• Players should complete the league waiver  before the season starts.
• Captains are responsible for making sure players are registered and the team roster is up-to-date.

League levels vary from D1 (league one) to D3 (league three).

Participants are expected to exhibit a good attitude. Bring your spirit down!

• ALL players must wear matching league shirts and proper soccer attire.
• Teams should be ready at scheduled match time. Starts are not delayed for late arrivals.
• Substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any dead ball. Players must enter from the same sideline location.
• Players retreat 5 yards for opposition free kicks (5v5, 7v7) and 8 yards (9v9).
• Participants may only play for one team in each league.
• Failure to field a full team results in a forfeit 4-0 loss. A “no show” forfeit is recorded as a 6-0 loss.
• Teams are required to explain any forfeit to the league within 3 business days, and are considered to have abandoned their league place if not done so.

The “Laws of the Game” are as outlined by The FA. Exceptions include: no offsides, no slide tackles, unlimited substitutions.

• No slide tackles in any format. An indirect free kick is awarded from where the offense occurred. A slide tackle that makes contact inside the box is an automatic penalty.
• No back-pass rule. Goalkeepers handling the ball after it is kicked or thrown to them by a teammate, results in an indirect free kick from where the handling occurred.
• Designated “open” leagues are Co-Ed friendly and do not have female player requirements during matches.
• Small sided format (5v5, 7v7) a red carded player may be replaced after 5 minutes.
• Playoff games tied after regular time – plus extra time, are decided on penalties.

Teams failing to meet the required minimum number of players at kick-off forfeit the match. A forfeit win is awarded to the opposing team, and a “friendly” match played instead.

5v5 – A minimum of four (4) players are required at posted kick off time to start a match.

7v7 – A minimum of five (5) players are required to start a match.

9v9 – A minimum of seven (7) players are required to start a match.

11v11 – A minimum of nine (9) players are required to start a match.

The vast majority of matches proceed without incident. The league prioritizes player safety and rules on foul play are strictly enforced to protect all participants.

YELLOW CARD results in a two minute “sin-bin.” The player must leave the field of play, and may only return on instruction from the referee.

RED CARD The player must immediately leave the field and automatically serves a one match suspension. A straight red card “reckless” offense, requires the player to explain their actions and petition the league for reinstatement. In 5v5 and 7v7 (small sided format only), a player may be replaced after 5 minutes.

Yellow and red cards are monitored and may impact a team’s future participation. It’s a recreational league – a “win at all costs attitude” is best suited elsewhere.

• A red card (first offense) is a 1 game suspension. A second red card is a suspension for the rest of the season.
• A suspended player is required to explain their actions and petition the league for reinstatement.
• Offensive or discriminatory language and/or gestures are a red card sending off offense.
• Violent conduct is cause for immediate suspension and permanent league ban

FOUL PLAY

Reckless actions or serious foul play are not tolerated.

• “Reckless” is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.
• “Excessive force” is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.
• “Violent conduct” is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball.

Excessive force is a tackle, or challenge, that endangers the safety of an opponent, and must be sanctioned as serious foul play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, that endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

Violent conduct is when a player uses. or attempts to use excessive force when not challenging for the ball, against an opponent, team-mate or match official – regardless of whether contact is made. In addition a player who deliberately strikes an opponent, or any other person is guilty of violent conduct. The league reserves the right to eject a player and team without compensation.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Matches are officiated by qualified referees who have full authority to enforce the laws of the game. The referee’s jurisdiction starts from the moment they enter the locality of the field, until the time they leave. The referee’s decisions in connection with the match are final.

All participants must be in proper soccer attire and matching team jerseys.

A player not in compliance may be refused participation.

• Shin guards are recommended for all matches.
• Absolutely no metal cleats or spikes allowed, appropriate soccer footwear must be worn.
• Knee braces or other support devices must be padded (neoprene or similar).
• Eyeglasses are not allowed during games, only soccer specific Rec specs.
• Goalkeepers are required to wear a different colored jersey from team mates.

All players must complete the team roster form before playing.

We are stricter than other leagues about player replacement rules – the reason is twofold. To ensure registered players maximize game time, and that teams do not have an unfair advantage.

If an opposing team are thought to be in breach of the roster rules, it is the team captain’s responsibility to alert the referee immediately – not when you go a goal down, or after the game. Any player not on the team roster must immediately leave the field of play. We’re not going to perform a roll call before every game, and expect teams to enter into the general spirit of the League.

In game substitutions are unlimited. Players must enter and exit from the same sideline location.

In playoff matches only players listed on the team roster are eligible. No guests, no ringers!

The following squad sizes are recommended.

5v5 (7-9 players)

7v7 (10-12 players)

9v9 (12-14 players)

11v11 (14-16 players)

This way teams have enough players for the season, but not so many as to interrupt game flow, or unfairly skew the competitiveness of teams.

Teams should register with payment to be guaranteed a league place.

League spots can be held temporarily on receipt of a deposit (50% team dues). Any outstanding balance to be completed before the season starts.

Teams with outstanding dues at season start are charged 5% late fee per week on the balance. Waitlisted teams are invited to replace them after one week.

Deposits are non-refundable or transferable. If you forfeit the first game dues are non-refundable, as “no-shows” spoil the league for all involved.

Any team unable to field the required number of players, should notify league organizers as soon as possible – at least 24 hours before the match. This allows league organizers to inform referees, opponents and make necessary schedule changes. The match result is recorded as a “forfeit” 4-0 loss*. Failure to notify the league in advance is considered a “no show” and is recorded as a 6-0 loss **.

Teams that “no show,” are required to explain their lack of attendance. A team that forfeits two matches in a season are considered to have abandoned their place in the league and are required to explain their lack of attendance. Teams failing to respond within three business days will be removed from the schedule and forfeit registration fees. Season abandonment and reactivation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the league. Any “no-show” and forfeit issues must be resolved before a team returns to play in the current season.

Players and teams registered for league or tournament competition – who want to cancel their registration, are required to advise the organizers in writing at least 10 days before the start. Refunds can only be made if a replacement team is found 7 days or more before the league / event starts. Team deposits are non-refundable or transferable.

We play rain or shine. In the event of adverse weather or forecasts, matches are postponed and captains notified via the league message chat.

Team captains and team organizers should provide the league with up to date contact info.

The league strives to anticipate weather conditions in advance, however, this is not always possible. If conditions deteriorate during a game, the referee will determine game status. Postponed games are rescheduled. If a match has progressed to half time the score at the time of cancellation serves as the result.

Participants are reminded that risks and hazards are connected with playing competitive sports. Players voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risks of property damage, and any personal injury that may be sustained. All participants must sign the participant release waiver and assumption of risk form. In consideration of being allowed to participate in Group Stage leagues, events and activities.

I acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:

Any person with a positive COVID-19 test, and/or in close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 individual in the past 5 days should stay home. Any person feeling unwell, or with elevated temperature should not attend games. Covid-19 safety plan here.