Decades ago, gaming might have been considered one of the last remaining boys clubs, especially among industry outsiders. In the past few years, statistical trends show otherwise. As of 2014, more than 52 percent of PC, console and handheld gamers were women (up from 49 percent in 2011), according to the Guardian, the British newspaper. Today, there are as many women playing competitive video games as men. Much of this growth is owed to the impressive strides women have been making in the esports community.Maria Remi Creveling, of the recently disbanded Renegades, became the first female to compete on a professional League of Legends team in the League Championship Series this past winter. StarCraft IIs Sasha Scarlett Hostyn, known as Korean Kryptonite and the Queen of Blades, has earned more than $100,000 in prize money and placed first in the 2012 World Championship Series. Stephanie missharvey Harvey of Counter Logic Gaming Red has won gold in five Electronic Sports World Cups in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive while maintaining a game designer position at Ubisoft.However, the competitive scene still remains predominantly devoid of top pro female talent. In order to help rectify this, a number of girls-only tournaments have popped up over the years: Intel Challenge Katowice, National ESL: Iron Lady, Copenhagen Games, ESL Female Open, GO North America, the recently announced StarLadder and Esports World Convention Women. But while they act as an important platform for women to compete, they also serve to spotlight the existing skill differentiation between men and women. For many female gamers, its a crutch they wish they could do without.Esports has had a complicated history with female-only gaming. Team Siren, immortalized on the Know Your Meme webpage, made waves on Reddit back in 2013 when the women on the team announced their intention to eventually qualify for and compete in the North American League Championship Series. Though the messaging behind the video was admittedly heavy-handed, the response to the video was largely negative. The girls later copped to intentionally filming the promotional material in a cheesy style, but expressed dismay that filmmakers had chosen to portray them in such a negative, clueless manner.It was more like us talking about why we played League and why we want to do this, Yoonie, the teams top laner, said in a YouTube video posted after all the community backlash. Instead, they took little bits and pieces from it and they made it into a video that wasnt really what we wanted it to be.The girls disbanded after four months, citing internal issues. Some of the women were welcomed back into the community as streamers, but due to the largely negative online media legacy left in Team Sirens wake, no female League teams have tried to follow suit.Years later, Remi began to compete in the North American League Championship Series and experienced pointed comments about her gender. Though industry professionals largely abstain from this kind of mud-slinging, a vocal minority continues to leave its mark on online forums and social media outlets, discouraging younger women from following in the footsteps of their tougher would-be role models. But this is the nature of women-only branding in almost every industry: It attracts haters from the darkest corners of the Internet.So how do you solve a problem that has no direct solution? Petya Zheleva, a former pro gamer, believes that to beat them, you have to join them. Zheleva, along with Tom Lemke, the vice president of business at Unikrn, founded grassroots European tournament SKYLLA, a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament that invites pro female teams to compete alongside their male counterparts. Unlike other co-ed tournaments in which women have trouble qualifying due to a skill gap, SKYLLA invites lower-tiered male teams to compete. Over eight months, organizers will host seven tournaments, giving all sides some much-needed practice and exposure.This is still the ultimate goal: to foster an environment for women to play competitively, Lemke said. But at the end of the day, we still needed to deal with the potential backlash in the community. Its a stepping stone, a benchmark for everyone attending. And the response from the community has been very positive so far.But Zheleva isnt looking to hold hands. In fact, while the men are invited to join, four of the female teams have to go through open qualifiers to participate.There is no special treatment. Why is it special treatment? Zheleva said. There will always be people [who claim this]. We cant really compromise with everyone. There are as many opinions as there are humans. Were going to keep working on this project to see if its going to work, if there is a reason to continue to support this community. In the end, its all in their hands. We cant force them to play in our tournament. We cant force their progress. Its up to them to decide. Were just here to provide the grounds.According to Lemke, women online have already started responding positively to SKYLLA. Seeing established female gamers compete encourages other women to follow suit. Both Lemke and Zheleva assert that role models are vital to the growth of the female competitive scene.This is something Im very proud of, Lemke said. People would post online, I would like to compete in the SKYLLA tournament. Would someone join me? Within a couple hours, theyd found their matches and formed a team. This is pure magic.After a two-month development period and nearly a month of competition, SKYLLAs first champion was crowned. Swedes AK 47, an all-male team, walked away with a grand prize of $1,500 (the prize pool was $2,500). Though the tournaments viewership on Twitch is modest (the number of views just passed 200,000), Zheleva is optimistic about their future growth. The former pro says the tournament had its highest viewership on mixed-gender matches, which bodes well for the future of female esports. Zhelevas team is hoping that SKYLLA can serve as the minor league system for bigger tournaments and that, in a distant future, they can expand their reach to other esports.Back in 2005, 2006, when teams started to form their lineups, mixed teams were a fact, Zheleva said. If this is something thats achievable in a few countries, why is it not achievable for the entire community -- for the entire scene? Hines Ward Steelers Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. James Conner Youth Jersey .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Joe-Greene-Jersey/ . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. Franco Harris Womens Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Jack Ham Womens Jersey . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. NSW penpix ahead of Wednesdays State of Origin III rugby league match against Queensland at ANZ Stadium.Fullback - James TedescoAge: 23 Origins: DebutTedescos stunning NRL form forced Laurie Daley to pick him. Now its up to him to prove he is the future of the Blues.Wing - Blake FergusonAge: 26 Origins: 3Has had little impact on both games so far. Lucky to retain his spot. Is playing for his Blues future.Centre - Michael JenningsAge: 28 Origins:17Had an absolute shocker in game two in attack and defence. Has been an important player for the Blues but could be playing his final Origin game.Centre - Josh DuganAge: 26 Origins: 9NSWs player of the series last year plays his first match this year after missing games I and II due to injury. His battle with Greg Inglis will be crucial.Wing - Josh MansourAge: 26 Origins: 2The tackle-busting Panther has not looked out of place in Origin and has been great working the ball out of yardage for the Blues. Needs to get more involved in attack.Five-eighth - Jack BirdAge: 21 Origins: 1A huge challenge for the Sharks utility coming up against Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston in the halves. But his unpredictability and versatility could be key for NSW.Halfback - James MaloneyAge: 30 Origins: 5One of NSWs best in another losing series. Looks genuinely capable of breaking the Maroons line almost every time he has the ball. Will be NSWs chief organiser with Adam Reynolds gone.Prop - Aaron WoodsAge: 25 Origins: 10His battle up front with Maroons forward leader Matt Scott has been one of the features of the series. Needs to get the better of him this time if the Blues are to avoid a whitewash.Hooker - Robbie FarahAge: 32 Origins: 15Holds his spot in the Blues side duue to the lack of an obvious successor as much as anything else.dddddddddddd Another long-term Blue for whom this could be his last game.Prop - Paul Gallen (capt)Age: 34 Origins: 22Granted the Origin farewell he has craved even if some say he doesnt deserve it. Will be keen to go out on a high but leaves behind a legacy of lost series after lost series despite his best efforts.Second row - Wade GrahamAge: 25 Origins: DebutFinally gets his debut after missing game two due to suspension. Should add a lot of variety to the Blues attack with his ball playing and kicking skills.Second row - Josh JacksonAge: 25 Origins: 5Has really come of age as an Origin player with two impressive efforts in the series so far. One player the Blues can build a future around.Lock - Tyson FrizellAge: 24 Origins: 1Enjoyed a wow of a debut, the challenge now is to back that up with the Blues spoilt for choice in the back-row next year.Interchange:Matt MoylanAge: 25 Origins: 2Has struggled to impose himself in Origin so far from fullback, but could do that with his ball playing skills from the bench against a tiring Maroons defence.James TamouAge: 27 Origins: 11Was barely sighted in Origin II in his worst game in the Blues jersey. Owes it to his teammates to atone for that performance.David KlemmerAge: 22 Origins: 5Hasnt had the impact he would have liked to this series. But he remains a key part of the Blues go forward.Andrew FifitaAge: 27 Origins: 5Has threatened in attack across the both Origins this year but never broken a game apart. Could do that with a new-look Blues attack in game three. ' ' '