SUMMARY AND FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
SUMMARY AND FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note
Executive Summary
The main objective of the paper is to study how soccer as a sport aids in the resettlement of migrants as well as how it maintains the balance of multiculturism in the North American nation of Canada. The paper executes the summary of the findings derived from the research and it makes the relationship between immigration and soccer more fruitful and worthwhile. Thus, in generating the benefits of the research, it can be concluded that the help of myriad primary research sources such as personal interviews and authentic and peer-reviewed secondary research sources makes it quite meritorious for the effective notion of the paper. It depicts the life of the migrants in Canada and how soccer acts as a catalyst for them in accepting the multicultural society and thus aiding them in their initial struggles. The sustainability of the gestation period focuses on ascertaining the impact of soccer in preserving the multicultural traits of Canadian society. Furthermore, the paper discusses how soccer as a sport helps migrants in adapting to an alien country whilst maintaining their own cultural and individual identities.
Table of Contents
TOC o "1-3" h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc107235999 h 3Background PAGEREF _Toc107236000 h 3Problem Statement PAGEREF _Toc107236001 h 4Research Aim and Objectives PAGEREF _Toc107236002 h 4Objectives PAGEREF _Toc107236003 h 4Research Questions PAGEREF _Toc107236004 h 5Research Hypothesis PAGEREF _Toc107236005 h 5Summary of the Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc107236006 h 6Research Methodology PAGEREF _Toc107236007 h 9Secondary Sources Findings PAGEREF _Toc107236008 h 11Summary of the Primary Findings PAGEREF _Toc107236009 h 12Analysis/Discussion PAGEREF _Toc107236010 h 13Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc107236011 h 14Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc107236012 h 14References PAGEREF _Toc107236013 h 15
Introduction
On March 22nd, 2022, when Cyle Larin scored the opening goal against Jamaica, he not only propelled Canada to the World Cup after a hiatus of 36 years but also ensure that he remains one of the most celebrated figures in Canadian soccer history by becoming the all-time leading goal scorer of the country. However, not many people are aware that Cyle is a Canadian citizen of Jamaican descent. Similarly, both the parents of Junior Hoilett, another goal scorer in that match, are of Jamaican heritage. Furthermore, unarguably, two of the biggest stars of the Canadian Mens National Team viz. Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies are emigrants from Haiti and Liberia respectively.
Canada is among the most heavily immigrated countries in the world. Every year Canada welcomes immigrants and refugees from all over the world and soccer has invaluably aided these emigrants in their resettlement. This research will throw light on how soccer as a sport has aided multiculturalism and the resettlement of migrants in Canada and led them to be a part of this North American country. Canada, as a nation, has perennially been a country whose massive part of the population consists of migrants and refugees. Since the Canadian Confederation, Canada has attracted more than 17 million immigrants (Canada Statistics). Multifarious reasons such as immigration policy changes, Canada's economic situation, or world events connected with the movement of migrants and refugees led to the massive migration to Canada. The country officially adopted multiculturalism as a policy in 1971 as the act sought toprotect the cultural heritageof all Canadians,reduce discrimination, and encourage the implementation ofmulticultural programs and initiativeswithin institutions and organizations, becoming the first country in the process to adopt an official multiculturalism policy. Modern Canada was built on the migration and contributions of many immigrant groups, beginning with the first French settlers, through newcomers from the United Kingdom, Central Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa, to immigrants from Asia and the Middle East.
Immigration history of Canada:
According to the 2016 Census, approximately 7.54 million Canadians were born outside the country. This means that 21.9 percent of the total population of Canada is an immigrant. In 2011, Canada boasted the highest proportion of foreign-born inhabitants of all the countries in the G8, outstripping Germany and the US, which recorded 2010 percentages of 13 percent and 12.9 percent respectively.
As per the official census of 1871, the people from the British Isles were the earliest and the majority of the migrants that came to settle down in the Confederation of Canada followed by the settlers from the US, Germany, and France (150, StatCan). There were three early waves of migrants recorded as far as European migrants were concerned. The first wave commenced from the late 1800s to the early 1900s and included new settlers from Eastern Europe (Russians, Polish, and Ukrainians), Western Europe, and Scandinavia. World War II precedes the second wave of European migrants to Canada predominantly from the British Isles and also from Western Europe (Germany and the Netherlands) and Southern Europe (Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Portugal) from the 1950s to the 1970s. The third wave was when Canada admitted immigrants from Eastern Europe (including the Russian Federation and former Soviet republics, Poland and Romania) in the 1980s and 1990s, following political changes in Communist bloc countries, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, as per the 2011 National Household Survey, China and India (excluding the two special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao) have surpassed the UnitedKingdom as the country of birth most frequently reported by foreign-born people. Since then, Asia has remained the top source continent for immigrants in recent years. From 2017 to 2019, 63.5% of newcomers to Canada were born in Asia (including the Middle East). Furthermore, according to Statistics Canada population projections, by 2036, immigrants born in Asia could represent between 55.7% and 57.9% of all immigrants.
Refugee history in Canada:
As per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, refugees are people who have been forced to leave their country and who are afraid to return because of war, violence, or persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. The Quakers, properly called the Religious Society of Friends, are a Christian group that arose from the religious turmoil of puritanical England were the earliest refugees to the Canadian Confederation. During the year 1770-79, Quakers started to pour in due to the American Revolution to what now is called South Ontario. During the year 1780-89, thousands of African American migrants came and settle down in places like Nova Scotia and settled near Shelburne, Digby, Chedabucto and Halifax. From 1830 to 1910, numerous Poles fled from Europe after the continent was annexed by the likes of Russia, Prussia, and Austria in 1793. By the late 19th century, there was a massive advent of Jewish migrants to escape religious persecution, revolution, and the social and economic changes brought about by industrialization. Due to the Soviet invasion, occupation, and subsequent establishment of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1919 thousands of Ukrainian refugees migrated to Canada. Due to the then incumbent World War II around 35,000 to 40,000 Ukrainians settled in Canada, largely as a result of the lobbying efforts of Canadian-Ukrainians who had come as refugees earlier in the 20th century. Furthermore, thousands of refugees from Chile and Bangladesh settled down in Canada due to the political unrest and war-like situations in their respective countries. Similarly, during the late 90s and the early 2000s, Canada witnessed a significant inflow of Kosovar refugees due to the civil war between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. From 2009 to 2015, when US-led forces toppled the Iraqi government, as part of a multi-year commitment, Canada pledged to resettle 23,000Iraqi refugees, thus eventually settling more than 25,475 Iraqis. The recent Syrian civil war, the Talibanisation of Afghanistan, and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war have brought in a significant number of refugee migrants to the North American country.
This research will be done from the lens of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a club plying its trade in the top league of the United States i.e. Major League Soccer (MLS).
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC came into fruition in the year 1973, when Denny Veitch and Herb Capozzi officially announced the Vancouver Whitecaps franchise. Later on, Vancouver Whitecaps became the seventeenth franchisee of MLS (Major League Soccer) on 18th March 2009 by the incumbent MLS commissioner Don Gruber. They compete in the Western Conference of the league. Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a quintessential example of the existing multiculturalism in Canada as it employs, both part-time and full-time, employees from various cultures and nationalities. Furthermore, Whitecaps or Caps, as their supporters colloquially call them, have a stellar fan following in this bustling city of Vancouver.
Since Canada prides itself on a country laden with multi-ethnic culturalism, the Caps fanbase consists of people from myriad ethnicities and nationalities. This study reflects how soccer has aided the immigrants to this country and in what ways the sport unites people from multifarious nationalities and cultures. The study will be conducted from the perspective of Vancouver Whitecaps FC which is based out in the heart of the ebullient Vancouver city.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC has always indulged in multifarious community-building activities which also involve reaching out to the members of the migrant communities of the society. One of the regular pre-match activations during those MLS matches is the Kids Captain section where an inspiring young person is recognized who has demonstrated resilience as they overcame challenges in their young lives. Although this initiative is not specifically migrant-targeted activation, VWFC has brought in a lot of immigrant kids to act as the Kids Captain for a particular match. Also, Whitecaps FC has been perennially providing a platform to the migrant communities to get involved with society during soccer games through different initiatives. One such initiative was the Vaisakhi Night celebration at BC Place, the official stadium of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. On the 9th of April of this year when Whitecaps FC locked horns with the Portland Timbers it also hosted the clubs first-ever Vaisakhi night Saturday, celebrating the South Asian community and the Solar New Year (MLS). The club made sure the Sikh community of the South Asian region feel at home with a host of programs lined up for them. The regular supporters' march to the stadium was accompanied by dhol drummers from the Shan-e-Punjab Arts Club as well as members of the Sikh Motorcycle Club (MLS). Also, in the build-up to the match a Holi Masala food truck, henna and face painting, and DJ Emenes set had some South Asian fusion lined up for the fans. Furthermore, Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen, a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organization, which provides freshly prepared langar (food) to over 1,000 residents of Vancouvers Downtown Eastside weekly, gave away chai tea and fundraised for their organization. However, amidst all these activities, one initiative truly connected with the immigrant community of Sikhs. The Caps along with the local artist Sandeep Johal collaborated to prepare a Vaisakhi-themed logo of the club.
Pic Courtesy: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Such initiatives by the club have ensured that the club connects with various immigrant communities existing within Canadian society and makes them feel at home in the country.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC has traditionally attracted numerous players of different nationalities to be a part of their club playing staff. These players not only play a part in the success of the club on the field but also, off the field, unite the fans from different communities. Born to a Portuguese father and a Chinese mother, Ryan Raposo is a second-generation immigrant and a Canadian citizen playing regularly for the Caps' first team. In this accordance, it is imperative to write about Alphonso Davies, one of the biggest immigrant stars that played for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. At the meager age of 21 years, he is unarguably one of the biggest products of Canadian soccer, MLS, and in particular, the Whitecaps FC. Davies was born in Buduburam, a Ghanaian refugee camp after his parents had fled the civil war in Liberia (Bundesliga). He survived a life fraught with difficulties and uncertainties where his family struggled for necessities in the camp before immigrating to Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. He played around 65 matches for the Caps before making his multi-million transfer move to Bayern Munich, one of the biggest European clubs ever. After Davies gave a compelling speech at a FIFA Congress on behalf of North America's 'United bid' to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and after FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico, and the USA, Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of Soccer Canada said, "I don't know what you were able to see back home, whether they showed the photos or not, but they showed photos of him when he was five years old, him coming to Canada and Canada adopting him as his home country" (Bundesliga). These exact words of Mr. Montopoli are the manifestation of the entire crux of the thesis. The thesis will present a view on how soccer has perennially aided immigrants to resettle and find their footing in the North American country and how it has helped to sustain the existing multiculturalism in Canada.
Many types of research have been conducted and a broad set of studies has been performed to explore the importance of soccers immigrants and its significance to multi-culturalism in Canada. Therefore, Bundesliga (N.D) has stated that Canada is a country with heavy immigration and every year, the resentment of the multiculturism will shed light on how soccer has been invaluable to the economic situation. Apart from that, Canadians have a tendency in reducing discrimination and encourage the entire implementation of multiculturism programs.
Problem Statement The paper is also going to take into account the impact that has been generated by soccer on multiculturism and the resettlement of the various number of migrants that are present in the country. The importance of soccer in this field is highly important for this research paper as it directly impacts the current problems that are being faced by Canada and it is also taking into account the present perspective of the market and the current steps that are being undertaken to solve the problems of migrants that are present in Canada. The confederation of Canada has attracted a lot of immigrants over the years and multifarious factors have aided in the resettlement of these immigrants. This particular study particularly concentrates on the presence of a huge number of immigrants in Canada and how soccer impacts their lives including economic and personal well-being. In terms of the current perspective of Canada, it can be stated that there are wide opportunities present for the research paper to contribute positively to the aforementioned topic that has been identified. In terms of looking at the problem, it must also be stated that different aspects are going to be initiated in the research paper and the main objectives of the paper will be directed at the research problem that has been identified.
Research Aim and ObjectivesThe purpose or rather the aim of the paper states to initiate the importance of how soccer impacts the immigrants and the multiculturism in Canada with a backdrop of the Vancouver Whitecaps case study.
ObjectivesTo critically identify the importance of the resettlement of immigrants in Canada.
To analyze the impact of soccer on immigrants and multiculturalism in Canada. To develop strategies for soccer to manage multiculturalism in Canada.
Research QuestionsWhat is the importance of resettlement of the immigrants that are present in Canada?
What is the impact of soccer on immigrants and multiculturalism in Canada?
How to develop strategies for soccer to manage multiculturism in Canada?
Summary of the Literature ReviewWith the context of the thesis, its quite evident that the country of Canada and the conducive environment it provides has proven to be an integral ingredient in welcoming immigrants. Concerning the existing society of the country, Emerson (2021) has stated that the society of the country is multi-cultured and it focuses on the multifarious facts and their relation to the proclaimed kaleidoscope of the myriad traditions and culture. Further, the main purpose of the study was to gauge the ways how soccer proves as a catalyst for immigrants to eventually become a part of this vibrant and multicultural society. Hence, about the aforementioned context, Berry (2021) has adroitly portrayed the importance of soccer and how through myriad ways as it aids the resettlement of migrants and also, how helps in maintaining the balance of the multifarious cultures within the country. On the other hand, reviewing the statement, Kauffman (2021) has stated that soccer competition mainly depends upon the source of the audience that attempts to play a profound role in binding the various communities. It also encourages or states the balance maintaining of the myriad culture and their pre-existence within the society.
Further, the literature review section also portrayed the gestation period that gratifies the payoff of the toils of post-migration life. Thus, in this context, Kwon (2018) has stated that soccer has helped or rather made a pact of helping the migrants to sustain the initial hardships. The prevalent relationship between immigration and soccer elucidates the stimulation of the positive attitude of soccer toward immigrants and how it focuses on improving their lives in a foreign country through myriad touchpoints. Therefore, the immigrants find themselves attached to the sport and get involved in it either directly or indirectly and this has been evident as a common trait of accepting multiculturism in the country. Concerning the facts, Reitz (2021) has also implemented that acceptance of a sport like soccer aids the newcomer to come with a high number of multifarious reasons as they leave the homeland in search of greener pastures for maintaining the environment as well as the culture of the country for effective results in the end. Therefore, elucidating the more importance to the immigration with the involvement of the sports activity and make them comfortable in achieving the different benefits for them.
Apart from that, since more immigrants are getting directly involved with the game or rather the sport, it has proved to be a boon for the existing soccer clubs in the country. Thus, with the aforementioned context, it can be assumed and deduced that the persistent spurt in the growth in the audience of soccer clubs like the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Toronto FC can be attributed to the massive influx of the immigrant population within the country and their affiliation with these soccer clubs. Similarly, in this context, one can also assume and deduce that the migrant population has gradually proven to be one of the essential revenue sources for the club by attending the matches, the fact that has been candidly accepted and put into practice by these soccer clubs as they have started focusing on luring the migrant population through special matchday programs and trying to make the migrant communities a part of the club. Furthermore, migrant players have perennially been accepted in the setup of both Canadian mens as well as womens soccer teams including the likes of Alphonso Davies and Julie Grosso. Thus, Nkrumah (2021) has stated in this context that the players who are classified as migrants including the second-generation Canadians like Ali Ahmed, and Cristian Gutierrez have been quite active with the Whitecaps FC. These migrant players are considered genuine crowd pullers by the clubs which inadvertently aids the influx of essential revenue sources for the club. Their presence in the team setup enables the immigrant population to feel a part of the club, thereby leading to enhanced participation as spectators during the matchdays which eventually leads to increased gate receipts and increase revenue for the club.
Concerning the literature review section, Jing (2022) has stated that the migrant players have led Lago to have a reaffirmation of the Canadian football clubs with the fact that immigration is quite framed with a positive term and in relation to the expatriate players, the immigration origin of the country initiates to make the focus to be more affirmed and engaging to the game initiates to have a complete analysis of the situation. Further, with reference to the multiculturism and it retain to the cultural identities has been evaluated to have a complete focus to the migrants. Thus, through the analysis it can be conformed that promoting integration, and peace among the disparate groups with the other types of negotiation. Thus, in relation to the facts, other author has opined that multiculturism tends to allow the immigrants to retain the cultural identities and with the socially acceptable standard, the host nation initiates to have forecasted that Canada has always been a welcoming country and it focuses on the socially acceptable standards. Thus, in reference to the context, it can be portrayed through the review that the country and its relation to the society, the intertwining of the multiculturism and the soccer maintains to have a further identification of the distinct creeds with the idiosyncratic beliefs. Thus, it has portrayed that the migrants from the different countries were attributed with the societal and cultural issues in the host country. Thus, with the focus to the impact of the society, it has been observed that the soccer has entitled to prove that the existing residents of the host country makes the traditional success in bridging the gap between the immigrants and host countries.
Thus, through the discussion, it can be measured that the impact of the soccer and its importance in better implication in the entire focus with a better implication in the end. Thus, the review has been quite positive and one of the main reasons initiates the acceptance of the existing residents and points out that the impact of the football in Italy happens to have a pride with the means of overcoming the objective with the focus in initialising the political difficulties. On the other hand, it can be measured that the soccer related events initialise the pleasure and hedonism of the newly inducted members with the society and it is considered as the powerful bonding of the agent with the immigrants.
Research MethodologyTo have a concrete analysis of the research methodology, the first thing that needs to be discussed states the importance of the sources through which the information is calculated. Marsonet (2019) has stated that to have a complete analysis of the research, the researcher has focused on the positivism philosophy because it adheres to the main view and it appears to be factual as well as gained observation through basic observation. Furthermore, the research design is considered to be one of the complete frameworks that relies on to make the complete analysis of the techniques and methods collected for a better implication of the research in the end. Thus, the most important access to the information is collected from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary sources deal with newspapers, peer-reviewed articles as well as other relevant authentic sources for the veracity of the information. Thus, the descriptive design is initiated as it helps in addressing the information collected through the secondary and primary sources with a descriptive phenomenon (Murray 2019). Thus, it can be initialised that the importance of the collection of the data needs to be addressed and it focused on the research of the study in a descriptive manner.
To have a complete analysis of the facts and information collected, it is necessary in addressing the importance of the soccer with relation to the soccer impact on the multiculturism as well as on the immigrants with a relation to the Whitecaps case study. To have the generalized facts regarding the focus on the opening goals, determining both the sources enables in making the review of the research concrete and factual. The country is considered to be one of the heavily immigrated stories and with the positive reliance, the research has thrown a light to the sport that aids the resettlement of the migrants in the country with a massive support from the population consists of the migrants and refugees. Further, to have a basic analysis of the sampling technique and its sampling size. Thus, with the basic reference to the data analysis technique, it has been identified that a random survey has been initiated and it helped in focusing on the better proceeding of the minute details of the case study of the soccer and its immigrant in the multi-culturalism for effective relation in the country. Further, it can be portrayed from the saying that qualitative as well as quantitative data has been collected with the numeric and percentile advantage of the effective analysis of the thematic and numeric system of collecting and evaluating data. Further, the ethical consideration happens to be one of the effective tools in initialising the security of the data collected and keeping the privacy of the facts and information collected from the managers or the head staff of the football team. According to the referencing and implementing the analysis of the facts, the avoiding of plagiarism is considered to be one of the effective tools in initialising the utmost activity (Mkandawire 2019). On the other hand, all the information collected is based on the mixed method source and it has helped in initiating the proper way of better completion of the facts.
Secondary Sources FindingsThis section of the report discusses and evaluates the information collected through secondary sources and primary sources. The study of the secondary sources summarizes and establishes that Canada is a country that welcomes migrants from varied nationalities and myriad cultures with open arms. Thus, concerning the multifarious factors, the soccer has not only proved the leisure activity and also the existence of the migrant population and its aid in maintaining the multiculturism (Preston 2022). It can be stated that all the facts and information are collected from the secondary sources such as newspapers and articles. The information collected is considered to be authentic as the sources of the news article pages which is quite reliable and focuses on the recent advocacy of the facts and information collected. Apart from that, the paper discussed regarding the three main aspects and it focuses on the protection of the cultural heritage, the reduction if the discrimination and implement the multi-cultural programs with the initiatives (Duan 2021). According to the immigration history and refugee history of Canada, it centralizes the impact of the Canadian population to make the contribution of the newcomers to adopt the multicultural policy.
With further research and deep implementation of the immigration history, it has been observed that approximately 7.54 million Canadians were born and it implicates the percentile of the outstripping along with the official census (Vang 2019). On the other hand, the Canada admits the immigrants from the Eastern Europe follows the political changes and it includes the focus on the statistics of the Canadian population with projections. The immigrants and the representation happen to be in between 55.7% and 57.9% with all the immigrants. On the other section, another factor that is described states the refugee history in the country. Thus, it can be initialised that refugees and citizenship have been forced to leave the country and due to the war, violence, and persecution is based on the race, nationality, and political opinion due to the confederation (Banting 2021). It can be summarized that the entire aspect of initialising the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the club playing enhances to make its trade with an official announced franchise. The case study on Vancouver Whitecaps FC initiates to make the immigrants to be respected and initiates the importance of the Canada pride. Further, while initialising the indulged access in the multifarious community, it mainly involves the reaching out of the members with an analysis to the migrant communities. The entire research has been based on the impact of the soccer on multiculturism and immigrants. The football team and its perennial providence makes the demonstrated resilience in the targeted activities. One such initiative which is quite focused on the pre-match activations and its secure to the multi-ethnic culturism. Further, the study intends to reflect the bustling of the supporters who has the tendency in making the analysis of the greener pastures and migrant sustains the initial hardship with the benefits of the immigration in the initial hardships of the migrant life. Thus, the direct as well as the indirect involvement of the soccer stimulates the positive attitudes towards the benefits rather than the costs. In one factor of analysis, Harun (2021) has stated that myriad societal and the cultural issues of the host country traditionally proves to the success in bridging the gap in between the numerous examples with a communal identity and its pride in the means of quintessential example of the soccer creating the equality in the long run. Thus, Wagner (2013) has stated that to have a strong immigration of the bonding tool and its scattered initialization to the networking of the migrant communities and it ensure of the networking in them Thus, to have a successful initialization if the pleasure and hedonism maintains the Soccer to accept the bonhomie of the initialization in the long run. Therefore, to have a complete focus on the powerful bonding and its agency in centralizing the immigrant and communities with personal align to the established immigrant communities in the end.
Summary of the Primary FindingsThe respondents chosen for this study were various stakeholders associated with the club. Some of the respondents interviewed are associated with the club on a full-time basis while others volunteer for the club's activities including during the matchdays at BC Place, Vancouver. These interviews and perspectives are the focal points of the entire study and will present myriad ways in which soccer is aiding the immigrant population to resettle in Canada.
The parents of Marina Lin, a second-generation immigrant, came from Honduras to Canada during her juvenile days. A family of Chinese descent, the Lins migrated from the Central American country in a search of a better life. Marina is one of the eight children of the Lin family. She is now a second-generation migrant and a permanent citizen of Canada. Marina has been involved with both Vancouver Whitecaps FC as well as Canada Soccer for a few years now. She has been regularly volunteering for the matches of the Canadian national team hosted in accordance with Canada Soccer, the apex managing body of soccer in the North American country. Furthermore, she has also been a regular at all the Whitecaps FC home matches at BC place albeit on a part-time basis. Marina believes that this affiliation with the soccer industry helps her fight her solitude. Being a sexagenarian, soccer has provided her an outlet to mingle with society more often and come out of her shell. She believes soccer has given her a platform and the confidence to be out of her cocoon and hobnob with the other members of society. Furthermore, Marina insists that the entire Caps team works as a unit to produce the show. There is no alienation from her at these soccer events despite her being a second-generation immigrant as she informs that the Caps crew working at these matches is not just Candian. Though shes primarily a Canadian citizen, Marina reckons that through these soccer-related events she can also represent her Chinese heritage and be comfortable with it. When Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrated the Chinese Solar New Year during one of the soccer matches, she insists that she felt at home. She firmly believes that soccer as a sport has tremendous capability to unite the host residents and lakhs of other migrants setting down in Canada due to myriad reasons.
Sam Gannaway is a young Britisher who recently migrated to Canada in search of greener pastures. Hailing from the affluent suburbs of London, Sam worked for around 10 years in TV production. Sam has been associated with the soccer industry back in his homeland with him being the researcher for established brands like Sky Sports and its his familiarity with the sport that has made resettlement much easier in this country. When he decided to move out of his home country, Sam reckoned that the existing multiculturalism in Canada was one of the driving factors that brought him to this North American country.
Jehan has been working with Vancouver Whitecaps for 9 months on a full-time basis as the Community manager. Previously, for 7 years she was also associated with the Caps as the Whitecaps were one of the partners of her former company. Jehans father was a Ugandan while her mother was a Tanzanian born. Shes a second-generation immigrant after her parents came to Canada in search of greener pastures. She insists that soccer helps migrants to make new acquaintances and cronies in a foreign land as it acts as a common link between people of different nationalities and cultures since the migrants generally have various idiosyncratic traits and customs. According to her, a sport that is played, watched, followed, and admired by billions of people around the world certainly cements the whole Canadian society as one. Also, she reckons that soccer played a major role for her in mingling with children of the host country i.e., Canada as her parents got her admitted into a soccer coaching program where she was acquainted with the kids of different nationalities and cultures. It not only helped her to open up and feel confident in this alien country but also helped her parents resettle as they mingled with the parents of other participants in the soccer camp. Now, shes a manager for community engagement and she vouched that these engagements along with the soccer match aid the migrant population to feel a part of this country.
David Nana, an immigrant who came from Mexico to Canada believes there were multifarious reasons for his arrival in the North American country. David, a youngster in his late 20s, was getting quite impatient and felt despondent with the incumbent state of affairs in his home country, Mexico. He reckons that the country was embroiled in a state of economic and political turmoil. The belligerent forces were pursuing a quasi-war within the country and the nation was engulfed in a state of violence and corruption. Hence, he decided to look out for greener pastures and around 2 years back decided to migrate to Canada. David feels that Canada is a multicultural country with people of varied nationalities residing here. He admits that it wasnt easy for him initially as he wasnt acquainted with many people apart from a few other Mexican immigrants. Around a year back he joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC as a Matchday crew and he firmly believes that since his association with the soccer industry, he has found his resettlement in Canada much more lucid. He believes that soccer creates a common link amongst all the myriad communities residing in the country. Soccer aids the migrants, particularly the new ones, in breaking the ice with the residents of the host country and aids them in coming out of their shells in a foreign land. Furthermore, it helps them maintain their identities whilst becoming a part of this pluralistic society.
Ryan Sandhu is a third-generation immigrant who has been involved with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a full-time capacity. Ryans grandparents migrated to Canada from the South East Asian country of India. Ryan has also been associated with the game as a player as he has represented his university in various soccer tournaments. Ryan reckoned that soccer is a sport with which people from varied nationalities identify with this particular sport. Furthermore, Ryan asserts that soccer as a sport is accessible easily as theres no big money involved in it. Apart from this, he believes that there are several other ways through which soccer plays a big part in the resettlement of immigrants. As per him, the migrants need something to connect with the residents, meet them, and get accustomed to their language, customs, and traditions. Hence, he firmly believes that soccer plays a pivotal role in the lives of immigrants when they come over to Canada.
Soula Akbarieh migrated from Iran a few years back as a student and has been associated with Vancouver Whitecaps FC since then. He reckons that one of the best ways to become a part of the Canadian multiculturalist society was to work as a volunteer and hence join the football club. Since Soula is a self-confessed fan of this game, he asserts that getting associated with a soccer club not only gave him an opportunity to pursue his passion but also helped him acquire other skills like public speaking, and organizational behavior and eventually, played a major role in settling him down in this foreign country. Also, as he made his way towards a full-time job in Canada, the volunteer work that he did for the Caps helped him to understand the Canadian work culture too which inadvertently helped him settle into his new job environment. Another intriguing aspect that Soula mentioned was that whilst working for the Caps he met with different types of people. Some of them were younger than him while others were elder with more experience which further enriched his Canadian work experience. Furthermore, he met people of different nationalities with different accents and languages which helped him get versed with these myriad accents and thus feel a part of the society. Hence, he firmly believes that soccer played a predominant role for him in settling in this country as he learned about various cultures, met different people, and even got to know a great deal about the city of Vancouver.
German came to Canada from Mexico a few years back and has found this country as per his liking and comfort. He asserts that one of the reasons he migrated to Canada was the living conditions that he found quite conducive to resettling. One of the initial things he did when he landed in Vancouver was to buy season tickets for the city-based soccer club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC due to his love for the game. As he started going to these matches, he acquainted with a lot of people as they had a common interest i.e., soccer. In addition to this, German found his resettlement in Canada much easier when he found a regular job in the soccer industry through Vancouver Whitecaps FC. German further states that when he started working in Canada, his companys culture was more akin to Mexico as the majority of the employees as well as the employer was of Mexican descent. Through Vancouver Whitecaps, German insists that he was introduced to the Canadian work culture which helped him settle down in the new country as he saw people from different nationalities and cultures working together and sharing the same passion i.e., soccer.
From these primary findings, it can be deduced that the responses of these various stakeholders form the crux of the entire research paper and prepare a groundwork for the entire analysis. The undercurrent in their responses explicitly and distinctly maintains the fact that soccer as a sport, directly or indirectly, has provided a platform for the upliftment and well-being of the aforementioned immigrants. Their affiliation with soccer has not only provided them with economic assistance but has acted as a stimulant for them to resettle and become a part of this multiculturalistic Society of Canada.
On the other hand, the immigrant population happens to make a resettle, and thus the perspective through which the full-time is analyzed focuses on the immigrant population and aids in seeking the focal points of the entire study. To have the regular analysis of the aiding, the immigration of the permanent citizen of the country initiates to have a better outlook in the foreign run. According to a Canadian citizen, the confidence of the second generation informs the volunteering of the migrants settling down in soccer matches. Further, the entire analysis of the alienation includes the responses collected from Marina and other respondents.
Further, the paper has stated that soccer has been one of the analyses in the long run. Further, Vancouver Whitecaps celebrates Chinese solar-related events and it makes it quite reliable with the greener pastures and its focus on the tremendous capability of the affluent suburbs. Here, one of the respondents, Marina reckons through the second generation of facts more reliable and sophisticated in the long run.
Analysis/DiscussionFrom the perspective of the Canadian country, soccer and its impact on the immigrant and multiculturism has been based on the mixed method of sources. Thus, from the analysis, the authentic primary and secondary sources have helped in establishing the fact that soccer acts as an adhesive for the immigrants to sustain the initial hardships of migrating to a foreign land. Hence, from the above discussion, it can also be analyzed that authentic peer review has helped in focusing on the competition and the migrants with the sustained analysis of the gestation and its greener pastures which initiates the gratifying payoff. On the other hand, while analyzing the primary sources, the interview has been based on the accumulated responses of seven stakeholders who had initiated making the great context. Furthermore, one can aptly observe from the interview transcript in the appendix that the majority of the immigrants imply that soccer has a direct impact on multiculturism and immigrants. The major responses from the people establish that Canada is a multicultural society and they feel more accepted and safer in the country. Furthermore, it can also be analyzed that football or soccer has been quite welcoming to them because of the lifestyle in the country and also makes a case of the Canadian citizens neglecting or superseding their cultural boundaries. Equal respect and prosperity have helped in making the research more accurate with spirit and preservice. Throughout the interview and its responses, it can be detected that the interviewers have been focusing on time management and preferences that initiate the acceptance of people from different cultures and with lifestyle standards of the job opportunities for the immigrants.
The observations from the interviews conducted can be analyzed through the framework of Maslows hierarchy of needs. The responses from the interviews on how soccer aided them in their resettlement in Canada can be equated to the theory put forth by the psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943 in his published paper A Theory of Human Motivation. (BBC, Sept 2013). In the aforementioned paper, Maslow outlined five fundamental needs of humans which humans strive to get satiated in a particular order.
Humans tend to strive for the fulfillment of the next set of needs once a particular set of needs is satiated. E.g. Once the psychological needs of humans i.e. food, shelter, etc. are satiated then they strive for the next set of basic needs i.e. safety needs including personal security, employment, etc. We shall equate the responses to the basic needs as explained by Maslow and analyze whether soccer has aided the immigrants with the most basic needs of human beings.
Psychological needs: Soccer aids the immigrants in satisfying their bare minimum needs of providing food, shelter, etc. A lot of immigrants including the respondents are directly or indirectly involved in the operations of a football club such as Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Their involvement in the operations of the club ensures their economic well-being and also aids them in satisfying their basic psychological needs.
Safety needs: Safety needs include economic safety, personal safety, etc. The employees /respondents working with the football club are assured of satiation of such safety needs. David Nana, one of the respondents migrated to Canada to escape the incumbent economic and political turmoil in his home country. When he came to Canada and joined VWFC, he found his basic safety needs satisfied, and also, he went out to satisfy his other needs as established by Maslow.
Social needs: It is often said that human is a social animal and apart from basic needs they also crave a sense of love, belonging, sense of connection, etc. When Jehan, one of the respondents came to this country, she got into a soccer coaching program which according to her, helped to mingle with other children and aided her in feeling a part of the multiculturalistic Canadian society. Similarly, German, one of the interviewees, asserts that he quickly found a sense of belonging in Canada as his colleagues shared a common passion for soccer and hence it helped him to get accepted at his workplace quite lucidly.
Further, while initializing the secondary sources of authentic analysis, the discussion reflects the importance of the resettlement of the migrants and also to have a complete focus on the life of the migrants and sustaining the pre-existing multiculturalism despite the peace and among the disparate of the type of negotiation. Thus, it can be stated that multiculturism allows one to retain the cultural identities to be more precise and while initiating the distinct creeds, the Canadian company can have a great impact while focusing on the soccer game. Therefore, it can deliver those migrants from other countries attributed to those cultural issues and the myriad issues within the host country. Hence, through the discussion, it can be depicted that soccer has been traditionally proven to be successful in bridging a gap between the immigrants and the host residents. As the country is welcoming, the cultural attribute is concise and it focuses on the cardinal role with vivid cultural identities. Apart from that, the impact of the game and its mean in the country is quite successful and it has made a high profile in identifying the positive impact of the sense of communal identity and creating or rather establishing a harmonious relationship, the social change along with the positive change is encouraged between the divided societies.
RecommendationTo have a complete analysis of the research study, it can be centralized that the entire focus is dependent on the entire focus on the integrative role, and with the professional adjustments, it can be recommended that the derived application of the multiculturism and immigrant can be executed by conducting a survey to the team performance and it derives implication to the intercultural experiences. Thus, Hoover (2018) has stated that sports like football have the tendency in uniting the social as well as the culture by bringing together the effective way of integrating immigrants into the American culture that can bring in the effective conduction of the sport conduction in the success of the team and its implementation in the end. Further, the whole community of Canada initiates to make the whole access more reliable and community with the collective energy. Apart from that, it can be recommended that to have more reliable access in understanding the impact of the department and planning is based on strategic decision making and focus on the multi-cultural aspects rather than cultural differences.
ConclusionFrom the above discussion, it can be recommended that the impact of soccer on immigrants and multiculturism is based upon the various stakeholders who initiate the perspective of the respondents for better analysis of the paper. Apart from that, that, the entire collection of the information is processed through the mixed method of finding and it initiates the importance of the soccer industry in the country. As it has been observed that the country is more effective and it tends to make access more worthy and fruitful. Canada is considered one of the most welcoming countries and thus, the impact is quite fruitful and profound. The research paper is capable of identifying the current issue that is being faced by Canada due to the presence of a huge number of immigrants.
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Appendix
Interview transcript:
Marina Lin:
Question 1. Tell us something about your origin.
Answer. I am a second generation Canadian and belong to Honduras. My parents are of Chinese descent and have immigrated into Canada to lead a better life.
Question 2. How have you been involved in football in Canada?
Answer. I have been involved in Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Canada Soccer. I regularly volunteer for the Canadian national team.
Question 3. How has soccer helped you?
Answer. Soccer has helped me in several ways. Being involved in soccer I am able to fight my loneliness and depression. The players participating in the soccer matches come from different countries. They play as one team which creates a sense of brotherhood and unity among them.
Question 4. Why do you prefer staying in Canada?
Answer. There are several aspects which makes Canada among the most desirable countries for immigrants. First of all, Canada is economically very strong. It can provide great job opportunities and standard of life. The country has a multicultural society. As immigrants we feel more accepted and safe in Canada than most of the countries.
Sam Gannaway:
Question 1. Tell us something about your origin.
Answer. I am a British by birth. I have been associated with football even while I was in Britain.
Question 2. How have you been involved in football in Canada?
Answer. I go watch football matches in Canada. I am the member of a football club and play football regularly. I volunteer for the national football team of Canada.
Question 3. How has soccer helped you?
Answer. It has helped me in several ways. You see I am a businessman and into TV production. In my profession you have to take accurate business decisions really really fast. One wrong decision may lead your business to crash. While playing football that is exactly what players do..take accurate decisions very fast. You can learn team spirit and perseverance, so important to run business successfully.
Question 4. Why do you prefer staying in Canada?
Answer. Job opportunities. Lifestyle. And yes a society welcoming people irrespective of country and cultural boundaries.
Jehan:
Question 1. Tell us something about your origin.
Answer. I am of mixed origin. My father is from Uganda and mother from Tanzania
Question 2. How have you been involved in football in Canada?
Answer. I have been working with Vancouver Whitecaps for 9 months on full time basis.
Question 3. How has soccer helped you?
Answer. It teaches time management and perseverance.
Question 4. Why do you prefer staying in Canada?
Answer. So many of reasons. Lifestyle, job opportunities and openness to people from different cultures and countries.
David Nana
Question 1. Tell us something about your origin.
Answer. I am of Canadian origin
Question 2. How have you been involved in football in Canada?
Answer. I play football regularly and am associated with several local Canadian football clubs..
Question 3. How has soccer helped you?
Answer. In several ways. Team spirit, perseverance, time management, conflict management and leadership skills just to name a few.
Question 4. Why do you prefer staying in Canada?
Answer. Its acceptance of people from different cultures is the primary reason. Lifestyle standards and job opportunities are there as well.
