This year will unfortunately be remembered as the season that wasn’t. Many players and teams have had their summer seasons cut short by the COVID-19 health crisis. But although time on the field and in gameplay has been nonexistent, the London TFC soccer club continues to look for innovative ways to keep coaches, parents, players, and fans engaged through online activities, eLearning, games, and the hope that field time may only be months away.
Much of the guidance has come from Ontario soccer, which has done an exemplary job of identifying best practices, guidelines, and recommendations on how to safely create an on-field educational environment to keep spirits and enthusiasm high. Through its multi-tiered approach, in coordination with local municipalities, a safe and healthy environment for players means that we will be back to gameplay soon.
The London TFC soccer club has filled the gap with guest speakers, which have included Shelina Zadorsky (Orlando Pride, NWSL, Canada Women’s National Team) and Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC, MLS, and National Team player).
Unfortunately, the same optimism can no longer be held for the League1 season for both men and women. It was cancelled in early June and will not resume until 2021. A disappointing turn of events, to be sure, for players looking to make their mark as they look ahead to their university/college and professional careers.
“It’s been hard on parents and players, not knowing what is next and what the balance of the season might look like,” said Ian Campbell, CEO of FC LONDON and London TFC Academy. “We’re committed to providing a secure ‘return-to-play’ environment for all.”
Club Director Dave Debenedictis and Youth Technical Director Ruben Quintao have been working hard to create activity plans and field enter/exit strategies which meet and exceed Canada Soccer guidelines. The club has also secured PPE materials in a coordinated effort to get back to the field safely.
FC London is counting down the days to when they’ll be on their new Tricar field. The lights are up, and the turf is down on the full-sized athletic field in Southwest London, directly behind the Tricar office building. The training centre setting includes bleachers, state-of-the-art floodlights, drainage, and a clubhouse complete with patio, two dressing rooms and a common room. The Carapella family continues to drive the project forward, and an anticipated opening date, at the time of this writing, was July 31.
Keep checking the website for further details on all things FC LONDON and London TFC Academy!
Submitted by FC London
