November 17, 2020
To BCCSL Members:
These have certainly been unprecedented times this season as it relates to COVID and retuning to play with a sport we are all so passionate about. These past few weeks have also created confusion with new orders from Dr. Bonnie Henry. Our #1 priority, as a league, is to have kids playing the sport of soccer. We truly understand the physical and mental benefits of kids playing sports, particularly these days. However, we are only going to do that when it is safe and we get clear directions from both BC Soccer and ViaSport, who are the organizing bodies setting direction during these difficult times.
Our decision to cancel games Sunday, Nov 8th was based on the fact that we did not get any directions from the governing bodies on what is appropriate and what was not. Once we got those directions, we quickly re-evaluated and moved forward appropriately.
We do want to stress that this season is considered an exhibition season. We are not keeping standings and the focus is to get kids playing. We are all in this together and collectively, we will get through this.
Going forward, we want to ensure that the following is understood and adhered to:

COVID Policies and Processes
Any processes and policies that have been established by the governing bodies, municipalities and clubs, are not being policed by the BCCSL. As a league, we do not have the jurisdiction of determining what should or should not be followed or penalize those clubs that are not adhering to proper processes. If you come upon clear infractions, those must be reported to your club, and in turn the club will report it to the District of which they are a member. Any issues of concern will then be communicated between Districts.

Scheduling
Initially, we developed the schedule based on tight geographic boundaries determined by BCSA and ViaSport. That scheduling was challenging as many cohorts consisted of 3 teams, which meant byes would exist. We received a number of complaints because of this, but we were significantly handcuffed to provide a better experience.
A couple of weeks ago, the geographic constraints were lifted and we adjusted the schedule to remove as many cohorts of three as possible. We were not able to eliminate all of the byes, but we have very few cohorts of three compared to our initial scheduling process.
However, we are now receiving emails informing the league that some teams/clubs are not willing to travel distances for away games. We understand the concern, but outdoor soccer has proven to have minimal transmission of COVID, and would like all teams to participate now that we are back to playing.
We will also continue to make tweaks to the scheduling so that teams that may have been impacted with being in a cohort of 3, may move into a cohort of 4 once we have a break so that a 14 day quarantine can be provided for. We expect any changes to occur during the Xmas break as it relates to any adjustments.

Fair Play
We have seen a drop in registrations because of COVID. As a result, we have teams that are carrying the minimum amount of players. We have previously communicated that this is an exhibition season and all efforts should be made to ensure fair play at the field level, if a team is short players. We will not tolerate the running up of scores and would expect teams to take steps to create competitive balance wherever possible, such as using less players on the field or allowing players to play from one team to play for the other, if one has a larger roster.

Our staff has been working through all of the issues and quite frankly, we feel they have done a tremendous job during these challenging times. It should be understood that any concerns are to be raised through the clubs and districts, and not direct to the league. We would appreciate it if this protocol is followed, and the direct contact from coaches and parents needs to cease immediately, as emails are overwhelming our staff.
Thanks in advance for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to deal with the existing conditions.
Joe Basic - BCCSL Chair
c. BCCSL Board

ViaSport & City of Surrey Updates

November 11, 2020: Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley restrictions PHO Order

The order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) about Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley restrictions is now final and posted on the Provinces’ website. Since Dr. Henry’s press conference relating to the Order on Saturday, November 7, 2020 we have been working closely with the Province on the Order’s development.
 
Thank you for your patience and leadership as we navigate the many gray areas together.
 
 The Order and what it means to sport:  
The Order States: “No person or municipality may provide or host and no person may participate in an indoor sport unless the sport involves no physical contact between the participants.”

Clarification:

• Indoor sports can only conduct physical distanced activities. This does not mean all indoor sports are in Phase 2. Some Phase 3 activities may be possible as long as physical distance can be maintained along with other safety measures that we have implemented in return to sport (e.g., increased cleaning protocols).

 
The Order States: “No person may attend as a spectator at an indoor sport activity unless this is necessary to provide care to a participant.”  
Clarification:

• We understand that “unless necessary to provide care to a participant” can be interpreted many ways. We are working with public health to provide more clarity.

 
The Order States: “No person may travel to or from the affected area or between the regions of the Fraser Health Authority and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for any sport related activity, including practice, training, games or tournaments, unless they are an identified by Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high performance athlete affiliated with an accredited provincial or national sports organization and are already training in the affected area and subject to the safety guidelines of their provincial sports organization.”  
Clarification:

• The Order now clearly states that travel is not permitted for these or any sport activities. However, high performance athletes and their coaches are permitted to travel to, from and between the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health regions. High performance athletes are individuals that have been identified to a targeted athlete list with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific by their PSO or NSO.

 
The Order States: “No person or municipality may provide or host and no person may participate in a group indoor fitness activity until guidelines for group indoor fitness activities have been approved by the provincial health officer and the person or municipality who provides or hosts the activity has submitted an updated safety plan in accordance with those guidelines with respect to the activity to the Medical Health Officer and the safety plan has been approved. Once a safety plan has been approved, it must be posted in a place easily visible to participants.”  
What it means:

• Group indoor fitness activities (e.g., dance, spin, etc.) will need to have an approved plan before they are able to reopen and operate again. This Order is NOT required for sport. We understand that some sport organizations have been receiving conflicting information directly from health officials, but now that the Order is available we will work with health agencies to improve the interpretations and communication.

We know there will be more questions arising based on the details of the new Order. Our FAQ is an additional resource for you and is continually being updated as we continue to receive clarity on the Order and respond to your questions.

Provincial health officer orders are always a last resort, but right now these additional measures are required in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions. We need everyone to re-double our efforts to protect our communities.

The Impact of Covid 19 has directly impacted current member Clubs' registrations, resulted in revenue short falls.

To keep the existing clubs viable in these uncertain times, new club registrations are now suspended.

In the past weeks the existing clubs have endorsed and passed a motion effective Oct 1, 2020 to suspend any new club applications.

The SFDA Board has ratified this motion.

The Clubs and SFDA Board will re-visit accepting applications on Sept 30th, 2022 or if registrations reach pre-covid and sustainable club finances.

Regards,

Bruce McCallum

Chair SFDA

October 6, 2020

We are pleased to welcome Bruce McCallum as Acting Chair until Annual General Meeting.

Bruce McCallum was appointed by the SFDA Board on October 5th.

Bruce brings many years of soccer organization experience and managed the amalgamation of Surrey Metro Soccer Association, South District Girls Soccer Association and Delta Youth Soccer Association.

Shaheem Ali

Vice-Chair

South Fraser District Association

South Fraser District Association will be launching a program via Zoom called, "ASK THE REF'.  We will be doing our first session on Monday, October 19th at 7:00 PM.

The program will be an open forum for discussion for all club executives, coaches, players and parents to ask the referee panel any questions related to the laws of the game, how to address concerns or issues. 

Pretty much anything related to the beautiful game is on the table.  We are hoping that each month people can feel free to share the good, bad and not pretty issues/concerns they may have with the officiating in our district.  We want to use this as an educational and learning tool for our officials. Constructive feedback that we can share with our fellow officials and help them grow and develop their officiating skills.

Zoom Meeting "ASK THE REF" Open to Referees, Coaches,  and Parents for Monday, October 19, 2020  at 7:00 p.m. login is 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83349695041?

Meeting ID: 833 4969 5041
Passcode: 536881

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Meeting ID: 833 4969 5041
Passcode: 536881
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc9iPH9cXZ
 

To All SFDA Club,

Since these are exhibition series games and no ID cards, we ask Clubs, Team and Coaches to ensure the the rules of play are upheld at all games.

Any Club, Coach and/or Team that fails to practice safe soccer will be investigated and fines, discipline and sanction may apply.

SFDA and BC Soccer encourages all individuals who experience or witness bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in soccer to report the incident or behaviour to BC Soccer and pursue the complaint with the authorities against the organization or individual involved.

The South Fraser District Association has created an anonymous email address for anyone that would like to file a complaint directly with the District:  SFDAfeedback@gmail.com 

Please note this email address is confidential.