As we know, May and early June in Southern Ontario can be a challenge when forecasting the weather. This week was a perfect example but thanks to the team at HQ we were able to make the right decisions. There were a few phone calls and emails challenging our decisions and this is what we need you to know:
- The City of Pickering trusts Pickering FC wholeheartedly to make the right decisions when it comes to field use. No other municipality in Durham Region gives their grassroots soccer clubs that flexibility and you will find they make the decision on behalf of the Clubs. The City provides us with parameters and we get to make the best decision within those parameters. That's why you may find some towns closing fields when we know it will be possible to play.
- We take into account the imminent forecast using the Weather Network and its radar system starting from 9am daily, when we get to the office.
- We assess the previous days weather and current weather then, knowing how it will impact the ability of each of our fields to drain effectively.
- We consult as a team, Technical, Facility and Administrative to come to the correct decision.
Now of course we can't control the weather and sometimes it does strange things - when that happens, we throw our hands up in the air like anyone else. Rescheduling countless games, practices, permits, match officials and league updates is not what we want, and it's in our best interests and yours, to have players on the field enjoying their soccer but we will always aim to do the right thing.
From U3 Timbits soccer to Match Official
Ryley M. started as a U3 Timbits soccer player back in 2012 with the Pickering Soccer Club. Fast forward 10 years and Ryley stepped onto the field last night for his first experience as a grassroots match official with Pickering FC. Ryley admitted to being 'a bit nervous' on his first night but with the support of Club Head Referee Mike Balfour, who is at the fields every night to mentor our new and developing referees, Ryley had a great first game and we look forward to seeing how he and all our junior match officials develop this summer.
