November 2, 2024
BC Soccer Announces New President, Vice-President and Directors-at-Large
BC Soccer Announces New President and Directors-At-Large.
BC Soccer is proud to announce that Debbie Pudek has been elected as the President of BC Soccer beginning November 3rd, 2024. Pudek brings over 50 years of experience in local soccer and has experience on several different boards of governors throughout her professional career.
A soccer player since the beginning of the girls’ and women's game in B.C., Pudek has coached both of her children’s soccer teams for over 8 years in Coquitlam and managed or played with her women’s teams for over 50 years.
"It is with great honor and humility that I assume the role of President of the BC Soccer Association. I would like to thank outgoing President Carlos Grosso and former President Gayle Statton for their contributions over the years. I’m confident they will continue to support our organization as we move forward.
I want to congratulate and welcome new Board Members elected. Together, our Board will strive to bring strategic vision, support the development of the game and strengthen the engagement with our stakeholders. I look forward to working to achieve our shared vision of building a better future in BC” stated, Pudek.
After a playing career that began at the age of six, and took her to the University of British Columbia, Lisa Murray has been elected as BC Soccer’s new Vice-President. Her playing career was ultimately cut short due to injury.
In her professional career, Murray is a Management Consultant and has experience with managing financials for not-for-profits, leading strategic plans, and policy development.
To compliment the new President and Vice President, BC Soccer is pleased to announce the addition of three Directors-at-Large, Fraser Sim, Michelle Armstrong and Colin Hardwick.
Armstrong, hailing from Smithers, B.C., was the first member of her family to pursue post-secondary education, playing soccer at the University of Victoria Vikes. Following university, Michelle moved to Vancouver and played in the Metro Women’s Soccer League for several more years until moving to the Cayman Islands for her career.
With over 20 years of experience in global product, merchandising, and operations management, Michelle brings a unique blend of strategic planning, financial oversight, and community engagement to the BC Soccer board.
Sim, a member of the BC Soccer board since 2021, has previously sat on the board for the Vancouver Island Soccer League for nearly 20 years. Outside of soccer, Sim owns four businesses and has experience in fiscal management, strategic planning and business development.
“Most of my soccer related activities have been around adults, and since my time on the Board, I have become more exposed and interested in the youth side of the game, as they are the future.” Says Sim. “Retention of youth players at the upper teen level is an issue and creating a bridge for them to participate in the game before entering the adult leagues should be a priority. We need to continue to create a safe environment for them [youth players]”.
Hardwick has been involved in soccer for over 50 years and has experience on several different boards across different sports. Most notably, Hardwick spearheaded the process for East Kootenay Community College to become accredited and change their name to The College of the Rockies and offer two- and four-year courses as a college.
“I think it’s important that everyone in B.C. has a voice.” says Hardwick. “My biggest motivation is to make it inclusive. To make sure all the organizations and clubs throughout our province have a voice that gets heard.”.
BC Soccer would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Board of Directors as we look to continue to connect with communities throughout the province and use soccer to build a better future for all.
