It is one of the oldest soccer leagues in North America, with its roots tracing back to the turn of the 20th century.

But as it looks forward to the 2023-24 season, the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL) is cracking at its very roots.

In a statement released April 28, 37 members of the VISL expressed their lack of confidence with the leagueB次元官网网址檚 brass. The number had risen to 41 out of 68 membership squads that had signed on to the letter as of May 3.

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B次元官网网址淥ur members have no confidence that the VISL is being run in their best interest,B次元官网网址� the statement reads. B次元官网网址淭hey do not trust that decisions are being made to benefit the league, its membership or the sport.B次元官网网址�

The statement goes on to air grievances in multiple areas, including governance, finances and disciplinary measures.

B次元官网网址淲e want a better VISL,B次元官网网址� Campbell River SCB次元官网网址檚 head coach Stephen Hall said in an interview. B次元官网网址淚t is a tenuous situation, but the league does need change.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e could go into hundreds of examples of small details,B次元官网网址� said Hall. B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 call what weB次元官网网址檙e seeing as secrecy, but the leagueB次元官网网址檚 members feel the board is not as open and as transparent as it could be. Some of the bigger, Victoria-based clubs have been frustrated for a long time.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淒o I blame the board for everything that has happened? Certainly not,B次元官网网址� said Hall. B次元官网网址淏ut IB次元官网网址檝e also seen that the membership hasnB次元官网网址檛 seen value, nor seen the responses it has for its concerns.B次元官网网址�

A response from the VISL says the leagueB次元官网网址檚 annual general meeting is scheduled for July 4, with the posts of president, treasurer and eight director spots available to vote.

B次元官网网址淚f the majority of the membership feels like the league is not operating in their best interest, there is an opportunity to reshape the board,B次元官网网址� the response states.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 something that Hall is optimistic will happen.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to have an in-house voice down there,B次元官网网址� said Hall. B次元官网网址淲hether itB次元官网网址檚 myself, (Manager) Grahame (McNeill) or one of the senior players. We donB次元官网网址檛 want to give up on the VISL, we want a better VISL. MenB次元官网网址檚 soccer has been in Campbell River for a long time, and we want that to continue. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 a partial change of the board or a full change, weB次元官网网址檙e extremely hopeful that there will be change.B次元官网网址�

Edward Hitchins
edward.hitchins@campbellrivermirror.com
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