September 13, 2022 - Vancouver BC
BC Soccer Members vote for historic change at Special General Meeting
During Monday’s Special General Meeting, BC Soccer’s Full Members (Adult Leagues and Youth Districts) voted to amend the association’s voting structure from a 50-50 split between the Youth Districts and Adult Leagues to a more fair and equitable voting structure based on the registered players within each member organization. These amendments received the requisite number of votes in favour to pass the amendments, which changes the voting structure that has been in place for the last 24 years, when the BC Soccer Association and the BC Youth Soccer Association merged to form the association we have today.
Governance reform is a key aspect of BC Soccer’s 2024 strategic plan and this area received increased focus since September 2021 when Canada Soccer provided a directive to BC Soccer to amend its voting structure to be more fair, equitable, and based on the stakeholders in BC – the registered players. The directive included timelines and potential suspension as a member association.
After the Special General Meeting, BC Soccer Executive Director Jason Elligott, expressed his appreciation that the association would not be at risk of suspension by Canada Soccer:
“There has been a lot of discussion and work done over the last 12 months, and we are thankful to the members for their support of these bylaw changes to ensure BC Soccer stays in good standing with Canada Soccer.”
BC Soccer President Gayle Statton is extremely grateful to the voting members for understanding the positive implications of this historic vote, which she thinks will ultimately move the game forward:
“Striving for good governance is a major aspect of strategic planning, and with these bylaws passing we lay the foundation for further improvement that makes our game fairer and more equitable. I fully appreciate that sometimes change is difficult and it feels like a lot of change is happening all at once. Our focus now is to keep moving forward and working to make it easier for our members to be successful and to provide great experiences for our most critical stakeholders; the participants.”
Safe Sport Statement
BC Soccer believes that everyone involved in soccer has the right to participate in safe and inclusive environments free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and to enjoy the sport at whatever level or capacity they participate in. The welfare of everyone involved in soccer is the foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of children in the sport is the responsibility of everyone involved.
About BC Soccer
Established in 1904, BC Soccer is the largest provincial sports organization (PSO) in BC and the third largest soccer-specific PSO in Canada with over 150,000 participants, consisting of registered players, coaches, referees, administrators and soccer leaders. As a professional not-for-profit society and a member of Canada Soccer, BC Soccer is committed to providing the widest opportunities for existing and potential participants, as well as provide support in the most effective and appropriate way for current players, parents, volunteers, member clubs, leagues, and districts.
During Monday’s Special General Meeting, BC Soccer’s Full Members (Adult Leagues and Youth Districts) voted to amend the association’s voting structure from a 50-50 split between the Youth Districts and Adult Leagues to a more fair and equitable voting structure based on the registered players within each member organization. These amendments received the requisite number of votes in favour to pass the amendments, which changes the voting structure that has been in place for the last 24 years, when the BC Soccer Association and the BC Youth Soccer Association merged to form the association we have today.
Governance reform is a key aspect of BC Soccer’s 2024 strategic plan and this area received increased focus since September 2021 when Canada Soccer provided a directive to BC Soccer to amend its voting structure to be more fair, equitable, and based on the stakeholders in BC – the registered players. The directive included timelines and potential suspension as a member association.
After the Special General Meeting, BC Soccer Executive Director Jason Elligott, expressed his appreciation that the association would not be at risk of suspension by Canada Soccer:
“There has been a lot of discussion and work done over the last 12 months, and we are thankful to the members for their support of these bylaw changes to ensure BC Soccer stays in good standing with Canada Soccer.”
BC Soccer President Gayle Statton is extremely grateful to the voting members for understanding the positive implications of this historic vote, which she thinks will ultimately move the game forward:
“Striving for good governance is a major aspect of strategic planning, and with these bylaws passing we lay the foundation for further improvement that makes our game fairer and more equitable. I fully appreciate that sometimes change is difficult and it feels like a lot of change is happening all at once. Our focus now is to keep moving forward and working to make it easier for our members to be successful and to provide great experiences for our most critical stakeholders; the participants.”
Safe Sport Statement
BC Soccer believes that everyone involved in soccer has the right to participate in safe and inclusive environments free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and to enjoy the sport at whatever level or capacity they participate in. The welfare of everyone involved in soccer is the foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of children in the sport is the responsibility of everyone involved.
About BC Soccer
Established in 1904, BC Soccer is the largest provincial sports organization (PSO) in BC and the third largest soccer-specific PSO in Canada with over 150,000 participants, consisting of registered players, coaches, referees, administrators and soccer leaders. As a professional not-for-profit society and a member of Canada Soccer, BC Soccer is committed to providing the widest opportunities for existing and potential participants, as well as provide support in the most effective and appropriate way for current players, parents, volunteers, member clubs, leagues, and districts.
