TEAM OFFICIALS HANDBOOK
Player Registrations
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Players registering for Divisions other than Over 30, must be a minimum of 17 years of
age or older, on or before December 31 of the current playing year.
Players under 18 years of age as of December 31 of the current playing year are
considered “underage players.”
Teams in Divisions other than Over 30 shall be permitted to register a maximum of 2
underage players subject to Rule 3.3 (a) above, hereinafter referred to as the “youth
quota”.
Players registering for the Over 30 Division must be 30 years of age or over, on or
before December 31 of the current playing season.
A transgender (male to female) player may register and play on a LIWSA team after
completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment. Their application to
play will have been supported by a letter from a physician regarding treatment.
All player registration shall be completed on‑line by the team or club official, is valid only
for the current season and must be approved by the League Registrar.
All players must be registered 24 hours prior to taking part in any league game and 7
days before taking part in any Cup competition.
Teams per permitted to release players at any time, released players are not permitted
to sign with any other LIWSA team after January 15th.
Game Responsibilities
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Home teams are responsible for reporting scores, confirming field is open and in
playable condition (safety, field marking, etc.)
Each team must supply 1 net, 2 corner flags and 1 goal anchor for every game,
regardless of whether home or away. There is a fine of $25 per occurrence for failure to
supply game equipment.
Teams are responsible for ensuring that goals are properly anchored.
Each team must supply the referee with 2 completed LIWSA team line-up lists including
first name, last name, jersey number and permits (player only), and LIWSA ID number
for both players and team officials. Teams must use the roster form that is available on
the LIWSA website.
When new players have been registered but ID cards have not been received, the
Registrar will provide an authorizing letter. Two copies must be provided to the referee.
Failure to produce ID cards to the referee (including late arrivals) or to provide ID
numbers on the team line-up list could result in a $15 fine.
The home team is responsible for supplying a properly inflated size 5 game ball and a
back-up inflated size 5 game ball.2 properly inflated game balls.
The home team must contact the Division Liaison with the game score no later than 5:00
pm Sunday.
In the event of a jersey colour conflict, the home team must change jerseys.
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All player jerseys must have jersey numbers.
All jewelry must be removed before playing (no exceptions).
All non-fabric knee braces must be covered with a soft material.
Referees (FIFA rule) may require both technical areas (team bench) to be on the same
side of the field.
A game is considered “played” after 60 minutes (in the event a referee stops a game
early).
Game Postponements and Rescheduling
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If 30 day’s notice of a requested game change is received by the LIWSA, in writing,
then the game will be unilaterally rescheduled at the discretion of LIWSA without the
opposing team being consulted. Please note the fine for failure to proceed with a game
is $250.
When less than 30 days notice, Team Officials must contact the opposing team and
reach an agreement with that team to reschedule the game. Both teams must agree on
a new time, date and location for the game to be played. Once the agreement has been
reached, the Division Liaison must be notified of the proposed change for approval. The
Division Liaison will then contact the League Scheduler for final approval of the
proposed change.
A $20. Fee, payable to LIWSA, applies for each rescheduled game, regardless of how
much notice is provided, and is payable by the team requesting the change, unless the
field is closed due to weather. The same fee applies if the venue changes after Sunday
and it results in any cancellation of game officials.
No requests for rescheduling will be considered or granted within 96 hours (4 days) of
the original scheduled game time, date and location unless the field is closed due to
weather or if extenuating circumstances apply as determined by LIWSA.
Team officials must notify their Division Liaison of any change in any game schedule at
least 96 hours prior to the originally scheduled kick-off. Any game rescheduled without
the consent of LIWSA will be considered invalid.
If both teams cannot agree on a new time, date and location then the game will be
played as originally scheduled. A team is under no obligation to accommodate a change
request from the opposing team. If for any reason, the scheduled game is not played,
the LIWSA has the discretion to deem the game as a forfeit by the team causing the
game not to be played and will receive a fine (listed below)
i. First defaulted game:
$250.
Ii Second defaulted game $500.
Iii Third defaulted game
$750 and suspension of team
If the forfeit is due to extenuating circumstances, a disciplinary hearing may be held.
The LIWSA executive reserves the right to reschedule this, or any, game at its
convenience provided 72 hours notice is given to the teams involved.
Rescheduled games must be completed within 21 days of the original game date.
Youth Permits
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A registered youth player shall have permission to play up any number of times with a
senior team in any one season providing the player has the consent of the youth team
and approval of the LIWSA.
Youth permit forms shall be submitted on line at the LIWSA website. Permit forms must
be completed by the team requesting the player and include consent from the youth
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team releasing the player.
Application for permission to play must be made at least 48 hours prior to the game for
which the permit is to be issued.(BCSA Rule 10e)
Senior teams can permit up to 3 youth players in any senior league or Category A/B cup
game. Youth players may play up on permit an unlimited number of times in a given
season.(BCSA Rule 10h)
Youth permits for Terry Price and Doug Day cups, and Provincial cup competitions
shall be submitted using the BCSA permit form located on the BCSA and LIWSA web
sites.
Allow a minimum of five days for all approvals of youth permits for cup competitions
(LISA must receive between Monday to Thursday for all approvals of youth permits for
cup competitions.
Interclub Permits
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Any club with more than one team in the league may permit players from a lower division
team to play in a league game.
A player may play on permit for a maximum of six (6) games within a current playing
season.
A maximum of 3 Intra club permitted players may be used in league games at any
one time.
Players registered to teams in Division 2 or lower may, provided they meet the age
requirements, also permit to an Over-30s Division team within the same club.
Intra-club permits are available on-line at the LIWSA website. Paper permits are
not acceptable. Intra-club must be completed on-line before kick off.
Referees
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Unless the grounds are ruled unplayable prior to the game by the appropriate regulatory
authority, the teams must appear and await the decision of the Referee.
The Referee shall have the power to decide the fitness of the ground in all matches, and
their decision shall be final.
The Referee shall check all LIWSA ID Cards prior to the start of the match.
If for any reason a Referee does not appear or is unable to complete a game, it is the
responsibility of the two teams to mutually agree on a substitute referee. The home team
shall complete the Absentee Referee Report.
Team officials are encouraged to provide feedback on the performance of the referee,
either positive or negative, through the form available on the League website.
Discipline
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Players or team officials sent off during a game must leave the venue immediately.
Anyone receiving a red card or sent off (including team officials) will automatically be
suspended from participating in the next scheduled game and may be subject to
additional discipline or suspension by LIWSA.
The sent off player or team official will subsequently be expected to attend a mandatory
disciplinary hearing at a time and place chosen by the Director of Discipline.
Durations of suspensions are outlined in the BCSA Discipline Policy and Procedures
Guide, available on the BCSA website.
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LIWSA has a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct by players, team officials,
referees and spectators. Abusive conduct may result in discipline up to and including
being restricted from all LIWSA sanctioned activities.
Referees shall report to the appropriate authority misconduct or any misdemeanor on
the part of spectators, officials, players, substitutes or other persons which take place
either on the field of play or the vicinity at any time prior to, during, or after the match
in question so that appropriate action may be taken by LIWSA. (Ref: FIFA Law 5:
Referees)
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