Chris Murphy named as Executive Director

of Peace Arch SC, Semiahmoo SC and South Fraser FC

SURREY, BC (May 16, 2012) – Peace Arch Soccer Club, Semiahmoo Soccer Club and South Fraser Football Club announced today that Chris Murphy has been named as the group’s first Executive Director.

Commented Mike Hornak, President of Peace Arch Soccer Club, “Chris’ appointment comes at a particularly important and opportune time, as we are very close to bringing together our three Clubs to form a superior community-based soccer development organization, which we will be known as Coastal FC. With Chris’ leadership ability and with a very strong supporting group of directors and professional technical staff, Coastal FC and its players have a great future in front of them.”

Murphy, 38, joins the South Surrey/White Rock soccer community after spending the past four years with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the Head of Recruiting (2010-2012) and Senior Manager, Soccer Development (2008-2010). During his time with the ‘Caps, Murphy played a significant role in the organization’s transition to Major League Soccer (MLS) and the expansion of the ‘Caps Residency program.

Prior to joining the Vancouver Whitecaps, Murphy was the Executive Director of the Surrey Youth Soccer Association (Surrey Youth) from 2004-2008. Under his leadership, Surrey Youth arguably became the leading supplier of players to the Whitecaps Prospects, BC Soccer Provincial Team, and CSA National Training Centre (NTC) programs.

“I am excited to be back working in grassroots soccer and especially to join a group that has such a strong emphasis on player advancement and opportunity,” said Chris Murphy. “The new Coastal FC has strong staff, volunteers, and programming in place and I am honoured to have been selected as the group’s first Executive Director. I look forward to growing with the Club and contributing to the long term success of Coastal FC’s teams and membership,” added Murphy.

Darryl Jones, President of Semiahmoo Soccer Club and South Fraser FC commented that, “Chris Murphy has extensive experience in soccer leadership at the grassroots and professional levels in British Columbia. We are very impressed with his player-first philosophy and are really looking forward to having Chris play a critical role in further developing and providing more comprehensive player development pathways for our players as we move our Club and all that we do to the next level.”

About Peace Arch SC

Peace Arch Soccer Club serves the communities of South Surrey and White Rock and competes as part of the Delta Youth Soccer Association for boys and the Fraser Valley Soccer league for men. Peace Arch SC has approximately 1,500 registered boys playing in the U6-U18 age groups, as well as 9 men’s teams. Please see www.peacearchsoccer.com .

About Semiahmoo SC

Semiahmoo Soccer Club provides an opportunity for girls and women who live in South Surrey and White Rock to play organized soccer. The Club has approximately 1,100 registered girls playing in the U6-18 age groups, as well as 7 women’s teams, and fosters a spirit of soccer excellence in a healthy competitive environment that promotes good sportsmanship, personal growth and the development of individual and team soccer skills. Please see www.semiahmoosoccer.com .

About South Fraser FC

Formed by Peace Arch SC and Semiahmoo SC, South Fraser FC is one of eight founding franchise clubs in the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League. South Fraser FC offers players of outstanding ability an opportunity to continue their development in a professional soccer environment. Currently, South Fraser FC has approximately 180 boys and girls involved in its technical programming, led by nationally-qualified Technical Directors Greg Berry, and Mark McQueen. With their proven track record of developing some of the most successful players, teams, and programs at all levels and genders, they have brought together a highly qualified, experienced, and sought after coaching staff that will be complemented by the addition of Chris Murphy. Please see www.southfraserfc.com for more information.

NK Dinamo-Zagreb from Croatia, a European player development powerhouse, is coming this July to the Lower Mainland!  July 2nd - July 6th at Hjorth Road Park, from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Dinamo Zagreb Youth Academy

Week-long Summer ID Training Camp

South Fraser FC is pleased to host Dinamo-Zagreb Youth Academy, one of the top European youth academies, from July 2nd to July 6th at Hjorth Road Park in Surrey.

• Open to U9 - U17 Boys and Girls
• Players will experience new training styles and could potentially earn an invitation for an official trial with the Dinamo Youth Academy in Croatia.
• ECA (European Club Association) has rated Dinamo as one of the top 7 Youth Academies for player development in Europe.
• Dinamo's youth academy director Romeo Jozak and coaches from the Academy will lead the training sessions.
• Dinamo is continually seating for new talent, and recently added American players as young as 12 years old.
• Along with world-class training, players will receive Dinamo's t-shirts and memorabilia at the camp.
• Players should be of a competitive standard.

Registration Fee: $245 per player ** Early Bird Special

(After June 1st, registration fee increases to $285 per player).  Space is limited, so register early.

Register Now >>

South Fraser FC Graduating Girls Heading to University

It was just over a year ago that the executive committee for the BCSPL awarded inaugural franchise rights to 8 British Columbia clubs, one of them being our South Fraser Football Club.  With that decision came a flurry of activity and through the next several months, there were a great many questions asked and answered.  The greatest level of concern was voiced by the most senior players (U17-18) in regard to how successful the new league would be in promoting players to university and college play.  With the first mini-season behind us and with the first crop of graduating players, we can now say that the program under Head Coach Gary Moody and assistant coach Dave Partridge has been a complete success!

The team played to a 1^st place finish in the U18 division as a blend of U17 and U18 players and went undefeated allowing only 5 goals against in the entire campaign.  Above and beyond the team accomplishments, each and every graduating player has signed a letter of intent to play university soccer next season!

Forward Nicole Sydor will be attending University of British Columbia, playing for the #3 ranked Thunderbirds who won the bronze medal in the Canada West division this past season.  Midfielder Emily Ancill will be heading to Squamish to play for the Quest Kermodes in the PacWest Athletics Association, coached by former national team and Vancouver Whitecaps player Martina Franko and assistant coach Craig Smith. Forward Jesse Holowaty with be playing with the Langara College Falcons in the PacWest Athletics Association, coached by Ryan Birt.

Congratulations to our graduating players!  We'll all be watching their development at the collegiate level in the years to come!

Through the movement of players to university varsity teams from our club and other franchises, it's clear that the BCSPL is highly regarded by university coaches and with the path now established, we expect to see a steady stream of South Fraser players moving to universities in both Canada and the USA in the seasons ahead!

Whitecaps FC Girls Elite add first player from EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League

View the full article at http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2012/03/whitecaps-fc-girls-elite-add-first-player-ea-sports-bc-soccer-premier-league.