See How She Got Started in the OUA

Anchored in the efforts to spotlight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) student-athletes, the initiative See How She Got Started showcases and tells the story of how some of the conference’s talented student-athletes first got involved in sport and have made their way to the varsity stage on which they currently shine.  It is also hoped that their stories can inspire young athletes to aspire to compete in varsity-level sports.

 

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Tiam Pourbakhtiari 

University - 

McMaster University

 

Sport -

Soccer

 

Year of Eligibility -

3rd Year

 

Hometown - 

Richmond Hill, Ontario 

 

Program of Study - 

Life Sciences  

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

I started playing when I was 13 years old because my family loves watching soccer. I also have a brother who grew up playing soccer. 

 

What most interested you about your sport that made you want to pursue it at a high level?

I practiced with boys growing up and was always told that they the boys were better than me and that they could compete at a higher level.  I got tired of hearing this and wanted to prove them wrong.   

 

Was there a specific moment/experience that led you to believe you could compete in your sport at a high level, and if so, what was it?

A specific moment/experience that led me to believe I could compete at a high level happened during my first Ontario Women's Soccer League (OWSL) match. My performance in this game was amazing. There were also university soccer coaches watching the game and there to scout players like myself. It think that particular experience made me realize that my talent and hard work was definitely getting noticed.   

 

What is your fondest memory/experience of being involved in your sport thus far?

My fondest memory in sport is all the life long friends I’ve made. I’ve come to realize that being involved in sports doesn’t just mean competing. There is so much outside of your competition that makes being involved in a sport such an amazing experience.   

 

Is there someone who inspires you to continue to pursue your sport at this high level (i.e., coach, professional athlete, family member, etc.) and what makes them an inspiration to you?

I’ve always been inspired by English International left-back, Lucy Bronze. She recently won the award for best FIFA women's player and also won Euro 2022 with the English team. Lucy Bronze is one of the few female names that is recognized in such a male-dominated industry and it's why I always looked up to her growing up. 

 

What excites you most about continuing your athletic journey at the varsity level within the OUA?

All the challenges that come along with competition at the varsity level is what excites me most. One quote that always sticks with me is that often “it’s not about the destination, but the journey”. Having the ability to play soccer in the OUA during regular season, provincial playoffs and for a national championship is what drives my passion for the game. 

 

 

What is/are some of the more unique aspect(s) of your sport that others may not know about?

Soccer is a very aggressive and challenging sport. It seems to go unnoticed, but putting in tackles and winning balls is extremely taxing on the body. Most of us will come to practice the day after a game with bruises and wonder which tackle created each bruise. We put our bodies on the line for the love of the game and our passion for the sport.   

 

If someone else was looking to start playing your sport, what one piece of advice would you give them to get them started?

Regardless of your age, gender, cultural background or other factors, I would tell someone to not be afraid to put yourself out there. Be ready to make plenty of mistakes and learn from all of them. There is nothing wrong with shooting on a goal and missing 99 times then having your 100th try reach the back of the net. Never give up on yourself and always continue to work harder. 

 

What is one critical thing that you do to try to continue to experience improvement within your sport (i.e., specific drill/exercise, training regimen, routine, etc.)?

The sport of soccer is a physically demanding sport. Because of this physical intensity, recovery is always an important aspect throughout the season. It also means making sure to eat the right foods; to continuously hydrate and drink plenty of water; and to be sure to regularly roll out and stretch your muscles. These are just a few training regimens that I can name. Ultimately, it's important to take care of our bodies as we play throughout the season so as to help prevent possible injuries down the road. 

 

What would you say to your 10-year-old self about playing and staying in sport?

I would tell my 10-year-old self to play with confidence. Confidence is such a key factor in competition and knowing that you have the abilities and the skills to perform at such a high level of sport is what will set you apart from the rest of the field.  

 

Is there one strategy that you find works well for you in creating a positive student/athlete balance in your life?

One thing I love to do is track my schedule with a calendar on my phone. It allows me to plan out my schedule for the week and know what I need to get done throughout the day. I also make sure to record my practice schedule and class times in my calendar. This helps me to utilize my free time wisely for to study and to spend time with friends and family. 

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Head to the SWSCD Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. Find, rate and review programs, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing.  

Start a group around a physical activity in your neighbourhood. Explore events. Check out our SWSCD Hub.

Look for advice, stories, news and more on our Soccer activity page.  

Have a sport, recreation or physical activity accomplishment you'd like to celebrate and shout out through SWSCD?  Become a SWSCD member and share your story directly on SeeWhatSheCanDo. Or, simply add the hashtag #seewhatshecando to your public social media posts and SWSCD can help you inspire others around you.