Ralph Cantafio

Ralph Cantafio had a dream to make the game of soccer the best it could be for all participants in the province. He has volunteered with the sport for over fifty years since coming to Winnipeg from Italy.

After settling into Winnipeg in the 1950's, Ralph became the manager of the Italian Canadian Soccer Club, later known as Ital-Inter Soccer Club. He has served as a volunteer board member of various senior men's leagues, was Vice President of the Manitoba Soccer Association, chairman of the former Alexander Park, and was instrumental in the development and upgrades of the Winnipeg Soccer Complex; which in 2016 was renamed in his honor.

He played a key role in the founding of the Winnipeg Fury of the former Canadian Soccer League. From 2003-2003, he was President of the Supper Soccer Alliance and led the senior men's league merger with the Manitoba Central Soccer League to form the Manitoba Major Soccer League.

Ralph was honored with a life membership to the Manitoba Soccer Association in 2002, and was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in the sport of soccer in 2004. He has also been a recipient of the Manitoba Sportscaster and Writers Impact Award and was inducted into the Manitoba Soccer Hall of Fame in 2018.