|
|
Pickering FC
COVID-19 Update
August 21, 2020
|
|
Dear PFC Family,
What a way to start the week:
“You’ve all done an amazing job through this unimaginable situation. You moved forward with barely a skipped beat, providing a ton of virtual content and training. I believe PFC was a leader getting kids back to train in a way that was so cautious and safe. I can’t express what a lift to the spirits it was to watch our girls play last weekend and I’m greatly looking forward to Sunday. I hope all the staff know how much we appreciate your efforts and transparency. I know that I am personally recommending PFC to everyone I know looking for a club to join”. Kim
This message was a great boost to both the Board and Staff who have been working hard throughout this period to make sure we stay connected with our Members and Stakeholders and ensure we don’t take our eye of the ball with regard to our operations. The early signs have been positive from a Competitive and High-Performance perspective with new players reaching out to us for tryouts and to inquire about the upcoming Open House. Ontario Soccer have alerted us to the fact we should not be welcoming new players at this time as we are still in Phase 2 of their Return to Play plan so while we seek clarification on this directive we welcome players to register and get in contact with our Coaching Staff in order for us to discuss options for the very near future. Click the image to register:
|
|
DYK: Open House is the appropriate environment for U8-U12 players to experience a new program and decide if it is right for them. Players aren’t ‘selected’ or ‘cut’ because there is a place for everyone. Tryouts or ID Camps are for U13 and older players who are now emotionally able to understand the decision-making process and how they measure up to their peers. Make sure you’re informed!
For our RECREATIONAL players the 2020-2021 Indoor program has now opened up for registration. We’ve put a lot of thought into the running of this competition and feel the three mini-season approach is a way to bring families back to the game at a time right for them. If Season 1 still feels too early for your family or you want to see how the ‘Return to School’ plays out then we’ll look forward to seeing you in Season 2. We understand that every family as unique situation they need to prioritize. Click the image to register:
|
|
-
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.
-
With the first season of the 2020-2021 Indoor Rec Season set to start on September 13 we are in need of coaches of teams in the U3 - U6 and U7 - U18 divisions. If you are available to help out and have any further questions, please contact Dave Lord at admin-rec@pickeringfc.ca
As a coach in the U3 to U6 division. The role of the coach in these age groups is to work with the PFC Game Leaders in the execution of the hour-long sessions and be the point person for distribution of uniforms, schedules and weekly updates to parents. The Club will provide, via email, weekly session plans so that the Coach is up to speed on what will take place in the session. If available, please contact Dave Lord at admin-rec@pickeringfc.ca
As a coach in the U7 to U18 divisions you would be responsible for team communication, distribution of uniforms and schedules and managing the team during the game. This would be a 2-hour commitment each week with the Sunday game and weekly communication. PFC will provide you with:
- Coach T-Shirt
- Ball pump
- Kit Bag
- Goalie gloves
- PFC Return to Play strategy
- Team list
- Schedule
- Game sheets.
As we move indoors in early October, we will need Field Coordinators. Field Coordinators will work alongside our Soccer Centre Staff to assist in field set up/ tear down, directing players and parents to fields, providing information on field exit procedures and reminding all to hand sanitize before entering the field area before each game. This would involve being available on Sunday morning for 4 to 5 hours. If available, please contact Dave Lord at admin-rec@pickeringfc.ca.
All of these opportunities are available to parents and high school students who are looking to obtain community services hours.
|
|
Don’t forget that Canada Soccer and Allstate invite you to join a FREE fun-filled day at The Allstate Soccer Show: Live Online, where you’ll have the chance to meet your soccer idols from Canada Soccer’s Women’s and Men’s National Teams, Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League as well as Legends from Manchester United, watch interactive player presentations and panels with audience Q&A sessions, win prizes and participate in more soccer fun! Space is limited so register now!
Price: Free
Date: Sunday, August 30th, 2020
Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm EDT
Location: LIVE ONLINE (Click image to register)
|
|
With Toronto FC back in action this week at BMO Field it was great to hear from our Club Liaison Thiago. Thiago works with PFC Staff each season to bring us ticket deals and match day opportunities for our teams as ball kids, player escorts and flag bearers. Look out for more details soon!
|
|
The PFC All Abilities program is getting closer to finalising plans for their return to the field in September. We’re excited to hear what plans Tammy and her team have and we’re really pleased to know they’re as keen as ever to get back on the turf. In the meantime, the Virtual All Abilities Program continues this Tuesday (6:30 - 7:30pm) on our WebEx platform. |
|
As part of our National Youth License from Canada Soccer we’ve met many standards addressing techncial content on the field, operational processes and planning in the club house all underpinned by financial oversight and governance in the Board Room. These components make up the core of WHAT we do as a Club and HOW we operate. The ‘trending’ theme right now is knowing what your WHY is. Our WHY is simple - to ensure as many children, youth and adults participate in soccer for as long as possible. It’s worth taking a look at our Player Development Pathway below which demonstrates a place exists for everyone. We believe a community/grassroots Club is open, accessible and inclusive of everyone. Our chart addresses the player pathway but at every stage we know there are coaches, match officials, administrators and volunteers working to suppport that player.
Our doors are open to all.
|
|
As a Canada Soccer National Youth Licensed Club, we are planning to take PFC to the next level and we want you involved. The Club will continue to refine its governance model to align with the Canada Soccer recommended model of a skills-based board supported by clear sub-committees and standing committees. This makes best use of everyone’s time and allows for more expertise and greater diversity at the core of the Club.
We’ve stated before that the Club has a hunger to come back to the field with ‘a renewed energy, with fresh ideas and lots of hope for the future’. That’s going to need your skill set, your energy and your ideas! Our first key date will be the PFC AGM to be held on November 18th at the Pickering Soccer Centre where we would like to present our Standing Committees as:
· Finance Committee.
· Risk-Audit Committee.
· Governance Committee.
· Nominations Committee.
· Strategic Planning Committee.
The Standing Committees are an integral part of any not-for-profit organization. They would typically meet once a month for 1-2 hours and address matters specific to their area of the Club. If you have an interest in volunteering some time on one of these Committees please contact Matt Greenwood at execdirector@pickeringfc.ca to arrange an informal chat.
|
|
For any Recreational player from U8-U12 interested in participating in our Grassroots U8-U12 program this is a great way to work with our excellent Coaching Staff, build your skills on the field and get a taste of the next level of development. All sessions are delivered by our professional coaches within a curriculum developed internally and endorsed by Canada Soccer. The recommended next steps are:
a. Click the image below and identify the Head Coach working with your child’s age and gender.
b. The Coaches name is also a hyperlink to their mail box.
c. Connect with them and confirm practice day and times.
d. Visit the session and observe the practice
e. Sign up for our pro-rated program fee through to the end of September.
|
|
If you have any inquiries or questions regarding the program, please contact our Grassroots Director via email at grassroots@pickeringfc.ca. |
|
Transparency and Integrity |
|
As a not-for-profit organization our money is very closely accounted for and we hope to get member and community support as we work through this situation.
High Performance
- The OPDL is still firmly focused on a season this year. We continue to await and update from them on a start date.
- League 1 Ontario is seeking interest in a Fall League to run September-November. Any interested players should contact our Director of Soccer Operations, Dave Benning (dso@pickeringfc.ca)
Competitive Outdoor
- Competition for DRSL level teams is being revised as we opted out of entering the league this Summer. Along with other Clubs in the Region we will build our own schedule that affords us some flexibility we need to provide teams with peace of mind. Teams can still enter the DRSL if they so chose however any option will be discussed between the Head Coach and the Parent group before approval from the Director of Soccer Operations.
- The CSL have confirmed they still plan to run a competition schedule this Summer.
Outdoor Recreational
-
A credit code for the entire value of your registration this summer can be used at the checkout when you register for the Indoor season. If at this stage a refund or credit code is required please complete the attached form and submit for our attention at memberservices@pickeringfc.ca
Don’t forget, our Return to Play strategy is available on the PFC website under our COVIVD19 page for everyone’s reference and provides a lot of detail on the three key components to our Return to Play Strategy. We have also made available a recording of the webinar we had previously delivered to Grassroots, Competitive and OPDL families in June. The link can be found here.
Our 23nd consecutive Weekly Update is supported by ongoing updates and stories through our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook platforms. If you have any questions or comments about this message please email: memberservices@pickeringfc.ca with 'COVID Update' in the Subject line.
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
Matt Greenwood, Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
