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Pickering FC
All Abilities
June 2022
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Hi there everyone,
We have had a busy spring/summer season with the return of our outdoor program! We would like to welcome our new and returning athletes and volunteers to our summer program - we hope you have been having fun!!
We would also like to welcome some new staff to our program including: Tempest ( Summer Program Assistant), Bishoy (Fundamentals Coach) and Erica (Learn to Train Coach). Welcome to our Team/ Family!
Tammy Lyle-Gravlev
All Abilities Program Coordinator
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For the past 5 years, our PFC All Abilities program has received financial support from Jumpstart.
Founded in 2005, Jumpstart helps kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in an effort to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities.
Jumpstart is more than just about getting kids active. It's about giving kids from families in financial need the same chance to participate as their neighbours, their classmates and their friends. Whether it's the chance to try a new sport or to continue with a favourite one, no kid should be left out.
Our Mission
To enrich the lives of kids in need through sport and physical activity
Our Vision
Canada, where all kids have a chance to fulfill their dreams.
Thanks to the generous support of Canadian Tire Corporation, who covers all of Jumpstart's general and administrative expenses, 100% of donations help kids access sport and play.
You can support Jumpstart by donating HERE or when you shop at:
- Canadian Tire
- Marks
- Sport Check
- Canadian Tire Financial Services
- Part Source
- Sport Experts
- Canadian Tire Gas+
- Hockey Life
- *** Party City***NEW
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I was very honoured to attend the City of Pickering's 2021 Civic Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of our local Pickering community. This year, award recipients included our very own PFC All Abilities Coach Anusha Broekhuyse who was awarded the City of Pickering Art Award.
Anusha used her exceptional leadership abilities and overcame barriers associated with the pandemic to create a meaningful art program and children’s book, while coaching soccer to the athletes of the All Abilities team. Over the past year, her experience teaching art to a student with Down Syndrome at Community Living Ontario gave her the idea to offer the same opportunity to a larger number of youth. She founded an 8-week virtual visual art program for 6+ athletes of the All-Abilities Soccer Program to improve their fine motor skills and creative confidence.
To provide more opportunities for youth with disabilities, Anusha illustrated and
wrote a children’s book, called “Logan Learns to Play”, which was published on Amazon in November of 2021. The story follows the perspective of a young boy with cerebral palsy and highlights the challenges, joys, and fears he experiences on a daily basis as he learns to play soccer. Through the eyes of the main character Logan, Anusha portrayed the emotions she observed the athletes express on the field as they complete drills, score a goal, and interact with
their friends.
Her tremendous ability to observe and see things from the athletes’ perspectives, then use her art to bring it to life, enabled her to support and advocate for youth with disabilities in her community. She has sold over 200 books and has donated all proceeds – over $1500 – back to the Pickering Football Club’s All Abilities Program. Thank you Anusha for the amazing contribution you have made to our club and our Pickering community. It was an honour to be part of the celebration!
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All Abilities Job Opportunities |
We are getting prepared for the start of our Fall Indoor season!! Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to two of our All Abilities Coaches who are starting a new adventure this September at University.
We are seeking 2 coaches for our PFC program and 1 for our Holland Bloorview Program. Interested candidates, please click HERE.
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2022 PFC All Abilities Lucas MacIsaac Memorial Fund |
We are happy to announce that the application for our 2022 PFC All Abilities Lucas MacIsaac Memorial Fund is now open.
The Pickering Football Club’s All Abilities Lucas MacIsaac Memorial Volunteer Scholarship has been created so that we may recognize those young men and women volunteering with our All Abilities program, who exemplify the “spirit” of Lucas MacIssac. Lucas was a dedicated Volunteer with the All Abilities Program traveling to and from our Pickering Football Club every Saturday morning from Campbellville, Ontario. His passion for the sport of soccer was evident as he mentored our young athletes, leading them in fitness, soccer skills and soccer games. In addition to volunteering with our All Abilities Program, he also jumped into training with our Blind Soccer program and team mates from the Canada Soccer Para Team. Sadly, Lucas passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020 after an 8 year battle with cancer.
Scholarship Details
Applicants must submit a completed application accompanied with a letter of recommendation to the All Abilities Program Coordinator. If a candidate fulfills all requirements, their respective application will be reviewed by an Executive Committee panel and an award recipient will be chosen. The chosen recipient will be announced the end of July.
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Volunteers needed for our Fall All Abilities Program |
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Are you interested in volunteering with our All Abilities programs? We are starting to recruit for our fall season. Our tentative dates are: Saturdays, September - December 2022 8:45am - 11:15 am.
Why Volunteer?
The Pickering Football Club’s All Abilities Program is a unique program which offers children and youth with special needs a chance to have fun, make friends and get fit through the great game of soccer. We have grown to become one of the largest programs in Canada. We are always looking for volunteers to join our program. You will receive specialised training and the opportunity to truly make a difference in our community. Join our team to help us continue to bring much needed sports programs to the many children in our community who may never get a chance to play and have fun in a sports environment.
As a Volunteer, you will:
- Work one-to-one with athletes, guiding them through the sessions
- Work closely with other volunteers and instructors to learn how to be a great mentor and friend
- Help set up and take down equipment
- Demonstrate and help athletes learn soccer skills, physical literacy skills, and teamwork skills
- Help athletes to make friends and have a great time!
- SOCCER EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED!
- Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older
- Volunteers must commit to 80%
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Elliot's Walk for All Abilities - Save the Date! |
We are excited at announce the date of our second annual Elliot's Walk for All Abilities. Save the date: Sunday October 2, 2022. More details to follow soon! |
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Author and illustrator Anusha Broekhuyse joined our PFC All Abilities program as a volunteer at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, assisting with our virtual soccer programming. She then brought her love of our program to the field and joined as an All Abilities Coach.
We uncovered Anusha's amazing artistic talent which led her to write "Logan Learns to Play". She used her visual art skills to illustrate the enjoyment, fears, and challenges that youth living with disabilities face daily and hopes that this book will help inspire more children living with intellectual and/or physical disabilities to participate in sports.
“Logan longs to play soccer when he sees his classmates playing out on the field. Kicking the ball with his walker seems like a daunting task as he has grown up with Cerebral Palsy. When he is introduced to an inclusive and accessible All Abilities program, he finds himself surrounded by a community of friends, family and fun”!
HOW TO PURCHASE
You can purchase the book from the Pickering Soccer Centre or via Amazon Canada for $15.00. Shipping is extra.
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All Abilities Development Fund |
The Pickering Football Club’s All Abilities program has been offering accessible recreational opportunities to children and youth in the Durham area for the past 13 years. Today, we offer numerous programs year round at the Pickering Football Club and through our community partners in the Greater Toronto Area.
In an effort to provide future accessible programming, we have established the All Abilities Development Fund. In partnership with Sport4Ontario and the National Sport Trust Fund, we are able to issue tax receipts for all donations over $20.00.
Every child deserves the opportunity to participate in recreational opportunities that are fun, incorporates fitness and develops friendships. This holiday season, make giving back a holiday tradition. Consider supporting the Pickering Football Clubs All Abilities program.
Please click the button below to donate today. You will need the following information to process your donation:
Organization Name: Pickering Football Club
Project Name: All Abilities Development Fund
Project Number: 155
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Flex for Access Gala Fundraiser |
Flex for Access was founded in May 2015 as a Social Media Awareness Campaign, by Jess Silver, writer, fitness enthusiast and advocate. It is now a Non-Profit Organization for Cerebral Palsy awareness, and other disabilities and fitness and sport promotion.
Flex for Access’ vision is to help societal perception of disability evolve, and to allow all individuals regardless of limitations, fitness level and interest, the ability to be engaged in exercise and sport.
Gala Fundraiser for Flex for Access
Date: Wednesday November 16th, 2022, 7-11:00 pm
Location: W Event Boutique, 177 Whitmore Road, Vaughan, ON L4L 6A7
Tickets: $75.00 each, click HERE
- Light refreshments
- Aerialists & musicians,
- Canadian artist, Carmela Casuccio
- Speakers from the sports and Paralympic world, as well as appearances by Radio/ Television personality, Elvira Caria and more! E
- Silent Auction
- Children under 10 are free
- Dress Code In Effect: Business-Casual.
Follow @flexforaccess on Instagram and Twitter
Advocacy. Awareness. Empowerment.
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Thank you for our support! |
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