September 29, 2020...1812FC Barrie press conference to announce application to join League 1 Ontario (from Zoom call)

  

from left:  Kristian Jack was the MC, Peter Raco 1812FC Barrie co-owner, Julian De Guzman President 
of 1812FC Barrie, Will Devellis president of Barrie Soccer Club 

Audio from the 1812 FC Barrie press conference held in a Barrie location virtually in a Zoom call.  
The audio link is here.

The Zoom call started at exactly 12:30pm as announced.  

1 min...KJ starts by introducing the guests at the head table. 

3 min...KJ asks Raco why he chose to get involved with Barrie the club and the city.  

4 min...KJ asks Devellis what the team will mean to his youth team players.

6 min...KJ asks Raco what having De Guzman involved with the team means to the area. 

7 min...KJ gives De Guzman a chance to address the audience of his participation with the club. 

10 min...KJ praises De Guzman's accomplishments in soccer.  

Now the Q & A starts.  Some of the questions (including mine) were compiled before the conference began.  

11 min...for De Guzman: Why would you join a start-up like 1812FC Barrie rather than going to MLS, 
CPL, or the CSA?  

14 min...for De Guzman:  What are the club's short term and long term goals?  

17 min...for Raco:  Where will you guys play?  

18 min...for Devellis:  How are you and your (Barrie SC) club involved?  

20 min...for De Guzman:  How will your experience at top flight clubs help the team to develop?  

22 min...for Devellis:  Can people send both a regional team and a larger league team?    

24 min...for De Guzman:  What stage is the club at in choosing a head coach, staff and players 
for the team?  

26 min...for Raco:  Is there any preference for what day and times you'd like to play your games?  

27 min...for Raco:  How soon will you know if you have been accepted as a League 1 Ontario team?  

28 min...for De Guzman:  Has there been any local coaches or directors considered for head coach?  

29 min...for Raco:  How will the fan culture affect the team?  

30 min...for Devellis:  How much are you looking forward to tapping into Julian's mind to help 
your players?  

31 min...KJ asks De Guzman to expand on his passion for helping develop young players.  

32 min...KJ asks Raco to outline his feelings on what the group has accomplished so far.  

36 min...1812FC Barrie managing partner Andrew Weilgus cuts in from his office at Atlantic City USA
to thank everyone for participating today.  

...............................................................................................

Got my two pre-asked questions answered!  

1.  Looks like the order is L1O Men 2021 season, L1O Women 2022.  (I had asked L1O commissioner 
Dino Rossi a few years ago...the league wants to restrict new teams to enter the league one team 
at a time...financial strain, review of the organization etc.)  

2.  What day of the week and time will you want your games?  (thinking of traffic jams on Friday 
nights getting to the game from GTA on hwy 400 rush hour and battling traffic returning to GTA 
on Sunday evenings from cottage country vacationers returning).  Now that's if they are trying 
to attract GTA fans.   
Answer:  Too soon to tell.     (Of course the more established teams may get first choice) 

My picture is displayed in the top left corner of the list of fans and officials listening.  

back to 2020 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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