Pickering FC
COVID-19 Update
April 17, 2020
Dear PFC Family,
 
I hope that you and your family are continuing to stay positive. I’m sure like many of us you’re struggling to keep track of what day it is, what time it is or even if you’ve had breakfast!!
 
We hope you continue to see a benefit in this regular communication and if there’s something you’d like to learn about the Club or want to see at this time please contact us at the email below. This message follows our previous Club messages (March 19 th , 24 th , April 2 nd and 9 th ).
 
Using our PFC 5 key values as a reference point here is this week’s update.
Community
 
  • The Clubs in Durham Region are well connected and our communication between Executive Directors and Technical Directors is almost daily. We’re working together to provide a plan that enables as many participants as possible to get back to ‘normal’ as soon as we can.
 
  • The positive message from Ontario Soccer last week, “For those who may be concerned about registering for the abridged outdoor season, Ontario Soccer is encouraging participants to do so now, so that Districts, Clubs and Academies can be fully prepared to kick off the Return to Play season when announced” is the positivity we need right now.
 
  • Work on Recreational programs continues in the background. With uniforms, ball and trophies all delivered now we’re more focused than ever on a safe 2020 season.
  • Our All Abilities program has also taken to online interaction with a great first session via Facebook live last week. Axon Music Therapy provided a fun class last week and we look forward to more singing and yoga in coming weeks.
Respect
  • We’re pleased to confirm that Competitive and High-Performance players who registered through the Easy Pay option will have the April payment pushed back a month to ease some pressure at home. We will continue to assess the need to move the May payment out in due course.
Excellence
  • Support for our Competitive and High-Performance programs continues to lead the soccer community. While we wait to get league start dates confirmed the coaching staff have lined up exceptional speakers each week for our coaches and players to stay engaged and connected.   
  • This week we were fortunate enough to be joined by former Pickering SC player, Canada Soccer Hall of Famer and 18 year professional in top-flight English football, Paul Peschisolido. An absolute gentleman, Paul took them time to chat with attendees about his early experiences as a player to his success with both the 2000 Gold Cup winning team and as a professional.
Paul speaking to the group from his home in England
Paul spoke about ‘that save’ against Arsenal.
60 coaches and players took the chance to attend.
  • The Club continued its excellent Coach and Player webinars throughout the week with:
  • Steve Bradski – Women’s Head Coach, St Bonaventure University
  • Tommy Kouzmanis – Former CMNT and Montreal Impact player
  • Stasi Torchia – Fairleigh Dickinson University and League 1 Women’s player
Player Centered
  • Our program offerings are expanding! We rolled out fun programming to our U8-U12 Development players earlier and it’s been so well received we would like our Recreational players to also benefit.
  • Play at Home program is a free work book packed with practices and puzzles.
  • Virtual Training is a free weekly practice for players to work on techniques led by PFC Technical Staff. The first session is Saturday April 25th (10am) with registration required.
  • For questions or support our Grassroots Director Hollie is available by email at grassroots@pickeringfc.ca
  • Don’t forget to stay connected and share your soccer stories with us using Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Tag us at #PFCChallenge or #PFCProud

Our weekly calendar will help players prepare for the week ahead:
Transparency and Integrity
  • When it comes to online safety PFC takes the safety of our Membership and especially our youth seriously. We have a detailed policy for social media and website use. Webinars and online meetings are an area new to us and in keeping with Ontario Soccer’s directive regarding insurance coverage the Club has taken proactive action:
 
  1. We were concerned to hear of the hacking and security incidents with the Zoom platform. We have assessed other options and will be moving to the Cisco WebEx platform immediately for everyone’s safety.
  2. The PFC Board approved a Webinar Policy this week that includes procedures for the hosting of Club led sessions. This supports the current Club Code of Conduct and is aimed to protect all users and can be found during webinar registration.
 
  •  It is still too soon to assess refunds/credits for any program.
  • Indoor Competitive programs that had remaining sessions we hope to complete during the Outdoor season. Head Coaches are being asked to plan accordingly.
  • Competitive Outdoor season will run and we will assess the cost/deliverables as soon as the picture becomes clearer from our leagues. 
  • Outdoor Recreational season will run and meet its objectives with some festival type and/or multiple games in a week. The Club hopes to launch a ‘Dollar Down’ registration program in due course and payment plan for Outdoor Recreational.

Finally, with hopes of a late June start to our season we encourage you to stay in touch with us. If you have any questions or comments about this message please email:  memberservices@pickeringfc.ca with 'COVID Update' in the Subject line.
Stay safe.
 
Matt Greenwood, Executive Director

Pickering Football Club
(905) 831-9803
PickeringFC.ca
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