Vancouver, BC – (Dec. 18, 2024) – League1 BC today announced the appointment of Mark Rogers as Managing Director.

Rogers, 49, is a former professional player and alum of the Canadian Men’s National Team who most recently served as Managing Director of Vancouver Football Club in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) for two seasons.

His experience will be instrumental to League1 BC as it continues its mission to enhance British Columbia’s Pro-Am soccer divisions and strengthen the pathway between the province’s grassroots programming, its pro-am structure and the country’s professional game, for both men’s and women’s players. Rogers’ intimate knowledge of the local soccer community in British Columbia will be critical as League1 BC continues to play an integral role in the development of the next generation of Canadian soccer talent.

“The League1 structure in Canada is key to the development of the ample soccer talent in this country, as well as to the long-term success of our national teams and our professional leagues,” said John Gibson, Interim General Manager, League1 Canada.

“We are thrilled Mark has joined our League1 Canada alliance as Managing Director of League1 BC. He brings a thorough understanding of the soccer landscape in both British Columbia and across the country, and his perspective as both a former player and Canadian executive will help League1 BC maximize its impact locally and nationally.”

League1 BC launched in October 2021 and contested its first season in 2022. It is a part of League1 Canada, the national alliance of Canada’s pro-am leagues, alongside League1 Ontario, Ligue1 Québec and League1 Alberta. Eighteen teams representing nine clubs will compete in League1 BC in 2025. More than 400 players have participated in the league to date.

Rogers grew up in Tsawwassen, B.C., where he got his start in soccer. After coming up through the Vancouver soccer system as a youth player and representing the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at the collegiate level, Rogers went on to play professionally in England for Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, where he earned more than 150 professional appearances in all competitions and reached an FA Cup semifinal in 2001, and for Stevenage Football Club. He earned seven caps as a member of Canada Men’s National Team between 2000 and 2003.

From the sidelines, Rogers has coached both the UBC Women’s and Men’s varsity soccer programs, as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, as well as coached within BC Soccer’s provincial program. He served as an interim assistant coach with the Canadian Men’s National Team in 2013 and has worked with Canada Soccer as a Coach Facilitator. He has long been involved with the CPL community, including playing part in establishing and launching the CPL-U SPORTS Draft, and has also worked as a radio broadcaster with both TSN and Sportsnet.

“I am excited to continue playing my part in growing the game of soccer in British Columbia and Canada,” said Rogers. “League1 BC is an excellent platform for players, coaches, administrators, match officials and more to achieve their goals. I believe I have the tools and experience to lead its continued advancement, for the benefit of our license holders and all stakeholders.”

Rogers’ appointment is effective immediately, as the preparations for League1 BC’s fourth season continue.