Cuju was an early form of football that originated in China over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. It later evolved into the modern sport of soccer and helped establish the Chinese Football Association in the 20th century. The Chinese national women's team has a long history of success, winning several Asian Cup and Olympic medals since the 1980s. However, declining youth participation may threaten the continued success of women's football in China.

2. Who?: The Han Dynasty-Cuju What?: Ancient soccer in China-Cuju Present Day-Chinese Football Association Where?: Cuju-Han Dynasty Chinese Football Association-Beijing When?: Cuju developed between 206 B.C.-220 A.D. Chinese Football Association-1955 Why?: Cuju-played for entertainment and as an army drill

3. Cuju- “kick the ball with foot” Ancient form of soccer in China -not like soccer is today -moon shaped goals Played by emperors Became an army drill Popularity of this sport eventually declined during the Ming Dynasty

4. Cuju Competition between 2 teams with a set number of players 2 goals Military training- Cuju considered fighting enemy during battle Became more popular during Northern Song Dynasty -played in the imperial palace -emperor played -played at festivals

5. Chinese Football Association Originally known as China Football Association -established in 1924 Relocated to Beijing -was re-established in 1955 as the Chinese Football Association -after the Chinese Civil War Non-government organization Only legal organization for China in the FIFA organization Made up of local football associations, amateur football associations, and football associations under the People’s Liberation Army

6. Increase public participation Promote interaction with FIFA and foreign football associations Organize training for national football team Organize games/activities for national football team Organize international games Develop rules and disciplines for the sport in China Select teams and players to play at the international level

7. Established in 1924 under the China Football Association Played first match against Finland Joined FIFA in 1978 Struggled to qualify for the World Cup Expectations rose in 2001 China reached the World Cup finals in 2002 First time ever reaching finals

8. Chinese Super League Founded in 2004 Premier league in China Consisted of 12 teams 2006 the league grows to 16 teams Each team plays 240 games in a season

9. 1976: 3 rd place in AFC Asian Cup 1978: 3 rd place in Asian Games 1984: 2 nd place in AFC Asian Cup 1990: 2 nd place in East Asian Cup 1992: 3 rd place in AFC Asian Cup 1994: 2 nd place in Asian Games 1998: 3 rd place in Asian Games 2 nd place in East Asian Cup 2003: 3 rd place in East Asian Cup 2004: 2 nd place in AFC Asian Cup 2005: 1 st place in East Asian Cup 2008: 3 rd place in East Asian Cup

10. Interest for women’s football decreases Football school’s number has greatly decreased -150 to 50 girls A decreasing interest may lead to problems for the successful women’s national team

11. National Women’s Team Honors 1986: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 1989: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 1990: 1 st place in Asian Games 1991: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 1993: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 1994: 1 st place in Asian Games 1995: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 1996: 2 nd place in the Olympics 3 rd place in the Algarve Cup 1997: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2 nd place in the Algarve Cup 1998: 1 st place in Asian Games 1999: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 1 st place in the Algarve Cup 2 nd place in the FIFA World Cup 2000: 3 rd place in the Algarve Cup 2001: 3 rd place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 3 rd place in the Algarve Cup 2002: 1 st place in the Algarve Cup 2 nd in Asian Games 2003: 2 nd in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2 nd in the Algarve Cup 2006: 1 st place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 3 rd place in Asian Games 2008: 2 nd in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2 nd place in the Women’s East Asian Cup

12. Bibliography &quot;China women's national football team -.&quot; Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . 25 May 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_women's_national_football_team>. &quot;Chinese Super League: Encyclopedia - Chinese Super League.&quot; Global Oneness - The meeting place for Cultural Creatives - Articles, News, Community, Forums, Travel & Events and much more . 25 May 2009. <http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Chinese_Super_League/id/1966079>. &quot;Zhuqiu - Football was a Chinese game?&quot; China the Beautiful . 25 May 2009 <http://www.chinapage.com/general/football1.html>. &quot;Cuju - Ancient Chinese Football.&quot; Features . 25 May 2009 <http://features.cultural- china.com/cuju>.