AC and Girl Power: Interviewing the Female Captains

To discuss that matter, we bring you today the five female Captains of the Altador Cup: Derlyn Fonnet, three-times on the Top Three podium for Kreludor; Mirsha Grelinek, two-times on the podium for Shenkuu; Keetra Deile and Loryche, Virtupets' and Tyrannia's captains respectively, both one-timers on the podium; and Terror Mountain's Prytariel, who has never had a chance to represent her team on the Top Three. All of them were invited here today and will be interviewed by our host, Patty.

Patty: Hello, girls! It is an honor to have you all here today. So, let's discuss the matter of girl participation in the Altador Cup. How do you girls feel about the low number of female players in the AC?

Derlyn: Well, I'm definitely frustrated. We used to have a fellow girl in Kreludor's team, but she left us this year for Krawk Island. It's tough being a girl and having to lead a team full of boys. Don't get me wrong, we're a tight-knit group, but they can be so wild sometimes...

Keetra: Yeah, definitely. And if you think handling a bunch of undisciplined guys can be tough, just try having two robots on the team. I mean, you'd expect a robot to be very loyal and obedient, but then again, we're talking about a bunch of Dr. Sloth's creations, so yeah... Not quite! *laughter* I'm glad I have Sela to help me.

Mirsha: The problem itself isn't having a bunch of guys in your team. We girls are the majority on our Shenkuu team, but it's ever so hard to motivate the gals when the obvious truth is that Yooyuball is still seen as a boys' sport! I mean, come on, we're little more than a quarter of the total players. There are five teams which consist only of boys, but not one consisting only of girls!

Loryche: Yeah, and we don't expect Faerieland to be that one someday, either. I mean, that would be way too obvious, right? Girls are not always all pink and fluffy stuff. We're tough too! RAWR!

Patty: So what Neopian land do you girls think should have an all-girls team?

Mirsha: Why, any land, really. There's no such thing as a "girl" land, despite what people say about Faerieland.

Loryche: I'd love to see Darigan with an all-girls team, just to show everybody girls don't have to be glittery all the time! *laughs*

Prytariel: I'd say Brightvale because we're so intelligent! *giggles* But in the end, Mirsha is right. Any land could have an all-girls team.

Patty: Have you ever felt people focus more on your looks rather than your talent?

Keetra: Oh yes, definitely. People assume that, just because I'm a girl, and I'm a Cybunny, I'm supposed to be adorable and cute all the time. Well, here's a tip: you're wrong, people! I can be cute, but I can also be wild, rude, annoying, funny, mischievous...

Mirsha: True. Both girls and boys can be anything they want, but we girls seem be under a constant pressure for being feminine.

Loryche: GRAARWWR! I just HATE that SO MUCH! Ever since I was a child people keep telling me I should be more delicate... Well, I just don't like it, okay? I've always been a tomboy and I have no problems with that!

Prytariel: I feel you, Loryche... But my problem has always been the very opposite. People always assumed I'd never be a good Yooyuball player just because I'm a tiny, shy girl. Well, have I proven them wrong!

Derlyn: I've lost count of how many times people interviewed my teammates and asked about their performance, their training... and then came to me and asked me about how I keep my hair so shiny. How come only the boys get the cool questions?

Patty: Are you friends with the female members of teams other than your own?

Prytariel: Why, of course! You know, sometimes I think us girls are better at leaving rivalries aside. Take the Haunted Woods team, for example. They're all boys, and of the toughest kind too, and we just don't see them interacting outside of their own little... hmm, pack. I know we're competing, but we don't have to hate each other, you know!

Derlyn: Talking about Haunted Woods... The first and only time they won the Cup was also the only time they had a girl on their team. Coincidence? DON'T THINK SO! HA!

Mirsha: *laughing* Oh, Derlyn, you're too much! I miss Chelo Binay, though. She looked spooky but she was a lovely person, and she could bake the best banana pie EVER!

Keetra: What, better than Ethel's? NO WAY!

Patty: So you're friends with Ethel Boortz from Meridell, Keetra?

Keetra: Oh yes, she's great! You know, living in a Space Station can be very hard, and the food is SO bland! I always take some time to visit Ethel and taste her delicious dishes. Fiorina is always there, too!

Mirsha: I wish I had Fiorina's hair...

Loryche: You know who's awesome? Kep Bonnefie.

Prytariel: Really?! Oh my! I gotta confess she scares me a little bit...

Loryche: She looks like the tough type, I know, but she's actually very sweet. We used to hang out together a lot in the past. We're both coin collectors, you know. We'd meet at the Art Centre, then we'd visit the Coin Shop for some new additions to our collections and then we'd have a purplum mocha at the Coffee Shop. Unfortunately now she's got little time because she's just so dedicated to her team. Kep trains all year long!

Patty: Wow, it's great to know you gals are close outside of the AC too! But tell me, what do you girls think is the hardest thing about being the minority in a sport that's still considered a boys' business?

Derlyn: It's definitely difficult to stand out among all the boys. When you're a girl, it's like you have to prove you're worth it twice: once as a Yooyuball player, and once as a girl too. Boys don't have to go through that. When they're good players, they're good players and that's it. No one thinks of them as "good male Yooyuball players". But people often think of us as "good female Yooyuball players", which can be quite annoying.

Prytariel: And the boys patronize us all the time.

Keetra: UGH! That's so true! I can't stand it when someone patronizes me just because I'm a girl. I feel like slipping a transmogrification potion into their slushie!

Loryche: Well, that explains Weldar Xupenfarb...

Keetra: I prefer not to comment on that matter, hahahaha!

Patty: Erm, right... Anyways, back on topic. What's the one female player you girls admire the most? You cannot choose one another, and you cannot choose someone from your own team!

Keetra: Well, that'd be hard, as I'm the only girl in my team! Ha! Anyways, I like Valtonous Rea from Faerieland a lot. She walks on four legs and still can be an awesome goalkeeper!

Prytariel: Hmmm, that's a tough question. I admire all of them, actually all of us girl players! But I'd say Vere Polnicek from Moltara. She handles lava and she looks so bright!

Loryche: I'd have to say Kep Bonnefie, not only because she's a great friend, but because I truly admire her full dedication to her team. It's no wonder Darigan always performs nicely.

Mirsha: Well, it's hard not being able to choose my two fellow Shenkuu girls Timu and Xana, but all right. I really admire Ethel Boortz for having the guts to be an older player. I remember everyone being in disbelief at first, but at her very first performance she managed to shut us all up. She's truly amazing!

Derlyn: I'll go with Rhee Solters from the Lost Desert. It must be hard to play Yooyuball as a Kiko, but she still manages to pull through brilliantly. And she keeps that gorgeous eyeliner perfect every time! Haha!

Patty: That's great! Now to sum it all up, what message do you girls have to any other Neopian girl out there who dreams of one day playing at the AC?

Mirsha: Keep at it! We seriously need more girls in the AC, so don't give up despite what people might tell you!

Loryche: Train hard and show dedication and you're on your way. Also, bite anyone that doesn't believe in you. Just kidding!

Prytariel: Follow your heart and never give up on your dream, just as I will never give up on my dream to see Terror Mountain at the podium one day!

Derlyn: Believe in yourself and don't fear criticism. We get lots of it on our careers, but knowing deep inside that we did our best job is more important than anything anyone can say about you!

Keetra: Be disciplined and don't hesitate to use your smarts. And always carry a transmogrification potion in your handbag.

Mirsha: Keetra!

Keetra: Just sayin'! *laughter*

Patty: *holding back the laughter* Well, that's it for today. We're glad to have you with us, dear reader. Tune in later for more AC News and interviews with Patty! See you!