Croatia Sports Hall of Fame

A few years later, he immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. Upon arriving, his soccer career quickly reignited as he joined Vancouver Croatia, playing as a center forward. In 1979, the BC Soccer Association selected him as one of 20 players on the B.C. Selects team to face Germany’s 1. F.C. Kaiserslautern on June 14—a match that ended in a victory for B.C.

Ilija played with Vancouver Croatia until 1980 and continued with recreational soccer well into the years that followed. He remained active on the field until 2020, when he finally retired from the game.

Today, Ilija enjoys his retirement in Coquitlam, BC, surrounded by his wife, three children, and three grandchildren—Josipa, Lola, and Charlotte.

From a young age, Žarko had a deep love for soccer. He played organized youth soccer in Croatia from 1962 to 1971, and after immigrating to Vancouver in December 1971, he continued his passion by playing for Croatia SC from 1972 to 1983.

His devotion to the sport was evident in every role he took on—whether playing, coaching, managing, or serving in leadership positions. From 1979 to 1982, Žarko coached the Croatia SC youth team in Vancouver. Later, from 1998 to 2000, he coached teams that included both his nephew and godson. He also contributed as a member of the Croatia SC Executive Board from 1977 to 1978, and again from 1984 to 1986 on the Executive Board of the Vancouver Metropolitan Senior Soccer League.

In 2002, Žarko was named President of Croatia SC, a role he held until 2011. From 2005 to 2013, he managed the Croatia SC A team, dedicating countless hours to mentoring players and building the club. His passion was contagious, and he even recruited his wife, Maria, to support the club's fundraising efforts.

Outside of soccer, Žarko was a successful businessman, running a transportation company for over 36 years. His leadership and organizational skills were instrumental in transforming the annual Croatia SC Golf Tournament into a major fundraising success—laying the groundwork for what is now known as the Croatia SC Golf Classic.

Proud of his Croatian heritage, Žarko left behind a legacy of generosity, mentorship, and community service. In his honor, a high school scholarship has been established to continue supporting the next generation.

Žarko will be deeply missed on the sidelines, but his legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and the community he helped build.

Nick’s amateur career culminated in 1986, when he played for Croatia SC in the Canadian Championship final in Sherbrooke. Soon after, he launched his professional career in Canada, first with the North York Rockets and then with the Montreal Impact.

His journey then took him overseas, where he signed with Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. He also spent time playing in France and Sweden before joining St. Johnstone in Scotland, where he played for six years. During his time there, Nick became a standout figure—most notably scoring the winning goal against Glasgow Rangers in the League Cup and netting the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory over Celtic. In his first season, his dominance in the midfield and relentless work ethic were instrumental in St. Johnstone’s promotion to the Scottish Premier League.

Nick’s dedication and leadership on the field earned him a place on the Canadian National Team, where he earned 63 caps between 1992 and 2004. His leadership and experience were invaluable to the national program during that time. He later returned home to close out his playing career with the Vancouver Whitecaps, where he spent three seasons.

In recognition of his exceptional career and contributions to Canadian soccer, Nick was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011. His deep understanding of the game naturally transitioned into a successful coaching career, where he has helped shape the future of Canadian soccer. He has worked with various professional teams in Toronto, contributed to the Canadian National Program, and spent a season as an assistant coach with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Today, Nick continues to make a lasting impact as the manager of the Vancouver Whitecaps Under-23 Development Program, where he is grooming the next generation of stars and leaders for both the Whitecaps and the Canadian National Team.

Deceased: November 21, 2007, Burnaby, BC

George Đurković was instrumental along with a group of like-minded individuals in founding Croatia Sports Club of Vancouver. The actual date of the Club’s founding meeting was October 24, 1961. There were many logistical issues discussed and sorted out during the formation of our Club, but the two principles that are closely followed to this day originate from the decisions made by Đurković and his peers at that formation meeting in 1961:

1. The club is not to be owned by nor belong to any organization, instead, the club is to belong to all Croatians of Vancouver without political, religious or other organizational affiliations.

2. All Croatians of the Vancouver area are entrusted to support and upkeep the club and its traditions.

Đurković was the first President of the Club and served on the executive for the first six years. He then stepped away from day-to-day running of the club, but he was never too far removed with financial and moral support as may have been required.

Đurković escaped the communist rule of his beloved homeland in 1945. He arrived in Canada in 1948. After a couple years in Lethbridge, he made the Vancouver area his home ever since 1950. His involvements in the Croatian community go well beyond the soccer club, all with the aim of maintaining Croatian heritage in our adopted country of Canada.