BC Soccer suspends sanctioned soccer activity regarding concerns over the spread of COVID-19

13 Mar BC Soccer suspends sanctioned soccer activity regarding concerns over the spread of COVID-19

EDIT: CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE VAFC COVID-19 INFO PAGE

VAFC continues to follow the lead of BC Soccer and Soccer Canada regarding COVID-19. Today BC Soccer is directing all members and affiliated clubs to suspend all sanctioned soccer activities in the province until further notice. As such all VAFC Spring Break camps, evaluations, practices, games, etc. are cancelled until further notice.

VAFC will update it’s members with program specific information as it becomes available.

Registration for the Fall season remains open.

BC Soccer Announcement

Over the last 24 hours there have been even more heightened concerns over the potential spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as of March 13, 2020, with this growing and unprecedented uncertainty surrounding this health pandemic, and in accordance with Canada Soccer’s direction, BC Soccer is directing all members and affiliated clubs to suspend all sanctioned soccer activities in the province until further notice.

BC Soccer sanctioned soccer activities include, but are not limited to, all competitions, training, practices, matches, coach and referee education and team building activities. The intent of this suspension is to limit situations of physical contact.

BC Soccer restates that the health and safety of all participants in the soccer community in BC is of the utmost importance and is central to any decision-making process. Further, in the first instance, all involved in our sport should take direction from the appropriate health authorities, including the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ministry of Health.

To ensure the health and safety of the players, coaches, match officials and administrators in BC, BC Soccer recommends that all Youth Districts, Adult Leagues, Associate Members and Affiliated Clubs communicate to their members that they will cease operations immediately and until further notice.

BC Soccer will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the public health authorities, government agencies and soccer governing bodies and will provide appropriate updates as things continue to unfold.

BC Soccer thanks you for your understanding while we work through this challenging and unprecedented time. We also want to take this opportunity to recognize the extra work that this decision is placing on the soccer community in BC.

Canada Soccer

CLICK HERE to view Canada Soccer’s March 13, 2020 announcement

Government

The Canadian Government (and specifically the PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population – https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
The BC Ministry of Health has also stated that the risk to British Columbians remains low – https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19