Netanya to Cape Breton: A 19-Year-Old Israeli Midfielder's Journey to Becoming a Caper

 By IAIN KING

NICKOLAS SHIFRIN was searching for a coach who was a kindred soccer spirit, someone who sees the game the way he does. He found him in CBU Men's program lead Deano Morley and that's why the 19-year-old Israeli midfielder will make the trip from his hometown of Netanya this Fall to become a Caper.

Much is made of a coach's tactical knowledge, their grasp of the Xs and Os, yet the truth is at the elite level they would not survive without those skills in their locker. The most important game is always "The Relationship Game". When Nickolas spoke to Deano about what they could look to achieve together the National title-winning boss won this one.

"My education was important in my mind, and I know I have the options I want at CBU and also that I have five years to develop there as both a player and a person," says Nickolas. "I also came to realise that the challenge in Cape Breton was different, and I felt that what Deano brought to the table as a coach was unique. He made me feel as if the story that I have the chance to be a part of here will be very different from what I could have had anywhere else. That is so important to a player, I felt excited and challenged. We kept coming back to the word intense and that's what I need. He is a good man, I sensed that right away."

At 6-foot 1inch Nickolas is an imposing figure as he patrols his favoured beat as a central defensive midfield player.

With some key seniors graduating out of the group who became the number one team in the country with that unforgettable U SPORTS National title win over Montreal Carabins, Coach Deano needs big figures to step in. "We are focussed on targeted recruitment to ensure we continue to push forward, and Nickolas is a significant signing", states Coach Morley. "It is easy to talk about his size, power, and strength. He is excellent defensively, and a beast in the air, but more than that I loved his desire, the character he shows on the football pitch. I studied the amount of ground he covers for the team. He stood out to me from the first time I saw him".

From their first conversation, Deano felt a connection. He looks for commitment, passion, and a drive to be better and felt Nickolas ticked all the boxes. "The best part of my job is having the ability to provide young men who deserve it the chance to come and represent the best island in the world and I know Nickolas will represent and fight for us in a brilliant way. He is going to have a great impact on the game of football in Canada at the university level and beyond, I am excited to watch his development and see what he achieves."

Nickolas, who graduated from Tchernichovsky High School in his hometown which is near Tel Aviv, will study a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies and a Bachelor of Business Administration program at CBU. He has carefully considered his options off the field; on it he is quietly confident about what he can bring to a powerhouse program. "We have a lot of Israeli players who have made it in European pro leagues now which is great, but I don't really have role models," reveals Nickolas. "I feel you have to make your own way in this game, and I believe firstly that I can bring my physicality to help CBU". Nickolas stated that he always tries to play the game with a calm head, use the ball well, and bring a goal threat. "Playing as a central defensive midfielder has always been the slot I feel that suits my skillset best."

Players of Nickolas' calibre have options when it comes to leaving their homeland and pondering what their next step should be. The culture of the program they commit to is crucial and that was another key piece in pulling the Israeli prospect towards Cape Breton. "I started to fall in love with the game as a five-year-old kid, I used to cry a lot as I hated losing so much," smiles Nickolas. "That hasn't changed, the will to win is the same, I just don't cry so often these days! The competitive spirit is always there though. That part of me grew as I played through the ranks at Maccabi Netanya".

Nikolas feels he matured at Petah Tikva and then his personal trainer introduced him to his current agent and discussed the opportunities he would have to grow as a player in America or Canada. "My choice was Canada because I sensed the culture will suit me at CBU and I feel I have made the right one."

CBU's second National title win in November – six years after the first in 2017 – is now a big lure for players who want to take the next important step in their development. "I have seen all the coverage of the National Finals and that makes you think it would be cool to experience a piece of that," admits Nickolas. "To come into a squad like this is a big challenge and I don't expect any special treatment. I just want to come and play for CBU". Nickolas feels the standard of soccer at the top U SPORTS level is excellent. His first choice is to make it as a professional player, that dream remains unchanged.

"Before this process I didn't know anything about Canada if I am honest but now I have studied the campus and the island looks so beautiful. I can't wait to get there."