BC Soccer U9 to U12 Festival Grant Program Your guide and application to co hosting a U9 U12 Grassroots Festival with BC Soccer Updated, March 12, 2014
British Columbia Soccer Association INTRODUCTION The promotion of Grassroots soccer has always been one of BC Soccer s priorities. The main objective for Grassroots programming across the province is to bring the enjoyment of soccer to as many people as possible. BC Soccer promotes this objective and believes in its power to help grow the game of soccer in BC. In keeping with this spirit, BC Soccer is excited to announce the newly designed under 9 to under 12 Grassroots Festival Grant Program based on the FIFA Grassroots Festival model. This program provides your district or club with the opportunity to co host a Grassroots Festival with BC Soccer. The promotion and development of grassroots soccer does not just mean financial assistance; it also involves a much wider commitment to setting up the necessary infrastructures to allow member associations, coaches and participants to take an active role in soccer in their community. An integral part of BC Soccer Strategic Plan is a commitment to presenting, co hosting and improving the quality of U9 to U12 programming across all regions in British Columbia. BC Soccer is pleased to introduce these Grassroots Development Festivals to celebrate soccer around the province. These fun filled and educational festivals have been designed to cultivate the game by providing opportunities for young players to play and learn new techniques and skills in a workshop, training and match environment. Each Grassroots Development Festival is tailored to a specific age group and is based on the FIFA Grassroots model of quick rotations between skill stations and game stations. If not enough coaches are not available, parents are also encouraged to be involved in this fun filled day as Game Supervisors. Not only will they be able to share the joys of the player s learning and achievements, they will also receive support and guidance on how to continue these methods of teaching soccer moving forward.
WHAT IS A BC SOCCER GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL? British Columbia Soccer Association Participants: 1. This may be a co ed or gender specific festival. 2. Should be in the U9 to U12 age categories. 3. If possible there should only be ONE (1) age group per festival 4. Teams consisting of players registered with the appropriate youth District/Club and BC Soccer. 5. Each team must have at least THREE (3) players and no more than SEVEN (7) players. Existing outdoor teams can be split up to reach the desired numbers. 6. Each station has a Workshop Leader or Game Supervisor. This could be a member of the team coaching staff or a parent. Format: Festivals can both be indoors or outdoors and use 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 a side rules and game formats or using Futsal rules and game formats. Depending on the number of registered players the layout of the Grassroots Festival will be: 18, 24, 30, 36 or 42 players 6 Groups 4 Stations 2 Games / 2 Workshops 24, 32, 40, 48 or 56 players 8 Groups 6 Stations 2 Games / 4 Workshops 30, 40, 50, 60 or70 players 10 Groups 5 Stations 3 Games / 2 Workshops 36, 48, 60, 72 or 84 players 12 Groups 6 Stations 3 Games / 3 Workshops 48, 64, 80, 96 or 112 players 16 Groups 8 Stations 4 Games / 4 Workshops Teams will rotate from Game stations to Workshop stations (see diagram on the following page) Game stations are flexible and may incorporate the following: Appropriate sized nets with Goalkeepers Multiple nets without Goalkeepers Single nets without Goalkeeper No nets 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 a side Workshop stations focus on skill acquisition and/or basic attacking and defending activities Duration: Actual activity time for the whole festival by age group recommendations: Under 6 8: 45 60 minutes Under 9 10: 60 75 minutes Under 11 12: 75 90 minutes * The maximum length a Grassroots Festival should last is 2.5 hrs. including introductions and closing remarks.
Duration guidelines per Station: U6 U8 U9 & U10 U11 & U12 Approx. Time per Station 6 minutes 8 minutes 9 minutes Total Exertion 48 minutes 64 minutes 72 minutes There will be approximately a 3 minute break in between each station to allow the players to rest have some water and prepare for the next station. Equipment Needed: Game Station Field Marking line, cones, tape Goals Maximum dimension: 5m x 2m One age appropriate soccer or Futsal ball per game Bibs/Pinnies one set per game station (various colours) Workshop Station Field marking line, cones, tape (depends on the exercise) One age appropriate soccer or Futsal ball per player Bibs/Pinnies one set per workshop station (various colours) May or may not require Goals Diagrams: The dimensions of each station will be approximately 20m x 15m
CO HOSTING A GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL WITH BC SOCCER What are the benefits of co hosting a Grassroots Festival with BC Soccer? British Columbia Soccer Association You will receive $2000 in grant money to assist with any festival expenses. Receipt of the total grant will be dependent upon the local organizers completion of a post event report. Guidance and support on how to run the festival based on the FIFA Grassroots model (mix of skill workshops and game stations). Promotional support of the event via the BC Soccer website, social media channels, press releases, etc. On site support and guidance from BC Soccer staff and/or BC Soccer Grassroots Development Tutors. Each coach and game supervisor will receive a copy of an age appropriate Grassroots Coaches Handbook; and the knowledge necessary to run similar festivals in the future. On site BC Soccer branding (banners, signage, etc.) Festival equipment that is yours to keep as a legacy! Work with BC Soccer to customize the equipment included in your legacy, including but not limited to: o Various sized nets o Balls, either Futsal or outdoor, your choice o Grassroots Coaches handbooks o Training ladders and hurdles o BC Soccer branded bibs/pinnies HOW TO APPLY TO CO HOST A GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL WITH BC SOCCER BC Soccer is committed to co hosting Grassroots Festival s in all of its 5 major regions. Vancouver Island Lower Mainland Northern BC Thompson Okanagan Columbia Kootenays To be selected as co host, you must apply at least 3 months in advance of the festival date. Please use the following chart to find out when you need to apply: Festival Date Must Apply on or before: Co Host awarded on: January 1 March 31 October 1 October 15 April 1 June 30 January 1 January 15 July 1 September 30 April 1 April 15 October 1 December 31 July 1 July 15 *BC Soccer reserves the right to award a grant and/or choose a co host outside of these timelines if deemed necessary.
HOSTING GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS When you are deciding whether or not to apply to co host a BC Soccer Grassroots Festival, please make sure all of the requirements and guidelines below can be met. 1) A suitable venue/facility. a. This can be either an outdoor field (grass or turf) or an indoor field (turf or gymnasium). b. Depending on the number of participants, multiple fields may be needed. c. The facility must have access to clean drinking water. d. The facility must have access to electricity/power. e. The facility must have access to working washrooms and toilets. 2) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) a. The committee should have a minimum of two (2) members. There is no maximum number of members you should have; people in the community are encouraged to all get involved. b. The LOC responsibilities are outlined later in this document. 3) Name of Festival a. The primary name of the festival is BC Soccer Grassroots Festival presented by (District/Region/Club). b. The event must be referred to by this name in all marketing and promotional materials. 4) Follow FIFA Grassroots: The Children s Code Play for your own enjoyment and not simply to please parents or coaches. Enjoy soccer, develop and flourish through the game. Learn and respect the rules of the game and the rules of the group. Fit in to the group and be a good team mate. Respect your opponents. Accept the decisions of referees and coaches. Ensure fair play in all circumstances. 5) Basic Festival Rules to keep in mind Non results based = no scores kept or winners announced No qualification rounds or play downs to be played for entry into festival Open to all teams in host Region that meet the age criteria, based on field availability, on a first come, first served basis 6) Sponsorship Exclusivity Terms a. General i. The LOC may secure sponsorship from those companies, which are not in conflict with existing BC Soccer sponsors. In order to protect existing BC
Soccer sponsors and to eliminate any possible future conflicts, all potential sponsors identified by the LOC must be approved in advance by BC Soccer. ii. BC Soccer reserves the right to add additional sponsors to any BC Soccer Grassroots Festival up to 2 weeks prior to the event. In areas of category conflict, BC Soccer sponsor rights supersede the rights of the local area sponsor. b. Banners/Promotions i. All banners are to be prominently displayed in a main gathering or high traffic area. ii. The LOC agrees to display all BC Soccer sponsor material, as provided by BC Soccer, at the playing venues on festival days. iii. The LOC also agrees to assist BC Soccer in the execution of any BC Soccer sponsor promotions. iv. BC Soccer will assist in promoting your festival by adding content to their website and through various online channels (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) c. Sponsor Approvals i. All districts and clubs should submit local sponsors as soon as possible for approval ii. Additional sponsors can be added up to 2 weeks prior to the event as long as there are no conflicts and the sponsor is approved for participation in the event by BC Soccer iii. After this 2 week deadline no further sponsors can be added to the event List of Current BC Soccer Partners/Sponsors 1. adidas (apparel and equipment) 2. Soccer Express (retail) 3. AHBL LLP (legal services) 4. Uniglobe Vision Travel (travel services) 5. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6. Clarke s Recognition Products Ltd (Trophies, awards, etc.) 7. EA Sports
RESPONSIBILITIES CHART British Columbia Soccer Association Local Organizing Committee (LOC) BC Soccer Marketing/Promotion Marketing/Promotion Registration of players/teams Design format of festival based on # of entrants Book Facility, provide maps to locations Schedule Grassroots tutor(s) to lead the festival Main point of contact and communication out to participants Provide educational materials (Grassroots Handbooks) Ensure participants have access to washroom facilities Provide templates to LOC (Information package, post event report, etc.) Recruit and manage volunteers Approve any/all local sponsors Ensure access to clean drinking water Provide hosting grant ($) Book First aid (St. John s, Sport Med, etc.) Book accommodation and travel for BC Soccer personnel Miscellaneous equipment (tents, tables, chairs, Schedule referee instructors if necessary etc.) Concessions BC Soccer partner souvenirs/giveaways Coordinate host hotel if necessary Lead the pre festival in class and on field coaching sessions Acquire local souvenirs/giveaways if available Supervise and help coordinate activities each day Submit a post event report to BC Soccer Help coordinate and facilitate activities each day ARE YOU INTERESTED IN APPLYING? If you are interested in applying to co host a Grassroots Festival with BC Soccer, please fill out an application form on the next page and submit via email, fax or mail to: BC Soccer Attn: Dan Turvill 250 3410 Lougheed Hwy, Vancouver, BC, V5M 2A4 Email: danturvill@bcsoccer.net Fax: (604) 299 9610 Please apply as early as possible in advance of your event as BC Soccer can only accommodate and cohost a limited number of festivals each year. This will also allow BC Soccer the time to service your needs properly. We are accepting applications immediately! If you would like more information on the grassroots initiatives of BC Soccer, please visit our website at www.bcsoccer.net. We look forward to working with you to make your event a memorable, educational and fun experience for all. BC Soccer and our partners are truly committed to this effort and have put many resources and hours behind the BC Soccer Grassroots Festival Grant Program. Thank you for your support and for your participation in grassroots development in British Columbia!
APPLICATION TO CO-HOST A GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL WITH BC SOCCER Name of primary contact person: Name of Club/District/: Phone #: Fax #: Email Address: Mailing Address: City: Alternate Contact: Phone #: Alternate Contact Email: Festival Dates: Webpage (if applicable): Facility/Venues: Approximate # of participants: Approximate # of Coaches: Approximate # of Volunteers: Age Groups: Please provide a brief description of why you would like to co-host this event with BC Soccer: *As signing officer of the District, the host agrees to fulfill all festival obligations and follow all sponsorship exclusivity terms. It is understood that failure to do so will result in the default of the remainder of the funding grant and impede the possibility of future funding.. District Chair Signature: Date: Office Use Only Approved by: Date:
GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT FESTIVAL REPORT TEMPLATE Name of Festival: Date of Festival: Location: LOC Representatives: 1. 2. 3. 4. Date of Submission: Person Submitting: Please provide paragraph of point form notes regarding the following aspects of the festival: Venue (All sites for games, conditions, problems and actions taken, benefits, etc.): BC Soccer and Local Sponsor Relations (Any visible participation, banners or crests, where were these placed, was the sponsor acknowledged, etc.): Details of how the event was promoted locally (Local TV spots, radio, newspapers, websites, etc.):
Support from BC Soccer (Re: scheduling, timing of information, financial, Directors/Staff present, etc.): Weather (Weather extremes impacting play, actions taken): Medical/First Aid/Physio (Services available, location(s), which was providing services): Photographer (Provided or obtained, who you used, satisfied?): Overall Festival Comments (Evaluation of the festival as a whole):
Recommendations/Suggestions for Improvement (Please feel free to add another page if necessary): *Please submit this report along with a comprehensive financial statement (Revenues/Expenses) to Dan Turvill (danturvill@bcsoccer.net) within 60 days of the completion of the event.