Heading into their second year, Vancouver Rise FC underwent some big changes in their squad, bringing in several new faces to help the team defend their Northern Super League (NSL) championship.
While every new player has been able to make their mark at the club, one particular player has shown a level of determination, leadership and grit that has exceeded every expectation.
From battling older boys on the pitch as a child, to studying to become a primary school teacher, surviving a devastating ACL injury, and hiking Whistler, this is the story of Rise FC’s Australian defensive anchor, Tori Tumeth.
Getting the Chance
Growing up in Sydney, Tumeth got her love of football the same way that many players who grew up with siblings did: watching her brother play.
“I started at the age of four,” Tumeth recalled. “My older brother played football, and I’d always watch him and play around the house and in the backyard.”
Her first real opportunity came unexpectedly when her younger brother, then three, was turned away from the local team for being too young.
“He had so much energy, but they told him he was too young,” she said. “So I said, ‘I’m four, I’ll play.’ I never looked back.”
Loving the Challenge
Tumeth rose through the ranks quickly, spending much of her childhood playing alongside boys. Rather than feeling out of place, competing against bigger, stronger opponents sparked a defining character trait.
“I think that’s a personality trait that I still have from then,” she admitted. “I love being challenged, so I loved coming up against the boys that were stronger than me and always pushing myself in that environment.”
By age 14, she joined the Football NSW Institute in Sydney, transitioning into elite girls' teams equipped with the physical edge and competitive drive she’d built early on. Yet through every step up in competition, she never lost sight of what was important: the joy of the game.
“I’ve always been someone who plays football for fun, and for the enjoyment of the game.”
In 2018, she joined semi-professional side Sydney University SFC while studying for her degree in primary education. As her performances elevated, Australia’s youth national team scouts took notice.
Finding the Dream
Attending national youth camps placed Tumeth among peers who were already competing in Australia's top professional division, the A-League.
“The girls that I was playing with on the U17 and U20 national teams were already playing professionally,” she noted.
Rather than feeling outmatched, Tumeth trusted that her time would come. After finishing high school, she made the decision to move to Victoria to sign her first professional contract with Melbourne City FC.
“It was then when I realized that I can really make a go out of this and play professionally.”
Early Success
Melbourne City provided the high-standard environment Tumeth needed to grow her game.
“It was an environment that had everything I needed to succeed.”
She instantly became an indispensable starter, featuring in every match across two seasons and scoring in the A-League Finals Series preliminary final against rival Melbourne Victory in 2022.
Tumeth had proven her capability at the highest level in Australia. But just as her momentum was building, she faced her toughest challenge yet.
Her Biggest Test
On June 12, 2022, during the offseason, Tumeth suffered every footballer’s nightmare: a torn ACL.
Sidelined for an entire year, the grueling rehabilitation forced her to confront her connection to the sport.
“At that point, I finally felt that I had established myself in the league, but I don’t think I realized how much I loved the game until doing my ACL.”
The recovery process redefined her work ethic and mental approach.
“I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard in my entire life," she admitted. “I was doing 2-3 sessions a day and arriving to do a session before anyone else.”
“And I definitely came back a tenfold better player. My whole mindset shifted.”
Twelve months of isolated daily rehabilitation reshaped her perspective entirely. And it was something she has become thankful for.
“I am genuinely grateful for tearing my ACL because of how that changed me as a player and a person.”
Coming Back Home
Following her recovery, Tumeth returned to her hometown to sign with Sydney FC.
“The club gave me a chance, coming off the back of my injury, to come home and have the support of my friends and family,” she recalled.
On September 28, 2023, 473 days after tearing her ACL, she made her return to the pitch.
She didn't miss a beat. Tumeth started every match that season, helping Sydney FC capture the A-League title over her former club, Melbourne City, all while working part-time as a substitute primary school teacher.
“It was massive,” Tumeth said of the championship win. “I have a very special place in my heart for Sydney FC, which made it really hard to leave.”
Pastures New
Having secured silverware and made 48 appearances across two seasons in Sydney, Tumeth recognized it was time to step out of her comfort zone yet again.
“I knew by the end of my last season there that I needed something new,” she remembered. “A new challenge, whether that was moving to a new environment or testing myself in a different league.”
That search for a new test led her across the Pacific to Vancouver Rise FC.
“Coming to Vancouver, I have absolutely zero regrets,” she laughed. “There are so many similarities between Vancouver and Sydney, so it made the transition super easy.”
Off the pitch, she embraced the West Coast lifestyle immediately, taking to the local trails and mountains.
“I think I’ve been up to Whistler three times this season, more than most of my teammates!”
Safe to say, she felt right at home.
Giving Her All
Her connection to Rise FC was immediate, mirroring the community-first culture she experienced back in Australia.
“It’s a really passionate club full of people who want success,” she explained. “It has a family feeling, and it’s super close-knit between the staff, players, and fans. I’ve already fallen in love with playing for this jersey.”
With the Northern Super League playoff race heating up, Tumeth’s focus remains locked on the central objective: defending the title.
“My ultimate goal is to win the championship at the end of the season,” she stated firmly. “This team has the potential to win trophies, and we want to go back-to-back, so we’re going to do everything in our power to achieve that.”
Ready for More
With the regular season winding down and a playoff spot on the line, Rise FC’s backline relies heavily on Tumeth’s composure and physical presence.
Her gritty, fearless style has made her an essential part of the team, leading to her selection as on-field captain multiple times this season.
“It’s an honour to represent this team and lead them as we push for the title.”
Retaining the NSL championship trophy and reaching the final in Ottawa on November 14 will require everything the squad has.
But if Tori Tumeth’s career has proven anything, it’s that when faced with a formidable challenge, she has a tendency to knock it out of the park.