1) PLAYER EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT
Many of the players on Victoria United have been successful in developing contacts with Canadian and US universities and colleges, to further their education and soccer development through scholarships. In addition, BC Provincial and Canadian National Team coaching staff regularly scout players in the PCSL in general, and Victoria United in particular. Currently, approximately 12 Victoria United players or alumni are attending Canadian or US colleges or universities, on scholarships.As well, several team members have gone on to play professionally in the US and Europe.
These contacts often come from Victoria United Directors, coaches, managers and others associated with the club. John Nash, for instance, is an Honorary Director of this club, and has personally assisted a number of players in connecting with English & European teams to pursue a higher level of their soccer development.
2) GIVING BACK TO THE SOCCER COMMUNITY
Many of our players are serving as coaches and/or managers for a number of boys' and girls' youth teams in Greater Victoria. This includes various schools, as well as club teams operated within the Lower Island Soccer Association ("LISA").3) ROLE MODELS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS IN THE SOCCER COMMUNITY
The two Victoria United teams are a very visible target for young players in the community to 'shoot for', in terms of their soccer development. These teams represent the highest possible level of amateur soccer in the community, and have served as a destination for young players seeking to step to even higher levels of achievement in soccer.Because of this, the Directors and Coaches emphasize to our players the importance of setting an outstanding standard of professional conduct both on and off the field. We believe that this standard is important enough to ask each player for a written commitment to our Player Code of Conduct.
4) PARTNERSHIP WITH LOWER ISLAND SOCCER ASSOCIATION ("LISA")
Begun in 2005, this supportive partnership with LISA continues. Under it, we are associated with approximately 10 elite-level youth boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. The ages are under-14 to under-18. We provide free tickets to all these children to our games, and plan to continue in our 2008 year. We also have invited one or more of the youth teams to be 'ball boys/girls' for us during home games. This allows the young players to participate in the game at a direct level, and give them a broader perspective of soccer development.If all these players were to take advantage of the program, we would be donating approximately $6,000 in forgiven gate revenue at Royal Athletic Park. But our purpose is not to make money as a club - if we can cover our expenses and continue our Programs; we believe we have made a strong and positive contribution to our younger soccer players developing in Greater Victoria.
5) PRESENTATIONS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
A number of our players have visited local schools to put on short exhibitions and then pass out free tickets to the children, for Victoria United games. The tickets actually admit a parent, so that the children are encouraged to get a parent to bring them to the game.This program will continue for our 2008 season. We plan to attend a number of soccer jamborees, tournaments and development camps in February, March and April 2008, to meet young soccer players, and hand out free seasons' tickets. A loss leader, for sure, but once again our view is that providing access to these children to Royal Athletic Park will certainly attract some who might otherwise not be able to afford attendance.
6) FREE ADMISSION TO ALL CHILDREN UNDER 12
For the 15th year, Victoria United will admit all children under 12 free to Royal Athletic Park. We will be emphasizing this during our spring 2008 campaign, leading up to the season opener on May 10, 2008 at Royal Athletic Park.Taking an average of 50 children under 12 to each home game (not an unreasonable assumption), we probably invest more than $2,500 in this initiative each year. For us it is a no-brainer - the children are the future of this game, and watching their participation in the recent FIFA U-20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS here at Royal Athletic Park in July 2008, we know they participate more than any other audience segment.
We also frequently have a youth team visit us at the game "en masse", with their coaches and parents. Usually we will take the time to introduce these teams to the audience. A little thing, to be sure, but it generally highlights the youth in our sport, and seems to be fun for them.
