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My Journey: Racquel Partovi

Racquel Partovi's soccer journey is impressive. She started playing when she was just four years old with Coastal FC. Her love for soccer grew quickly, leading her through many steps in her career. Now, she is a Vancouver Whitecaps Elite Academy player and a member of Canada’s U15 National Team. Racquel always pushes herself and inspires others. Her experiences on and off the field have helped her become a strong and dedicated athlete who truly loves the game of soccer.


Early Life Beginnings⚽️

Racquel Partovi, or Rocky as she's mostly called by teammates, started her soccer journey at age 4 with Coastal FC's Coastal Cubs program. It was only a short time before her passion for the game became apparent, as she attended every practice, never wanting to miss a session. Coastal FC provided her with more than just training; it became a place for lifelong friendships and memories. As she recalls, "Practices were always a highlight of my week. I couldn't wait to be out there, having fun and growing with my friends." Her early years at Coastal FC also laid a solid foundation for her development, teaching her the basics and helping her gain exposure to other opportunities. 


BCSPL Career at Coastal FC💙

Racquel's years in Coastal FC's BCSPL program were transformative for her as a player, and working under Coach Steven Duffy was pivotal. BCSPL provided a more competitive environment and allowed Racquel to play alongside the most talented girls at Coastal. Coach Duffy recognized each player's unique strengths and weaknesses, a quality Racquel valued immensely. "Steve was amazing—he knew how to push us to be our best and always supported us individually. Every young player needs a coach like that." Those years in BCSPL, surrounded by skilled teammates and a coach who constantly motivated her, helped Racquel build a competitive edge and prepared her for the elite-level demands she would face later.


Whitecaps Elite Academy⚽️

In 2022, Racquel was invited to join the Vancouver Whitecaps Pre-Rex U15 Girls team as a hybrid player, representing the Vancouver Whitecaps & Coastal FC until age 13. At age 14, Racquel joined the Vancouver Whitecaps U18 Girls Team full-time, marking another significant step in her career. This transition presented a steep learning curve as she moved from youth soccer into a highly competitive, rigorous environment. "Moving from the BCSPL team to Whitecaps was huge," Racquel shares. "The training, the intensity, playing with the best—every aspect of my game improved." The commitment was immense, physically and mentally demanding, but Racquel's passion for soccer deepened. She continued to push herself, driven by her love for the game, even on especially tough days. With her move to full-back, the Whitecaps coaching staff helped her leverage her speed, stamina, and footwork, adding new dimensions to her play.


National Team Call-Up and Experience🇨🇦

In 2024, Racquel was invited to join the Canada U15 National Team at the CONCACAF Girls Under-15 Championship, marking a significant milestone in her career. She vividly remembers the thrill of discovering she'd been selected: "I was in the hot tub with friends, checking my emails every night for the past week. When my parents finally came running to tell me, I couldn't believe it—I was jumping with joy!" It was a moment of pride, knowing that her dedication and hard work had led her to this incredible opportunity.


Her first call-up saw her compete in the 2024 CONCACAF Girls' Under-15 Championship in Costa Rica. The experience was challenging but immensely rewarding, as the team—many of whom were meeting for the first time—came together and advanced to the semifinals. The highlight? A thrilling 1-1 match against the United States ended in a narrow PK loss. It was her first penalty kick experience, and though intense, it was an invaluable lesson in high-stakes competition.


2024 CONCACAF Championship with the Whitecaps Elite Team🤩

Recently, Racquel had the incredible opportunity to compete in the 2024 CONCACAF Championship with the Vancouver Whitecaps Elite Team. The first game against San Diego was where she learned she would be starting. With one player out due to accumulated yellow cards, the surprise selection left her feeling both nervous and excited at the prospect of playing against professional athletes nearly double her age. A teammate had sent her an encouraging text, reminding her to focus on her game, and she found strength in a quote she adopted as her mantra: "If you weren't ready, you wouldn't have the opportunity." During the match, Racquel played for 45 minutes, channelling her nerves into excitement.


The second game against the Portland Thorns at BC Place was a different experience, as Racquel did not start. However, being named to the roster and sitting on the bench was a significant achievement for her. With 6,731 fans in attendance, she felt a mix of emotions, especially knowing she was now playing against players she had once idolized, such as Christine Sinclair & Jessie Fleming. When the assistant coach informed her she would be getting subbed on during the second half, there was no time to process the excitement—only the thrill of being part of the action. The match ended in a team handshake with star players like Jessie Fleming and Sinclair herself, who even took a moment for a photo with Racquel. This experience was not just about the games but also about realizing one of her dreams had become a reality.


Lessons and Reflections💭

Reflecting on her journey, Racquel credits soccer with teaching her essential life lessons in perseverance and resilience. "It sounds simple, but 'never give up' is huge. At this level, there's so much going on—homework, training, the physical and mental demands. Staying consistent and putting in that extra 1% really pays off."


The Future🔮

With college and professional opportunities on the horizon, Racquel is focused on continuing her journey one step at a time. "Right now, I'm young, and there's a lot ahead of me. I want to keep working hard, aiming for a D1 scholarship, and if soccer takes me further, then that's where I'll go. If I get there, I get there." Alongside her academic and athletic ambitions, Racquel also hopes to represent Canada in many more national competitions, continuing to represent her country with pride. From her early days at Coastal FC to representing Canada on the international stage, Racquel Partovi's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment, love for the game, and the many possibilities still waiting for her path forward.


(Photo Credits: Alina Rogers - Coastal FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada Soccer)

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