From the Owners Box,  News/Blog

A Spirit of the Rovers Spotlight: Aaryn Vivian Finds Her Football Home

I arrived at the side entrance of Swangard Stadium on a sunny Saturday, ready to assist my fellow Swanguardians with setting up; this isn’t some big-league operation, where everyone can stumble in right at kickoff to start the party. Nope, here at TSS Rovers the supporters are part of the family, and that means there’s work to be done. While the players are in their locker rooms getting stretched out and taped up, a handful of Swanguardians pitch in and make the colourful in-game display what it is. And, unlike with MLS or even the CPL, each League1 BC matchday is a double-bill; first the women’s team play, and then the men’s. So, with setup and takedown, we’re looking at a full 7-8 hour shift for the dedicated few that see it all through, beginning to end. It just so happened that the first smiling face I saw early on Saturday was that of Aaryn Vivian, the latest star of our Spirit of the Rovers Spotlight.

Aaryn is a proud part-owner and supporter. She is also a member of Rovers advisory board and the Spirit of the Rovers board, positions she’s held since the very beginning. The TSS (Total Soccer Systems) Academy dates back to 1997, but Rovers began play as a proper football club two decades later, in 2017. Aaryn was involved before their very first kick. Born and raised in North Van, Aaryn once worked with a childhood friend of Will Cromack, Rovers’ GM and all-around big boss man, who’s from the same area. When “Willie,” as he’s affectionately known by his comrades, began his epic quest of establishing this unique club, Matt, their mutual friend, suggested enlisting Aaryn in some capacity: “If she’s giving you her time, take it and run with it.” They “hammered out the details over a few drinks at the Queen’s Cross,” a longstanding North Van establishment with a traditional wood-grained pub vibe, and suddenly Aaryn was part of the advisory board – and therefore a key voice for future supporters.

Many of us learn to love a sport through playing it as a child, though that’s not how Aaryn found football, as the North Van native didn’t have the chance to play growing up. Her interest in the sport really began to blossom in 2010, thanks to World Cup fever and a flexible schedule; much footy watching ensued, and from there Aaryn was hooked. She began to follow the Whitecaps as they made their transition to MLS in 2011, hungry for live, local football. This lead to an interest in supporter culture, and Aaryn was soon involved, singin’ songs and wavin’ flags on the regular. But, as with so many of us, the business-first nature of Major League Soccer and its Whitecaps franchise took its toll. Aaryn wanted more, a real football home where her voice mattered, something more grassroots and community-based. That’s Rovers, alright.

While Aaryn saw the possibilities with Rovers from the jump, fan ownership wasn’t actually something on her mind beforehand; the idea seemed almost impossible to many of us North Americans at first, myself included. She credits fellow founding supporters Chris Galloway and Robbie Grenda (who’s also her partner) with dreaming up that lofty plan on a humble bar napkin. But, it’s safe to say Aaryn was all in. She was the one who began sorting out the MOU (memorandum of understanding), which is a formal agreement between two or more parties (the Rovers brass and the supporters in this case) that outlines plans for a shared venture. Aaryn tells a story of her, Galloway, and Robbie being out on a fishing boat in the middle of the ocean hunting for wild salmon while Willie desperately tried to track them down for their signatures. The cell reception was poor to non-existent, and thus those responsible for Rovers’ fan-owned future were temporary hold outs, ironic given their passion and essential involvement. The Swanguardians would not be in the unique position they are today if it weren’t for the work of folks like Aaryn, Chris, and Robbie. They reeled in a big catch, and it wasn’t some scaly fish – no, it was the future of football support in this country. Now they field “calls from across North America,” Aaryn says, from other folks looking for suggestions on how make fan ownership happen for themselves.

The beautiful part about creating a your own football community from scratch is the ability to enact the change you want to see. While it’s getting better, supporter culture – and sport in general – has not always been inclusive. Aaryn herself has felt unsafe in the past, even in a position of authority with a major supporters group, but never at a Rovers match. “I’ve never been in an environment as a female supporter where I felt safer or more heard,” she says. “I love coming here and feeling safe; it’s a place where what I think matters. They will listen to the ideas I have, and the suggestions I have for how things could be done better.” Fan-ownership helps, as those in the stands inherently have a greater voice. Admittedly, Aaryn was the first female supporter/owner at Rovers, but it’s really evolved, becoming “so much more so quickly.” Everyone is welcome, and it shows. “We have many queer owners and supporters,” Aaryn adds. “As [Chris] Corrigan says, we’re the gayest team in the league!” It’s a point of Pride for the Swanguardians.

As for the on-field product, Aaryn notes how the Rovers faithful have put so much into supporting the women’s team, and that they were playing great football last year as a result. This year has been tougher challenge, though the Rovers women did just secure first win of the season, and Aaryn knows they’ll always “leave it all on the pitch… and then come to stand with the supporters afterward to watch the men’s game,” which provides “such a sense of community.” “They’re so excited to be here,” she continues, “and [women’s head coach] Chelsea Hannesson has been a joyful addition to the club.” And that’s the point, isn’t it; the joy in the journey, not the wins or losses. Happiness through togetherness, that’s the model at TSS Rovers.

Aaryn says the Swanguardians are “so lucky” to have a close relationship with the Rovers payers and coaches. Her and Robbie took Darren Russcher, the new men’s manager, out for drinks last week to celebrate his first win. “That was very exciting,” she says. Aaryn also mentions bumping into an old roommate of Rovers forward Erik Edwardson on the Island while away to PFC, quickly pulling him in and making him an honorary Swanguardian for the day. Everyone’s family. Her first interaction with Erik was actually when he ran over after scoring a goal, accidentally stepping on her bare foot with his cleat in the process. (A day spent barefoot on the Swangard grass is amazing, but it does come with risks.) Aaryn clarified, calling Erik the “sweetest human” who’s “always smiling ear to ear,” and the “perfect ambassador for Rovers.” All the players come over and make effort to connect, and that comes from the top down. The club knows how important this point of connection is, and how hard the supporters are working, driving the “proverbial ship.” It’s a self-fulfilling support system. “We want you to know that, aside from your parents, we’re going to be the one’s cheering you on the loudest; we’re the non-genetic family, and it works. We’re so excited week after week.” 

But as good as the high is, the withdrawals are hard, especially with the length of the offseason. The schedule is a “slog” sometimes, with the rapid succession of games, but when it’s over, “something’s missing.” It is fun to sit back and see what roster moves are made, and one is afforded time to think up new levels of support for the coming season. Plus, sometimes past players will get in touch; Bella Roque reached out to the supporters when she was home from Germany last Christmas, and they met up for drinks. Supporters and players united as one, during the offseason no less. “That what it’s all about,” says Aaryn. Indeed it is.