Soccer & Touch Football

Men's, Women's & COED League Policies

Registration

House Teams

Individuals registering for a house team must pay in full at the time of registration. Team jersey is included with registration on all house teams.

Known Teams

Managers may add their teams to leagues but without deposit the team is not guaranteed a place in the league. Deposits (50% of team fee) are due one week prior to first game. No team will be scheduled without deposit. Full payment is required after third game. Teams not paid may be removed from the schedule and forfeit any monies paid. Team payments may be divided and applied to individual player accounts, but the manager is still ultimately responsible for full team payment.

Players may be added to the roster of any team, are then become responsible for:

individual membership fee,
team fees,
outstanding fines, and
completed liability waiver.

Players require memberships and completed waivers to play.

Memberships

Players require a valid facility membership to play in any league. Memberships expire on August 31st. They are non-refundable and must be renewed annually. Memberships are non-refundable.

Waivers

Players must have a completed waiver to play. Completing the injury release, medical authorization and photo release is all part of completing the waiver and membership process.

Roster

All players must be listed on team roster before start of the game.
Rosters may be updated at anytime in the first half of the season (no additions after game 7 in a 13 week season). Players may not be added after roster has been closed.
Players must play at least three (3) season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
Teams playing someone not on the roster will forfeit the game and receive a $100 team fine.
Protests of ineligible players must be made by the manager and recorded by the game official before the start of the second half. The game may continue while the protest is reviewed by league staff. If upheld, the team with the illegal player will be fined $100 and the game will be recorded as a forfeit.
Players on the final roster are jointly responsible for team fees and fines.

Refunds

Team fees are non-refundable. No refunds on any deposits or payments made towards team fees for teams that fold mid-season.

Multiple Teams

Players

Players may play on multiple teams in the same division, but must commit to one team during any playoff game conflicts. Every effort will be taken to schedule so as to avoid conflicts during the regular season, but not during playoffs. During a playoff game conflict, the player must start and finish playing on the same team - they may not leave one team and game to play on the other team and game.

Quarterbacks

Any QB (player who throws a forward pass) during the season cannot QB (throw a forward pass) for a lower division team during that same season.
Players may play on teams in different divisions, however players may only QB within the same division.

Team Names

Teams should be named with respect for all participants. Soccer World reserves the right to re-name teams and names deemed offensive will not be permitted.

Division Assignments

Soccer World reserves the right to place teams in divisions and may move teams mid-season to balance skill levels and maintain the competitiveness of divisions.

Schedule Requests

Week one games are scheduled in order of payments received.
Schedule requests for the season may be submitted by email at least five (5) days prior to the second league game. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests, but they are never guaranteed.
Teams may request a re-scheduled game upon payment of a $50 admin fee. Game change requests, if possible, are conditional of acceptance by the opposing team. If opposing team refuses, or the change is not possible, the schedule change fee will be refunded and the game played as originally scheduled. If team requesting game change is unable to field enough players, the game will be recorded as a forfeit.
Playing on multiple teams does not guarantee a non-conflicting game schedule.
Quarter final, semi-final and championship games times are not negotiable. Game times may be requested, and if possible accommodated, however once published no changes will be made to the playoff schedule.

No-Shows & "Not Enough Players" to start

No-show teams will be fined $100.
Soccer no-show are recorded as 3-0 loss.
Football no-show are recorded as 31-0 loss.
Soccer teams unable to field at least 5 indoor (6 for 7v7, 9 for 11v11) players will automatically have the game recorded as a 3 - 0 loss. In cases where the team is short players, they may "recruit" qualified (valid membership and signed waiver) players from other teams to join and play an exhibition game.
Football teams unable to field at least 4 indoor (6 for 7on7) players will automatically have the game recorded as a 31 - 0 loss. In cases where the team is short players, they may "recruit" qualified (valid membership and signed waiver) players from other teams to join and play an exhibition game.

COED Teams

COED soccer teams must play a minimum of 2 women on the field at all times. In cases where a team is short women, the team must play short.

Game Scores

Managers are responsible for validating game scores within 72 hours of each game. League is not responsible for incorrect seeding if game scores were not corrected within the set time frame.

Discipline & Fines

Red & Yellow Cards

Red and Yellow Cards are at the discretion of the referees. Any player accumulating three (3) YELLOW cards (while playing in any Soccer World managed league or division) will receive a one week suspension and an automatic $100 fine. YELLOW cards carry over from season to season, but expire 12 months after being issued. Any player receiving two (2) YELLOW cards in a single game or a RED Card receives the OSA table suspension and an automatic $100 fine.

Payment of any fines must be settled prior to the next game. The team of the player who received the fine must pay their fine before playing the next game.

Players receiving a RED card, in addition to the fine and suspension, are also suspended from playing future (league and playoff) games in the same season against the same team. Suspensions may be appealed in writing once the fine has been paid.

OC's & Ejections

OC’s and ejections are at the discretion of the officials. Following investigation and review, fines and suspensions are levied by the Football Officials Association and managers and players will be advised prior to their next game. Payment of any fines must be settled prior to the next game. The team of the player who received the fine must pay their fine before playing the next game. Players receiving fines and suspensions may also be banned suspended from playing future (league and playoff) games in the same season against the same team. Suspensions may be appealed in writing once the fine has been paid.

Behaviour Expectations

Repeated inappropriate behaviour may result in expulsion, and loss of deposits and payments from the facility, leagues and programs. Soccer World reserves the right to refuse future registration to these persons and/or teams.

First Aid Supplies

First aid supplies are stored behind the desk at the reception area. And at outdoor locations the league convener has a basic First Aid kit with band aids and cold packs.

Dress Code & Player Equipment

Uniforms

Players are required to play in a matching team jersey with a unique number or same colour jersey with unique number. Numbers must be recorded on game sheet or noted on the Official's game sheet.
Jersey numbers must be recorded by game 3.
Away team (on game sheet) must wear pinnies or an alternate colour if required. In play-offs the lower seeded team will wear pinnies if required.

Shin Pads

Mandatory shin pads for league players (covered by socks or track pants).
Players not wearing shin pads will be asked to leave the field of play.

Braces & Casts

Sport-specific (light weight, smooth, soft exterior, plastic) and (bubble) wrapped (metal and plaster) braces & casts are acceptable if they provide sufficient cushion and safety to other players.
Aggressive, sloppy and/or dangerous play while wearing a brace or cast is not acceptable. Players wearing a brace or cast assume all liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their choice.

Jewellery

Necklaces, bracelets and chains must be removed.
Removal of all piercing and body jewellery is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all players. Referees & coaches will not turn away players with taped piercings and body jewellery, however, if a player wishes to play with jewellery (however concealed) they assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their choice.

Eye Wear

Active Sports Eye wear with a head strap is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for players who require corrective eye wear. Referees & coaches will not turn away players who do not have Active Sports Eye wear, however, if a player wishes to play with glasses they must have a head strap and they assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their eye wear choice.

Clothing

Head coverings may be worn although it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED the fabric of such be elastic and tight fitting so as not to become a strangulation and/or tripping hazard. Players wearing head coverings during play assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their clothing choice. Referees & coaches will not turn away players who wear head coverings.
Shorts, track pants and/or leggings are the preferred clothing while playing soccer, however, players may choose to wear alternate/additional clothing during play as long as the player is clearly identifiable as to which team they belong and have their number clearly visible on their back. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that if a player wears a skirt, the length should not fall below the ankle and be appropriately designed and worn so as not to become a tripping hazard. Players wearing skirts during play assume all responsibility and liability to the safety of themselves and all other participants as a result of their clothing choice. Referees & coaches will not turn away players who wear skirts.

Weather Cancellations

Caution is recommended when deciding to participate in any programs during snow storms, extreme heat and/or during unstable storm conditions. Responsibility rests with the player to make the ultimate decision as to whether they come to the facility or field and play.

Snow Storms

Games may be cancelled due to extreme snow conditions at the facility. The decision to cancel games will be communicated via Social Media and email to all players. No credit or refund can be provided for cancelled games.

Extreme Heat

Games run regardless of temperature and/or humidex.

Rain, Thunder & Lightning

Games run in the rain.

In cases of unstable storm conditions programs will be cancelled at the field using the Flash to Bang 30/30 Rule” method. With this method the seconds are counted from the time a flash of lightning is seen until a clap of thunder is heard or vice versa. When this number is 30 seconds or less, the program is cancelled and evacuation of the field will begin immediately. Games cancelled due to thunder and lightning will not be made up.

Field Closures

Outdoor programs operate on rented properties and may be closed for reasons outside our control. City of Hamilton, school boards & private operators may close their grass fields due to rain and/or field conditions and turf fields may be closed due to flooding. If facilities are closed games are cancelled and will not be made-up.