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Club breaks barriers for newcomers to Canada

When Carlos Siller immigrated to Sudbury with his family seven years ago, he found it difficult to make friends. It was his love of soccer and other sports that eventually led Siller, who is now 27, to develop a group of pals.
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Participants in a three-on-three soccer tournament organized by the YMCA Intercultural Network fight for possession of the ball Aug. 10. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.
When Carlos Siller immigrated to Sudbury with his family seven years ago, he found it difficult to make friends.

It was his love of soccer and other sports that eventually led Siller, who is now 27, to develop a group of pals.

This experience is what led him to create the YMCA Intercultural Network about a month ago.

Operating under the umbrella of YMCA Sudbury Employment Services, the club is designed to bring young people from different cultures together, and help them to develop friendships and professional networks.

The club held its first event this past weekend – a three-on-three soccer tournament which took place Aug. 10-11 in the parking lot of the YMCA building in downtown Sudbury. About 70 people showed up for the event.

“We're trying to mix all the cultures, as many as we can,” Siller said.

“We have people from Mexico, from Europe, from Africa, from Canada, from South America, from Asia, from Middle Eastern countries.

“Everyone is getting to talk to each other, everyone is playing soccer, everyone is having fun, everyone is smiling.”

The club is also planning a number of other activities, including kayaking, camping and flag football. They're also looking at holding a wine and cheese evening, which would also include live music from various cultures.

Antonio Radford-Paz, who immigrated to Canada from Guatamala when he was one year old, and grew up in Sudbury, was among the tournament participants.

Radford-Paz, a 23-year-old Cambrian College power engineering student, said he often plays soccer with international students in a gym at Laurentian University in the winter months.

A lifelong soccer player, Radford-Paz said he was really enjoying the three-on-three soccer tournament.

“I love it,” he said. “I wish there was more things like this going on.”

Veronique Charbonneau, who also grew up in Sudbury, said Siller approached her to help out with the club, and she thought it was a great idea.

“It's nice, because I have a few friends from different cultures,” Charbonneau said.

“So it's just nice helping them out, and learning about them, and what it's like to change countries. Of course, if I were in their shoes, I would want to be feel welcome.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the club and its upcoming events is invited to search for “YMCA Intercultural Network” on Facebook, and like the page.

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Heidi Ulrichsen

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