VANCOUVER, BC – Whitecaps FC chief executive officer and sporting director Axel Schuster confirmed on Thursday a new organizational alignment and focus as the club prepares for its second decade in Major League Soccer.
“Today is all about our fans, our partners and the communities we serve,” said Schuster. “It is with this singular focus that we will align all aspects of the club around super serving each of these essential groups. We will have a new senior leadership team with the majority new to the club, including myself. We will continue to be community leaders and take meaningful action with a new department focused on community, diversity and inclusion. We will also build a new department for fans and members that will provide a deeper connection with a new WFC Membership Club. I am thankful to our ownership for their full support as we continue to invest in and strengthen our overall leadership and club.”
Later this year, the club will add two new senior leaders in a new chief revenue officer and a chief marketing officer. These new leaders will bring proven track records as architects and builders of organizations and results. The new additions, along with Rachel Lewis and Tom Plasteras will complete the senior leadership group with Schuster at the helm.
Schuster arrived in Vancouver in November 2019 as the club’s sporting director and six months later was also appointed chief executive officer.
Whitecaps FC will continue to be a leader in the community and take action to effect meaningful and lasting positive change. The club will add a director of community, diversity and inclusion to join the management structure of the club and is in the process of creating a working group to learn, understand, empathize and advocate for tangible progress with respect to racial injustice.
“As we said in early June, we are very serious in our commitment to help make our community better, more just and more inclusive. Action is needed and we intend to use our platform to promote equality and be a leader in social justice. Together with our fans, our partners, our staff and our players we know we can make it happen.”
The club will also connect more deeply with its supporters and fans by hiring a director of fans and members and launching a WFC Membership Club open to anyone from anywhere. The purpose of the membership club is to enable more effective communication between the club and its fans, provide them the ability to engage with their club, provide input, and receive information and advantages.
“Supporters and fans are the lifeblood of any club. During my first 10 months, I have listened and connected with a number of our supporters. Our director of fans and members will do the same. We are one of the oldest clubs in North America and have a long and storied history. We understand we need to work on our relationships with our supporters and fans, and that this is an area we will grow and develop. We will work on building a deeper connection with our fans by giving them a more meaningful way to participate in their club.”
Earlier this week, Whitecaps FC announced a new role for Vanni Sartini as director of methodology for all programs in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC purpose is to unite and inspire its communities. Whitecaps FC is one of the longest standing professional soccer clubs in North America, having originally been founded in 1974. Since 2011, the club has played in Major League Soccer, the top tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. Whitecaps FC are a fully integrated club, housing one of the most unique soccer development programs in North America, starting from grassroots and including professional development programs for both boys and girls, with a goal to provide a safe and welcoming environment so that all participants can thrive and achieve their potential. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com.
