Pickering FC
COVID-19 Update
October 23, 2020
Dear PFC Family,

Many of you will recall our support for the Tigres soccer program in Puerto Vallarta during the summer. Well they restarted this month with hygiene measures in place. Janna Francis and her family who travel down there shared this update with us;

“I wanted to send you a recent photo, so you can see that the children now have balls!!! Before your generous donation there would be one ball for thirty children, so receiving these photos was just wonderful and I wanted to share them with you. They have had nearly twice the original number of children showing up since restarting this month, which is difficult because no one has money to pay for the training, but they are making do the best they can. The good news is there are many more girls showing up as well, which is quite unusual and we are so happy to see!
PFC Digital Rewards
Please enjoy these great offers as a thank you for all your support –
Click the image to see all the offers!
Indoor Resources
With Week 1 of the indoor season safely completed we wanted to remind you of our helpful resources providing guidance to families and facility users prior to visiting the Pickering Soccer Centre:

  1. Pickering Soccer Centre Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) that we will update as and when required
  2. Pickering Soccer Centre Entry and Exit protocols. (Thanks to Megan and Paige!) (video)
  3. Pickering Soccer Centre Return to Play Protocol presentation (video)
  4. Pickering Soccer Centre Rental Info & Steps we are taking due to Covid-19

We are also:

  • Spreading out some field bookings during these early weeks in the dome, allowing for extra space beyond the Provincial guidelines
  • Increasing our facility staff numbers during the first few weeks of our return in order to maintain cleaning levels and assist players coming in and out of the field house
  • Acquiring additional student help to provide support and guidance.
Recreational
We have started Mini Season 1 of the Indoor Recreational program. Spots are still available for the remaining games and this will get you ready for Mini Season 2. Click the image to register for Season 1, 2, 3 or all 3!
  • Multi-Season: This year we will be offering 3 mini-seasons (10 weeks each) instead of one long season (18 weeks). This will provide families with the flexibility to start their recreational involvement at a time that's right for them. 
  • Multi-sport players: Offering three mini-seasons will enable players that also participate in other sports to join us at the end of their current outdoor season or to get their soccer fix in before returning to another sport.
  • Discounts: The first season for each player will include their complete uniform package and Ontario Soccer registration. Subsequent seasons will be at a reduced rate to reflect those components are already paid for.
  • Outdoor kick-off: To make the most of this unusual Summer and to take advantage of good weather and fresh air the seasons will all kick-off on our community soccer fields located in neighborhoods across the City of Pickering.
  • Standards: PFC continues to develop our own match officials and using them for each game to ensure fairness and guidance to young players.
PFC All Abilities Programs
PFC All Abilities Program has had an amazing start to the fall season! 

  1. All Abilities Advanced Skills Program, we are into our 6th week of this NEW indoor program.
  2. All Abilities Junior and Senior Soccer, our tried and trusted model bringing players together for fun, fitness and friendship every Saturday morning starting October 31, 2020. We have 4 spots left (2 Junior & 2 Senior).
  3. All Abilities Virtual Training Program, started on October 15th with our fantastic duo of Coach T and Coach Zain leading our new program. 

Please contact Tammy at allabilities@pickeringfc.ca for more information or to register.

Christina Doucette, our All Abilities Program Assistant has written a great article on our new Advanced Skills Program hearing from the players and coaches. Take a read HERE and learn more about this great progression and our fantastic Award badges that the players will be working towards.
PFC Community Programs
Community Programs* continue each week during the day: 

  • Walk the Dome runs daily from Mon - Thurs from 9am - 11am 
  • Walking Soccer runs weekly on Tuesdays from 10:30-12pm. 
  • Adult Drop In Soccer on Sunday nights is temporarily suspended while we monitor Covid-19 case numbers across the Region.  

* Covid-19 protocols and participant waivers will be in effect for all community programming
Grassroots Development
If your child is interested in developing beyond the Recreational level and learning from our well qualified and screened coaching staff then our Grassroots program for players aged between U8-U12 started this week. Our Open House philosophy means that new players wanting to try it are more than welcome. The program includes:

  • 26-week program
  • Inter Club exhibition games
  • 2 practices per week
  • Goalkeeper specialist session

Players are still more than welcome to register as part of our ongoing Open House and need to be in the Sports Engine system for contact tracing purposes so please contact us directly if you are interested in learning more. If you have questions about the program please contact our Grassroots Director, Hollie Babut (grassroots@pickeringfc.ca) for more details.
Competitive
Spots are filling up for the Competitive teams this coming season. As a reminder any player wanting to train with us has to be registered in the Sports Engine system. Please speak to the Head Coach for your age group first.

Pickering FC runs teams in the Durham Region Soccer League (DRSL) and the Central Soccer League (CSL). Promotion and relegation allow for teams at U13 and up to be promoted from the DRSL into the CSL. The CSL is confirmed to run in 2021 and will cover an area including Toronto, North York, Scarborough and Peterborough in the east. In conjunction with the Team Head Coach and our Director of Soccer Operations, Dave Benning, the playing group is assessed for their ability level to play at one of these two levels.
High Performance
The Pickering FC structure defines high performance as those programs where teams compete in standards-based leagues. This includes the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) for players from the U13-U17 age groups and then for older players League1 Ontario (L1O). These leagues bring with them a higher cost that reflects the increased training time, coaching level, longer season, uniform and equipment. We can now confirm the continuation of OPDL Trials until Dec. 15th:
Match Officials
The Match Official Committee is working closely with our technical Staff to not only ensure the new Laws of the Game that came into play this Summer are introduced but to also enforce the Ontario Soccer COVID-19 related restrictions to play. These can be found on page 18-24 here and include areas such as:

  • No throw-ins
  • No Spitting
  • No handshakes or high-fives
  • No heading
Governance and Operations
For the first time in our Clubs history our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held virtually. Notice of Meeting can be found on our website using the link below. On Wednesday November 18th we will use the Web Ex platform to provide the Board Reports, Audited Financial statements and other key components of the AGM including Board elections. Our Club Secretary, Roz Lavoie is working hard on putting this together and at this time we can share the Board positions up for election:  

  • President - 2 year term and nominee must be a current Board member 
  • Treasurer - 1 year term and should possess accounting knowledge, skills and experience 
  • Secretary - 2 year term 
  • Director at Large - Full Field Recreational Soccer - 2 year term 
  • Director at Large - Boys' Competitive Soccer - 2 year term 
  • Director at Large - Girls' Competitive Soccer - 1 year term 
  • Director at Large - Special Projects - 2 year term
Notices
Don’t forget, our Return to Play strategy is available on the PFC website under our COVID19 page for everyone’s reference and provides a lot of detail on the three key components to our Return to Play Strategy. 

Our Weekly Update is supported by ongoing news and stories through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook platforms. 

Stay safe.

Matt Greenwood, Executive Director
Pickering Football Club
(905) 831-9803
PickeringFC.ca
Connect with us: