President's Report 2019

President’s Report – 2019 AGM

Our annual meeting is a time for reflection – where we have been, what has been accomplished and what we are seeking to achieve and become as a club.

It has been my pleasure to serve CMFSC, joining the Board in 2006/07 season as VP Girls, serving time as VP Senior (Boys and Girls) and President since 2012 (three 2-year terms).  CMFSC is a club with a great history, shaped by a host of dedicated and visionary leaders and passionate volunteers. 

The club has undertaken some significant projects and undergone significant structural and operational changes over the course of the last two years, as we have executed against our 2016 – 2020 Strategic Plan, while engaging with BC Soccer and Canada Soccer on a series of transformative changes in the delivery of player development programs.  

Developmental

1. Attainment of BC Soccer Club Charter Standard 1 in Dec 2017

2. Ongoing compliance with BC Soccer High Performance License since 2017

3. Application for Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licensing Program in 2018

Participation in these programs ensures CMFSC is adopting the latest in sport science and player development research, while also engaging with leaders in the game at the provincial and national level to advance the game.

Organizational

1. Promoted Sara Maglio to Executive Director and Alfredo Valente to Technical Director in 2018, as part of strategic shift of CMFSC to staff driven operation with strategic Board oversight.

2. Established Member Services role and hired Lindsay Sayers in 2017

3. Added Social Media to Lindsay Sayer’s responsibilities in 2018 

4. Converted greater than 90% of contractors to employees and implemented Payworks for payroll administration and direct deposits in 2018

5. Implemented PaymentStream for automated funds transfer to game officials in 2018

6. Continued investment in age group and divisional technical resources

Ultimately, these changes are about supporting our volunteers and serving our members, as well as setting up the organization for greater stability and continuity in the future.  We take great pride in promoting from within and are extremely proud of and thankful for our dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable staff team. Managers have been freed from the burden of floating official payments and payment tracking and cash management are enhanced.

Legal

1. Constitutional and By-law revisions required by changes to the BC Society Act announced in 2016 and completed in two stages during 2017 and 2018

2. Adoption of new fiscal year, based on calendar year, to accommodate provincial Community Gaming Grant requirements in 2018

3. Coverage of all employees and contractors by WorkSafeBC in 2018 – required by law of ALL employers

4. Rollout of Bullying and Harassment personnel policy in 2018 – required by WorksafeBC

5. Rollout of Respect in the Workplace personnel training in 2018 – required by WorkSafeBC  

These changes ensure that CMFSC is in good standing with the Province of BC from a governance perspective, provide supplemental insurance to cover loss of wages due to injury and primary insurance against injuries due to workplace incidents.  Ensure that we constantly strive to provide a safe and respectful workplace, free of abuse is critical.

Strategic Plan 

Progress against the Strategic Plan has been solid in all areas (see attached).  We are tracking 60%+ on average over all 2018 and 2020 targets, with player, club and referee development leading the way, as might be expected.  The source of significant frustration has been Facility Development, where our hope of an Indoor Sports Dome being established on the site of the old Centennial High School did not come to fruition and has forced a re-calibration.  

Our off the field efforts have been enabled continued on-field accomplishments(see website).  We continue to be extremely proud of our work with Kick for a Cure and Kidsport.  Kidsport Tri-Cities processes our financial assistance and subsidy applications and we provide approximately $40,000 in funding to support access to sports for all in the community. We are also proud to have announced the CMFSC Adaptive Soccer program, which will be overseen by Melissa Mobilio, in partnership with Unique Get Together Society. This new program complements our existing Women’s Academy (joined now by a Men’s Academy) and history supporting Special Olympics to deliver access, inclusion and diversity to the community sport landscape.

After a successful merger with North Coquitlam United SC in 2017 and 2018, we saw our membership numbers drop for the first time since I became involved with the club.  In addition to more options for activities, sports across North America are dealing with changing demographics, lifestyles and cultures, as well as continued media focus on injuries (concussions), reports of abuse and rising costs.  Some organizations have experienced double-digit percent decreases over the last 2-3 years.  

CMFSC membership remains very close to 4,000 members and although the Board is planning for up to 5% declines in membership, the club is solid organizationally and financially.

Looking forward, we know that player safety will be of paramount focus and that comprehensive programs to educate and communicate the need for respectful and supportive learning environments will be essential.  A focus on post-secondary education, development of life skills and utilizing sport as a vehicle for preparing young adults for life will succeed.

With reduction in overall numbers and great competition for registrants, we foresee the potential for consolidation and cooperation across sports at the community level (i.e. Kamloops Sport Council), as well as the potential adoption of the sporting club model (i.e. Richmond Strikers, Sport Club Portugal, FC Barcelona) to better leverage and share scarce resources across community clubs.

The club is also mobilizing to enhance our relationship with City staff and to work on multiple fronts as true partners.  We share many common goals and need to focus our energies more effectively in working together enhance Coquitlam as an active and thriving community for families.

The club is blessed to have the support of our corporate and institutional partners (below), as well as a passionate, knowledgeable and committed staff team and countless servants of the community who volunteer on behalf of the kids.  Their support, although mentioned often, is never adequately recognized as essential to our existence and continued success.

Special thanks to outgoing Board member, Kevin Rye.  Kevin has served the club for a number of years, held the Discipline Committee Chair position, in addition to his volunteer coaching duties.  Kevin, for your insight, counsel and experience has been invaluable!  Thank you also to the Board – Joe Basic (VP), Kevin Lynn (Secretary), Scott Coulter (Treasurer), Scott Fletcher, Rosemary Hagiwara, and Jamil Samji.  I serve with you in honour and with pleasure.

Alex Barnetson, President 

Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club