Vancouver FC managing director Mark Rogers is leaving the 91原创-based Canadian Premier League (CPL) club after two seasons.

Rogers, 49, will take on a new role as managing director of League1 BC, the province鈥檚 Pro-Am soccer league.

鈥淧laying my part in launching Vancouver FC has been a highlight of my career, and an experience I will never forget,鈥� said Rogers. 

I am thankful to every player, staff, fan and member of the VFC family for making my experience over the past two years what it was, and I am pleased to know we will continue to cross paths as I take on my new role at League1 BC.鈥�

Rob Friend, VFC president and CEO, called Rogers "a faithful champion of this club since well before its official inception and we are grateful for all the effort he put into laying the groundwork for our current and future success."

鈥淢ark excels in his ability to build relationships within the local soccer community," Friend added.

"We are incredibly excited to see the impact he will have on the soccer landscape in British Columbia as managing director of League1 BC, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside him as like-minded promoters of soccer in our province.鈥�

Rogers鈥� appointment is effective immediately, as preparations for League1 BC鈥檚 fourth season in 2025 are underway.

鈥淚 am excited to continue playing my part in growing the game of soccer in British Columbia and Canada,鈥� said Rogers. 鈥淟eague1 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.鈥�

鈥淭he 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,鈥� said John Gibson, interim League1 Canada general manager.

鈥淲e are thrilled Mark has joined our League1 Canada alliance. 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.鈥�

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鈥檚 Pro-Am leagues, alongside League1 Ontario, Ligue1 Qu茅bec 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 is a former professional player and alum of the Canadian Men鈥檚 National Team, who grew up in South Delta 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鈥檚 National Team between 2000 and 2003.

From the sidelines, Rogers has coached both the UBC Women鈥檚 and Men鈥檚 varsity soccer programs, as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, as well as coached within BC Soccer鈥檚 provincial program. He served as an interim assistant coach with the Canadian Men鈥檚 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.