Miguel Sevillano, who was born in Peru and who immigrated to Canada in 2006, put together a very multicultural team ahead of the 2010 Community Cup. It was a squad which would go on to claim the team title. What was notable about the team which Miguel led to victory last year was its diversity. In the following q & a, Miguel talks about his passion for soccer, what it was like to lead his team to victory in the 2010 Community Cup, and the way he feels the Community Cup assists newcomers to Canada to feel more welcomed into their adopted country.
Jason Dunkerley: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Miguel sevillano: I was born in Peru and have been a Canadian citizen since last year. I immigrated to Canada six years ago. I think of myself as friendly, organized, open-minded, versatil and someone who enjoys challenges. My biggest influence is my mom. Nowadays, I work in a hospital as a nurse and also co-run a coed recreational soccer league. Hopefully in the next five years I will be co-running the biggest recreational soccer league in Canada. If not playing soccer I would be biking or swimming. Soccer is passion. It’s life. It’s the game of the people. I don’t like spicy food and my favorite drink is Inca Kola, a peruvian drink which Coca Cola sells in North America (I chose that name for my team which won at the Community Cup in 2010). My favorite soccer club is Barcelona FC and my favorite soccer players are Lionel Messi from Argentina and Marta Vieira da Silva from Brazil. Thus, I will cheer for Brazil and Canada at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 and for Peru at the Copa America 2011. On the other hand, one thing that nobody knows about me is that the first time I played soccer against a girl was back in my country. It was a pick-up game in a park and we tied the game, she played like a guy and it was quite a surprise. Finally, I don’t have any superstitions at all but I wear a black T-shirt from carleton U (which is the shirt I wore when I got my first title playing in a rec league there) when I coach my team. Some of our best moments as a team have been winning the championship in the Kicking Butt Cancer 2011 Tournament and the Community Cup in 2010. I really enjoyed these team successes.
JD: How many community cups have you been involved in as a player?
MS: So far I've played in two Community Cups and have been a part of one winning team.
JD: I understand you captained the 2010 team champions at the Community Cup, and that the team was a very multicultural one. Can you tell me a little about your diverse team and about the experience of leading them to victory last year?
MS: Winning the Community Cup 2010 championship last year was a great, and rewarding experience that was made possible thanks to the contributions of each player as well as the team work between each person. I was so honored to have had the privilege of playing with such a dedicated group of men and women with the skill but most importantly the will, most of them from different countries where football or soccer is a tradition. I met many of our players while playing pickup soccer in diferent parks in Ottawa during the summer.
JD: Can you talk about the way the Community Cup helps newcomers feel welcomed and plays a part in their integration into the community?
MS: The Community Cup is a good way to make new friends. Often as a newcomer you might be alone or with your family, and you may not know many people who can help you to feel a part of the community. Thus, participating in this open tournament can give you a break from the routine, and a chance to meet people who speak the same language that you do, and allow you to share experiences and build new friendships. This is the magic of soccer and it is why the Community Cup is so successful and popular.
JD: Will you be there this year?
MS: No doubt I will be there this year to try to defend the title :) I love one-day tournaments.
JD: Thanks so much Miguel, really appreciate your help with the story.
MS: Hope it will be helpful.
by Jason Dunkerly
