wallabies defeat earlier this month by losing his place when they took on -- and beat -- Argentina six days ago.I could think of a few four-letter expletives to describe how I played against Australia, Roberts said. The hardest thing was probably trying to find a reason why, but it was nothing more and nothing less than a bad day at the office.I pride myself on consistency of performance, especially defensively, but it was a disappointing day personally and for the side. I certainly didnt deserve to play last weekend.Having spoken to Rob after the Australia game, I fully respected his decision. Its the nature of what we do. Its a competitive squad here, and we know if we dont perform, you dont deserve to keep the jersey.So I did a bit of soul-searching and certainly had a few sleepless nights, but you learn from it and I am ready and raring to go again this weekend.I walked off the pitch against Australia with a big inkling that I was going to be dropped. I made mistakes -- mistakes I dont normally make -- and that was the hardest thing was trying to find the reason why.I have been playing well this season and came into the camp with confidence. I had a poor performance. I am not over-thinking it.The competition in the squad is strong, esppecially at centre, and if you dont play well you dont deserve to keep the jersey.ddddddddddddThat is what drives us all forward, and hopefully thats what will drive me forward this week with a point to prove. Thats what Test rugby is about, and we are all in a better place for it.Roberts was an unused replacement last weekend as Wales edged out the Pumas 24-20, but he has dismissed any notion of Japans Cardiff visit providing him with an opportunity for redemption.Its not a shot at redemption -- it would be selfish to say that -- its about Wales winning and playing my part in that, he added. You learn from it. It has given me a new perspective, given me a kick up the backside, which I hope, when I look back on this season, that I needed. That is the way I am treating it.Wales have beaten Japan eight times in nine Tests, and that domination should continue with something to spare on Saturday, building further momentum ahead of next weeks autumn finale against South Africa.And one of the highlights could be an appearance off the bench by 18-year-old uncapped Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, whose devastating finishing ability and blistering pace have already seen him being mentioned in the same breath as Wales record try-scorer Shane Williams.I cant remember a guy as evasive as Keelan since Shane Williams, said Roberts, continuing the theme. We have had a drill in training when were put up one on one with Keelan, and it has been quite embarrassing.He is a frightening prospect, and I hope he gets a chance to come on and show his worth and show his potential. He is a humble lad and he knows this is a big opportunity for him. He has the potential to cause carnage. China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '