From BC Soccer To President of CONCACAF

While BC Soccer might see this as a step up others see it as nothing but a win for the sport, not only in BC, but throughout Canada.

The world of Soccer obviously has faith in Canadian President Victor Montagliani as he was elected President of CONCACAF.

As a successful businessman and at the young age of 51 he speaks three languages – English, French and Spanish and attended SFU.

He is a risk manager to Law Firms, Professionals, Top Real Estate Holding Companies and Mining Industry.

He is focused on working to driving solutions for clients, all of which are specific to their needs.

He was an inductee as member of Columbus FC into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame for the class of 2013.

His successful campaigns focused on four major pillars of the sport are outlined at the end of the article.

CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Following the election in Mexico City Montagliani told the media “I am truly honoured to have the confidence of CONCACAF’s members as we move into a new football first era for our confederation.”

He continued “Our members have voted in favour of reform, and I am committed to ensuring CONCACAF rebuilds its credibility with the football world and to position and ready the organization to deal effectively with the evolving global game.”

CONCACAF President-Elect Montagliani faced Bermuda Football Association President Larry Mussenden.

Recently he (Montagliani) was re-elected for his second term as President of Canada Soccer.

Prior to being elected President (May/2012) he served as President of the British Columbia Soccer Association and as Vice-President of Canada Soccer from 2005-2012.

His impressive resume includes the following:

• Served as a member of the National Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Organising Committee, and FIFA’s Legal Committee
• FIFA’s Reform Committee and chaired the National Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada2014
• FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015

“Today, we have taken an important step towards the future of one, united CONCACAF,” said Montagliani. “I welcome all CONCACAF members to join me in building ONE CONCACAF for the players and fans of the world’s greatest game. It is time to put football first!”

Key elements of Montagliani’s vision for a united CONCACAF include:

• Good Governance: A commitment to reforms and ensuring accountability and transparency within the organization through aligning governance best practices.
• Strategic Planning (Competitions & Commercial Enterprise): Building a CONCACAF brand reflecting trust and integrity by reviewing all competitions and enhancing efficiencies, commercial enterprise, development and inclusiveness.
• Invest in Football First (Development & Infrastructure): Strategic plan and vision to be implemented over two World Cup cycles with an infrastructure program focused on putting football first through leadership training, grassroots programming, and generating opportunities for league creation.
• Strong Leadership: Based on the concept of leadership as service, the leadership must model the highest standards of ethical behaviour, acting honestly and in good faith, in the best interests of CONCACAF and its member associations at all times.