Pickering FC
COVID-19 Update
May 15, 2020
Dear PFC Family,
 
This week has been tougher than most within the soccer community. We lost a great coach, mentor and friend from the Canadian soccer family way to soon. The scale of his loss was measured by the fact #RIP Gary was trending on Twitter for most of yesterday. Gary Miller was the Ontario Soccer Director of Soccer Operations and touched the lives of coaches and players including many of the Pickering FC coaching staff and our guest speaker on yesterdays webinar. We publicly shared our condolences on social media platforms yesterday and will await further news on how Ontario Soccer will formally celebrate his life.
 
“In every video-conference and call I was on today - they all started and ended the same way. Somber over the loss. Laughter at the anecdotes of how he touched so many in our game in Canada. An endless list of what & who he has influenced – his legacy will be forever imprinted”.
 
Earl Cochrane, General Secretariat, Canada Soccer
The Clubs remaining staff are now focusing are the plan for a Return to Play. An early draft was shared with the PFC Executive Board this week and will continue to be modified as we learn more from the Federal, Provincial and Municipal government, alongside Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer.
 
Next week we will share with you many of the considerations to be made and this will be the very first step in our clear communication plan for players, parents, coaches and match officials on creating an RTP plan and then its execution .
Community
  • Our Weekly Calendar is getting bumped to the top of the newsletter as we want to make sure everyone gets to see what we’re doing on a weekly basis and that there is an opportunity for every member to connect with us. If you feel we’re leaving you out please let us know at memberservices@pickeringfc.ca
  • Our All Abilities group could soon become the most popular weekly web session, below is a snapshot of tomorrows schedule. To register please contact Tammy at allabilities@pickeringfc.ca

Tomorrow is a BEACH THEME so dress up as a mermaid, pirate or put on a hula skirt, shorts or loud beach shirt. Don't forget your flip flops, sunglasses and hat. We can't wait to see you! Our special guests’ tomorrow are Coach T and Ioana from Kelani Dance who will be spreading alofa (love) and healing, inspired by the spirit and culture of our ancestors the Polynesians.
  • 10:30 am Welcome
  • 10:40 am Kelani with Ioana - a little Polynesian history and then we shake our hips
  • 11:00 am Fitness with Coach T
  • 11:15 am Limbo Dancing - you will need a stick (broom) and someone to hold the stick
  • 11:25 am MOCKTAIL TIME - We will end our session enjoying home made mocktails - make ahead of time and show us what you made!!!
Respect
  • Thank you and well done to Coach T who is leading our All Abilities fitness session each week. Coach T is a legend already as a well-loved member of the All Abilities coaching staff, fitness instructor AND member of the Canada Soccer Para team. We’re lucky to have Coach T on board and the inspiration and maturity he demonstrates each week with our players. Thank you, ‘T’, for making us all #PFCProud.
  • Congratulations to two of our all-time favourite players with Pickering FC (formerly Durham United FA). Joey Zupo and Tamara Brown were both recognized by League1 Ontario this week as part of their All Time Best 11. We can’t wait to start many more memories in League1 when we can finally return to Kinsmen Field.
Excellence
  • Two incredible female role models joined our players and coaches this week to share their story of life in soccer and where it’s taken them. Both guests shared their passion for the game, the opportunities it has provided them and the many, many things they’ve learned about themselves and life along the way.
  • Kaelan Sheridan, a former player with Pickering FC and now making a big name for herself in the U.S. with Sky Blue FC and on the Canada Women’s National Team.
  • Caroline Szwed, Sportsnet Host and former Ontario Provincial and Canada National team player.
  • Please stay in touch with your Head Coach for access details to each session. We’re taking a proactive approach to keeping our kids safe while they’re online with PFC Staff. Our new PFC Webinar Policy is aimed at protecting our attendees and can be viewed HERE.
Player Centered
Our Recreational Virtual Training is proving to be a HUGE SUCCESS as we enter week four.

  • For players who registered Indoor 2019 or Outdoor 2020 Recreational all you have to do is register in advance at the link below (click image).
  • For new players, register for the Outdoor 2020 season here for only $1 down. Then click the image to register for the Virtual training session.
  • Ball Drop Off! We’re still out in the community delivering new balls to newly registered players who hadn’t got a ball to start their practice. If you are new to the Club and need a new ball let us know by email to grassroots@pickeringfc.ca and we’ll get one to you asap. (We follow the Canada Post ‘Knock and Drop’ procedure).
  • Our Grassroots Development (U8-U12) continues twice a week led by Coach Hollie (Tuesdays, 5pm) and Coach Trey (Thursdays, 5pm). Details are available from your Head Coach and players are welcome to join in on both sessions

  • Don’t forget our PFC Play at Home program is a downloadable work book packed with practices and puzzles.
Transparency and Integrity
  • The PFC Board are assessing appropriate directions for program fees and in regular contact with other Clubs in the area. 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. As a recap;
  • Indoor Competitive programs that had remaining sessions we still hope to complete during the Outdoor season. Head Coaches are being asked to plan accordingly and continue to provide substantial online engagement.
  • Competitive Outdoor season will run and we will assess the cost/deliverables as soon as the picture becomes clearer from our host leagues. We are now starting to hear provisional plans from OPDL and DRSL leaders. 
  • Outdoor Recreational season will run and meet its objectives with some festival type and/or multiple games in a week. The Clubs ‘Dollar Down’ registration is now open with a 2-part payment plan.

The Club has communicated consistently since March 19 th (incl. March 24 th , April 2 nd , 9 th ,17 th , 24 th , May 1 st and 8 th ) and will continue to do so in order to keep you, our members informed during this tough time. For the most up-to-date information please remember to follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
 
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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