The ball never stayed still for long.
One touch became two. Two became a quick pass, a burst of movement, and another challenge to keep up. During summer trips to Türkiye, Bediz Lostuvali found herself chasing the game wherever she could, from street soccer to local clubs to increasingly competitive training environments. Some days, the game was spontaneous. Other days, it was structured, technical, and demanding. But no matter where she played, soccer was never just a sport. Years later, that same passion would inspire one of her first sports fundraisers, using the game she loves to help create opportunities for girls in Türkiye.
At 15 years old, the Berkeley native has already built a life around the game. Growing up in California with parents who were born and raised in Türkiye, she spent much of her childhood moving between two worlds. At home, Turkish culture, language, and family traditions were part of daily life. Yearly summer trips to Türkiye only deepened that connection. And over time, those visits became not just family reunions but an important part of her development as an athlete.
Badiz’ soccer journey started with a challenge. When she was just 9 years old, a boy asked her a simple question: could she play as well as he could?
Instead of answering with words, she stepped onto the field, and she’s been playing ever since.
What began as a spontaneous moment of competition has become one of Bediz’ greatest passions. “In our family, futbol is life,” she says, borrowing the phrase from the Ted Lasso television series.
She continues to train and compete, growing as a player while discovering that the game is about much more than individual talent. “I realized how important it is to play together,” Bediz says. “Soccer teaches you that no one succeeds alone.”
Like many athletes, Bediz has experienced the highs and lows that come with competition: moments of growth, setbacks, injuries, and recovery. It taught her the importance of discipline, resilience, and staying focused on long-term goals.
But as Bediz spent more time playing in Türkiye, she began noticing something else.
She saw how deeply football is woven into the culture, the energy of local matches, the passion of fans, and the love people carry for the game. But there was also a different reality for girls who wanted to play.
Bediz points out that only 1% of licensed athletes in Türkiye are female footballers. Girls often face barriers in access to training facilities, equipment, and opportunities while also navigating structural gender inequality.
For Bediz, that statistic was not just surprising. It gave her a new perspective on the game she loved, and that was when she began asking herself what it meant to truly give back.
“I realized I needed to help my Turkish soccer sisters,” she says. “I wanted them to have the same chance and opportunity to reach their dreams and goals through this beautiful game.”
What began as a love for the game eventually became something bigger. Through one of her first sports fundraisers, Bediz partnered with Bridge to Türkiye Fund to help create opportunities for girls in Türkiye to pursue their passions, build confidence, and grow as leaders through the game.
For Bediz, sports fundraisers are about more than raising money. They are about creating opportunities for girls who deserve the chance to step onto the field, find their voice, and lead. She knows that every donation represents more than financial support. It represents a girl stepping onto a field for the first time. A young athlete finding confidence in her own voice. A future leader realizing she belongs.
“Knowing this support is a step toward changing the lives of my soccer sisters for the better means everything,” Bediz says.
She hopes the girls supported through this effort will not only grow as athletes, but also become role models for others, young women who inspire the next generation, whether it be in sports or in any field where they have historically been underrepresented.
And for other students who want to make a difference in their own communities, Bediz’ message is simple:
“Everything is better when we come together, share, and learn together.”
Inspired by Bediz?
Whether your passion is sports, art, music, science, community service, or something entirely your own, you can turn what you love into opportunity for others.
This May, Bridge to Türkiye Fund is celebrating young leaders who are creating real change through youth-to-youth fundraising.
Support Bediz’s fundraiser. Share her story. Start one of your own.