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Merger Information : Why?

Written by Darryl Jones | 07 January 2012

PASC-SSC-SFFC Merger Information

January 2012

We have undertaken the task of exploring a merger of Semiahmoo Soccer Club, Peace Arch Soccer Club and South Fraser FC.  The overall positive sentiment has been that this merger is “a long time coming.”

You may be asking yourself why we are undertaking a cross-club look at merging these clubs. The following points, below, will explain this proposed merger in detail:

A. Background

Currently, there are three soccer clubs in the South Surrey / White Rock area: Peace Arch Soccer Club (PASC), Semiahmoo Soccer Club (SSC) and South Fraser Soccer Club (SFSC). Each of these clubs is a registered not-for-profit society under the BC Society Act.

In the South Surrey / White Rock area, recreational and elite soccer development programs are delivered by:

  1. 1. PASC, to approximately 1,200 boys and 120 men;
  2. 2. SSC, to approximately 1,000 girls and 120 women; and
  3. 3. SFSC, to approximately 200 boys and girls. SFSC was formed in 2010 by PASC and SSC in order to apply for a BCSPL franchise, which was successfully obtained in February 2011.

These clubs all share many commonalities, which include:

  • Serving the same families
  • Offering soccer programs from U6 through U18 along with adult programs
  • Utilizing the same facilities
  • Having the same administrative functions
  • Sharing a common objective of developing soccer players
  • Operating in the same geographical area
  • Having common executive member(s) in both clubs
  • Having common administrative operations
  • Having common coaches
  • Having the same relationships with the City of Surrey, School District 36 and the City of White Rock

B. Current Organizational Challenges

Operating with three separate soccer organizations in South Surrey / White Rock, with so many commonalities between the Clubs, creates many challenges that could potentially be addressed and resolved through organizational and structural modifications.

These challenges include but are not limited to:

  1. Game and field scheduling conflicts and less than optimal use of scarce field resources
  2. Communication errors between the Clubs and their members
  3. Misunderstandings between the Clubs, leading to less than optimal relationships between the Clubs at times
  4. Duplication of many administrative tasks
  5. Duplication of executive resources
  6. Separation of ideas and energy between the Clubs
  7. Duplication of City administrative fees for contracts
  8. Duplication of registration and communication interface processes with families having boys and girls
  9. Duplication of website functionality that is serving the same families
  10. Lack of clarity on who owns what equipment
  11. Duplication of sponsorship efforts
  12. Confusion in the community as to what each Club does or represents
  13. Constraints on growth opportunities

C. Organizational Review

After a number of sporadic and isolated attempts over the past five years to deal with the organizational challenges noted above, the Executives of PASC and SSC approved the formation of a cross-club committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the issues and challenges associated with a potential merger of the three soccer clubs.

The primary committee is comprised of three Executive members from each of PASC and SSC, which is being assisted by a number of sub-committees formed from other coaches, directors and members of PASC and SSC.

To date, we have developed the Vision stated below, and sub-committees are working on other organizational requirements of a potential merger, such as administration, financial, policies, governance and operational structure, and name/logo.

D. Vision

  • Developmental: coaches, players, officials, leaders, programs
  • Growth: in members, facilities and programs
  • Top Club: professional, quality, competitive, dynamic
  • Inclusive: all ages, all levels, all related activities
  • Scope: giving-back, grassroots, local, partnerships, international

Members are encouraged to attend upcoming Information Sessions held at the South Surrey Fieldhouse on:

  • Tuesday, January 17, 2012 @ 8 pm.
  • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 @ 8:00 pm.

All members are encouraged to attend one or more of these sessions.

An area on our website has been set aside to publish all news and information about the merger.  A direct link to this area is found on our home page, right column.

A direct link can be found here.  Bookmark and keep checking back regularly.

Sincerely,

Darryl Jones
SSC President

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