The BC Sports Hall of Fame revealed its 2026 Induction Class on Wednesday, and it includes several Vancouver Whitecaps FC conections, most notably the 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Women, as well as Les Wilson, and John McKeachie.
For the complete list of inductees, visit bcsportshall.com.
Team - 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Women
Entering in the team category are the 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Women, a remarkable roster of Canadian talent. Considered one of the most influential women's club teams in Canadian history, the 'Caps went undefeated at 13W-0L-1D and scored 46 times while conceding only seven. A young Christine Sinclair scored three goals over the two playoff matches and a team-leading 12 goals in 10 games during the regular season. Eight players on the roster later went on to win Olympic medals playing for Canada and formed the core of a golden generation that changed Canadian women’s soccer forever.Â
Team Members: 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, 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
Athlete - Les Wilson
The first North American developed player to play in the top division of English professional soccer. During his ten-season professional career from 1964-74 in the English First and Second Divisions (equivalent of the English Premier League and English Football League Championship today), scored eight goals in 144 match appearances with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Norwich City, and Bristol City. Helped Wolverhampton earn promotion to the English First Division in 1967 and finish runner-up in the 1972 UEFA Cup (known today as the UEFA Europa League). Selected to the BC All-Star team in 1963 as a 16-year-old and became the youngest Canadian ever at the time to score in an international match, versus Yugoslavia champions Red Star Belgrade. Played four seasons with hometown Vancouver Whitecaps, 1974-77. After retiring as a player, served a distinguished career as an administrator, coach, and manager with the Whitecaps, Canada Soccer, and BC Soccer. Helped Whitecaps to the 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl championship and Canada’s men’s national team to qualification to the 1986 World Cup and the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship. One of three founding directors of the Vancouver 86ers in 1986. Named to Canada Soccer’s Team of the Half Century in 2012. Inductee in Canada Soccer Hall of Fame (multiple times), BC Soccer Hall of Fame (2019), and Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame (2015).
Media - John McKeachie
One of BC’s most popular sports media personalities over 40-year career working in TV, radio, and print media. Known for his North America-wide contacts in the sports world, for breaking big stories first in the Vancouver market, and for his quirky sense of humour. Worked 27 years (1973-99) as a sports anchor on BCTV, while also serving as an on-air host and colour commentator for Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Whitecaps broadcasts on the station. Hosted CBC Vancouver’s Hockey Night in Canada post-game show, ‘McKeachie’s Hockey Talk’, from 1998-2000 during which the show went nationwide and later became the long-running ‘After Hours’ show. Covered two Olympic Games for CTV: the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Wrote a weekly sports column for The Province newspaper, 1997-2000. Numerous sports radio positions over the years including: CDKA Victoria (1970-72), CKNW hosting Canucks and BC Lions broadcasts (1972-75, 1997-98), TEAM 1040 including the ‘McKeachie in the Morning’ show (2001-03), and MOJO Sports Radio (2003-05). Narrator on the Outdoor Life Network TV show ‘Road Hockey Rumble’ (2007-08). Three times voted TV Week Magazine’s ‘BC Sportscaster of the Year’ (1987-89). A celebrated and in-demand dinner emcee for countless fundraisers and events around BC over several decades, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities. Inductee in Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (2012).