January, 21. 2010

Dear soccer families, 

As a member of VGSC's Board of Directors, and as the coach of a U9 and a U11 team, and as the parent of two soccer playing daughters, I'm alerting you to the very real possibility that VGSC will no longer be in operation next season UNLESS we assemble a group of about 20 parent volunteers who will each take on a small, but crucial, job.

Please realize that this club ( as well as every other sports club ) is run by dedicated parents, who volunteer their time and expertise. The pay-off is not a monetary one, but we get the satisfaction of seeing our daughters, and our daughters' friends, grow into powerful and healthy athletes, and that feels really good!

Many parents have stepped up and have taken on roles as coaches. THANK YOU!!! Now we need others who will pitch in in other ways. You don't need to have any knowledge of the sport of soccer! As long as you're willing to do one small ( or not so small ) job, please come on board and be part of the team. We will only proceed with at least 20 committed volunteers ( not counting coaches ), so we can guarantee you that, whatever job you do, it will be manageable.

If we can get MANY PARENTS to each do a little work, then VGSC will continue to grow into a thriving club, and our daughters will have bright soccer futures! I will start assembling the team TODAY. Please join by replying to this email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank you.

Barbara Meihuizen
Vancouver Girl's Soccer Club
Coach and Board Member

10am Kickoff
Andy Livingston AT
Sunday, January 10, 2009

January 9, 2010 -   Everyone is invited to watch the club's Selects and Division 1 Metro Women's Soccer League (MWSL) teams who are playing an exhibition game against each other this Sunday, January 10th at Andy Livingston AT.

It's a great opportunity for players and parents to see what our youth players can look forward to in staying in the game and with their friends in the VGSC. Also the caliber of the VGSC Women's Program teams which are well placed within their Divisions. Presently two teams are in first, one in second and one in fourth which is outstanding for a second year program. Hats off to all the coaches and players for their commitment that has given them such success this season and last.

The Selects are coached by Andre Tee and the Div 1 is coached by John Mitchell both who are well known in the youth, women's' and college soccer communities. Both coaches have players they have coached for many years with some going back to their youth teams and some returning after college. This speaks volumes to the level of coaching and the bond the players have kept over the years. It is hoped that both teams will be promoted up next season with the Selects moving to the MWSL highest tier called Premier and the Div 1's moving to the Selects tier.

Some youth players will recognized some of the women's players as they coach, do tryouts and help elsewhere inside the VGSC. Many women's players recognize the importance of investing in the youth and children to support the whole club system from top to bottom. They've been there where soccer included a great deal of moving around club to club as club's didn't support teams at all ages as there wasn't enough players, coaches and volunteers. The lack of these impact the grow and development of players from bottom to top.

The Board of Directors encourages and hopes that your family will take some time to come out and watch and meet the VGSC's women's teams at this Sundays exhibition game. It's a great opportunity for all to catch the club's vision for the players, parents, coaches and other volunteers who are striving together to make the club happen. The club is changing in may ways as it grows but because it is growing we need more volunteers at every level to make the changes happen. The changes are very important now as every level in the our club system is very dependent on the other as the club extends it development and social pathway from age six into the teens and then into adulthood for the long term benefit of the players

Overview of the FA Show Some Respect Program

Respect is The FA’s programme to address unacceptable behaviour in football – on and off the pitch.

On average, 7,000 referees quit football every year at because of the abuse they receive from players and from the sidelines. Lots of children also pack it in because of the attitude and actions of over-enthusiastic and pushy parents.

In response, The FA’s Respect programme provides a series of tools for leagues, clubs, coaches, Referees, players and parents from grassroots to elite football to ensure a safe, positive environment in which to enjoy the game.

These tools include agreed codes of conduct, in-service training for Referees, Respect club packs, spectator sideline barriers funded by the Football Foundation and ensuring captains work with referees to manage player behaviour.

The FA has also launched a free online Respect Parent Guide to highlight examples of poor behaviour and, more importantly, how it can be improved. To see the Guide for Parents and carers click here.

From www.thefa.com

The FA Show Some Respect Program web site - click here

November 6, 2009

Open letter to all Parents,

Many of you have no doubt heard or read about the Direct Access Grant situation.  VGSC, like most other soccer clubs (and various other sports and cultural organizations) has relied heavily for the past few years on Direct Access Grant funding.  The BC government, with essentially no warning, drastically cut Direct Access Grant funding for arts and cultural organizations for 2009/2010.   

VGSC was not spared these cuts.  This year, we received only a fraction of the funds received in prior years.

There had been some hope that the cuts would be modified and additional funds made available.  It appears this is not going to happen.  We are going to have to live with the cut in Direct Access Grant funding for the full 2009/2010 season.  The cuts may well be permanent, and funding may not be restored next year.

VGSC is not alone in this situation.  Some soccer clubs did not receive any Direct Access Grant funds at all this year, while others, like our club, received about the same percentage of their prior years’ funding. 

The cut in Direct Access Grant funding will have a significant impact on VGSC’s ability to deliver “non-core” programs and opportunities this season.  The only possible way to alleviate these cuts is through fundraising, sponsorships or new funding sources. 

Click on the below PDF's if you are interested in being a Vanoc 2010 Youth Volunteer -

 Vanoc 2010 Youth Volunteer Invitation - click here

 Vanoc 2010 Youth Volunteer Flyer - click here

With considerable speculation as to the impact which the H1N1 virus could have on Canadians this fall and winter, the following specific recommendations and general hygiene tips (found in the downloadable document) are being issued to BC Soccer member Clubs, Districts and Leagues to help everyone take steps in preventing the spread of this virus and all other influenza viruses in the coming months. 

This advisory is being issued as part of the SportMed Soccer program in conjunction with SportMed Safety, resources offered to the BC Soccer membership in partnership with SportMedBC, the network of more than 500 sport medical and paramedical practitioners operating in British Columbia.

 Download PDF - click here