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Leaders of Unites #109 – Raul Villavicencio

Great Things Don’t Happen by Chance But by Choice. You Hold The Pen to Your Story

My name is Raul Villavicencio, I’m 22 years old, and my life has been quite international. I was born in Mexico, where I lived with my Mexican father, Dutch mother, and younger brother until I was nine. I have fond memories of my time there. The people are outgoing and full of life, the food is incredible, and the weather is amazing.
When I was nine, we moved to Panama City for my mother’s job. Even though Panama is also a Latin American country, its culture is very different from Mexico. The people, the weather, the way of life. It all took some getting used to. You could say I experienced quite a culture shock.
 

We lived in Panama for six years, where I attended an international school. That’s where I fell in love with football, and where my life really took off. I played at a pretty high level, but I wanted to push myself even further. So, I started looking for opportunities abroad and found a boarding school in Denmark with a strong football program. At just 16, I moved there alone. That year was a crazy experience. I grew a lot because it was my first time living completely on my own.
Around that time, my family decided to move to the Netherlands. I didn’t see a future for myself in Denmark, so I joined them. That’s how I ended up here.

Having lived in so many different places, I’ve become a very resilient individual. Always taking something valuable from each experience. But the biggest inspiration in my life is still my mother. We have a very close relationship. Over the years, she has been the one to show me that if you work hard, your future is in your hands. She’s faced a lot, navigating elite environments and tough situations, but she’s always pushed through. Her perseverance and intelligence impress me every day. She is, without a doubt, one of my role models.

The 3x3 community is so open and welcoming, 3X3 Unites feels like family

My football career took a turn when I suffered two major injuries. But I loved the game too much to walk away, so I found another way to stay involved through coaching.
Back in Panama, I saw firsthand how much impact a good coach can have. One of my coaches brought together a team of very different personalities and made us stronger. That inspired me.
When I started coaching, I wanted to do the same. I focused on making my players better. Eventually, I created my own training program for a group of 15- to 23-year-olds, using everything I had learned from my own coaches. That’s when I truly saw the power of sports to connect people.

After finishing school in Enschede, my girlfriend and I moved to Amsterdam for our studies. I started a degree in International Sports Management and Business. During a project week, Mark Schuurman and Charlotte from 3X3 Unites came to give a presentation. When Charlotte spoke about her journey and how she got involved with 3X3 Unites because she wanted to bridge the gender gap in the community. I knew I had to learn more.

I realized this wasn’t just a sports organization. it was a place where people could work, learn, and grow. So, I joined the 3X3 Leader Course in Amsterdam Zuidoost with Mike.

What I took away from the Leader Course really was about the people. Unlike what I had experienced in football, the 3X3 community is very open, welcoming, and eager to connect. It feels like family, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
Since then, I’ve done my internship at 3X3 Unites, run my own activation in Amsterdam Zuid, and even had the opportunity to be a Leader Coordinator at the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Amsterdam Masters.
I believe what helped me stand out and get these opportunities is my commitment. I show up, deliver on my promises, and set a standard that also inspires other Leaders to do the same.

Helping Others Is What Drives Me

One of the things I admire most about 3X3 Unites is its entrepreneurial mindset. If you see an opportunity, you can take it. If you’re willing to commit, work hard, and deliver, it is an environment where I can grow, make mistakes, and learn from them, which is exactly where I want to be right now. Since my time in Denmark, I’ve dreamed of building a multi-sports complex in Europe. One that makes sports accessible to everyone. That’s still my ultimate goal, but for now, I’m focused on gaining experience. I want to pursue a master’s in sports science and learn more about entrepreneurship because I believe self-sustainability is the key to the life I want to build. And thanks to everything I’ve learned so far. From my mother’s grit, my experiences in so many different cultures, playing football, coaching, and now my time at 3X3 Unites. I know I have what it takes to make that dream a reality.

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