Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the British Columbia soccer community are in mourning this week following the sudden passing of BC Soccer first vice-president Les Sinnott near his home of Terrace, BC, over the weekend.
Originally from Liverpool, England, Sinnott immigrated to Canada and BC in 1965, where he first settled on Vancouver’s North Shore. He served as a coach, referee, equipment manager, and club chair of North Shore Girls Soccer Club before becoming chair of North Shore Youth Soccer - BC’s largest youth soccer district.
In 2000, Sinnott moved to Northern BC, where he served as chair of Terrace Youth Soccer until 2002 and chair of the 2004 BC Boys ‘B’ Provincial Cup tournament in Terrace, BC.
Sinnott also served on the board of BC Soccer since 2003. This included the roles of youth vice-president, chair of the governance committee, and first vice-president. He was also considered a tireless ‘face of BC Soccer’ to members throughout Northern BC, as he regularly visited for district meetings and events.
A member of the Canadian Soccer Association’s Governance Committee since 2008, Sinnott also contributed to soccer nationally, as the CSA developed its important governance initiative.
Sinnott is survived by his wife Debbie, daughters Melanie and Joanne, and their three grandchildren - Jordan, Leslie, and Lynnette.
Whitecaps FC join BC Soccer and the entire BC and Canadian soccer community in extending their condolences to Sinnott’s family, colleagues, and friends at this difficult time.
