Vancouver Whitecaps FC are mourning the passing of Charlie Cuzzetto, a beloved member of the local soccer community.
An honoured member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame as a builder, Cuzzetto was a BC Soccer board member (2004-2012) and president (2009-2012), as well as a board member with Canada Soccer (2009-2024). In addition, he coached and managed Canada teams at four Futsal World Championships, was president of Futsal Canada and led Futsal Canada into affiliation with Canada Soccer.Â
Born in Southern Italy in 1949 and raised in Vancouver, Charlie Cuzzetto played youth soccer in the Norburn SC organization and senior soccer with PCOV and Vancouver College. After an injury, he transitioned to coaching, including Vancouver Youth Selects and numerous youth teams. In 1976, he coached one of the pioneering women’s soccer teams, Rino’s Shoes, to league champions.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Cuzzetto was inducted into Futsal Canada’s Hall of Fame in 2017, the second-ever inductee. His contributions have also been recognized with a Wall of Fame recognition from the longstanding Ottawa Futsal Club in 2023, Canada Soccer’s Presidents Award in 2024, the Vanni Lenarduzzi Award of Excellence in 2025, and a BC Soccer Life Member designation in 2016. Learn more about Cuzzetto HERE.
Cuzzetto will be missed by all members of the soccer community. The club wishes to offer condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.