Group created on Oct 16, 2024
Total raised since group was created
$5,300.00
Last gift received on Dec 2, 2024
Highlights
$0.00
Total given to charities, Campaigns, or other Givings Groups
$5,300.00
Money currently available to give from this group
This Giving Group supports...
Evergreen Giving Fund
campaign
Group Admins
This group‘s purpose is to raise funds for the William Azzi Memorial Fund. The fund will provide a scholarship to an outstanding Metro-Ford soccer player who is entering the first year of a full-time Canadian university or college program.
PLEASE NOTE: All donations will be MATCHED!
PLEASE NOTE: All donations will be MATCHED!
BACKGROUND
Willie was born in Pievepelago, Italy on November 23, 1937. He emigrated to Canada in 1950 with his mother, father, and 2 sisters, taking up residence in the Commercial and 3rd area of Vancouver. Although soccer was always his love, being bullied as a new immigrant got him into boxing as a youth. As a teenager, William and his elder brother Gianni were involved in founding Columbus FC in the 1950s.
Willie attended Notre Dame, however graduated from Britannia High School before completing his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics at UBC, and master’s in education at Western Washington State College. He taught initially at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary, then moved to Coquitlam in 1967, where he lived for 53 years, before teaching at Centennial, Port Coquitlam Secondary (previously Terry Fox Secondary), and Port Moody Senior Secondary. He coached both Boys and Girls teams at Port Moody. The Girls 1984 Provincial Championships was one of Willie’s favourite memories.
Willie became involved with Cape Horn Soccer Club in the early 1970s when he first began coaching a team. He began coaching his son David’s Cape Horn Western team in 1976, and they went on provincial championships in 1978 and 1980. He had a vision on how to play and would not accept any other way. He was very vocal and passionate. Willie believed talented players need to play at the top level, even if that meant at a higher age group. Coaches were the foundation for Willie, not just because of their talent and knowledge, but most importantly their total dedication to the sport. He had vision for the future, not what the program was, but what it could become.
In 1984, he was one of the founders of Metro-Ford Soccer Club, developed to run Boys Select teams within Westminster Youth District. Metro-Ford grew from a small base into a successful youth and adult soccer club, producing high caliber players and winning numerous provincial and national championships. Willie managed the club and coached many teams, including two provincial youth champions.
In adult soccer, Willie was at the helm of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League for 20 years from 1997 until 2017. He served for one year as a BC Soccer Director in 1996-1997, before returning to VMSL to lead the league back to strength after financial challenges. His weekly report of the VMSL Premier Division was a mainstay of local soccer discussion for 20 years.
Willie’s many honours include twice winning Sports BC’s President’s Award for soccer, in 1998 and 2005, winning BC Soccer’s AC Sanford award in 2012, being inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and BC Soccer Life Membership in 2013.
Willie was a humble servant of the game, whose dearest love was teaching the game to young kids aged 4 to 10 years old as part of his soccer schools.
HOW TO HELP
1) Make a donation
2) Instantly receive a charitable tax receipt
3) Share with family and friends.
Group created on Oct 16, 2024
Total raised since group was created
$5,300.00
Last gift received on Dec 2, 2024
Highlights
$0.00
Total given to charities, Campaigns, or other Givings Groups
$5,300.00
Money currently available to give from this group
This Giving Group supports...
Evergreen Giving Fund
campaign
What’s an Impact Account?
A free, all-in-one giving platform to maximize your giving and support what you care about with more intention, meaning, and real-world impact.
Give to any Canadian registered charity
Our database of over 86,000 charities is updated weekly to ensure every single one is in good standing with the CRA.
Be ready when disaster strikes
Keep adding, bit by bit. When the unexpected happens, you’ll be ready to give without putting extra pressure on your budget.
Discover why Charitable Impact is the trusted giving partner to thousands of generous Canadians.
Group Admins
This group‘s purpose is to raise funds for the William Azzi Memorial Fund. The fund will provide a scholarship to an outstanding Metro-Ford soccer player who is entering the first year of a full-time Canadian university or college program.
PLEASE NOTE: All donations will be MATCHED!
PLEASE NOTE: All donations will be MATCHED!
BACKGROUND
Willie was born in Pievepelago, Italy on November 23, 1937. He emigrated to Canada in 1950 with his mother, father, and 2 sisters, taking up residence in the Commercial and 3rd area of Vancouver. Although soccer was always his love, being bullied as a new immigrant got him into boxing as a youth. As a teenager, William and his elder brother Gianni were involved in founding Columbus FC in the 1950s.
Willie attended Notre Dame, however graduated from Britannia High School before completing his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics at UBC, and master’s in education at Western Washington State College. He taught initially at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary, then moved to Coquitlam in 1967, where he lived for 53 years, before teaching at Centennial, Port Coquitlam Secondary (previously Terry Fox Secondary), and Port Moody Senior Secondary. He coached both Boys and Girls teams at Port Moody. The Girls 1984 Provincial Championships was one of Willie’s favourite memories.
Willie became involved with Cape Horn Soccer Club in the early 1970s when he first began coaching a team. He began coaching his son David’s Cape Horn Western team in 1976, and they went on provincial championships in 1978 and 1980. He had a vision on how to play and would not accept any other way. He was very vocal and passionate. Willie believed talented players need to play at the top level, even if that meant at a higher age group. Coaches were the foundation for Willie, not just because of their talent and knowledge, but most importantly their total dedication to the sport. He had vision for the future, not what the program was, but what it could become.
In 1984, he was one of the founders of Metro-Ford Soccer Club, developed to run Boys Select teams within Westminster Youth District. Metro-Ford grew from a small base into a successful youth and adult soccer club, producing high caliber players and winning numerous provincial and national championships. Willie managed the club and coached many teams, including two provincial youth champions.
In adult soccer, Willie was at the helm of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League for 20 years from 1997 until 2017. He served for one year as a BC Soccer Director in 1996-1997, before returning to VMSL to lead the league back to strength after financial challenges. His weekly report of the VMSL Premier Division was a mainstay of local soccer discussion for 20 years.
Willie’s many honours include twice winning Sports BC’s President’s Award for soccer, in 1998 and 2005, winning BC Soccer’s AC Sanford award in 2012, being inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and BC Soccer Life Membership in 2013.
Willie was a humble servant of the game, whose dearest love was teaching the game to young kids aged 4 to 10 years old as part of his soccer schools.
HOW TO HELP
1) Make a donation
2) Instantly receive a charitable tax receipt
3) Share with family and friends.
Group created on Oct 16, 2024
Total raised since group was created
$5,300.00
Last gift received on Dec 2, 2024
Highlights
$0.00
Total given to charities, Campaigns, or other Givings Groups
$5,300.00
Money currently available to give from this group
This Giving Group supports...
Evergreen Giving Fund
campaign
What’s an Impact Account?
A free, all-in-one giving platform to maximize your giving and support what you care about with more intention, meaning, and real-world impact.
Give to any Canadian registered charity
Our database of over 86,000 charities is updated weekly to ensure every single one is in good standing with the CRA.
Be ready when disaster strikes
Keep adding, bit by bit. When the unexpected happens, you’ll be ready to give without putting extra pressure on your budget.