Vancouver Whitecaps FC had an outstanding year, both on and off the pitch. On the pitch, the team set several club records and off it, the club worked equally hard to make a difference in the community through a number of programs and initiatives.
This year, the club’s three main community pillars were cancer research and prevention, mental health initiatives and promoting healthy living through grassroots youth soccer. Though the club is dedicated to these focuses, it also supported a wide variety of other charitable organizations and causes. For 2014, the ‘Caps participated in over 400 community events. And for the second year in a row, Whitecaps FC won the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest, and raised over $250,000 for Canadian Cancer Society through 50/50 proceeds!
Here’s a look back on more stories from this year:
Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games
Members of Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined Team BC for a friendly match at their first soccer training camp in January. This kicked off a morning of skills training at the North Shore Girls Soccer Club indoor field and was followed by educational sessions, to help train for the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games in Vancouver.
During the month of May the ‘Caps participated in the #BuckUp for mental health campaign and raised over $21,000 for Clara’s Big Ride, The Kettle Society and Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division!
Vancouver Whitecaps FC alumni played a match against a young AC Campobasso team in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Back Society, who collected over 30,000 pounds of food to help those in need within our community.
Michael Cuccione Foundation Kick for a Cure
In July, Whitecaps FC club president Bob Lenarduzzi, club ambassador Carl Valentine, mascot Spike, and some players participated in the sixth annual Michael Cuccione Foundation’s Kick for a Cure event and helped raise funds and awareness for the Childhood Cancer Research Program.
In July, Whitecaps FC participated in a four-day soccer camp put on by the Vancouver Police Department and KIA Canada. This camp, directed towards inner city youth, featured dozens of games and drills and even included a special visit by Whitecaps FC club ambassador Carl Valentine, mascot Spike, and defender Christian Dean.
VI Coast Salish 3rd Annual Hope and Health Event
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson, club ambassador Carl Valentine, staff and over 10 players arrived in Nanaimo, B.C. for the third annual VI Coast Salish Hope and Health Event. The first day began with an inspiring 'Evening of Champions' featuring keynote speeches and special appearances by former professional hockey player Theo Fleury, and a performance from recording artist Kimberly Caldwell – with the help of fiancé Jordan Harvey. The second day featured a camp filled with soccer skills, coaching and goalkeeper clinics.
During the month of August, club ambassador Carl Valentine, mascot Spike, Whitecaps FC executives and ‘Caps players spent an unforgettable day at Camp Goodtimes, a medically supervised camp run by the Canadian Cancer Society for children with cancer and their families. During their visit, the ‘Caps spent the day playing soccer, acting out skits and making bracelets.
MLS WORKS named Whitecaps FC representative Bill Yoachim as the 2014 Community MVP, a league-wide contest that acknowledges someone who is committed to making a difference in their local community. As the MLS WORKS Community MVP, Yoachim received $10,000 to Hope and Health – the charity of his choice – and an all-expenses paid trip to the AT&T MLS All-Star game in Portland, Oregon.
Whitecaps FC and Make-A-Wish Foundation teamed up to make six-year-old Jaydon’s wish come true. Jaydon’s wish was to attend a Whitecaps FC game with his soccer team, but he received so much more! The team received VIP transportation to and from the match, a stadium and locker room tour, and had the opportunity to play on the field at halftime!
On September 17, Whitecaps FC made a special visit to BC Children’s Hospital to spend time with patients and their families. The entire Whitecaps FC team, mascot Spike, head coach Carl Robinson, assistant coach Martyn Pert, goalkeeper coach Marius Rovde, club ambassador Carl Valentine and Whitecaps FC staff joined the boys in Blue and White for the unforgettable visit.
In support of Literacy Month, Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi, club ambassador Carl Valentine, midfielder Nicolás Mezquida and a number of front office staff took to the streets bright and early exchanging special edition copies of the Vancouver Sun for donations in support of Raise-a-Reader Day.
Whitecaps FC defender Jordan Harvey, club ambassador Carl Valentine and ‘Caps staff grew moustaches to help change the face of men’s health by raising funds and awareness for men’s health initiatives. The ‘Caps team raised a total of $2,451 for the 2014 Movember campaign!
For the third consecutive year, Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi and his son Ryan participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out Executive Edition. Bob and Ryan, alongside executives, leaders and public figures around Vancouver, showed their support to help end youth homelessness by raising funds and awareness for this worthy cause. Bob and Ryan raised a total of $11,025!
To kick off the holiday season, club president Bob Lenarduzzi, club ambassador Carl Valentine and mascot Spike spent a morning getting snow globed with fans in support of The Kettle Society. All photos were by donation and the proceeds went to help British Columbians living with mental illness.
2014 Whitecaps FC Humanitarian of the Year
The 2014 season has been a rewarding and memorable year for Vancouver Whitecaps FC both on and off the pitch. Humanitarian of the Year is an award that recognizes a player who goes above and beyond to give back to the community. This year’s Humanitarian of the Year award went to goalkeeper David Ousted. David has been an outstanding ambassador for the club leading in the number of charitable appearances this season, while also serving the ‘Caps community through several community camps and clinics.
