Elite Soccer Academy Inc., a club located in the region of Peel with a long history of developing top talented athletes with aspirations to pursue soccer at the highest level possible.
One of the many virtues we are proud of, is our continuous commitment to the community by way of running comprehensive programs that not only focus on the values of inclusiveness, teamwork and sportsmanship, but more importantly, strong contributors in the community. In fact, the greater Toronto area (GTA) is well-recognized for fostering some of the countries’ best athletes.
Soccer is a great avenue to promote healthy and active living and ELITE SOCCER ACADEMY is right at the forefront of the best. We work tirelessly to facilitate such opportunities for our athletes but from time to time, families may resort to fundraising and/or sponsorship options through the local business community.
Sponsorship and fundraising activities may take place in support of subsidizing programs for athletes, and while we fully endorse supporting mechanisms for the benefit of children in sport, we are also very committed to ensuring the overall integrity of the ELITE brand, its academy teams, players and parents are at the forefront of our priorities. For all intents and purposes, this Sponsorship and Fundraising Compliance Guideline is to provide all participants a general overview of how team specific fundraising activities are handled.
a) Ensure contributors are clearly informed on the purpose of their contributions
b) Clearly define the different levels of sponsorship, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved
c) Defined rules and best practices to ensure all activities are done ethically
Elite Soccer Academy Inc. is a private enterprise focused on delivering soccer specific programming to children of all ages. While the academy operates as a legally recognized service provider, we as an organization often seek different means of supplemental funding.
ACCEPTABLE USE OF SPONSORSHIP/FUNDRAISING FUNDS
1. Maintain fees at an affordable standard and equally for all participants
2. Purchasing of new equipment and technical apparel
3. Specialized programs (example: High-Performer program)
3. Family outreach
4. Community events
NOT ACCEPTABLE USE OF SPONSORSHIP/FUNDRAISING FUNDS
1. Payment for staff and/or personal benefit
2. Cost rebates for any one specific team
BENEFITS TO THE CONTRIBUTOR
1. Company branding on the academy teams apparel such as game jerseys (subject to minimum specific donation amount)
2. Exposure through the academy’s website and social media channels
3. Appreciation plaque
4. Transaction and taxable receipt
Whereas fundraising activities are team specific, the role of the academy is to provide a generalized best practice and ensure that it is done ethically for the overall benefit of the team and the players of the specific team that represent Elite Soccer Academy by association. While the academy will endorse ethically conducted fundraising activities for the sole benefit of the players, ALL fundraising and sponsorship activities specific to the team MUST be agreed upon by the participants and in alignment with an agreed upon plan by all team members.
Elite Soccer Academy Inc. does not hold any influence on the nature of fundraising activities, timelines and how funds are utilized. As such, Elite Soccer Academy Inc. and its staff is indemnified against any financial, legal or administrative responsibility over any fundraising and sponsorship activities.
ALL participants are required to comply with the general sponsorship and fundraising guidelines, as well as complete the activity form.
https://elitesocceracademy.ca/fundraising-compliance-form/
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
Branding of academy’s technical apparel is exclusive to the academy. Decorating of any sponsor or company on technical apparel must be approved by the academy prior to committing with the business entity.
Leisure wear (example: Team Hoodie) purchase by the team is exempt from this rule.
Prior to commencing a sponsorship or fundraising activity, ALL participants MUST complete the TEAM Sponsorship and Fundraising Activity Form.
ONLY traceable monetary donations are permitted. Any donation in the form of cash will be rejected.
Whereas academy specific sponsorship and fundraising activities are concerned, 100% of the proceeds go to the academy and a valid taxable receipt will be provided to the contributor.
Whereas TEAM specific sponsorship and fundraising activities are concerned, 100% of the proceeds should go to the respective team, and associated receipts/confirmation MUST be provided by the activity leaders (parents)
It is strongly recommended to align sponsorship and fundraising activities with the seasonal plan that is designed and administered by the teams coaches.
Team funds raised MUST be held in a bank account by a recognized financial institution and administered by a volunteer parent group of the respective team who will have signing authority. Personal accounts of any one parent to store any proceeds of sponsorship or fundraising are not permitted.
** Elite Staff coaches are NOT permitted to be involved with the bank account and/or or direct access to the funds.
It is strongly recommended that a minimum of two(2) signing officers are assigned to the administration of the bank account. Academy staff MUST remain exempt from any responsibility to any one team’s financials.
Once parents commit to a sponsor or fundraising, they are of the understanding that funds belong to the respective team/academy and must always comply with the principles of team first protocol. Parents are of the understanding that funds are strictly to be used for the sole purposes of the full team’s soccer activities within the academy team/program
From time to time, parents/children may leave the team and/or relocated to a different age group for any reason. Any funds raised for the team should remain with the respective team, and/or utilized prior to departing from the team.
Each respective team member, parent and team manager(s) is responsible for all fundraising activities and/or what that sponsor represents. In the event any one parent opts out of contributing into the team’s fundraising activities, he/she will automatically forfeit the right to benefit from any funds within the team’s account.
Academy sponsors and team sponsors are separate entities whom are subject to different entitlements and shall be documented as such. Naming rights on academy technical apparel may only be available as follows:
1. Academy’s Primary Game Jersey (Exclusive to academy sponsors)
2. Academy’s Secondary Game Jersey (Front is exclusive to academy sponsors), (Back is optional to team sponsors)
3. Academy’s Training Shirts (Front/Back is optional to team sponsors)
4. Academy’s Track Suit Top (Front/Back is optional to team sponsors)
**ALL costs associated to the printing/decorating of the sponsorship onto the garment, must be covered by the beneficiary (Example: Academy Sponsor = Academy covers cost
While reference to their respective academy team in their communication is permitted, any legal reference such as residency address must be in alignment with the respective volunteer committee group that is overseeing the activities.
