MLS WORKS and Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Bobby Samra, Whitecaps FC’s representative has won the league-wide MLS WORKS Community MVP contest.
The MLS WORKS Community MVP contest is a league-wide contest that acknowledges someone who is committed to making a difference in their local community. The winner receives $10,000 to the charity of their choice and an all-expenses paid trip to the AT&T MLS All-Star game in Kansas City.
Samra was chosen as Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Community MVP for his work as an educator and a soccer coach. He is a vice principal in Surrey, BC and has coached soccer for over 25 years. He first started coaching straight out of high school and fell in love with teaching and working with kids. Since then, he has coached soccer at every school he has been at and has even had former students return to help him. Samra is currently developing a soccer program with Central City Soccer Club and the Surrey School District for kids with mental health issues.
“I am thrilled to be announced as the winner of this contest,” said Bobby Samra, 2013 MLS WORKS Community MVP. “I will be donating the money from the contest to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a cause that is personally very important to me and my family. I would like to thank everyone for voting and for all of the incredible support we’ve received these past two weeks.”
Bobby Samra was up against seventeen other Community MVPs in the journey to become the 2013 MLS WORKS Community MVP. The race was close towards the end with Montreal Impact and the ‘Caps vying for the top spot. In the final stretch, Whitecaps FC was able to take the lead over the Impact’s Community MVP, Benoit Labonte.
“Congratulations to Bobby Samra, who has been crowned the MLS WORKS Community MVP,” said Bob Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC president. “We are very proud of Bobby and all that he has done for our community. I would also like to congratulate Montreal Impact and Benoit Labonte. We hope that through this contest we can continue to encourage local involvement and grow the sport of soccer in BC and Canada.”
