It was while she was at her schoolB次元官网网址檚 library that soccer goalkeeper Chiara LeVesconte, 18, received the news that she was awarded a $100,000 scholarship to the Rome City Institute - one of ItalyB次元官网网址檚 most prestigious universities for student-athletes.

Set to leave the Comox Valley in August, the young woman says that she is more than confident to take this next step.

Introduced to the sport when she was five years old, LeVesconteB次元官网网址檚 parents enrolled their daughter in the ValleyB次元官网网址檚 Timbit league so she could deplete her inexhaustible energy.

B次元官网网址淚 was a very crazy kid. I had so much energy and adrenaline that I was just bouncing off the walls basically 24/7,B次元官网网址� says Levesconte.

Rapidly developing a passion for the sport, LeVesconte quickly made a name for herself in the region as a versatile player, who played both as a goalie and a striker.

As the years went by, LeVesconte decided to take the competitive route and joined the Comox Valley United soccer club.

Impressed by LeVesconteB次元官网网址檚 skills, the coaches of Upper Island Riptide invited the 13-year-old to their teamB次元官网网址檚 selection camp, where she first crossed paths with a coach that would impact her sports career.

B次元官网网址淲e started the training camp and realized that we didnB次元官网网址檛 have any goalkeepers trying out for the team,B次元官网网址� says former professional soccer player and goalie coach Shel Brodsgaard. B次元官网网址淪omeone said that Chiara had a little bit of experience at keeping the goals, so I asked her if she wanted to be a goalkeeper. She came back the next day and said yes.B次元官网网址�

Impressed by the young teenB次元官网网址檚 determination on the field, Brodsgaard took LeVesconte under his wing.

B次元官网网址淭he first thing that struck me was just how focused she was on trying to be good at something,B次元官网网址� adds Brodsgaard.

Yet, more than just being a brilliant athlete, former Riptide coach Jerret Dickinson highlights that LeVesonte played an essential asset for the team.

B次元官网网址淪he was always the first player and last player that left any practice or game - even when we had horrible weather,B次元官网网址� says Dickinson. B次元官网网址淪he was always positive, boisterous, comical, and above all very hard-working.B次元官网网址�

The young woman ended up playing for two years with the Riptide, where coach Steph Steiner of the Vancouver Island Wave - a Victoria-based team part of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 highest-performing youth league - noticed the young athleteB次元官网网址檚 potential.

B次元官网网址淚 met her years ago when I was coaching at Saanich Fusion. She was one of my arch-rivals at the time,B次元官网网址� recalls Steiner. B次元官网网址淥ne year, she knocked my team out of the cup in a penalty shootout because she was so good.

B次元官网网址淭hen, it just happened that she was looking to play at a higher level. I had some connections and after getting in touch with her, she ended up joining the Wave.B次元官网网址�

LeVesconte, who continued to live and study in the Valley, displayed unwavering dedication to her team. For the three years she played with the Wave, Chiara commuted three to four times a week to Victoria and Vancouver for practices and games.

B次元官网网址淎fter school, my mom or my dad would drive me to Victoria,B次元官网网址� explains LeVesconte. B次元官网网址淥n Sundays, I would spend most of my mornings either in Victoria for a league game or I would travel to Vancouver. It would roughly turn out around 18 to 24 hours a week of commuting.B次元官网网址�

When asked by her peers how she endured hundreds of hours of commuting, she credits her parents, without whom this would not have been possible.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just the one playing,B次元官网网址� says LeVesconte. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e the ones who are putting in their time, their work, their money, their everything.B次元官网网址�

Throughout those years, Chiara played a pivotal role in guiding her club to consistently rank among the top three teams in B.C., eventually leading them to victory in a provincial cup.

B次元官网网址淪he was easily one of the best goalies in the province,B次元官网网址� says Steiner.

ItB次元官网网址檚 because of her skills showcased on the field that the Rome City Institute bestowed Chiara this $100,000 scholarship.

Starting a sports management undergrad in August, ChiaraB次元官网网址檚 main goal while in Italy will be to gain experience and exposure.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really excited about the different playing styles. The game pace is so much faster than here,B次元官网网址� says LeVesconte. B次元官网网址淭he goal is to put myself out there and hopefully end up playing professionally.B次元官网网址�

Ultimately desiring to play for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 national womenB次元官网网址檚 soccer team, Chiara reiterates her readiness to take the next step that will lead her closer to her goal.

B次元官网网址淗onestly, IB次元官网网址檓 not scared,B次元官网网址� says LeVesconte. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been ready for a while now. As much as IB次元官网网址檒l be missing my family, IB次元官网网址檓 just ready for a new step and IB次元官网网址檓 not really nervous and IB次元官网网址檓 very confident.B次元官网网址�

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olivier.laurin@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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