A resource centre for parents, coaches and players to feature the latest information on injury prevention, first aid treatment, nutrition, concussions and other training tips. 

SportMed Soccer, a program promoting sport safety and best practices in training for soccer, goes live today at Facebook.com to help provide online access for parents, coaches and players in British Columbia.

The partnership between SportMedBC, the network of more than 550 sport medical and paramedical practitioners in British Columbia, and BC Soccer, the governing body for soccer in British Columbia, is being launched online on the first day of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“With more and more parents and coaches making their way to social media and the Facebook platform, we felt it was important to provide the highlights of SportMed Soccer through Facebook,” said Lynda Cannell, President and Chief Executive Officer of SportMedBC. 

Families participating with BC Soccer member clubs and others interested in sport medicine, science and training trends in soccer will also be able to login to more detailed programming at SportMedBC.com/community. The Facebook page will offer regular tips, commentaries, video and audio designed to increase public awareness and education around the safest ways to play, practice and train for soccer at all levels. 

“This is simply part of our efforts to deliver enhanced programs, services and resources to member Clubs, Districts and Leagues,” said Bjorn Osieck, Chief Executive of BC Soccer, the largest provincial sport organization in British Columbia. “We will collaborate with our friends at SportMedBC on the development of specific programs designed to deliver sport medicine, sport science and sport training information and resources for parents, coaches and club administrators.” 

All programs, services and resources created, produced and delivered as part of SportMed Soccer are being developed to align with the Long-term Player Development Model (LTPD) endorsed by the BC Soccer and the Canadian Soccer Association. 

In addition to the online access available through BCSoccer.net, SportMedBC.com and Facebook.com, BC Soccer and SportMedBC will offer member clubs, districts and leagues specialized workshops on a preferred basis, along with other sport training resources to be developed in the coming weeks and months. 

“We’re very pleased to be partnering with SportMedBC and fully expect that SportMed Soccer will be as beneficial and impactful for our BC Soccer community as the SportMed RunWalk curriculum has been for those participating in the Vancouver Sun Run and the Sun Run InTraining program,” said Osieck. 

In response to membership feedback and community input, Osieck and Cannell have identified the following priority initiatives for SportMed Soccer: 

• Team training programs

                  – Sport Nutrition 

                  – Sport Psychology

                  – Sport Training, including cross-training plans 

• On Line resources

                  – Community network

                  – Parental resources

                  – Coach resources 

• Published resources

                  – Parental resources

                  – Coach resources

• Club resources 

                  – Soccer FirstAid

                  – Parental workshops

                  – Coach workshops (including resources on soccer safety and concussions)

For more information, visit Facebook.com, and search “SportMed Soccer.”

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Contact:  Bjorn Osieck, Chief Executive  bjornosieck@bcsoccer.net       

              Lynda Cannell, Chief Executive Officer  lyndac@sportmedbc.com      

              Mike Martignago, Communications Manager  mikem@sportmedbc.com