CPL Vancouver FC

Vancouver FC Announce "Balanced Minds" Match on September 9

Published on September 7, 2023 under Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Vancouver FC News Release


Langley, BC - Vancouver Football Club is excited to announce the club's first Balanced Minds match, which will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023 as the squad hosts Atlético Ottawa at Willoughby Park.

In partnership with Foundry BC, the Balanced Minds match will serve to highlight the resources that are available within the local Langley community for youth struggling with their mental health. Vancouver FC aims to provide a welcoming, safe, and open space for everyone to speak about mental health and to bring attention to the impact that mental health has on each and every individual, particularly young people.

"We are proud to drive awareness around the importance of mental health and about the resources that exist in our community through our Balanced Minds match this weekend," said Rob Friend, President, Vancouver FC. "The well-being of everyone within the Vancouver FC community, from our athletes and coaches to staff and fans, is of the utmost importance to us. We recognize that a person's well-being is not limited to physical health, but includes mental and emotional health as well."

Vancouver's Balanced Minds match is the second game dedicated to amplifying the work of Foundry BC, a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for young people ages 12 to 24 dedicated to supporting them in living a good life. VFC previously hosted its BC Proud Derby match on August 19 as a celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The final game in the Foundry amplifier series will be the Community Foundations match on Friday, October 6, which will serve to drive awareness around the basic needs of some young people in the Fraser Valley and across B.C.

"We are proud to continue amplifying the important work and resources that Foundry BC is providing to young people across the province," continues Friend. "Mental health has a significant impact on many aspects of young people's lives and having an integrated space to receive resources has the potential to positively affect their futures."

According to Foundry BC, an estimated 70 percent of mental health problems begin during childhood or adolescence in Canada. Additionally, while one in five young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years old report experiencing mental illness or substance use problems, less than 25 percent of those people access appropriate services.

For those who may need immediate mental health support or crisis lines, please refer to some available resources below:

Fraser Health 24-hour crisis line: 604-951-8855

Crisis Centre BC: 1-800-784-2433

Kids Help Phone: text 'CONNECT' to 686868

Fans in attendance on Saturday can learn more about Foundry BC and youth mental health resources at their tent in the Family Zone, located under the west grandstand at Willoughby Park, or online at https://foundrybc.ca/.

Vancouver FC's Balanced Minds match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. PDT against Atlético Ottawa on Saturday, September 9. Tickets are available for purchase online through this link, in person at Gate 1 of the Langley Event Centre, or in person when gates open at 6 p.m. PDT on Saturday at Willoughby Park.

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