Marielle 'Layla' Louise becomes first female player to compete in Valve Qualifier

The Wheels support player makes it into the regional qualifiers to become the first female player ever to compete on that stage.

With Esports constantly expanding and growing, we live in a world of firsts, and today saw another one with the news that 2017 would see the first female player to compete in the Main Qualifier for a Valve event. Marielle 'Layla' Louise, a support player for the enigmatically named Wheel Whreck While Whistling team, will take part in the event having come through the preliminary stages in fairly unique fashion.

In a match to decide which team would play in the regional qualifiers for North America, Wheels faced Vegetables Esports, a semi-casual team made up of casting talent from the world of Dota 2. While the result shows that Wheels were victorious, they actually achieved their place in the next round after Vegetables conceded a game they would otherwise have won, allowing their opponents the chance to compete in the next stage.

This is obviously not the end of the journey for women in Esports, with many barriers remaining and stars yet to be found, but it is another sign that slow change is coming. Given that today is also International Women’s Day, the timing seems very apt, and we wish Wheel and all the players within the best of luck in the next stages of qualification.

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