Bob Mackin
Soccer is taking centre stage at B.C. Place Stadium in June and July, during the FIFA World Cup.
But, on April 15, the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame highlighted the beautiful game when it named its class of 2026, including former Vancouver Whitecap Les Wilson, former women’s national team star Silvana Burtini and the 2006 W-League champion Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team.
Wilson graduated from the Westminster Royals to England’s Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964. Burtini was a member of Canada’s first entry in a Women’s World Cup in 1995.
Vancouver Whitecaps women won the 2006 W-League championship at Swangard Stadium. Andrea Neil (number 5) was captain and assistant coach.
The honour for the 2006 Whitecaps means Andrea Neil is entering the hall for a third time. The 2007 team and 2012 individual inductee captained and assistant coached the two-time W-League champion. The 2006 roster included the core of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics: Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt and Erin McLeod.
To Neil, both Wilson and Burtini are trailblazers. Moreso for Burtini, who played internationally from 1997 to 2003 and was a link to the genesis of the program.
“When you look at the names, it’s a wonderful legacy,” Neil said. “It was the foundation for Canada’s Olympic success and later the [Northern Super League’s] Vancouver Rise.”
Class of 2026 roster
Athletes: Doug Brown (football), Justin Kripps (bobsleigh), Georgia Simmerling (cycling/skiing);
Builders/coaches: Ossie Chavarria (baseball), Jim Clive (beach volleyball), Barb Harris (field hockey)
Pioneer: Dr. Bruce Forster (sports medicine)
Media: John McKeachie
W.A.C. Bennett Award: John Mills
Team: 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps
Paige Adams, Dave Adolph (athletic therapist), Amber Allen, Sasha Andrews, Amy Apps, Sian Bagshawe, Taryne Boudreau, Kirsteen Buchan, Candace Chapman, Jaclyn Dunnet, Martina Franko, Natalie Groenewoud, Carey Gustafson, Randee Hermus, Eden Hingwing, Natalie Hirayama, Selenia Iacchelli, Kaylyn Kyle, Kara Lang, Bob Lenarduzzi (director of soccer operations), Ciara McCormack, Ashley McGhee, Erin McLeod, Amelie Mercier, Tiffany Milbrett, Andrea Neil (captain & assistant coach), Jan Peace (team doctor), Sari Raber, Erin Ramsay, Jodi Ann Robinson, Lindsay Rohla, Pat Rohla (assistant coach), Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Steve Simonson (assistant coach), Christine Sinclair, Rheanne Sleiman, Stephanie Smith, Katie Thorlakson, Brittany Timko, Diane Voice (manager), Stephanie Weston, Darren Woloshen (goalkeeper coach), Emily Zurrer.
Missing
Omitted from the Whitecaps’ honourees: head coach Bob Birarda.
Birarda was ineligible under B.C. Sports Hall of Fame bylaws due to a 2022 guilty plea to three counts of sexual assault and one count of touching a young person for a sexual purpose.
While managing the Whitecaps and assisting on the national team, several players complained of sexual harassment. Rather than firing Birarda outright and reporting him to police in October 2008, the Canadian Soccer Association and Whitecaps jointly agreed with Birarda for what they told reporters was a “mutual parting of ways.”
In 2008, Victor Montagliani was a CSA director and Peter Montopoli the general secretary. Fast forward to 2026 and Montagliani is a FIFA vice-president and Montopoli the chief tournament official for FIFA’s Canadian arm.
Hall closure
The B.C. Sports Hall of Fame will close May 13 and not reopen until after the World Cup.
FIFA will have full control of the stadium for two months.
Just like 2015’s FIFA Wormen’s World Cup, B.C.’s rich sport history — especially in soccer — will be inaccessible to visitors.
Odd timing
Days before FIFA takes control of B.C. Place Stadium, the CEO of the Crown corporation that manages it will retire.
B.C. Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) announced April 15 that Ken Cretney’s last day after 12 years as the top official is May 8.
CFO Rehana Din takes over the next day.
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