Please review the following details for the upcoming 2024 Fall Season. It’s essential to be prepared and get your rosters filled as soon as possible. Note that there will be no changes to team placements if you sign up for the wrong division, and there will be no exceptions for exceeding roster slots.

Key Dates and Times:

• Season Dates: The season will start on Thursday, September 12th, and will run through Thursday, November 14th.
• Game Days/Times: Games will be played on Sundays from 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Due to limited time slots on Tuesdays and Thursdays, most games will take place on Sundays. All teams must be available to play on Sundays.
• Schedule Requests: If your team has specific requests for game times and days, please email our league scheduler as soon as possible at marty@bcssoccer.com. Once a game is posted, no changes will be made, so be sure to submit your requests early.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE CHANGES IN DIVISIONS! CONTINUE READING BELOW FOR IMPORTANT UPDATES BEFORE YOU REGISTER!

Registration:

• Registration Period: Online registration opens on Monday, August 12th, at 10:00 AM, and closes on Thursday, September 19th, at 11:59 PM.
• Cost: The participation fee is $75 per person for a single team. If you sign up for a second team, the additional cost is $50.
• Rosters: Ensure that your team roster is complete within this timeframe. Add all potential players to the roster during registration, as players signed up on the day of a game will not be eligible to play that day. No additional players will be allowed after the registration deadline due to insurance policies.
• Any player found using false registrations, fake identities, or secondary email addresses to join multiple divisions will be immediately removed from the league without a refund. We take fair play and integrity seriously, and such actions will not be tolerated

Team Limit

The league has a cap of 100 teams for the Spring Season. Once this limit is reached, no additional teams—whether returning or new—will be allowed to register. Teams that wish to participate but find the league at capacity may request to be placed on a waitlist. If an already registered team fails to meet the necessary requirements, waitlisted teams may be given a spot.

It's crucial for each team to have at least 5 players registered a week prior to the league's start. Teams that do not meet this requirement are at risk of being removed from the league and replaced with teams that have full rosters. Therefore, it's important to ensure your team and its members are registered early.

Division Team Limits:

• D2: 16 teams
• D3: 26 teams
• D4: 26 teams
• D5: 20 teams
• D6: 12 teams

It's important to note that teams must carefully select the appropriate division at the time of registration. Once registered, there will be no changes to team placements if a team has signed up for the wrong division. Additionally, teams must adhere to the roster limits as there will be no exceptions for exceeding these slots.

The league will be managed exclusively by the league. Prior to the first game, each team will be evaluated based on their performance from the previous season. Should a change in division be deemed necessary, the league will discuss this with the team's captain before any adjustments are made. Additionally, if any team's skill level during the season warrants a division adjustment, the same rules will apply, and the league will coordinate with the team's captain.

If a player is deemed too dominant by a vote league board members and referees they may be moved to a team in a higher division.

Division 2 is the highest level of competition, designed for teams and players who are highly skilled and seek a challenging, competitive environment.

Expectations for Division 2 Players:

• Players are permitted to participate in Division 3 as well, provided they strictly adhere to the rules and expectations of that division.
• While Division 2 is intensely competitive, players are expected to exhibit sportsmanship and respect towards all participants.

• As the top competition level, Division 2 will involve the most physical contact, consistent with the advanced skill level of its participants. Slide tackles are not allowed in Division 2, in line with all 7-a-side divisions, to prioritize player safety and maintain a fair, competitive atmosphere.

Division 3 is the second-highest level of competition, designed for teams with solid skills and a competitive mindset. There are no specific "focus class" player requirements in this division, allowing for a broader mix of players based solely on ability and team strategy.

Expectations for Division 3 Players:

• Players are allowed to participate in both Division 2 and Division 4, provided they adhere to the specific rules and expectations of each division.
• While Division 3 is competitive, players are expected to maintain good sportsmanship and respect the varying skill levels within the division.

• As the second-highest competition level, Division 3 will feature moderate physical contact, appropriate for the skill level of its participants. Slide tackles are not permitted in Division 3, as is the case with all 7-a-side divisions, to ensure player safety and maintain a fair and enjoyable playing environment.

The D4 division is designed for recreational play, emphasizing fun and inclusivity, particularly for players who are new to soccer or those who are older. Teams must have at least two "focus class" players on the field at all times. The "focus class" includes men aged 40 and older and women of any age. This rule aims to reduce the intensity of play and maintain a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Expectations for Division 4 Players:

• Players in Division 4 may also be on Division 3 or Division 5 rosters, but they must adhere to the recreational spirit of each additional division.
• Players from other divisions should not dominate play or aim to be the top scorer in Division 4. This division is for fun, and high levels of competitiveness are discouraged.
• Division 4 games are not professional tryouts; players should focus on enjoying the game rather than scoring excessively.
• As teams in Division 4 improve in skill and chemistry, they are encouraged to consider moving up to Division 3. The league will assist in creating a transition plan, allowing teams to play against both Division 4 and Division 3 opponents to evaluate readiness. Teams will not be forced to move up unless they are clearly dominant (e.g., undefeated with a large goal differential). If a team consistently wins by large margins, even with "focus class" players, they should be prepared to move to Division 3.

The D5 division is designed as a recreational league that emphasizes fun and inclusivity, particularly for teams with older or less experienced players. To maintain a balanced and enjoyable atmosphere, teams in this division must have an average player age of 30 or older.

Team Composition:

• Teams are allowed to have up to two "focus players" on the field at any given time. "Focus players" are defined as males under the age of 30 or females of any age.
• The requirement for the team's average age to be 30 or older helps ensure that the level of play remains appropriate for recreational purposes.

Expectations for Division 5 Players:

• Players in Division 5 who are also on Division 4 rosters must respect the recreational nature of Division 5, which is less competitive than Division 4.
• Overly competitive play, especially from younger or more experienced players, is discouraged. This division is meant for fun, and players should focus on enjoying the game rather than winning at all costs.
• Players should remember that Division 5 games are recreational; the focus should be on participation and enjoyment, not personal accolades like being the top scorer.

• As teams in Division 5 develop better skills and chemistry, they are encouraged to consider moving up to Division 4. The league will help facilitate this transition by allowing teams to play against both Division 4 and Division 5 opponents to assess their readiness. Teams will not be forced to move up unless they are clearly dominant (e.g., undefeated with a large goal differential). Teams that consistently outperform others, even while adhering to the "focus player" rule, should be prepared to move to Division 4.

Division 6 is designed to provide novices with a fun, safe environment to learn the game and improve their skills before moving up to higher divisions.

Expectations for Division 6 Players:

• Women of any age are eligible to play in Division 6 without restrictions. However, men under 30 are not allowed on Division 6 rosters (e.g., a 21-year-old cannot play in Division 6).
• If a player is deemed too dominant by a vote league board members and referees they may be moved to a team in a higher division.
• Players in Division 6 are not permitted to play in any other division.
• As teams in Division 6 improve their skills and chemistry, they are encouraged to consider moving up to Division 5. Teams can discuss this with the league, and a transition plan will be created to play against opponents in both Division 5 and Division 6 to assess readiness.

Fields

All games will be played on the synthetic fields at Veteran's Park to avoid cancellations due to rain. No games will take place on the grass fields.

Uniforms

Every player in the field must wear a jersey with a large, permanently attached number, and all jerseys must be uniform in color. Using tape for numbers is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, all players are required to wear shin guards during games. Failure to comply with the uniform and shin guard regulations may result in disciplinary action, including the issuance of a card.

Please make sure to familiarize yourself with the league rules, including those regarding conduct and the consequences for reckless behavior.

Fines and Suspensions:

• Yellow Card: There is a $5.00 fine per yellow card.
• Red Card: There is a $10.00 fine per red card.
• Fines must be paid to the game referee before the next match. Failure to pay fines results in the player being ineligible for play.
• A red card or an accumulation of 4 yellow cards within a season will result in a player's one match suspension.
• Cards issued in the final game of the season will carry over to the next season in which the player registers, including any suspensions.

Specific Penalties for Serious Offenses:

• Assaulting a Referee: Up to a $100.00 fine and a minimum suspension of 1 year.
• Insulting or Physical Contact with a Referee: Up to a $50.00 fine and a minimum suspension of 6 months.
• Fighting: Up to a $100.00 fine and an immediate suspension of 1 year.
• Further actions, including additional fines or extended suspensions, may be taken by the League Executive Committee.

Accumulation of Cards:

• A red card or accumulating four yellow cards within a season will lead to a one-match suspension for the player.
• A player must sit out an actual played game; suspensions do not apply to forfeits.
• If a suspended player participates in any games, their team will forfeit all such games.
• Further actions, including additional fines or extended suspensions, may be taken by the League Executive Committee.

Team Disqualification for Fighting:

• Teams can face suspension for the remainder of the season or longer without a refund if involved in starting, joining a fight, or assaulting a referee or league official. This applies to incidents before, during, or after a game.

We have observed an increase in the number of cards being issued for sliding tackles. Sliding is defined as leaving your feet and going to the ground to play the ball, regardless of whether there are other players nearby. This rule does not apply to players who are fouled and fall as a result.

Goalkeepers are permitted to slide within the parameters set by the FIFA "Laws of the Game and Universal Guide for Referees."

If players persist in sliding, considering it only merits a yellow card, we will escalate the penalty for sliding to an automatic red card. The league's decision on this matter will be final and non-negotiable.