The Multicultural League can only be described as a success.
The spring soccer league that started in 1999 as a means for local kids to participate in an inexpensive and competitive environment has, 25 years later, become a thriving alternative for area high school boys and girls soccer players looking to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Oscar Monteblanco who was part of the initial group — which included Olga Acuna, Dr. Saideth Hahhighi Khochkhou, Carlos Monteblanco and Enrique Abad — that started the league a quarter-century ago. Oscar Monteblanco, who is also the Director of Coaching for the Hillsboro Rush, said that while he considers it in many ways to be “his baby,” in reality he has just been a part of a group of dedicated people using the game of soccer as a tool to helping area youth.
“For me, the 25 years with the league has not been an accident, for this has been a collaboration of a number of people, institutions, schools, rec programs, you name it,” Monteblanco said. “This was never a one-man show, but rather an endeavor by a lot of people to help people through the game.”
Initially, Monteblanco said the Multicultural League was made up entirely by minority students who like himself as a young man were trying to navigate a new country, a new language — and an overall new culture. Throughout the years, however, as many of these students began their own assimilation process within a new culture, a new shift began for this league, which today has a better representation of the diversity of the area — as he ultimately hoped it would.
“The intent was never to segregate,” Monteblanco said. “The idea for me was to find another way to integrate these kids into a system that they didn’t know, and the competitive soccer environment, which I am part of, that is not always accessible to all.
“Club soccer is an expensive proposition for many families, and because of that, not always a feasible path for many young players.”
This past season — which ended earlier this month — consisted of 25 boys teams and 10 girls teams, nearly all from the Portland Metro Area, but with some as far south as Salem.
Players must be attending a local high school and typically would play with others as part of a team representing said school — which is how Monteblanco wants it.
“That was very important to me in regard to keeping every school under their own identity,” he said. “I didn’t want this to have a club flavor.”
His vision includes the price, which is roughly $650 per team or $25 to $35 per player — all of which goes to a cause near and dear to Monteblanco’s heart.
“It is important to know that all income generated from the league goes into a scholarship established a year ago under my grandmother’s name, Dora Monteblanco,” he said. “She was a very influential person in my life, and perhaps the one person who taught me to give back, so I couldn’t think of a better way to invest in our youth community.”
Area high school teachers and administrators that have been involved with the league speak volumes to it as it pertains to integrating new kids to the community.
“Multicultural soccer has benefited both newcomers and students who enjoy the sport but lack the confidence to try out for the JV or varsity teams because they do not feel connected to the school or believe they are not talented enough,” Forest Grove School District District Data and Assessment Coordinato Juan Lopez said. “It has provided a platform and safe haven for them to form a community and engage using the universal soccer language.”
Southridge High School Multi Coordinator Cindy Calderon Samayoa also spoke to the organization’s merits.
“The Multicultural Soccer League and our Southridge High School Multi-Club gives the opportunity to those students who have a passion for soccer but may not be able to participate or make it onto the school team or can’t afford the fees,” she said. “Our team invites any student who wants to be a part of a team to find a sense of belonging.
“We do as much fundraising as we can to be able to give these students the opportunity to get out on the field and play ... always reminding them that at the end of the day, win or lose, they are all winners, and the most important thing is that they are a soccer family, no matter the country, the language, religion, etc.”
As the Multicultural League continues to evolve, part of that evolution is its further investment in the women’s game. Monteblanco recently hired former Hillsboro High School and University of Portland standout Bri Miyama as the Rush’s Girls Technical Director, and hopes that by doing so he and the organization will be at the tip of the spear regarding what he feels is a much-needed infusion of female coaches — at all levels.
“I would argue there is a lack of female coaches at the top of our competitive club industry, and most young women considering a career as a Technical Director or DOC in our current soccer landscape might be put off by the dominance of male coaches in top roles,” Monteblanco said. “This was a no-brainer hire for us at Hillsboro RUSH, as we are trying to be part of the solution at the top level.”
Some of Miyama’s responsibilities as Technical Director include coaching and skill development, but also consist of developing similar positions for other female coaches and simply “being there” for young coaches or players seeking advice.
Miyama is honored and excited by the position, and in many ways believes the position itself is an important step for prospective women in the industry.
“I think it’s important to have role models who are female figures, and not just in soccer, but in all sports for girls, and I think this is a huge piece and something that I’m very fortunate to be involved with right now,” she said. “I think it takes a lot of support and resources that the RUSH have available to us to be able to make something like this happen, and for that I’m appreciative.”
Miyama added that she was fortunate to have strong female soccer presences growing up, and as a result, appreciates what that can mean to a girl learning the game. Additionally, she added that it’s exciting for her to again be a part of the team and relationship building process that comes with training and playing soccer, but this time to have that experience as a coach.
“Some of those friendships are some of the longest lasting ones that I’ve had,” she said, “so, to be able to have that on the coaching level and the leadership level of a team, I think is going to really be invaluable to their and my experience on the field and off.”
And now, with 25 years behind them and hopefully countless more ahead, Miyama is excited for what’s to come, and Monteblanco is excited to have her helping to spearhead what they hope is a very bright future for the Multicultural league, and soccer in and around Washington County.
“Under Bri, I feel very comfortable that our program is in good hands,” Monteblanco said. “Her background with the coalition and club experience is unique, and she was well both at the lower levels and certainly in college, so she brings a unique perspective that she’ll be passing along to our girls, and all our kids.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0