As Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrate the 50th Anniversary, the club was honoured this week by both the City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia.
VANCOUVER, BC & VICTORIA, BC – On Wednesday morning, the City of Vancouver proclaimed May 4 as Whitecaps FC 50th Anniversary Day.
Present for the event inside the Council Chamber were Mayor Ken Sim, Councillors Adriane Carr, Mike Klassen, and Lenny Zhou, as well as Whitecaps FC players Ryan Gauld, Sam Adekugbe, Ali Ahmed, Ryan Raposo, and Brian White, chief executive officer Axel Schuster, head coach Vanni Sartini, chief administrative officer & general counsel Manav Deol, chief financial officer Lisa Abbate, vice president of community & social impact Jennifer Scott, as well as alumni who also works in the front office including vice president of ticketing sales & service Randee Hermus, club liaison Bob Lenarduzzi and liaison of player & club engagement Tosaint Ricketts.
On Thursday, Whitecaps FC were recognized by the Province of British Columbia. The morning began with an introduction from the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, followed by a luncheon. In the afternoon, The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, The Honourable Grace Lore, Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, and The Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake congratulated the club on reaching this historic milestone. Whitecaps FC alumni and island residents Nico Craveiro, Doug McInty, and Buzz Parsons all joined in on the day alongside Hermus, Lenarduzzi, Schuster, Scott, and club ambassdor Carl Valentine.
The day concluded with a youth soccer clinic on the parliament lawn, as part of the ‘Caps United School Program, funded by Sport BC. The program is free and focuses on introductory soccer skill instruction, with curriculum designed to support important topics such as anti-bullying, anti-racism, physical health, and mental wellness. In 2024, more than 14,000 students have already participated.
Fifty Together
Celebrate the club’s 50th Anniversary, presented by BMO, Chevrolet, and MNP, all season long. Learn more about the club’s storied history at www.whitecapsfc50.com.
