Rick Celebrini
Encyclopedia
Rick Celebrini is a retired Canadian soccer defender
who is the physiotherapist for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer
. Celebrini played for the Canadian U-20 national team at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
. He played professionally for the Vancouver 86ers.
. In 1987, Celebrini transferred to the University of British Columbia
, but was out of soccer for nearly two years after breaking his left foot. During his five seasons with the Thunderbirds (1988-1992), Celebrini and his team mates won four consecutive Canadian Interuniversity Sport men's soccer championship. In 1992, he graduated with a degree in physiotherapy. In 1987 and 1989, Celebrini played for the Edmonton Brickmen
of the Canadian Soccer League during the collegiate off seasons. On April 22, 1993 signed Vancouver 86ers of the American Professional Soccer League
. He remained with Vancouver through the 1996 season, but was hampered by injuries during most of those years.
In 1987, Celebrini earned four caps with the Canadian U-20 national team which competed at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
. He also played for the Canadian team at the 1993 Summer Universiade
.
in 1992, Celebrini pursued a career as a physiotherapist in addition to playing professionally. He became the team physiotherapist for the Canadian Alpine Men’s Ski Team at the 1994 Winter Olympics
and 2002 Winter Olympics
. In 2010, he was the Chief Therapist and Medical Manager at the 2010 Winter Olympics
. On July 29, 2011, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC hired Celebrini as the team’s physiotherapist.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who is the physiotherapist for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. Celebrini played for the Canadian U-20 national team at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Chile from October 10 to October 25, 1987. The 1987 championship was the 6th contested and won for the first time by Yugoslavia. Remarkably, in the course of the tournament the Yugoslavs defeated each of the three other semi-finalists, and...
. He played professionally for the Vancouver 86ers.
Player
In 1985, Celebrini began his collegiate soccer career at Capilano University. In 1986, Capilano finished third in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Soccer ChampionshipCanadian Colleges Athletic Association Soccer Championship
The CCAA Soccer Championship is a Canadian association football tournament, the participants are chosen from their respective institutions and the hosts also qualify for the tournament.The affiliated institutions are:...
. In 1987, Celebrini transferred to the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, but was out of soccer for nearly two years after breaking his left foot. During his five seasons with the Thunderbirds (1988-1992), Celebrini and his team mates won four consecutive Canadian Interuniversity Sport men's soccer championship. In 1992, he graduated with a degree in physiotherapy. In 1987 and 1989, Celebrini played for the Edmonton Brickmen
Edmonton Brickmen
The Edmonton Brickmen were an Edmonton, Alberta-based soccer club that competed in two now-defunct leagues: the Western Soccer Alliance and the Canadian Soccer League.-History:...
of the Canadian Soccer League during the collegiate off seasons. On April 22, 1993 signed Vancouver 86ers of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. He remained with Vancouver through the 1996 season, but was hampered by injuries during most of those years.
In 1987, Celebrini earned four caps with the Canadian U-20 national team which competed at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
1987 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Chile from October 10 to October 25, 1987. The 1987 championship was the 6th contested and won for the first time by Yugoslavia. Remarkably, in the course of the tournament the Yugoslavs defeated each of the three other semi-finalists, and...
. He also played for the Canadian team at the 1993 Summer Universiade
1993 Summer Universiade
The 1993 Summer Universiade, also known as the XVII Summer Universiade, took place in Buffalo, New York, United States of America.-Medal table:-External links:*...
.
Physiotherapist
Celebrini first became interested in physiotherapist after breaking his ankle when he was fifteen and receiving therapy at the same clinic which treated professional athletes. His interest was reinforced after a broken left foot kept him from playing for two years. After graduating from the University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
in 1992, Celebrini pursued a career as a physiotherapist in addition to playing professionally. He became the team physiotherapist for the Canadian Alpine Men’s Ski Team at the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
and 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. In 2010, he was the Chief Therapist and Medical Manager at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
. On July 29, 2011, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC hired Celebrini as the team’s physiotherapist.