Chilliwack FC News

August 12 – Chilliwack FC Programming Update

August 12, 2020

Dear Chilliwack FC Members,

It’s been a while since we last communicated with you. We hope you’re all keeping well and have managed to stay healthy as we continue to chart our way through the life-changing COVID-19 pandemic. Since our last communication where we announced the cancellation of our spring season, the Chilliwack FC Executive and staff have continued to work hard behind the scenes preparing for the Return to Play and the upcoming fall season.

With safety as our paramount concern, the Executive implemented a Return to Play program and policy, which also includes contact tracing, all of which meet and or exceed the standards required by Canada Soccer and the British Columbia Soccer Association to return to the pitch, which we did in late June. I know I can speak on behalf of everyone involved with the organizing of Chilliwack FC when I say that, despite the added workload to get the kids back on the pitch, it was exhilarating to see them back on the turf participating in the sport they love. To help us manage not only all things related to COVID-19, but also the overall safety of the club, the Executive took a rather large step forward and hired our very first Health and Safety Officer, Mark Lillicrap.  Mark will be an excellent addition to our team and we’re excited to have him on board.

As already mentioned, we are back on the pitch! While it may not look like the traditional soccer we’re used to seeing and participating in right now, Chilliwack FC is offering safe soccer for all of those who sign up with our Return to Play policy and health authorities guiding us every step of the way. Chilliwack FC has also opened registration for the fall season and we’re excited to see you back on the pitch. It is our expectation, and that of many others, that we will see a traditional soccer season with perhaps a twist or two at the beginning, so if you haven’t registered please do so to avoid disappointment. In a time where we’re all being asked to adapt to a new normal when it comes to different aspects of our daily lives, Chilliwack FC is asking you, our valued members, to do the same when it comes to our sport. Of course, we can’t predict the future or how the pandemic will play out–none of us can–but we can assure you that we will be able to offer some kind of safe programming for your children. We also recognize that many of you may have some hesitation about returning to the pitch and that is perfectly okay and completely understandable. Please know that Chilliwack FC will do its best to accommodate you at a later date if you aren’t quite ready to take the registration plunge.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to Chilliwack FC with words of encouragement and understanding since the pandemic started; they have meant the world to us. This has been one of the most challenging times we’ve ever seen here at Chilliwack FC and we appreciate all of you sticking with us through it.

We look forward to seeing you back on the pitch real soon!

On behalf of the Chilliwack FC Executive,

Andrea Laycock

Chairperson