Bays United Football Club

Congratulations to our latest Bays Volunteer of the Week, Nelson Collins! Nelson contributes his time at Bays as Assistant Coach for his daughter Talia’s U17/18 Silver team. Bays is fortunate to have so many generous parent volunteers who put in time in all kinds of weather and make it possible for us to continue offering training for our players. This year, it is more important than ever and we really appreciate your time and commitment to our club, Nelson! Big thanks as always to Soccer Express for providing gift certificates for all of our Volunteer of the Week recipients. #baysvolunteeroftheweek

Congratulations to our latest Bays Volunteer of the Week, Johann Kuntze! Currently Assistant Coach for the U12 Girls Gold team along with Andrew Coward, Lily Wray and Eric Van Zoolingen, Johann has been generously donating his time as assistant or co-coach since his daughter was in U8. Thanks, Johann - we really appreciate your time and commitment to community soccer! Big thanks as always to Soccer Express for providing gift certificates for all of our Volunteer of the Week recipients. #baysvolunteeroftheweek

Our thanks to Ajit Braich, an A-license coach and tech director with 30+ years of experience, for braving the freezing cold to join Bays’ tech team at three training sessions for our U11 players. Ajit has worked with many professional and local youth clubs in Vancouver, England, India and the US - and now in beautiful Oak Bay.

Congratulations to our first Bays Volunteers of the Week for 2021, Neeve and Bree! Neeve and Bree put in some time over the past weekend deflating old soccer balls that Bays is donating to communities in need in Belarus, in partnership with Soap for Hope and Compassionate Resource Warehouse. Thanks Bree and Neeve for donating your time to a great cause! Big thanks as always to Soccer Express for providing gift certificates for all of our Volunteer of the Week recipients. #baysvolunteeroftheweek

It's great to see so many players back out on the pitch after the holiday break! Huge thanks to all of our coaches and players for adhering to necessary protocols so that we can continue to offer Phase One training to our members. Keep up the great work!

Bays Coaches Stuart Kerr, Steve Cockayne and Randy Jones got creative and held a video analysis garage session in 3 degree weather! Doing whatever it takes for the Boys U16 Gold team....Now that's dedication!

Bays players, Interested in improving your speed and agility this season? One of our volunteer coaches, Jose Amador of Iron Will Athletic Club, is hosting two speed and agility camps this month to help players improve their game, prevent injury and make the most of their soccer season! Camps take place on two Fridays, November 20th and 27th, for two age groups (11-14 & 15-18). Space is strictly limited. Coaches' clinics focusing on the importance of warm-up to prevent injuries, sprint drills and technique are also available on request. Check out Iron Will's website below for more info and to sign up: https://ironwillac.wixsite.com/speed/speed-and-agility-camp

We're getting closer to our season start up! Coaches were out with our Technical Director, Eddie Mukahanana, on the (brand new!) turf last night, running through protocols and some drills to get our players off and running! Our coaches can't wait to get out with their teams... thanks to everyone for their patience as we navigate startup in our new circumstances!

Congratulations to all coach and player award recipients for the 2019/20 season! While awards were announced through our virtual awards ceremony in April, recipients were able to collect their awards in a scaled down and safely-distanced ceremony last week. Congrats to all, and many thanks for your passion and commitment and for your exceptional contributions to our Bays soccer community!

Bays families - one final chance this summer to participate in a Bays-only paddle session this Saturday, September 5th at 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Bays player and coach Simon Whitfield, enjoy a last blast of summer while connecting with our soccer community in a totally different off-pitch environment! More info and signup at this link: https://fareharbor.com//1663/availability/494570907/book/

Back by popular demand! Bays player and coach Simon Whitfield is offering Bays families another opportunity to participate in one of two Bays-only paddle sessions tomorrow. What a great way to connect our community while learning new skills and enjoying some beautiful weather More info and signups at these links: https://fareharbor.com//1663/availability/492665689/book/... https://fareharbor.com//1663/availability/492665690/book/

Bays Families, All members are encouraged to attend our virtual Annual General Meeting this evening, Wednesday October 7th at 7:30 p.m. The AGM will take place via Zoom. Please check your email for the link. The link will open at 7:15 p.m. - hope to see you there!

We're getting closer to our season start up! Coaches were out with our Technical Director, Eddie Mukahanana, on the (brand new!) turf last night, running through protocols and some drills to get our players off and running! Our coaches can't wait to get out with their teams... thanks to everyone for their patience as we navigate startup in our new circumstances!

Huge congratulations to former Bays United player Sean Young, the first player from Vancouver Island to join the Canadian Premier League by signing with Pacific F.C. this summer! Sean played for Bays through House League and was captain of our impressive U13 Boys Gold team before joining Wave at U14. Sean, we are so proud of all you have accomplished and wish you well in the rest of your career. We look forward to supporting you and the rest of the Pacific FC crew as you kic...k off against Halifax this Saturday! @PacificfcCPL https://pacificfc.canpl.ca//pacific-fc-signs-vancouver-isl

Our Bays United over-35’s recently enjoyed some non-soccer action on the water, compliments of fellow player Simon Whitfield’s Oak Bay Paddle Shack. A fun way to enjoy the great outdoors and stay fit when not on the pitch - though rumour has it there may have been some water football involved . For anyone interested, Simon is offering a Bays-only paddle session this weekend! Check it out at this link: https://fareharbor.com//1663/availability/485020521/book/ It’s only $20 per person.

Bays Families - if you've been by Oak Bay High in the past few days, you'll see that it's finally happening: the new turf is being installed! Stay tuned - the current timeline is for the pitch to be playable by mid-August, and we couldn't be happier! Please note: Registration for the Fall season will be up in the next day or two, so stay tuned!

Bays United is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dave Ravenhill earlier this week. A pivotal figure in the Victoria soccer community, Dave was also a valued friend, leader and family member. He will be missed by so many of us in the soccer community. Our deepest condolences to Dave's family and friends. "Dave's accomplishments in the game were remarkable. I had the pleasure of playing with him with Victoria United in the Pacific Coast Soccer League and also at Gorge... Div 1 in the VISL. He was a true gentleman of the game, well respected in the soccer community. Someone whose shoes can not be filled. My sincerest condolences to the Ravenhill family." Eddie Mukahanana, Bays Technical Director "I feel truly honoured to have had the opportunity to play with Dave at U Vic Alumni and play against him while he was with Gorge and Vic West in Div 1....To say it was an honour and privilege to know him doesn't do justice. He was an extraordinary man who carried himself with so much class, dignity and respect. As a teacher and coach he was a true professional and always put the needs of others before himself and truly connected with thousands of students and athletes on a deep level throughout his career. He taught me the value of commitment, dedication and hard work that it takes to have success at that level and how to model those behaviours and characteristics to your team. My heart, love and support go out to his wife Karen and sons Andrew and Adam. He is gone but will never be forgotten and his legacy will carry on in those who he touched. It is truly a sad time. You Will Never Walk Alone Raves." Rich Fast, Coach, Bays Mens Div 1 and Boys U14 VIPL "Our Bays United FC family is deeply saddened along with the Greater Victoria soccer community by the loss of local soccer icon Dave Ravenhill. In addition to the many achievements already quoted in the press, Dave had a long tie to our club as well, getting a start in his senior career first with the men’s Div. 3 team then shortly thereafter with the men’s Div.1 team with our predecessor senior organization, the Oak Bay Soccer Club. Dave enjoyed another playing stint with our Bays men’s Div.1 squad later in his life, where he assisted coach Rich Fast and was able to enjoy playing his sport at the local top level with his sons. Dave made and has left his mark not only on his generation of Victoria soccer players, but also through giving back to subsequent generations in his role as a teacher and coach at Reynolds High School. His family and friends all know too well, that a genuinely nice man has left us too soon." Scott Taylor, Treasurer, Bays United

Sharing some good news about the OB turf. CTV News https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca//artificial-turf-field-

Bays Families - did you know Soccerworld is back open for business? New hours : Tuesday thru Saturday 10 till 5 and Sunday 11 till 4 (Closed on Mondays for the month of June). Check out their Facebook page or website for more details!

Surge U16 VIPL have been keeping up their skills over the past few weeks and put together a "Pass the Ball" video! We'd love to see your team's effort - send us your "Pass the Ball" video!

It has been 10 weeks since BC Soccer suspended all in-person soccer activity as part of the provincial and nation-wide pandemic response. Now that BC has moved into the second phase of pandemic recovery, Bays' President, Howard McElderry is sharing news of where we stand and recognizing those who didn't get to attend provincials this year. Read more... https://baysunited.ca//2/05/25/presidents-update-may-2020/

Thanks to Sophia Eiley for joining our Keepie Uppie Challenge... love it! Who's up next? Post your videos here on our Facebook page, tag us at @baysunitedfc on Instagram, or email them to us at [email protected]!

Bays Families - Who's in for a Keepie Uppie Challenge? Here's a fun way to stay connected and work on your skills while staying at home: show us your best attempt at Keepie Uppies - highest reps, knee ups, cool moves, we want to see it all! Share your video to our Facebook or Instagram for fun and a chance to win one of our $25 gift certificates at SoccerX - we'll award prizes to a few favourites! For inspiration, we asked a former Bays player and current youth ref to do a few for us and he knocked off 111! Now it's your turn to show us what you can do Open to Bays members only. Huge thanks to Soccer Express for providing gift certificates for this event.