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 10 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 (Senior Team and Under-21 Team) are a very visible target for young players in the community to 'shoot for', in terms of their soccer development. These teams have represented 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) 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 2010 season. We attend a number of soccer jamborees, tournaments and development camps in February, March and April 2010, 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.

5) FREE ADMISSION TO ALL CHILDREN UNDER 12

For the 17th year, Victoria United will admitted all children under 12 free to Royal Athletic Park. We emphasized this during our spring 2009 campaign, leading up to the season opener on May 23, 2009 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 2007, 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.

6) COACHING CLINICS

We have held a number of Coaching Clinics for children prior to our home games at Royal Athletic Park. The clinics are run by our own players, and in 2008 we marked another successful clinic before our July 19, 2008 Senior game at Royal Athletic Park.  We plan to continue this program in 2010.  All children registering for the clinics receive free access to the Victoria United game for themselves and their parents.

7) ASSISTING IN THE PROMOTION OF FIFA U-20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS at ROYAL ATHLETIC PARK

Easily the most significant sports event in Victoria's history, Victoria United Directors, Volunteers and players were involved in volunteering for this event in the summer of 2007. Victoria United President Bill McCreadie served as Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee for this event. We are proud of the results, and are hoping that the opportunity may arise again in the future.

8) SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES

We continue to support Kevin James' MS KICK FOR THE CURE, an event organized to raise funds for research into Multiple Sclerosis.  Kevin and his wife Darcy, who is an MS patient, have been our charity of choice for 4 years now, and it is an easy choice for us.  Not only is this a most worthy cause, but Kevin James is a Victoria United Alumnus, as well as being part of the VISL Division 1 Vantreights organization for nearly 20 years.  We are proud to be associated with this charity.