The Victoria Royals and Pacific FC are excited to announce a new joint venture, BEAT VANCOUVER, which will strive to strengthen the link between fans of both clubs on the Island and help benefit the KidSport Greater Victoria charity.
Pacific FC is set to open their 2023 season against the newest Canadian Premier League club, Vancouver FC, providing them a natural rivalry akin to the one between the Royals and their Mainland rivals, the Vancouver Giants.
Both teams will be employing the BEAT VANCOUVER rally cry at their games against their cross-strait rivals this season. The first of the two will be held on Friday, March 4th as the Royals take on the Giants in the Island Bowl II, followed by Pacific FC’s season opener against Vancouver FC on Saturday, April 15th at Starlight Stadium.
“The Royals are excited to partner with Pacific FC in these great rivalry games,” said Royals General Manager and Head Coach Dan Price. “The passion within the games and in the stands when Victoria and Vancouver compete against each other is special. What a great opportunity to watch these elite athletes perform in their respective sports and to support access to youth sports in the process.”
Additionally, both the Royals and PFC will be selling BEAT VANCOUVER-branded t-shirts (in blue for the Royals and purple for the Tridents) in their team stores this year for $25 each, alongside a ticket and shirt bundle, with proceeds from each sale going to benefit KidSport Greater Victoria, which supports access to youth sports in the Greater Victoria region.
“We are happy to join forces with the Victoria Royals to show solidarity in our competitiveness representing the island,” said James Merriman, Head Coach, Pacific FC. “This is an opportunity for Island sports fans to come out to two different games to support our teams, while also supporting a great cause that will give back to our community.”
The Royals will be pulling out all the stops for their Island Bowl II matchup against the Giants on March 4, turning the Royals Court area at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre’s gate one into a tailgate and fanfest area, complete with a co-branded PFC & Royals BEAT VANCOUVER theme and a live DJ. Tickets for the game are available at selectyourtickets.com.
Fans will also have the unique opportunity to enjoy a meet and greet session with their favourite Pacific FC players as well as with both teams’ mascots, Marty the Marmot and Stewie the Starfish. Royals players will attend Starlight Stadium for a meet-and-greet in April.
Following the pre-game festivities, fans can cheer on the Royals from the Vizzy Fan Section, which will be decked out in a BEAT VANCOUVER theme. Specially-priced $5 beers will also be on sale at the concession throughout the evening.
“KidSport Greater Victoria is a huge fan of collaboration and teamwork – skills honed through sport,” said Jill Shaw, executive director, KidSport Greater Victoria. “This initiative is such a great example of organizations working together to bring together and benefit the community, and we’re proud and grateful to be a recipient of funds raised through this project.”
