TEAM LISTS

5 DISTRICT DATES TO REMEMBER

2009 - 2010

  Welcome                                                                                                                            

We want the playing season to be a great experience for everyone in the 5 District Gold & Silver League: players, coaches, club and district personnel, game officials, and spectators - the best way to ensure that outcome is for everyone to understand the same set of guidelines. Please take the time to read the following pages as they are designed to prevent confusion and prevent conflicts.

The 5 District provides this guide to Gold and Silver Coaches in age groups U12 through U18 to clarify questions and/or concerns. It is the responsibility of all Team Officials to know the Guidelines and operate in accordance of them. Should there be a question/concern that is not addressed in this Guide, contact your District Representative.

  Getting Started                                                                                                        

1.         Read this Guide. This Guide explains how the 5 District League works, the formal rules and procedures, and your rights and responsibilities. Every District, Club, team official, game official and player shall uphold the rules and policies set out by BCSA and the 5 District League.

2.       Read and know the FIFA Laws of the Game which are available at www.bcsoccer.net . Sport involves respect for the opposition and game officials. Team officials must develop this by their words and actions.

3.       Your Club Representative for your District is your main contact for 5 District Gold and Silver matters.

4.       Schedules & official standings are available at www.bcsoccercentral.com  

5.       Game Days. Generally, U-12 to U-16 teams play their games on Saturdays while U-17 and U-18 teams may play their games on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. With more and more turf fields being constructed, some teams may play home (League and/or Cup) games at night.

6.       The Conference Cup starts in October for U-12 to U-18 teams. Round Robin format will take place on weekends designated in the schedule; Quarter and Semi Final games will take place in January and February, these games will take priority over regular league games.

7.       Field status Information available on page 8.

8.       Schools and parks must be kept clean. Take home your half-time refreshment debris.

9.       Ensure Communication with the opposition before each game – further details available on page 8

10.   Only play players registered to your team – further details available on page 6

11.   Supply and get team lists at each game. Use the blank on the inside cover of this Guide. Before the commencement of the game give two completed copies to the referee, and ask for your copy of the opponent’s list.

12.   Photo ID cards – all players and team officials must present photo ID for all games from October 1^st onwards – further details available on page 7

13.   Make sure players and spectators are aware of the red card offenses and that ejected players and team officials reported for misconduct are not to take part in the post-game handshake.

14.   Dissent from team officials, players or spectators is unacceptable. There will always be calls you disagree with; everyone has to learn to accept that aspect of sports. Do not question calls, or badger or harass referees during or after the game. This is a “zero tolerance” issue – any verbal or physical abuse of referees will lead to very serious penalties.

15.   Coaches are the most important influence on players. Coaches who positively guide, mentor and help players to enjoy the game will give a lifelong enjoyment of the game.

16.   Referees are in charge of the game. They are trained and assessed to develop their skills. They need each team’s support and respect in carrying out their duties.

17.   Team officials are responsible and accountable for the behavior of parents and supporters. Ensure that your fans are supportive, and when a referee requests you to control a fan, you must do so immediately.

18.   Win or lose always report game scores by Sunday to your District Scorekeeper. If neither team reports a score, it may be recorded as a double forfeit.

19.   Notify the league of any errors in scores within 4 weeks, or they may not be accepted. Don’t forget to “refresh” the website on a regular basis to have the most up-to-date version of the schedule and all other information.

20.   Soccer is a game; it is for fun. Let the kids play. Parents, spectators and team officials should stay in the background.

  General Information                                                                                                         

The 5 District Gold & Silver League operates under the Constitution of the B.C. Soccer Association, and applies each year to the BCSA for permission to perform league operations. (The BCSA Constitution is available at the Association’s website www.bcsoccer.net.). Westminster, Fraser Valley, Surrey, Delta and Allouette each have a Youth Soccer Association that is responsible for the general operation and promotion of soccer within their respective geographic boundaries, while the League is responsible for league alignment, and game scheduling.

All affiliated youth teams are entitled to full participation in the league. Membership in a League is a privilege, not a right.  All members are expected to abide by the 5 District Gold/Silver Policy and Guidelines. Each District must post a $500 Performance Bond before October 31 of the current playing season. Failure to provide a performance bond on time will result in a fine of $50 per each month overdue.

Each district appoints one representative to the Board. Each representative is entitled to one vote. In co-operation with the member Districts, the League Board's overall tasks are to co-ordinate and govern boy's youth soccer in Gold and Silver level league play for the member Lower Mainland Youth Soccer Districts.

The 5 District Gold & Silver League Board is responsible for the operation of the league. The regular season schedule is prepared and distributed prior to the start of the season. The Conference Cup draw will be posted following the October Board meeting.

The District Representative's job is to liaise between the League and the Youth District, i.e. collect the team information for league entry at the beginning of the season, and to provide information throughout the season to clubs and teams about game or schedule changes. The District Representative, or an alternate, must be present at monthly board meetings. A $50 fine may be levied against a District for any missed meeting(s). If any Board Member is associated with a team and/or age group, or is in some other form of conflict of interest, he/she must excuse himself/herself from voting on any matters where potential conflict exists.

The 5-District League Board generally meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 9pm. Letters of complaint are only accepted from registered team officials, Club Presidents or District Chairs. Fully identify yourself by including your District, Club and Team name, Division and League section. If you have a concern of a general nature which you feel should be brought to the attention of the League, please e-mail 5 District Chairperson Ken Roughead at roughead@shaw.ca

Concerns which are specific to one team or individual should be submitted in writing to your 5 District Gold & Silver League Representative. Please include as much pertinent information as possible with your communication:

·         current date and time of game

·         team names involved

·         age group and level

·         field and location

·         home team

·         contact name, address and phone number

·         specific details

5 District Gold/Silver Representatives:

Westminster                        Ken Roughead                    roughead@shaw.ca

            Port Moody                   Coquitlam Metro Ford                 North Coquitlam                  Royal City

Fraser Valley                       Betty Boucas                                    bboucas@shaw.ca

            Langley                Abbotsford                Chilliwack                Abbotsford

Surrey                                   Monty Bual                            montybual@gmail.com

            Guildford                Whalley                Surrey United                Surrey Youth

Delta                                      Dave Baird                            dcbaird@shaw.ca

            Ladner               North Delta               Peace Arch               Tsawwassen

Alouette                                Mark Edwards                       markedw@telus.net

            Poco               Mission               Pitt Meadows               Golden Ears

The League may appoint additional officers (e.g. statistician, tournament or league coordinators) as required; these appointed positions do not carry a vote.

  Select Statement                                                                                                     

The member Districts of the 5 District Gold & Silver League undertake to annually re-affirm their individual District’s commitment to the Select League program. To this end, no District shall knowingly permit non-participation in the Select League for the reason of gaining advantage in 5 District Gold League play. In each division where a member District does not put forward a Select team, that District must state its reason in writing and be granted explicit permission by the 5 District Gold & Silver League Board to enter a Gold League team(s) in that division of play.

Teams wishing to register more than three players who played in the Select League in the previous season will require specific permission of the League. District approval must be obtained first and then a written request must be submitted by the District to the League before their June meeting. Written request must include the division, team name(s) and standings, the coaches’ name, how many returning players from the previous season and the rationale for adding more ex-Select players. Teams found not to have received permission to register more than three (3) former Select players for the season will have forfeits assessed for all games played to date.

  Team  Registration                                                                                                 

A League affiliation fee of $60.00 per team entered will be charged to each District. The 5 District Gold & Silver League will offer two levels of play, Gold and Silver in the Boys Under 18 to Under 12 age levels, Gold level being the most competitive level of play. Teams must be selected using a tryout process conducted by their Club or Youth District for entry into these levels. This is designed to ensure that teams are matched to their most competitive level of play.

By July 15th, Clubs must submit to their District Representative their list of viable teams for the season. In order to make league sections as competitive as possible the District Clubs are asked to make every effort to ensure that their teams are placed at their most competitive level, advice and support from Club Head Coaches is recommended to ensure a successful season for all teams. The 5 District Board, working with the Clubs, endeavors to keep the Leagues balanced and the League Board reserves the right to withdraw league privileges from, or reallocate to a more appropriate playing level those teams whose league performance is such that they are misplaced in this league structure.

Team Rosters – In accordance with BCSA Rule 23 the following applies to team sizes:

·        a maximum of 16 players may register for a U12 team.

·         A maximum of 18 players can register with a team in U13 – U16 age categories (A maximum of 3 players per team may reside outside the District boundaries).

·         A maximum of 20 players can register with a team in U17 and U18 age categories (A maximum of 5 players per team may reside outside the District boundaries).

·        At U13 to U18 there must be a minimum of 11 players registered to a team with the BCSA Registrar by October 1^st of the playing season or the team will be considered to be withdrawn. Adding players which would cause the roster to exceed the maximum limit must be preceded by removal of currently registered players in order to comply with the limit. This is done by a letter to your District Registrar and the BCSA Registrar. Retiring player’s Photo ID cards must be surrendered to the District Registrar as well.

A $250.00 fine will be levied on any District that adds or withdraws a team after July 15. Applicable affiliation fees for withdrawn teams must still be paid.

  Player Registration                                                                                                 

General Information - Each and every season all players must be officially registered with BCSA following the registration processes required by their Youth District Registrar. Consult with your Club or Youth District officials to ensure compliance. All players must play in the district that their legal guardian(s) resides in (as per BCSA Rule 23 - zoning). No team shall use unregistered players at any time for league or cup play. A player shall not play for any team other than the one to which he is registered and players can only be registered to one team in ONE league at any given time. The use of unregistered players is absolutely prohibited and there are severe penalties for using unregistered players. After October 1st a player who has not been registered with another team for the season may be registered using the required form obtained from your District Registrar. BCSA must have the form (1) day before the player is eligible to play and the player must have a valid ID card.

Out of District players - Out of District players must comply with the registration requirements set out by BCSA for the current season of play. A player Out of District (O.O.D.) form must be completed before the player can be registered on the new team. The onus is on the team to ensure this procedure has been followed. Any team found to be playing games using an ineligible out of district player will forfeit those games.

  Player Transfer                                                                                                        

After September 30 a BCSA transfer form must be used to move a player between teams. All transfers must be in accordance with the BCSA guidelines for the current season of play.  The deadline for a transfer is January 15th.

A player transferred to a youth team must play at least one league game for the team to which he was transferred before playing in Conference Cup competition for that team. A transferred player shall not be ‘eligible’ to play for the new team in any Conference Cup competition if that player has previously competed in Conference Cup play during the current playing season.

  BCSA Photo ID Cards (U12 to U18)                                                                     

Player Identification - It is the responsibility of the manager or coach to have ID cards on his/her person during games. After October 1^st no U12 to U18 Gold and Silver player, coach, or manager can participate in any soccer game without a BCSA photo ID card, as per BCSA Constitution, Rules and Regulations. After October 1st, any team failing to produce valid photo ID cards or proof of eligibility for all participating players for a game will receive a $50 fine and risk forfeiture of the game.

In the case of a missing card, written proof from Discipline or a District Registrar will be sufficient. Should a team play an inellegible player, the opposing team will have sufficient grounds for protest – see page 10 for protest instructions. Any Team official knowingly playing a suspended (ineligible) or unregistered (illegal) player in a League or Cup game will receive a $100 fine and risk a lengthy suspension.

All team officials listed on the BCSA registration form also require a BCSA photo ID card.  These cards are the property of the Club and are to be given to the referee before the game starts.

Should a player or team official commit a "red card" (ejection) offence, that person's BCSA photo ID card will be retained by the referee and sent to the District’s Discipline Committee with the referee's report. The BCSA photo ID card will be retained by the Club’s Discipline Chairperson until the player/coach is eligible to participate, at which time it is the coach's responsibility to retrieve the ID card from that District official.  Any attempt to forge BCSA photo ID cards, or to give false information, will result in serious disciplinary charges against team officials and possible disqualification and/or suspension of the team from further play.

  League Standings                                                                                                   

Commitments - Teams are required to complete all games scheduled by the board. Failure of a team to complete all scheduled League or Cup games, without just cause or specific permission of the Board will result in a fine of $50 per game not played to a maximum of $200 per team for one season. Exceptions may be granted for games that are cancelled or postponed due to field closures and not rescheduled by the Board. Any team failing to play a scheduled game without sufficient cause and without first informing their District Representative at least 48 hours prior to game time will be fined $100. The onus is on each team to make up missed games by following the guidelines for any postponed games. If a postponed game is deemed NP (not played) there will be no claim to the points for either team.

Scores can be submitted to your Club scorekeeper by email, fax, telephone or through such other methods as approved by your club.  Club scorekeepers then forward the consolidated report to BC Soccer Central. Failure to submit scores by 7:00pm Sunday may result in no points being awarded and no recording of the game in the standings. If neither team reports the score, it may be recorded as a double forfeiture.

Over 1,600 team scores are put up on BC Soccer Central every week. Every club has their own scorekeeper who passes them on to the general Statistician who collates them all and makes them “web-ready”. As both teams must report their scores, the number of scores coming in is doubled. Each week there can be from 35 to 60 score differences, for example:

One club sent in:
Sep 30 - 07 U19 Gold DDS Willows 3 SST Toads 1

The other club sent in:
Sep 30 - 07 U19 Gold DDS Willows 4 SST Toads 1

As you can tell by the sheer volume of scores, calling each coach to get the true score would take a few weeks. Policy is to take the score sent in by the first club that arrives in the scorekeepers email Sunday night. BCSC can only accept scores from appointed scorekeepers, not coaches. After each game coaches are asked to agree on the final score to be sent to the scorekeeper, if both are in disagreement ask the Referee for his decision.

Please note: Teams should also report to the District Representative any game cancelled due to field conditions, or abandoned by the referee, or where the opposition and/or the referee did not "show". Coaches/managers must also report the number of "red/yellow cards" given out in a game. It is not necessary to identify the person or team that received the card(s) just the number of cards in the game (i.e. 3-yellows, 1-red).

Unofficial standings can be found on www.bcsoccercentral.com. Errors in the unofficial standings must be brought to the attention of the District Representative within 4 weeks of the game being played.

The 5 District Gold & Silver League Board will make the final decision in all league standings. If necessary there will be a tiebreaker with the determining criteria as follows:

1         Most points in a group

2         If tied, head to head result

3         In those groups where no head to head game has been played, a play-off game may    be scheduled to determine the winner

4         Still tied? Goals against statistics will be counted to determine the winner

5         Still tied? Goals for statistics will be counted to determine the winner

6         Still tied? Coin toss

  League Operations                                                                                                 

Home Team Responsibilities - The home team must phone the visiting team to verify the field, time and the location by Thursday evening.  It is essential that a personal contact be made with the opposing team. If this does not happen, the visitors should try to phone the home team to verify details. If a home team fails to contact you, you must report this to your District Rep as this will be the only way the Board has of discovering that fact.

For teams playing in the 5-District League, the home Club will be required to provide Referee Assistants (lines persons) for all U16-U18 games. Failure to provide the necessary Referee Assistants for BCYSSL league games will result in a fine being levied.  Clubs are encouraged to provide Referee Assistants at all age levels when possible.

Game Times - No game start times are to be scheduled before 10 am by any member District unless both teams agree that the early time is suitable. If the home team is unable to provide a time that starts at 10 am or after 10 am, then the away team has the option to play the game early (as scheduled by the home team) or provide a time and field that starts at 10 am or after 10 am. If moving to the visiting team's grass/turf field the visiting team must line the field, and set up nets and flags. The travelling home team must pay the Referee and Assistant Referees at the prevailing rate for the District where the game is played. Games are to start promptly at the scheduled time subject only to the discretion of the referee. Should the opposing team not be at the field by the scheduled time, the referee will wait a 15-minute grace period. If the team does not show by that time, the game will be called, the referee will put in a report to his District and the League Board will make a decision as to the outcome.

Field Closure - Safety of the player is our number one priority, so use common sense where fields are questionable (i.e. frozen, badly pot-holed, etc.).  Please remember that the referee is responsible for making the final decision as to the playability of the field, but as a coach or manager, you should suggest to your players that they play to protect themselves if conditions are "marginal".

As weather becomes poor games may be moved to all-weather surfaces, or they may be cancelled by hosting clubs because of field unavailability. Please note that field decisions cannot be consistent throughout our playing areas, civic authorities may close grass/turf fields in one municipality while others are left open. Field changes must be organized in a timely manner and your League Representative must be notified. If moving to the visiting team's grass/turf field the visiting team must line the field, and set up nets and flags. The travelling home team must pay the Referee and Assistant Referees at the prevailing rate for the District where the game is played.

If the home team cannot provide a grass/turf field due to field closure, solutions are listed below in the order that they are to be arranged:

1^st alternative- Visiting team's grass/turf field

2^nd alternative- Home team's alternate field

3^rd alternative- Visiting team's alternate field

If any of these alternate arrangements can be put in place 2 evenings before the scheduled game day, the game MUST go ahead and failure to play will result in forfeiture by the refusing team. The hosting team is responsible to ensure field is available, and game officials are informed.

All efforts of communication should be documented, as this information may be used by the 5 District Gold/Silver Board in resolving conflicts.

NOTE: If 75% or more scheduled League games are not played due to bad weather, that weekend will be removed from the schedule and no points will be awarded for any games played.

Unplayed Games – Unplayed games must be reported to the scorekeeper as “not played”. Postponed games must be rescheduled and played within 6 weeks of the original game date or on the next scheduled make-up weekend provided by the League.

The home team is required to supply the visiting team with a choice of two make-up dates and also to notify their 5 District Gold & Silver League Rep of those dates, this will document compliance with the make-up requirements. These proposed dates are to be given within two weeks following the original game date. If the game is not played on one of those dates, the home team's 5 District Gold & Silver League Rep will arrange two possible dates within the following 4 weeks and the game must be played on one of them. The League provides make-up game weekends throughout the season, teams should expect to play one or more games as required.

Refusal by either team to play will result in forfeiture of the game, with points awarded to the opposing team, and a fine of $50 being levied against the team refusing to play. Refusal by both teams will result in a double forfeiture and a fine for both. In addition to the fine, postponed games which remain unresolved after the 6 week deadline will be designated Not Played (NP) with points for that league game unavailable to either team.

Games which are cancelled by the referee may be rescheduled by the League Board.

Important: Other than to arrange make-up of postponed games, or to organize a field change due to field closures, do not make private "arrangements" with another team to change the time, venue or date of any scheduled game without first contacting and advising your Club Representative for your District. When a game is scheduled, a series of events occur:

·         Officials are assigned to the game.

·         The home club or team lines the field.

·         The visiting team contacts its players as to time and place of game.

·         District, Club or League officials may be assigned to monitor play or to evaluate officials.

Request for Schedule Change - All such requests must be in writing, and e-mailed or faxed by a registered team official to your 5 District Gold/Silver Rep for not later than seven (7) full days before the game for which the schedule change is requested. Requests may only be granted based on a school or religious activity that seriously depletes your team (e.g. class field trip). Please identify the event, the number of players involved, their names, and the name of the sponsor or teacher. Note that if your request is based on a lack of players it may not be granted if you have eleven (11) or even fewer players available, technically you need only seven (7) players (one of whom must be the goalkeeper) for a match to take place.

Abandoned Games - Only a Referee can abandon a game, the decision is at the discretion of the referee at the field. The Scheduler will not reschedule games which are abandoned or cancelled by the referee.

In the event of a game abandonment due to the actions of coaches, players, team officials, spectators or any combination thereof, NO replay will be granted under any circumstance. All abandoned games are investigated by the 5 District Board (coach and referee reports are obtained), any team determined to be at fault for a game abandonment will be subject to a fine of $200, and suspension from play for one or both teams involved. The game will be awarded based on the determinations of the review as follows:

1.       if both teams were at fault, the match will be recorded as a 0-0 loss for both

2.       if one team is deemed at fault, the match will be awarded to the opposing team and recorded as follows:

                                 I.            at fault team ahead at time of abandonment - 1-0 forfeiture to the faultless team

                               II.            faultless team ahead at time of abandonment - that score will be recorded as game result

                              III.            score tied at time of abandonment - 1-0 forfeiture to faultless team

  Referees                                                                                                                    

A qualified, uniformed Referee is assigned to each game by the home team's Club or Youth District. For teams playing in the 5-District League, the home Club will be required to provide Referee Assistants (lines persons) for all U16-U18 games, and Referee’s Assistants must officiate the game dressed in proper uniforms. Clubs are encouraged to provide Referee Assistants at all age levels when possible.

The Referee is in charge of the game. If a Referee asks you to control your sideline - please do so immediately.  If a team official or parent is asked to leave the playing field by a referee, they are to do so immediately. "Red-carded" players are also to leave the field immediately, and should be sent to a car or directly home. They are not to take part in the post-game handshake. Lack of spectator or player control by team official(s) (including failure to address game official harassment, persistent criticism or disputing calls by team officials, players or spectators) will be subject to a fine of $100 and risk a lengthy suspension, and suspension from play for one or both teams involved.

No Referee for a Game:

·         U12 to U15 - If the Referee has not shown up 30 minutes after the designated starting time and both teams agree to play the game, the home team will referee the first half and the visiting team will referee the second half, unless it is agreed that one person will referee the whole game. Sign and exchange team lists. The score will stand as if the referee was present.

·         U16 to U18 - If the Referee has not shown 15 minutes after the designated starting time for the game the teams may mutually agree to play the game using one of the Referee’s sanctioned Assistants (line persons.)  Team officials need to sign and exchange team lists. The score will stand as if the Referee was present.  Note: Any game played without a sanctioned BC Soccer referee officiating will be considered an exhibition game and the results will not affect league or cup standings.  If the teams do not agree to play the game, the game will be rescheduled at the end of the season only if it affects the determination of first place in a league.

Failure of a District to provide a Referee for a scheduled game shall result in the district being fined the amount of $50.

Failure of District to provide two (2) Assistant Referees per game (for U18, U17 & U16 games) shall result in the offending District being fined $50 for each Assistant Referee not provided.

Please ensure that any failures of a District to provide game officials are reported to your League Rep., so that appropriate action can be taken.

  Protests and Appeals of Games                                                                         

Submitting a Protest

The League's Discipline, Protest & Appeals Committee is comprised of the current season's League Board, which is made up of the District Representatives. Contact your Club Executive Board, as each Club Executive Board is advised of the current season Representative for their District.

If you have knowledge of the basis for a protest before the game, you must advise the referee that you are going to play the game under protest. Many protests are denied because of a failure to notify the referee prior to the game.

Team officials may protest any scheduled game. All protests must be submitted in writing to the 5-District Representative. Protests must include:

·         current date and time of game

·         team names involved

·         age group and level

·         field and location

·         home team

·         contact name address and phone number

·         specific details of protest

A team may protest any scheduled game on grounds described below.  All protests must be signed (digital signature acceptable in e-mail format) by a team official or Club executive and submitted within 48 hours from the kick-off time of the match to which it relates.

A cheque payable to “5 District Soccer League” in the amount of $100 must accompany protests.  This payment must accompany the protest at the time the protest is sent. If the protest is lodged via e-mail, the cheque number must be referenced in the e-mail and confirmation of the cheque being forwarded must be clearly stated.  If the protest is upheld, this fee is returned; if the protest is denied, the District retains the fee.

If you are going to protest a game, read what follows carefully.  Failure to follow applicable Protest Guidelines may result in forfeiture of the $100 protest fee.

The "Grounds" for Protest

A protest will only be considered on the grounds of:

            (a) Interpretation of the FIFA Laws of the Game

(b) The eligibility of players or

(c) Breaches of Competition Rules and Regulations

You must state which of these grounds is the basis for the protest. You cannot protest a game based on the referee's judgment of the 'facts' of the game (e.g. was a player offside? Did a player handle the ball?).

Any protest relating to the ground, goal posts, or any other appurtenances (like nets, soccer balls, corner flags, etc.) shall not be considered unless notice has been given to the Referee before the game starts.  If the problem cannot be solved without delaying the game, a protest must still be made in writing and then properly submitted to be considered.  No protest will be considered if, in the opinion of the Referee, the objection lodged did not seriously affect the outcome of the game.

Protest Consideration

If a protest is considered, a copy of the protest will be mailed or e-mailed to the other League Representative involved (within 48 hours of receiving the protest).  All protests will be forwarded to the 5 District Chair, who will obtain the Referee report. The protest will be discussed and then voted on at the next District Representative meeting. The Protest Committee's decision will be conveyed in writing by e-mail to both teams. 

If your protest is granted based on one of the “grounds” above, the board will determine if a replay of the game or a forfeit is to be awarded. The $100 fee for submitting the protest will be returned.

Appeals of Decisions

All appeals of the 5 District Board ruling must be made to the BCSA Appeals Committee within 4 days of rendering of the decision. The format of the appeal (written, signed, etc.) is the same as a protest, except that you are appealing the decision itself and must include a copy of the decision from the 5 District Board.  The 5 District Board will forward all information they used directly to the BCSA.  A cheque payable to the BC Soccer Association for the $500 appeal fee must accompany the appeal if it is to be properly filed.

·         A team official or Club executive must sign the appeal.

·         This fee will be returned if your appeal is upheld, and forfeited if your appeal is denied.  Further appeal is possible; ask BCSA to provide details if you wish to appeal their decision.

Please note that the decision of the committee shall remain in affect pending the result of the appeal.

Provincial Cup Games

All protests regarding out-of-district Provincial Cup games at both the "A" and "B" levels are to be submitted directly to the BCSA Protest Committee.  In no case will decisions be made by any other body.  A fee must accompany the protest.  An appeal of the BCSA decision is possible, and the BCSA office will advise you of the proper procedure.

  Fines and Performance Bonds                                                                                     

Seasonal Performance Bond - Each District must post a $500 Performance Bond before October 31 of the current playing season. Failure to provide a performance bond on time will result in a fine of $50 per each month overdue. If fines have been levied and paid from the Bond fund, it is up to the individual districts to ensure that the bond is replenished to the maximum of $500. This must be done within 60 days.

After thorough investigation, the 5 District Board, on behalf of the Soccer League, may levy a fine or a Performance Bond for a specific period of time and purpose, and may set further terms of punishment for non-compliance. Any offense listed on the schedule shall be reported to and ruled upon by one body. A bond is to guarantee good behaviour of the team (officials, players and fans) including league and cup until the end of the team’s playing season. A fine or bond may be levied up to and including the amount set out in the attached schedule except in the case of extreme discipline circumstances when more severe fines and/or bonds, up to $5,000, and other discipline may be imposed. Fine and bond payment will be the responsibility of the district or club with which the team is affiliated. The request to post the bond will be sent to the District and copied to the Club. In the case where a team official or spectator has been reported for misconduct, a fine and/or a bond may be levied with or without assessing a suspension. The Board will deposit all bond cheques and is not required to pay interest on any bond levied.

Procedures

1.       The Board will act only on written misconduct reports, match game reports or formal complaints.

2.       The assessment and payment of fines for violation of the FIFA Laws of the Game or league operating rules shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the governing authority.

3.       Persons reported for offenses listed on the schedule will be given the opportunity to respond in writing to the Board before a decision is made.

4.       If a hearing is necessary, the club and team officials will be duly informed and a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the BCSA’s hearing procedures.

5.       Should a fine be assessed, the decision will be communicated in writing to the club, team and District Association.

6.       The Board Secretary will be informed that a fine and/or Performance Bond has been assessed.

7.       Fines and Performance Bonds become due immediately. The League Treasurer must receive payment within 7 days of the hearing or notification of said fine or Performance Bond. Failure by the team officials or their club to pay will result in the team being suspended from the district and league sanctioned soccer activities until the assessed amounts are paid.

8.       If the fee/fine imposed continues to remain unpaid then the Board will have the option to withdraw services from the club or deduct the money from the district’s seasonal bond.

9. The bond money will be returned once the team’s commitment to all league and cup games, including Provincial Cup, has been completed.

Implementation Guidelines for Performance Bonds

1.       Where seasonal Performance Bonds are required to be posted by clubs or teams for each season, it must be rendered to the league by Oct. 31 of the current playing season.

2.       If a Performance Bond is consumed prior to the end of the season, the club or team must replace it.

3.       Posted Performance Bonds or the remainder must be returned to the club or team at the end of the season.

4. Non-seasonal Performance Bonds become due immediately and will be returned once the team’s commitment to all league and cup games is completed. If a Performance Bond is requested for a specific incident, the League Treasurer must receive the bond amount within 7 days of the notification of such.

Rights of Appeal of Fines & Bonds

1.       As per BCSA Rule 13, appeals must be filed with the Executive Director, BCSA, #510, 375 Water Street,Vancouver, BC V6B 5C6 within 10 working days after the issuance of the committee’s decision.

2.       Appeals must state in writing the grounds upon which the appeal is lodged.

3.       A concise submission stating the bylaw, rule or regulation that has been contravened and setting out clearly in what respect the decision is alleged to be wrong.

4.       The affiliated coach, manager or official must sign the appeal.

5.       The fee of $500.00 (made payable to BCSA) must accompany the appeal filed with the BCSA.

6. The Fine, Performance Bond fees and/or levied suspensions will remain in effect pending the result of the appeal.

  Synopsis of Offences and Related Penalties                                

All member Youth Districts must submit a performance bond of $50 per team to a maximum of $500.00 by October 31 of the current playing season.  These funds shall be maintained by the League Treasurer and can be utilized to pay fines or penalties levied against a District. Districts must replenish the bond within 60 days of receiving an invoice from the League Board.

Offence: Member Youth District failure to provide performance bond by Octobr 31 of the current playing season
Penalty: $50 per month per each month overdue

Offence: Member Youth District having no representation at a League Board Meeting
Penalty: $50 fine

Offence: Game forfeiture without just cause
Penalty: $50 fine

Offence: Add or withdraw a team after July 15.
Penalty: $100 fine, plus additional $150 charge if dropout necessitates a reschedule for division. Applicable affiliation fees for withdrawn teams must still be paid.

Offence: Failure to provide qualified Referee to scheduled game
Penalty: $50 fine

Offence: Failure to provide assistant referees to U16, U17 or U18 division league games
Penalty: $50 for each assistant not provided

Offence: After October 1^st deadline, failure by team to produce valid photo ID cards or proof of eligibility for all players for a game.
Penalty: $50 fine

Offence: Team (includes team officials, players) deemed to be the cause of a game abandonment
Penalty: $200.00 fine and possible team Performance Bond requirement of $200

Offence: Failure of a team to complete all scheduled League or Cup games, without just cause or specific permission of the Board
Penalty: $50 per game not played to a maximum of $200 per team for one season.

Offence: No-Show - Failure to play a scheduled League or Cup Game without prior specific consent of 5 District Board.

Penalty: $100 fine, plus game official costs as incurred by the home District

Offence: Refusal to play a reschedule of a postponed game

Penalty: $50 fine

Offence: Lack of spectator or player control by team official(s) (including failure to address game official harassment, persistent criticism or disputing calls by team officials, players or spectators).

Penalty: $100 fine and risk a lengthy suspension.

Offence: Team official knowingly playing a suspended (ineligible) or unregistered (illegal) player in League or Cup game.

Penalty: $100 fine and risk a lengthy suspension.

  Conference Cup                                                                                                      

Round 1

·         All teams will participate

·         Round Robin format

·         There will be two divisions for each age group-Gold and Silver (Gold 1&2 and Silver 1$2 will each be considered as one group)

·         The 5 District Board will conduct a random draw and post the schedules on the web site

·         There will be no league games during Round 1

·         The winner of each group (and in some cases the best 2^nd place team) will advance to round 2

·         During the Round Robin portion of the Conference Cup all games will end in regulation time, regardless of the score. Games can end in a tie in the Round Robin portion of play

·         Points will be awarded as follows:

0 points for a loss

1 point for a tie

3 points for a win

·         In the event of a game being abandoned, no points will be awarded to the team(s) found at fault

·         Tie breaker format

1         Most points in a group

2         If tied, head to head result

3         In those groups where no head to head game has been played, a play-off game may    be scheduled to determine the winner

4         Still tied? Goals against statistics will be counted to determine the winner

5         Still tied? Goals for statistics will be counted to determine the winner

6         Still tied? Coin toss

Round 2

·         Quarter Finals  (If needed)

·         The 5 District Board will determine a home team.

·         If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, overtime will be played as follows:

o        After a five minute break, U12-U15 teams will play 20 minutes of overtime and U16-U18 will play 30 minutes of overtime – half from one end, then half from the other end with no break in-between.

o        There is NO sudden death.

o        If the tie stands after overtime  a shoot-out (FIFA rules) will occur to determine the winner

Round 3 

·         Semi Finals  (If needed)

·         Same as Round 2

Round 4

·         Finals

·         Same as Round 2

All Conference Cup Finals will be hosted by each District in a five year cycle according to following rotation

    Surrey                       2009-10

    Westminster              2010-11

    Alouette                    2011-12

    Delta                        2012-13

    Fraser Valley             2013-14

·         Any District not completing its obligation of hosting the Conference Cup Finals will be fined $2,500.

General Information

1.       All referees will be scheduled by the 5 District Board for the Conference Cup Finals.

2.       Only the 5 District scheduler or the game referee has authority to cancel games. Games cannot be cancelled by mutual consent of coaches.

3.       If a referee has failed to show after fifteen minutes of the scheduled start time, the Home team may appoint a BCSA sanctioned referee for the first half of the game and the visiting team may supply a BCSA sanctioned referee the second half, unless it is agreed that one person holding a valid BC Soccer referee’s certificate will referee the whole game.

4.       Team lists and BCSA photo ID cards must be presented at all Conference Cup games

5.       All games will be of regular duration as per BCSA guidelines

6.       In the event of a protest of a Conference Cup game the protest must be submitted in Writing (email ,fax or by hand) with an accompanying cheque for $100.00 made payable to 5 District Gold and Silver within 48 hours of the start of the game in protest. The coaches from teams and the referee of the game must report to their league representative immediately following the game.

7.       The 5 District Board reserves the right to amend these rules and change the format of playdowns

8.       A single game cannot count as both Conference Cup and league

9.       Game scores for all Conference Cup games are to be reported to each club/district scorekeeper or statistician using the regular score reporting system for each team/club. Each game must be identified as Conference Cup, to avoid confusion with the regular season

10.   Player eligibility

·         A player must play in at least one league game to be eligible to play in a Conference Cup game for the same team.

·         A transferred player that has played in a Conference Cup game in the same season for another team is not eligible to play in a Conference Cup game for the new team (Cup bound).