July 2020 Update on Storm and riptide

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Afternoon everyone from last years Riptide group. There have been lots of questions arising around Riptide / Storm and VIPL for next season. Here is the breakdown of what is and will be happening.

Please note that Shel / Larry/ Christine and Shelley are no longer with VIPL or UISA. This is simply due to the fact there are no more funds due to no spring registrations to pay for their contracts. The new board has assumed responsibility of emails for each to help facilitate requests and workload.

There will be NO VIPL season for 2020-21

After discussion with club presidents (who vote on decision regarding VIPL) and also discussions with LISA, it was determined that there is too much unknown at this time to make a determination if we will actually have a full-sided season starting in the fall. We made this decision now, so players can make choices on what will be available (see below)

VIPL League going forward

This will be determined as we move ahead and how we maneuver coming out of Covid

Due to Covid, there will be a memo coming from all the clubs to their members (which includes VIPL players) , when they finalize the message, that all players are welcome to their home clubs to participate in training. Clubs have committed to providing local tier 2 training in their home clubs.

This ensures the players looking for their current level of training will receive it without the commitment to driving to other communities.

We are still aware that Covid and the government is still saying travel is “okay” but essential travel only if possible. Therefore allowing players to train in their home clubs within a tier 2 structure of training, will allow them to remain closer to home while still receiving some training environment.

This decision also came now rather than later, as some clubs are looking to start Return to Play training in August, so this allows the VIPL players not to miss out on any training that does come up

Please also note that effective Aug 1, all communication for VIPL (Storm and Riptide) will be conducted through the UISA website, under VIPL, we will be taking down the Storm and Riptide sites. This is a cost savings measure for UISA.

 
Thank you in advance for your patience and for your understanding. These are very very difficult times to be making such huge decisions, but the board, the presidents and Lower Island Soccer are all working their best to do what’s in the best interest of the players based on the information we have at hand. 

Please know these decisions are not taken lightly, nor without a lot of input and dialogue from all the stakeholders, but ultimately, a decision needs to be made.

Thank you again, and let’s keep hoping we have a better outlook coming for September.

PS- for those players looking for BCSPL, they waiting until Aug to get back to Return to Play with Pacific FC…if you have any questions regarding BCSPL, please reach out to LISA directly at this time, they will not be returning to a regular season as well, until the government clears it to happen.

Sincerely

Shawn Fiddick

UISA Chair