BC Soccer Provides Update on Proposed Regional Tier 3 League

BC Soccer aims to be proactive in aligning with Canada’s evolving soccer landscape.

June 27, 2019 - Vancouver, BC

As part of its 2016-2019 Strategic Plan, BC Soccer has been exploring the feasibility of establishing a Regional Tier 3 League, to bridge the gap between youth and professional soccer that supports the development pathway in BC. Establishing this program would create a professionally run adult league with a division for females and males with aspirations of evolving to a semi-professional standard over a reasonable time.

The professional landscape of soccer has changed with the 2019 kick off of the Canadian Premier League, creating potentially more opportunities for players coming out of the youth system. The Association felt some urgency to work to create an environment for those aspiring players to further develop, while also tapping into some of the new partnerships that have materialized through this new professional landscape.

In 2017, BC Soccer invited expressions of interest to establish franchise clubs to join the league, however, there was not sufficient interest to proceed. A new way forward was needed to meet the strategic objective. In 2019, BC Soccer began the process of engaging with groups and organizations that were already experienced in operating semi-professional to professional environments.

Once those organizations were consulted, the process of strategizing complimentary clubs began, with a key consideration of identifying appropriately sized communities that featured suitable soccer venues to support a regional soccer league.

Inspired by the CPL’s marketing and branding methodology, the creation of these new club concepts roused enough significant interest that BC Soccer felt compelled to share its plans both within its membership and to the wider soccer community. Out of respect for organizations currently operating in other leagues, the timeline to achieve firm commitments has been compressed.

BC Soccer Executive Director Jason Elligott hopes that between the end of August and mid September, there will a commitment from existing and new entities to support a league of at least 6 clubs:

“We are pleased to reopen the expression of interest to any individual or organization that would like to potentially operate an organization in the regional league that we are working to establish as “League 1 BC”. Clubs will be strategically positioned by location and brand to create community focused, authentic entities that fulfill a “by British Columbians, for British Columbians” mandate”.

The vision will be to grow the league gradually while aspiring to represent the many diverse regions of our province. BC Soccer would like to thank Canada Soccer for its guidance in the creation of League 1 BC’s operations manual, and for defining the sanctioning requirements for clubs to one day potentially participate in the Canada Soccer Canadian Championships.

CLICK HERE to read the proposed League 1 BC operating manual

CLICK HERE to read the League 1 BC branding strategy

CLICK HERE to provide your expression of interest for the 2020 season by July 26, 2019

The next steps for this project are to hold a group meeting with the existing and potentially new organizations that BC Soccer has already met with, along with any individuals/groups that express interest per the above link.

The timelines for a meeting are early July/August 2019 with a need to fully commit by end of September 2019.

BC Soccer would also like to acknowledge and thank all the Regional Tier 3 Committee Members over the last three years that have done great amounts of work to support this initiative, with specific thanks going to BC Soccer President, Kjeld Brodsgaard.

About BC Soccer

BC Soccer is the provincial sport governing body with the mission to govern, promote and develop the game of soccer in British Columbia in a professional and progressive manner. Established in 1907, 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. 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.

BC Soccer is comprised of more than 120,000 registered players, over 2,200 registered referees, and thousands of volunteer coaches, administrators, and soccer leaders. Working with its 40 member Youth Districts and 11 Adult Leagues as well as their affiliate member clubs, BC Soccer operates under the guiding principles of Professional Leadership, Passionate Service and Progressive Collaboration. In managing its relationships throughout the larger soccer community, BC Soccer’s vision is to ensure every British Columbian has the opportunity to be involved in soccer as part of a lifelong commitment to an active, healthy and involved lifestyle.