SIDELINESMarch 2014

From WVSC to the Whitecaps

Margaret Hadley and Nicola Mawsonshow how loving soccer pays off

West Vancouver Soccer Club hasbeen the starting place for a number ofsuccessful players and coaches.Margaret Hadley and Nicola Mawsonare two examples of this. Bothplayers are a part of the WhitecapsGirls Elite Program, which iscomprised of BC’s top U17 and U18players. The Whitecaps haveidentified Mawson, Hadley and theother girls in this program as thosewho have the promise of taking theirsoccer to another level after leavingyouth soccer. The Whitecaps are themain pipeline for providing BC withProvincial and National Team players.

Margaret Hadley is the type of personyou want on any team. She reallycares about her teammates andinteracts with everyone so well off thefield. On the field, she has atremendous ability to score goals. –Jesse Symons, Whitecap coach andformer WVSC coach

Mawson and Hadley began playing with WVSCwhile in Kindergarten, and they can recall playing atHugo Ray Park. “It was so much fun! It was so goodplaying with Doug,” Mawson said with a wide smile.Both Mawson and Hadley remember their early yearsof soccer as being fun and positive under the coachingof Doug Avis, their first coach. As Mawson andHadley progressed through the WVSC system,

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Hadley and Mawson taketheir soccer to high levelsthey eventually tried out for Metro soccer when they wereat U13, which is the first Metro age group. They wereselected and placed onto a team with Anne Pellerud andJohn Lecky, two WVSC coaches who have provided a lotof success to their teams. Pellerud’s Norwegian andNational Team experiences are admirable, and she ismarried to Even Pellerud, the current Norwegian NationalTeam coach and previous Canadian Women’s NationalTeam coach who brought in players like Melissa Tancredito the National program.

“I always had a great time playing with Anne andJohn; I remember that it was an intense environment, but itwas always really positive, and I remember learning a lotabout the big picture of the game—not just how to win buthow to try things so that you can improve every game,”Mawson said. Under Pelluerud and Lecky, Mawson andHadley were provided with another layer of soccerfoundation that helped to take them to the BCSPL leveland Moutain United FC where they played under JesseSymons, another WVSC coaching alumnus and Whitecapcoach. “We did well playing under Jesse,” Hadley said,although to say the team only “did well” was probably amodest understatement. Symons hand-picked his teamfrom players all over the Lower Mainland, and the MUFCU16 team powered through league play and ended upgoing to Nationals. Following Nationals, Symons wasoffered the head coach position of the Women’s Whitecapsteam, and he left MUFC. After one season as theWhitecaps Women’s head coach, the women’s leaguedissolved, and Symons found his role with the Whitecapsorganization shift to the youth segment. Hadley rejoinedSymons once he was established as the Girls EliteDirector, but Mawson moved to Coastal where she playedunder Bob Birarda and went to the National tournamentonce again. Shortly after the National tournament,Mawson rejoined Hadley and signed to the Whitecapsprogram.

Nicola Mawson has excellentmotivation that really helps hernot just in the game of soccer,but academically. With hermotivation and work ethic levelshe will do well in anything sheengages with–Jesse Symons

“Jesse is definitely one of thebest coaches I’ve had theopportunity to train with. Heconstantly encourages us towork towards our personal andteam goals because he knowswhat we can achieve. One ofmy favorite things about histraining sessions is that theyalways have a purpose,” saidMawson of her coach.

One thing that both Mawsonand Hadley have in common istheir sheer love of being out onthe field and training. Practicingfive to six days a week mightseem over the top to somepeople, but to these players it’soften the best part of their day.(Continued on next page)

WVFC Players Earn Notice andScholarships with Universities

Andrew Shoring: Quest UniversityDaniel Van Woerkens: QueensDevan Woolley: Capilano UniversityGi-Sung Ha: University of BritishColumbiaHarry Shrimpton: University of BritishColumbia, OkanaganJB McEown: Quest UniversityMatt Callow: University of VictoriaMatt Hall-Stevenson: Langara CollegeMatt Kasteel: Trinity Western UniversityMike Mckinnon: University of CalgaryRob Giezen: Capilano UniversityScott Menzies: University of WashingtoinShawn Greensides: Capilano UniveristyThomas Arnott: Capilano UniversityTristian Wallis: Mayer-SFUWill Barraclough: Capilano University

WVFC U21’s are coached by Leo Nash.Andy Bramley is the General Manager. Overthe last two seasons, the following playershave received scholarships.

As any high level athletes will concede, there havebeen personal sacrifices along the way: missing timewith friends, skipping parties, going to bed early andbeing ready for each training session. Being willing todo the hard work required to keep up with competitorsand pushing themselves to constantly improve hasbecome a part of their lives, and they will reap thebenefits from the hours of soccer they have each putinto the sport they love. Both are graduating thisspring. Mawson is at Sentinel Secondary and Hadleyis at West Vancouver Secondary. Mawson is shoppingCanadian universities and looking for a place to studyAnimal Sciences and continue playing universitysoccer. Hadley recently signed her papers to play withthe University of Texas, El Paso. From the innocentand fun beginnings of WVSC PeeWee soccer, twoyoung women have proven that really good things cancome from commitment, dedication, and thewillingness to put soccer first.

Hadley and Mawson –Continued from page 2

Sarah Moignard, U18, is another WVSC playerwho came up with Mawson and Hadley throughour club’s programs. Sarah played with our clubuntil she was selected to play North Shore Metro atU14. Since then Sarah has played for MUFC andhas been on the BC Provincial team at U13 andU15. She is currently on the TSS U18 Elite Blackteam. Sarah will be attending the University ofNew Brunswick in the fall on a scholarship.

“The West Van FC Men's U21 team is known as one of the most successful U21 programs in the Province. Our team hasalways been in the top 1 or 2 in league standings since we started the program and always in the League Cup and ProvincialCup finals. This is all down to the quality of players that the program has attracted. The team is made up of local players fromthe HPL, Metro and University level. The program runs year round as the U21's take part in the VMSL U21 division duringthe winter/fall and the PCSL Reserve division during the spring/summer months.” –Leo Nash, WVSC U21 Coach

Building Capital Funds Importantto The Future of WVSC

West Vancouver Soccer Club is lookingat a number of facilities to add in the nearfuture. The club continues to look for waysto improve its fields’ situation, and there are anumber of possibilities being discussed withthe West Vancouver District that also have thesupport of West Vancouver Field HockeyClub. One of the largest areas of interest andconcern is trying to obtain another qualityfield so that we can keep up with the demandfor field requests. At some point the clubwould like to have all practices and trainingprograms off of gravel surfaces. The annualWVSC raffle ticket fundraiser has beeninstrumental in allowing our club to generatefunds that have provided us the opportunity toimprove our facilities. The work thatmanagers, coaches, and families put intoselling the raffle tickets has not beenunnoticed and has benefitted all clubmembers. Although the raffle did not takeplace this season, the club is consideringbringing it back for the upcoming season tohelp bolster its capital funds.

It will probably come as a surprise to ourmembership that WVSC rents the fields thatwe use for our teams to practice and play.Over the last decade our Club has becomeincreasingly responsible both conceptuallyand financially for the facilities that we needfor our players to develop and improve.

Here are some recent examples of thecontributions made by WVSC on behalf ofour members:

(i) The replacement of the artificial turfon Ambleside Fields D and E wasspecified with extensive input fromthe Club and was paid for from asinking fund accumulated from therental fees from the sport clubs foruse of those fields.

(ii) The bench covers that have been amuch appreciated addition atAmbleside Fields D and E weredesigned and paid for from fundsraised by WVSC.

(iii) Rutledge Field, the renovated fieldhouse, and the soccer warm-up padwere successfully completed bycontributions from our Club fundsand hundreds of volunteer hours toachieve the funding, design andapprovals.

Our successes to date have come fromclose co-operation with West VancouverDistrict and West Vancouver Field HockeyClub.  However, we are still far short of thefacilities that we want to provide for ourplayers.  Our immediate focus for the Club isto obtain funding and approval for a thirdartificial turf soccer field in order to bettermeet the needs of our teams for bothpractices and games.  Currently our effortsare focused on the possibility of a new ATfield at West Vancouver Secondary (therenovation of the current field and trackpromise the best location for club users, butthe cost and other complications are of majorconsideration). Another location beingconsidered is McGavin, located on the way

(Facilities Continued)to Cypress Mountain ski area.  District support is likely but the value of the landand potential weather conditions are of consideration.  The elevation puts this fieldwhere snow is very possible during the winter.

One very exciting facilities addition that should be coming soon is bleacher coversfor spectators on Field D.  Work has been done to design an appropriate cover andthe District and WVFHC are in full support of this being added to Ambleside Park.In addition to the bleacher cover, the Club is also looking at adding a much neededstorage container(s) for soccer and field hockey use.

Capital funds are required in order to maintain and improve facilities.The addition of a soccer field, a club house and other facilities are part ofthe club’s future plans. WVSC was instrumental in the returfing of fieldsD and E.

2014 – 2018 WEST VANCOUVER SOCCER CLUB STRATEGIC PLAN – OVERVIEW

This information is provided for the benefit of Club members and outlines the foundational principles and strategic priorities for theperiod 2014 – 2018, as approved by the Board of Directors. To read the complete Strategic Plan document, please contact JulieWalker: registrar@westvansoccer.com.

VISIONBy 2024, West Van Soccer will be recognized as a premier community soccer club in Canada.

VALUES Provide a FUN environment for all participants Demonstrate RESPECT for all club members Act with INTEGRITY through decisions and services Ensure maximum effort through TEAMWORK Be INCLUSIVE in activities and programs Support EXCELLENCE in helping all participants achieve

MISSION STATEMENTThe West Vancouver Soccer Club provides a positive community soccer experience and pathways for players of all ages andabilities.

MAJOR AREA GOALS AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES1. GRASSROOTS PROGRAMS AND SOCCER FOR LIFEGOAL: Increase membership by 22% by 2018Strategic Priorities:

Continuously improve recruitment and retention tactics to ensure that the Club stays strong and healthy Develop and implement standardized practice templates of skills and drills, with expected development progressions, as well as

skill and game awareness outcomes Improve the soccer experience for players in the U9 – U18 age groups

2. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMSGOAL: Offer competitive teams at all levels with 25% of teams being league or cup medalistsStrategic Priorities:

Develop and activate a Goalkeeper program to support all teams and programs Improve all Development programs with off-field learning and training opportunities Ensure that Academy programs support and enhance the development of identified players

3. COACHING DEVELOPMENTGOAL: Implement a West Vancouver Soccer Club coaching delivery programStrategic Priorities:

Develop and implement a mandatory West Vancouver Soccer training and education program for all coaches – the “WestVancouver Soccer Club Coaching Delivery Program”

Develop and activate a system to tie retention data and player / parental inquiries back to coach evaluations

4. CLUB OPERATIONSGOAL: Achieve 90% members satisfactionStrategic Priorities:

Devise and conduct an annual Member Survey / Feedback opportunity for all players and parents to ensure that the Club ismeeting their needs

Ensure that appropriate Club information tools are developed to promote and explain each level of programming and club services Develop a multi-year Fundraising strategy to incorporate a new artificial turf field and a Clubhouse

Bill SparlingWest Vancouver Soccer Club President

February 2014

On November 1 and 2, a very dedicated group of WVSC volunteers and employees spent two days working together with theguidance of a professional facilitator. Their goal was to come up with a strategic plan for moving our club forward over thenext four years. The following document outlines the result of work done that weekend and in follow up meetings. As a part ofthe changes that could be in store for the club, there is an upcoming governance review which could result in some bylawchanges in May.

Adam Aziz Takes Soccer and Freekicks.orgto Uganda and Inner-City Schools

When WVSC coach Adam Aziz thinksabout his October trip to Uganda to share thegame of soccer with communities that hadvery little in terms of equipment or a field toplay on, he says, "It was like jumping off acliff and building our wings on the waydown." Adam and his talented crew (GregSawers, Justus Mirembe and WayneRobinson) from his charity Freekicks.orgentered Uganda not knowing what theirexperience would be like, and Adam saysthat the trip was a huge success and that heand his group accomplished everythingthey had hoped for and probably "triple" theamount.

Freekicks.org, founded by Adam, wentinto Uganda with the plan of helpingUgandans on three levels: personalimprovement,individual health andcommunityenvironment. Theyused the sport ofsoccer as a way tomake the initialconnection withpeople, and afterconnecting they wereable to advance theirefforts to assistUgandans beyondproviding soccerequipment.

One of a number of things that Adam is verypleased with is that they were able to set up aclinic and screen 120 Ugandans for HIV.They were able to provide for this servicethrough the fundraising and donationsaccumulated from the $40,000 raised during2013. "Someday I would like Freekicks.org to bethe number one charity in the world," Adamadmitted. As time continues, he is stilllearning of the ways he has personallybenefitted from his work with theorganization. "I know that if I put my mind tosomething I can accomplish it. That'ssomething I have learned from thisexperience.

In an effort to prepare for morecharitable work, Freekicks.org is working on

putting together their Board of Directors,which currently has five people. According to Adam they are receptive toadding people to the Board and are interestedin those with connections and the ability tohelp them generate awareness, funds andpositive avenues so that they can continuewith their work. The trailer to the full-feature documentary highlighting the trip toUganda has just been released and is alreadyreceiving a fantastic response from thepublic. Within the next few months the largerpiece of work chronicling the entire trip willbe ready for distribution, and Adam is hopingthat someone who is interested in assistingwith the film’s distribution will find him.

It is important to note thatFreekicks.org also works on assisting locally,and last year they worked with BritannicaElementary School in Vancouver. Adam and

his associates went into Britannica andworked with students through the vehicle of,what else, soccer. Building self-esteem andconfidence with young Vancouver students,Freekicks.org is looking for two new schoolsto partner with during the next few months.Their work with inner-city schools issomething they find important and part oftheir mission to help people, particularly theyoung. "All kids just want to be inspired," Adamsaid. That, Adam believes, is universal. Onegoal of Adam's is to inspire those who need ahand so that they believe they can achievemore than what might seem apparent to thembecause of their environment.You are invited to view Freekicks.org’strailer on their trip to Uganda:

https://vimeo.com/86873168

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Fall 2014-15 Registration is OpenRegister now and don’t miss your chance to play

DivisionMini Girls (U5 - U10) Registration is open between: 1 Mar 2014 - 31 May 2014

- Late fee of $25.00 after 31 May 2014 (if room available)

Divisional Girls (U11-U18) Registration is open between: 1 Mar 2014 - 15 Apr 2014

- Late fee of $25.00 after 15 Apr 2014 (if room available)

Mini Boys (U5- U10) Registration is open between: 1 Mar 2014 - 1 Jun 2014

Divisional Boys (U11 - U18) Registration is open between: 1 Mar 2014 - 16 Apr 2014

- Late fee of $25.00 after 16 Apr 2014 (if room available)

U21 PCSL Men Registration is open between: 1 Mar 2014 - 31 May 2014

- Late fee of $25.00 after 31 May 2014 (if room available)

U21 PCSL Women Registration is open between: 1 Mar 2014 - 31 May 2014

- Late fee of $25.00 after 31 May 2014 (if room available)

Spring Break Programs Available!Please use the following link to take you to the list of programofferings or go to westvansoccer.com to see more information

https://secure.millsoft.ca/wvsc/webapps/spappz_live/event_reg_page?event_category=not~academy

As Our Season Comes to a Close,WVSC Wants to Thank Our

Generous Sponsors. Thank youfor Joining Our Team!