CPL outlines a potential plan for the season
Cavalry FC would happily return to the pitch if it is safe to do so in 2020
It’ll be a strange new world when Cavalry FC steps back onto the field.
The players know it.
But given the times that have beset the planet in the last few months, any world that gets the ball rolling on the Canadian Premier League’s second season is quite welcome by the Cavs and the nation’s soccer fraternity.
On Friday, the country’s professional kick loop joined its owners, clubs and player leadership in announcing the structure and concept of a proposed strategy for a 2020 CPL season.
“As a player who just wants to get back playing, I am happy with the league including us in the planning process and discussions,” said Cavalry captain Nik Ledgerwood. “We have had several discussions and are all working together as a group with players’ questions, feedback and safety at the forefront of the conversations.”
The CPL feels an obligation to get back on the pitch whenever possible, and it feels that can’t happen without the players input and support.
The health and safety of all is the single most important issue, and it is vital that appropriate health and safety protocols mandated by the local and provincial officials are in place and agreed to by all stakeholders — players, clubs, owners, the league and Canada Soccer, the CPL’S governing body.
“Our position since we began the journey of building the league from the ground up has been to work together,” said CPL commissioner David Clanachan. “We started this process behind the scenes many weeks ago in consultation with our owners on the many details and protocols required to safely return to the field of play and potential opportunities that may emerge. This led to the next step of a collaborative discussion with the players this week.
“It’s been gratifying and rewarding to see how much collective enthusiasm and co-operation there has been, and we have landed in an excellent and unanimous position with our clubs and club player leadership.”
But of course, they’re not there yet.
There’s still work to be done that’s out of their control.
In Alberta, the next step is awaiting word from the health authorities that it’s OK to get back on the pitch.
The Cavs are hopeful to hear from the province any day now.
“We have to respect the government and provincial health guidelines on our applications to return to train,” said Cavalry general manager/coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “We are in the final stages of our application approval and hope to get the green light to return to the pitch, like our league colleagues have in small group training sessions by early next week.”
Indeed, Nova Scotia gave the approval for the CPL’S HFX Wanderers FC to return late last week.
The team based in Halifax then opened training Monday under secure protocols and safe-distancing measures.
“Our owners, management staff and player leadership are working diligently with the league on trying to bring football back to the pitch in the safest possible manner in 2020, given the circumstances we have all be challenged with,” said Wheeldon Jr.
“We understand this is a unique new normal for everyone — fans included. However, if we can get back on the pitch and continue to grow the game whilst giving our passionate fans something to watch, then that will be a huge achievement given the sacrifices everyone has made through this COVID crisis.”
The next step will be to engage with the fans and partners as the Canadian Premier League and its clubs work collectively to find a solution for a 2020 CPL season.
“I’m optimistic that if we can safely get through this chaos,” added Wheeldon Jr., “there is great opportunity to get more eyes on our league from not only within Canada but across the world, too.”