London TFC Academy COVID-19 Update

March 20, 2020

London TFC Academy Club COVID-19 UPDATE

Attention: All LTFCA Membership

London TFC Academy Soccer Club Families, Volunteers, Staff and Soccer Community:

We are writing to provide you with an update on our response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic. One week ago, we ceased training and competition in sync with guidance from Ontario Soccer, Canada Soccer and local School Board and BMO Indoor activity suspension. Since then, London TFC Academy Soccer Club Leadership has been carefully following the course of the coronavirus outbreak and response of like-minded organizations. We believe it is essential to be pro-active with preventative measures, preserving health and wellness for our membership and community as a whole.

London TFC Academy Soccer Club continues to follow mandate by Ontario Soccer (and Canada Soccer) and has suspended all on field (in-person) soccer activities until further notice. Please see Ontario Soccer communication online here: https://www.ontariosoccer.net/page/show/5697170-covid-19-updates and FAQ here: https://www.ontariosoccer.net/news_article/show/1095979. During this time of uncertainty, we will follow the lead of local, provincial and national governments to help guide our actions.
LTFCA staff and operations continue to run business as usual, however, without the opportunity for in person meeting/contact. Our staff is available via e-mail and will be responding to every communication in a timely manner.
There is no timetable for return to play as many municipalities are increasing “social distancing measures” and continuing to close/reduce hours of local businesses. While no official announcement has been made, we anticipate the postponement of Spring/Summer Leagues and will work with these leagues on delayed/modified schedules including OASL/EMDSL/OPDL and League1. Just today we have been advised that the League1 season scheduled to begin in late April will be delayed. We will continue to follow the directive of our governing bodies and communicate when a timeline can be better assessed.
At this time, looking ahead to a delay or an outright cancellation of the season, we are identifying potential cost savings which may be prorated, resulting in a proportional refund. With that said, we will be holding off on making a decision on this until additional information is available from Ontario Soccer regarding timing.
In an effort to assist families with cashflow during these unprecedented times, all April 1 payments will be deferred to May 1.

London TFC Academy empathizes with our families as we seek a sense of normalcy amidst the uncertain. Our coaches and staff are prepared to support our players and LTFCA families remotely throughout March and April 2020, maintaining a consistent connection and confidence through the sport of soccer. We will make all efforts to continue the sense of family, team and player development which are at the core of our values. We respect March break as a “rest and recover week”, however, moving forward we will provide the following to each member beginning the week of March 23, 2020:

Physical Development: Age appropriate, planning and exercises to encourage physical literacy in grassroots players and physical development in older players designed to be done at home.
Social “Team” Development: Coaches will hold a weekly “team session” for players to connect/collaborate on tasks online while still delivering bi-weekly content for at home development.
Technical Development: Club Staff and Coach will provide age appropriate exercises and planning to assist with technique at home, while also providing social media challenges for creativity.
Tactical Development: Club Staff and Coach will provide age appropriate content (i.e. game film) and exercises for individuals and small groups to develop game understanding.

A FEW ITEMS TO REMEMBER: REGISTRATION: f you have not yet registered, then you are not rostered. Please make sure to work with your coach to register UNIFORMS: If you have not yet paid or sized your uniform as these are being sent to production on March 25th.

London TFC Academy Coaching Staff, Managers and the LTFCA Board are having ongoing meetings via teleconferencing and we will communicate any further updates following those meetings and as new information becomes available.

We are grateful for our London TFC Academy family. Thank you and Stay Safe.

Please feel free to contact us directly via e-mail: info@fclondon.ca