Whitecaps FC and BCIT are proud to present the Community Captains scholarship program. Nika Asgari is one of five deserving high school students who have been awarded a $1,000 RESP to put towards their post-secondary education, as well as a Whitecaps FC matchday experience where they will be recognized for their achievement.
Nika Asgari, a grade 11 student at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School in Vancouver, has been playing soccer since she was four years old.
She credits the sport for shaping who she has become today.
“Soccer really changed me,” said Asgari. “Growing up and especially being from a different culture, I always felt kind of misplaced because I didn’t really know anyone who was from the same place as me. But on the soccer field, everybody’s a family and everybody’s intermeshed. It gave me a lot of confidence in who I was and interacting with other people.”
Asgari continues to play soccer and immerses herself in the sport in any way possible, volunteering as a coach and referee for young kids.
While soccer provides an escape for her, Asgari has experienced and witnessed a lot of racism and sexism at her school and in her community. Instead of standing back quietly, she decided to do something about it. She founded the S.O.S. organization at her school.
“We collect money and give back to organizations that really help with people who are struggling with sexism against women in developing countries and racism in places even like Canada to really help people from other cultures be more comfortable in their skin," said Asgari.
After graduating in 2018, Asgari plans to attend post-secondary school to study business and law. Her goal is to become a lawyer who stands up for those in need of a helping hand.
While law school will undoubtedly keep her busy, she still plans to stay involved in soccer.
“Soccer is one of the only places where I can just let go of everything else and focus on one thing that I truly love in the world and that’s just something so special,” said Asgari. “I never want to let that go.”
For more information about the Whitecaps FC and BCIT Community Captains program,click here.
