Each year, Whitecaps FC selects a Community MVP who uses soccer as a tool to make a difference in their community. The winner of the league-wide MLS Works Community MVP contest receives $10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.
Whitecaps FC is proud to have Susan Dhillon as the club's 2016 Community MVP!
For the last 6 years, Dhillon has dedicated her time to volunteering as the President of the Marpole Soccer Association in Vancouver. She has been coaching soccer for many more years, currently coaching a highly successful Marpole U16 Girls team.
Dhillon never misses a practice or a match and treats her parents and their players like they are her own family.
“You get to know people not just as athletes you coach, but as individuals, and you just become a family,” she said. “You establish lifelong relationships.”
For being selected as the Whitecaps FC Community MVP, Dhillon has won a trip to Thursday's MLS All-Star Match in San Jose and $1,000 to donate to the charity of her choice, KidSport BC. If Dhillon goes on to win the league-wide Community MVP contest, a total of $10,000 will be donated to KidSport BC.
KidSport BC is a non-profit organization that aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent some children from playing organized sport.
“It’s not fair for kids to get left behind,” Dhillon said. “Like KidSport’s motto says, they do it so that all kids can play. They believe that no child should be sidelined because of the financial component – parents not being able to pay. I believe in that too.”
In 2015, KidSport issued nearly $1.8 million in grants to over 8100 kids. An additional $10,000 would allow even more underprivileged kids to register and participate in organized sports.
“I see them sending the cheques to these kids so their registration fees are paid and they can play,” Dhillon said. “It’s tremendous what they do – they deserve it.”
When asked what it means to her to be selected as the Whitecaps FC Community MVP, Dhillon is at a loss for words.
“It’s very humbling,” she said. “There are so many volunteers out there that give their time. To be chosen to be Whitecaps FC’s Community MVP – it’s just hard to express. It’s honouring.”
Show your support by voting for Susan and help her win $10,000 to donate to KidSport BC!
Fans can vote an unlimited number of times until Thursday, July 28 at 1 p.m. PT. The winner of the MLS WORKS Community MVP contest will be announced during the MLS All-Star match on Thursday in San Jose.
