Chilliwack FC News

September 6, 2021

Dear Chilliwack FC family,

Welcome to the 2021-22 Fall/Winter soccer season!

It has been a long haul for all of us and we are so excited to have what we hope will be a relatively normal soccer season for the kids. Saturday, September 11 will mark the kick-off of the fall/winter season for a vast majority of you and we cannot be more thrilled. While we are keenly aware that we aren’t out of the pandemic ‘woods’ just yet and changes could still happen in how we execute the season, all of us at Chilliwack FC are so excited to get the kids back on the field. After last season and all the changes and restrictions we experienced, on behalf of the Chilliwack FC Executive and staff, I’d like to thank all of you for coming back and welcome all of our new family members.

As we continue to put the finishing touches on the season, many of you have asked some great questions that we felt it was better to address to the entire organization rather than just at a one-on-one level.

Do I have to wear a face mask at Chilliwack FC events?
While face masks are no longer mandatory for Chilliwack FC outdoor events we do encourage and recommend they still be worn. For any events held indoors, Chilliwack FC is obligated to follow the Provincial Health Orders and as of today masks must be worn indoors.

The washrooms attached to the Grandstands at Exhibition Field are considered to be indoors and masks must be worn as per the request of the City of Chilliwack.

Coach/Volunteer Vaccination
While there is no official mandate from any of our governing bodies on mandatory coach/volunteer vaccination in youth sports, Chilliwack FC does encourage and recommend all of our coaches, volunteers, and staff who are able to be vaccinated to do so.

Proof of Vaccination
At this time, Chilliwack FC does not have to enforce/require proof of vaccination for our participants or spectators. Should that ever become a part of the Provincial Health Order, we will have no choice but to execute as requested.

Spectators
We are thrilled to welcome parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends back to watch their favourite Chilliwack FC player as they take to the field. However, we do need to be cognizant of a few things when welcoming you all back:

• Only players and coaches are permitted on the field.
• All spectators need to be seated where bleachers/grandstands are present. Please do not lean against the fences or loiter in open spaces. We encourage you to wear a face mask when seated if you are unable to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
• Unfortunately no pets are allowed at the following venues: Exhibition Field and Townsend Park Field A. Please leave your fur children at home so we do not have to ask you to put them in the car.
• As per the Provincial Health Order, some venues utilized by Chilliwack FC have capacity limits such as Exhibition Field which is 1250 people. While we do not expect to ever hit that limit at any given time, we do need you to be aware we are tracking and may have to ask some of you to wait to enter the venue.

Snack/Water Bottle Sharing
Please do not coordinate snack share such as oranges for game days. Also, please ensure your child(ren) have their own water bottle as sharing is highly discouraged.

If you have any questions or concerns that have not been addressed please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at chairperson@chilliwackfc.com or you may also reach out to your age group coordinator. Their contact information can be found here.

We are so excited to get this season underway and hope you are too. Here’s to a safe and successful soccer season!

Andrea Laycock
Chilliwack FC Chairperson

August 9, 2021

UPDATE: Jordyn Huitema has generously donated one of her Olympic jerseys for a silent auction that will be held before and during Wednesday’s event with proceeds to go to Chilliwack FC’s Soccer Fund. CLICK HERE TO BID NOW! The online silent auction will close at 8:30pm on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. To learn more about the fund, click here.

From the City of Chilliwack:

Chilliwack, BC: Last week, the Canadian women’s soccer team, including Chilliwack’s own Jordyn Huitema, won their first ever gold medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Members of the public are invited to celebrate this historic win with Jordyn on Wednesday, August 11 at 6 pm at Exhibition Field (parking and field access off of 45530 Spadina Avenue).

Attendees are encouraged to wear red and white to celebrate Jordyn’s gold medal victory. The event will feature a procession and ceremony, followed by a meet and greet with Jordyn. This event will adhere to all public health orders and guidelines. Please practice physical distancing and follow directional signage.

“Following the Canadian women’s soccer team’s journey was a thrill for many Canadians, and a little bit more so for us here in Chilliwack,” said Mayor Popove. “At 20 years old, Jordyn is already a highly decorated player, demonstrating her immense skill and talent. Chilliwack is looking forward to celebrating many more wins with her.”

Jordyn Huitema is from Chilliwack, and got her start in soccer at the age of 4. The forward and Chilliwack FC alum has played for Surrey United, and the Vancouver Whitecaps, before moving onto play for Paris Saint-Germain Football Club in France. Now an Olympic gold medalist, Jordyn has represented Canada numerous times in the past, and was the first player in Canadian soccer history to score for the U-17s, U-20s, and senior national team in one calendar year.

August 3, 2021

Ever thought of becoming a soccer referee?

The process is now easier than ever with the recent launch of the NEW BC Soccer Virtual Referee Clinics. Chilliwack FC is hosting two clinics for new and upgrading/re-certifying referees this month.

If you’re 12 years of age or older, you are eligible to register for the BC Soccer Small Sided Referee Certification Clinic and if you’re 14 years of age or older you can register for the BC Soccer Entry Level Referee Certification Clinic.

The SSR clinic consists of two (2) webinar theory sessions, an online theory exam and a practical on-field component; and the ELR clinic consists of online, self-paced theory modules, one (1) webinar theory session, an online theory exam and a practical on-field component.  Once you pass the course, you will receive your badge and you will be able to referee games corresponding to your level of certification.*

CFC referee assignors allocate games based on a number of factors. For example, each referee’s availability, their experience and skill level as well as their comfort and personal goals with respect to officiating are considered.  The referee schedulers aim to assign games that will challenge referees and allow them to learn and grow their confidence and skill set with each match they officiate.

The CFC referee mentors will assist with educating, teaching and training the referees throughout the season. Mentors will help the referees build on their knowledge of the Laws of the Game and provide ongoing encouragement, guidance and support to the participants of the Chilliwack FC Referee Development Program as they progress in their refereeing careers.

Please review the referee course information and registration pages on the BC Soccer website and register early to reserve your seat in the course: www.bcsoccer.net/referee-clinics

Please email Angela if you have any questions about the referee clinics or refereeing for Chilliwack FC.

*All adult (19 years of age and older) referees in BC must complete and submit their Criminal Record Check directly to BC Soccer in order to be registered and participate in sanctioned soccer activities.

July 23, 2021

On Friday, July 23, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport announced that Chilliwack FC will be among 86 Lower Mainland local sport organizations to receive funding through the Local Sport Relief Fund administered by viaSport British Columbia. To read the full release, click here.

We are grateful to viaSport BC and the Province of British Columbia for their continued support of youth sports in Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley.

Founded in 2011, viaSport British Columbia envisions a society where people and communities are truly healthy, vibrant and connected because they value and participate in sport experiences that are safe, inclusive and meaningful. With the support of the Province of British Columbia, viaSport manages approximately $16 M in sport, oversees more than 70 B.C. sport organizations, provides support for coach education and policy, and leads key initiatives to create more equitable opportunities in sport. Learn more on how viaSport transforms and scales the impact of sport at www.viasport.ca

July 14, 2021

• Open to our U11-U18 Development (2004-2011) players, PLUS any U10 (2012) players registered in Cascadia League.
• Chilliwack FC will provide a training tee shirt to all participants.