UPPER ISLAND DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE RULES

Revised Jan 6th, 2009

 

POLICIES, RULES & REGULATIONS

The purpose of the Upper Island Development League is to foster and promote the level of youth play at a more competitive level within the region. Due to limited numbers of players and other factors, the District may form mixed divisions. Officials and coaches should give consideration to younger teams by using the game times prescribed for them and by not running up scores.

RISK MANAGEMENT:

All officials and volunteers involved in the Upper Island League must be in compliance with District risk management policies. Team officials are responsible to ensure that neither they nor their supporters harass game officials or players in any manner contrary to BCSA policy. All coaches, assistant coaches, managers and assistant managers are required to have read and signed a copy of the BCSA Employee/Volunteer Background Checks, as per BCSA request (Form A).

Form B’s are required to be filled in by all club, district treasures. (BCSA policy).

LEAGUE STRUCTURE & OPERATION

PLAYER REGISTRATION

a) All players must register and play for their HOME club as outlined in the UISA Registration Manual

b) Players wishing to play outside of their HOME club must request an inter-district transfer on the appropriate UISA form

c) Teams must confirm participation in the UI League by August 15th of each year

d) Teams must inform the UI Administrator by October 1st, of intent to participate in either ‘A’ or ‘B’ level of competition

e) Team rosters are submitted to UISA Registrar by October 1st. through each Club Registrar.

f) The last date for player transfers is January 15th. (Noon of Jan 15th along with BCSA Transfer fee).

 

ID CARDS

a) All registered players must have a current BCSA picture ID by October 1 of each season

b) All registered Team officials must have a current BCSA picture ID by October 1 of each season

c) Valid BCSA picture ID cards are to be presented to game officials for all games 

d) Players and Team Officials without a valid BCSA picture ID card will be able to play LEAGUE games only, But are subject to sanctions by UISA

e) Players and Team Officials must have a valid BCSA picture ID to participate in any cup game (BCSA rule)

 

LEAGUE ORGANIZATION

The Upper Island District will assign teams to appropriate leagues when information and recommendations re: numbers, strength etc. are received from Club Executives. The following factors will be taken into consideration when forming Leagues:

a) Number of teams in the division and the need for a Cup qualifying round of play

b) Whether or not a district team is formed in a particular League

c) Appropriate registration forms/fees to be received by the District

START UP OF LEAGUE PLAY

The League starts with an “Ice Breaker Tournament” the weekend following Labor Day.

League play will commence the following weekend.

SCHEDULING- League Games Only

a) All League games will normally be scheduled for Sundays.

b) A First half schedule will be issued for League play until the (first week of December) the two weekends before will be for make up games or qualifying for Provincial cup play. (NOT including Thanksgiving weekend) – the final two weeks of which will be for make-up games).

c) Make-up games are the responsibility of the two teams involved and should be played as closely to the schedule as possible. (DON’T WAIT FOR THE 2 WEEK MAKE-UP DATES).

If agreed upon by both teams games may be made up on Saturday.

d) Any games not made up by the first half (prior to the first weekend in December will be made up prior to the Christmas break. Any games not made up by this point will not be rescheduled. No points will be awarded to either team).OMIT or second half make-up dates will not be rescheduled – therefore no points will be awarded to either team.

e) All teams must play each other @ least once prior to Christmas break in order to qualify for provincial cup.

f) League games will not be scheduled during the first 2 weeks of Cup play. (Rational: to have all officials & fields available as Cup play takes Priority over league play. Less confusing for coaches & club reps).

REPORTING OF SCORES

a) All teams are required to report scores directly to their Club Representative after each league game

b) Each Club Representative shall report these scores to the League Scheduler on a weekly basis. (By Monday 5:00pm the day after the Sunday game.)

c) Goal differential will be recorded up to 5.

FIELDS

The Home Club will be responsible for making sure that the designated field is properly lined. In all cup competitions (District, Inter-District, Provincial or Island Invitational) goal nets and corner flags are MANDATORY. The home team will be responsible for the setup of goal nets and corner flags.

 

GAME OFFICIALS

A referee and two qualified assistant referees are required for all league games. One line official should be of sufficient training to be able to take over the referee position should the referee not show up or become injured in the game. The referee should be a ticketed official at least two years older that the players involved in the game. If a properly appointed, scheduled referee is not available then one of the line officials shall assume the responsibility of the referee. The two teams must then agree upon a replacement line official or each team shall appoint a person to line one half of the game. If line officials are not available, each team should supply a linesman – the referee should not start the game until linesmen have been appointed – one from each team. If an official cannot be agreed on, and the game is not played, the home team will be responsible for contacting the scheduler and advising that the game was not played. It is the responsibility of the home team to reschedule the make up game with the scheduler. In the exceptional case when the game is postponed, due to the unavailability of game officials, the two coaches may decide whether to play and exhibition using any available person.

CANCELLATION OF GAMES

Once a game is scheduled by the District scheduler that game must be played unless:

a) The District scheduler postpones the game due to field availability.

b) The referee decides at the field (prior to game time) that the game should not be played due to field or weather conditions. The referee is to phone the District Referee Coordinator indicating the date, which game has been cancelled, and reasons why the game was cancelled.

c) The appointed referee does not show up and the coaches cannot agree on an official and cannot each appoint a person to officiate one half of the game.

RESCHEDULING

a) When inclement weather forces closure of the home team’s fields then the game shall be played on the opposing team’s field. The original home team is responsible for the payment of the referees and assistant referees. When possible 24 - 48 hours notice should/must be given so that the opposing team can confirm field usage.

b) The League Scheduler will only consider requests for the rescheduling of regular league games in very unusual circumstances i.e. – Heavy team involvement in a special school function or illness or injury which reduces the team roster size below eleven (11) players

c) Requests for rescheduling must be received no less than 7 days prior to the scheduled game. The request must include the reason for the request and, where appropriate, the names of players involved

d) Requests for rescheduling must be received through the Club Rep

e) Cancellation of a scheduled league game without prior approval from the League Scheduler may result in a fine.

 GAME FORFEITURE

A game shall be forfeited and awarded to the opposing team by a 1-0 score upon protest (as per BCSA constitution) if:

a) A team does not supply duplicate team lists/player ID cards at or before half-time. Teams must provide player and team officials picture ID cards on or before of Oct. 1st of each playing season.

b) A team uses an unregistered player; a player, coach or team official under suspension; a player registered to another team; or an over-age player.

c) If one team fails to field SEVEN players within 15 minutes of scheduled start of the game (no protest necessary)

d) If a game is forfeited due to “no show” by visiting team, the home team retains home game advantage for next game.

e) A “no show” may result in League discipline/fines.

GAME REGULATIONS

Game regulations are generally as detailed in the BCSA constitution (Competition Rules and Regulations)

A) GAME DURATION (NOTE: Game time and ball size is set by the younger age group unless mutually agreed to be otherwise.)

         Age                       Duration                               Ball Size                     Overtime( if applicable )

     Under  18     2 halves of 45 minutes each                    5                      2 halves of 15 minutes each  

     Under  17     2 halves of 45 minutes each                    5                      2 halves of 15 minutes each

     Under  16     2 halves of 40 minutes each                    5                      2 halves of 10 minutes each

     Under  15     2 halves of 40 minutes each                    5                      2 halves of 10 minutes each  

     Under  14     2 halves of 35 minutes each                    5                      2 halves of 10 minutes each

     Under  13     2 halves of 35 minutes each                    5                      2 halves of 10 minutes each

B) CONDUCT AT GAMES

I) Coaches, team official, and players are not permitted to be within 1 meter of the touchline – in fairness to the game officials

ii) Coaches, team officials, and players must stand within 15 meters of the centre line.

iii) Coaches, team officials, and players of opposing teams must stand on the same side of the field on opposite sides of the centre line. All spectators should be on the opposite side of the field.

iv) No coaches, team official, players or spectators will be allowed to stand behind the goal line – corner to corner.

v) Coaches, team official, players, parents or spectators will not harass (verbally or physically) the referee, linesman, players or other parents

vi) Female teams with all male staff need one female official on the bench and vice versa (as per CSA regulation)

vii) Failure to comply with the above rules could result in disciplinary action against offenders (official warnings leading to suspensions) if repeated; OR at the referee’s discretion, the game could be called.

C) LEAGUE PLAY

1. Games will consist of regulation time only – no overtime

2. Three points will be awarded for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss (when standings recorded).

3. Unlimited substitutions are allowed

4) Goal differential of 5 will be recorded for all league games only.

D) LOCAL COMPETITION

All teams in each division will participate in playoffs. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed. If games are tied on goals after regulation time then the game will be decided as per F.I.F.A. guidelines.

E) ISLAND Invitational PLAYOFFS/FINALS

As per BCSA Constitution Rules and Regulations

F) PROVINCIAL CUP(s) PLAYOFFS/FINALS as per BCSA Constitution Rules and Regulations

LEAGUE STANDINGS (*league standings could be used to qualify for island invitational tournament) * rational: Then the league would mean something to the teams. The teams would play all games scheduled & make up any that they have missed. Every team would be accountable for their place in the league.

1. Teams will be placed based on league standings.

2. League standings will be kept up to date by the UISA District Scheduler.

3. Any disagreement with the standing shall be put in writing to the club representative who will forward them to the District Scheduler.

4. Teams will only be permitted to have 5 goal differential recorded.

5. All teams must submit their scores to their club representative by Sunday 10:00pm

6. All club representatives will report the scores for their club to the District scheduler by email by 5:00pm Monday. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

7. Teams tied in points at the end of the season may have to play off to decide final standings

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Referee must make a written report regarding, all cautions, ejections and failures to comply with game regulations. The proper forms must be provided by the home team and can be obtained from local administrators and the District referee. Written reports must be sent to the District referee-in-chief within 24 hours of the game.

PROTEST RULES

1. The District will hear and rule on all protests arising out of games scheduled by the District with the exception of Provincial Cup.

2. Protests will be dealt with according to District and BCSA rules, regulations and guidelines.

3. Protests must be in writing and be accompanied by the current fee within 48 hours. The fee will be refunded if the protest is sustained and forfeited if the protest is denied.

4. Protests re: Provincial Cup Games are sent to BCSA with the current fee – copy to District Administrator

CORRESPONDENCE

a) All UI League correspondence (both ‘in’ and ‘out’) should be directed through the Club Representative

b) Only written correspondence will be discussed or acknowledged by the UISA Executive or UISA Scheduler

PERFORMANCE BONDS

All clubs in the UI League are required to post performance bonds at the beginning of the season. Teams failing to live up to League commitments may be fined accordingly.

Clubs will be billed @ start of season to ensure full bonds are in place prior to start of league play.

Clubs issued a fine due to not fulfilling their obligations to the league may appeal this to the UISA board in writing. There is a fee to hear an appeal by the UISA appeals committee.

DISCIPLINE

All discipline arising from specific games will be dealt with under BCSA Policy Guidelines under the direction of the UISA Discipline Committee.

a)       Any player receiving a RED card or team official sent from sidelines. MUST sit out there next game (league or cup) automatically without appeal.

b)       Discipline hearing for players will be done at the club level

c)       All other discipline will be dealt with by the UISA Discipline committee

CUP PLAY 

a)       All teams playing in the UISA league must declare their team's intent to play Provincial A or B or C cup by Jan 10 of the playing season .

b)       Team rosters must be put on the proper BCSA Form which can be obtained on the UISA website or  BCSA website.

c)       All teams after declaring their intent to participate in either of the above cups must be prepared to commit until the final games in July ( for A or B provincial cups) or March/April for C cup. Failure to fulfill your cup obligations will result in a fine from the District and/or BCSA.

d)       Cup play will have priority over league games thus league play will be suspended for a minimum of 2 weeks during cup play downs.

e)       All games will be played under the Rules & Regulations of BCSA.

f)         All Cup games will be played according to the schedule unless under extreme cases of field closure or lack of officials.

g)       There will be NO postponing of Cup games due to player involvement in other sports unless UISA written request at least 7 days before game through the club representative. UISA will only look at such request if a majority of the team is involved.

h)       UISA receives the right to schedule games if needed on Saturdays. UISA will give as much notice as possible & will schedule such games under extreme circumstances.

i)         Regional play downs ( Upper Island vs Lower Island) will be played at the following venues each year.

§         U 13, 15, 17 Boys & Girls HOME to Lower Island.

§         U 14, 16, 18 Boys & Girls AWAY to Lower Island 

§         ** the winning team in an age group from our district are our upper island representatives for the regional play downs .

§         Regional winners will advance to the Coastal semi finals & Provincial Championships.

j)         Clubs will be responsible for scheduling all game officials for B and C cup games, up to District  winners:

§         UISA will be responsible for scheduling Referee's only for games against Lower Island and the Coastal semi-finals.

§         UISA will pay directly ALL Referee's game fee's for A, B, & C cup games upon receiving Game sheets and expense forms that  must be sent within 24 hours of completion of game.

§         UISA will pay the referees at the current BCSA provincial cup  game rate

k)       Game officials for Cup play will receive written information on Cup play procedures (through Club referee schedulers).

l)         ALL CUP GAMES MUST HAVE A WINNER.

m)     Cup game officials must meet the following criteria:

§         Game officials must be currently registered with BCSA and be on the BCSA Officials list

§         Referees must be a minimum of 2 years older than the players and have at least 2 years experience with a level 4 certification or higher.

§         Referee Assistants must be the same age or older than the players and hold a level 4 certification or higher.

§         No referee or assistant may officiate a game in which an immediate relative is participating.