Cape Breton University Soccer Program Attracts International Talent

a diverse group of young men in plain athletic training gear stretching and talking on a grass soccer field, with tall coastal pine trees and a slightly overcas

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Building a Premier Soccer Program at Cape Breton University

The Cape Breton University (CBU) men's soccer team has become one of Canada's leading university soccer programs by embracing the global nature of the sport. The team's current success is driven in large part by a diverse roster featuring talent from around the world.

Diverse and International Roster Sets CBU Apart

This season, the Capers boast 12 international players hailing from seven different countries, including New Zealand, Scotland, Israel, and Kenya. This number far exceeds the U Sports average of just three international athletes per team. Such diversity is a cornerstone of the team's strategy and on-field achievements.

Coach Deano Morley's Global Vision

Head coach Deano Morley, originally from Nottingham, England, has been integral to CBU's soccer rise. Morley joined the program as a player in 2004 and has been head coach since 2014. Under his guidance, Cape Breton University has captured seven out of the last 12 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) titles and won two national championships. Morley emphasizes the importance of bringing together players from various backgrounds, saying the program's unique environment fosters life-long friendships and personal growth for its athletes.

Challenges and Opportunities for International Athletes

Morley notes that for many of his international recruits, a professional soccer career in their home country seemed unlikely, making CBU an appealing opportunity to combine athletics with education. "It's a very cruel sport and one per cent make it to the professional level and then a lot of lads are left not knowing what they're going to do in life,” he says. The chance to join a competitive program abroad provides these athletes with a renewed sense of purpose and development both on and off the field.

International Players Find a Home in Cape Breton

Jamie Nicholson, a fourth-year business student and team captain from North Petherton, England, initially knew nothing of Cape Breton. After being contacted by Morley and watching some matches, he recognized the high level of the program and decided to join. Similarly, Jamie Wildash-Chan from New Zealand transferred to CBU after observing the Capers' strong reputation during a national banquet the previous year. Both players say that living in campus residence and the strong sense of camaraderie among teammates made adjusting to life in Canada easy and enjoyable.

Cape Breton Hospitality Bridges the Gap

Local players also play a key role in helping international teammates settle in. Jacek Marmulak, a fourth-year science student from Sydney, Nova Scotia, acts as a guide for new recruits, demonstrating the hospitality for which the region is known and ensuring that all team members feel welcome and supported.

Looking Ahead

This year, the Capers entered the national tournament in Victoria, ranked second in the country. After a first-round loss to the University of Alberta, they moved into the consolation round, continuing to carry the banner for Cape Breton University soccer on the national stage.