HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Sports can take athletes all across the world.<\/p>\n
For Ewa Beach native Jourdyn Curran, soccer has landed her in Australia.<\/p>\n
She made her international debut for the Philippines Women\u2019s National Team in the AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my first time being international and really far away from home,\u201d Curran told Hawaii News Now. \u201cAlso, I\u2019m the only new member of the team, so just adjusting to that, but I think that the team and the coaching staff has been really welcoming to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a four-year collegiate career at Seattle University, Mark Torcaso, the team\u2019s head coach, asked Curran to join the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom then on, the process started. There\u2019s a lot of paperwork to do, but we\u2019re here now,\u201d said Curran. \u201cIt\u2019s just been good to be here finally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curran grew up on the pitch, playing for the Leahi Soccer Club, where she won five consecutive state titles.<\/p>\n
While playing for the Lady Sabers Soccer Team, she earned all-state honors twice while playing under her dad and head coach, James Curran.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe played a big part in my career as a soccer player, just growing me mentally and the soccer aspect,\u201d Curran said.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old is now playing for national pride, saying it\u2019s a \u201cprivilege and an honor\u201d to represent her Filipino heritage.<\/p>\n
She also aims to build a stronger connection to her roots, especially with her grandparents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey came from there, they moved to the U.S., and they have a lot of family there and a lot of pride there,\u201d Curran said. \u201cI kind of just wanna be that representation for them and just make them proud, and I know they\u2019re happy that I\u2019m doing this, and I\u2019m very happy as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curran hopes to teach young Hawaii athletes that if they\u2019re given an opportunity, they should run with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely different from growing up in the mainland in terms of opportunities and resources and such,\u201d Curran said. \u201cThis is just a big thing, really, to give exposure to the island and everyone that\u2019s there that we produce athletes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Philippines and Curran are fighting for a spot in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is a dream for the midfielder to reach the world\u2019s largest tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is our biggest goal right now, to be able to qualify for the World Cup, which is one of the biggest tournaments for soccer in the world,\u201d Curran said. \u201cWe\u2019re mainly focused on the World Cup for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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