Baturyn Community League
2017 Outdoor Soccer Season
Team and Parent Information
Community soccer is a program that allows players to participate in a team sport that allows for building valuable
skills while having fun. Baturyn Community League (BCL) believes it is important for teams and parents to be
informed about their soccer experience. For this season, there is some essential information that you need to
know. Should you have additional questions, please see your coach or contact Candice at [email protected].
We would like to thank you for your participation this season and wish you a successful soccer season.
Team Information:
Team Coaches will be contacting you with team information for the season. The information
forthcoming from them is:
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Practice and Game Information and Schedules
Uniform Pick Up
Coach Expectations
Team Communication
Player Rosters
Player Positioning
Referee Liaison Process
Tournament Information (if applicable)
Player Conduct Process
Team Coaches may provide you will additional information that is specific to their team and
coaching practice.
Communication:
The main method of communication for the season will be through your team coaching staff.
Coaches may elect to utilize practices, email, text messaging, meetings, or Team Snap to
communicate to the team. Your coach will let you know of their preferred method.
BCL’s Soccer Director, Candice Bevan is responsible for communicating anything on behalf of
the community league. She will ensure that coaches have the information that needs to be
communicated and may at times reach out by email with league communications if required.
Candice also acts as a liaison with Edmonton Minor Soccer Association (EMSA) and will pass
along any communication from them to coaches.
You may also visit www.baturyn.ca/index.php/sports for general information.
Season Dates:
May 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017
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Uniforms:
Your coach will be making arrangements for players to receive their uniforms.
League and EMSA Uniform instructions and expectations:
• Please wash the jersey inside out and hang to dry. The shorts and socks can be washed
along with the regular laundry.
• Uniforms are expected to be in good condition and will be returned at the end of the
season for U8 to U18 players. Should you experience an issue with your uniform,
please contact the coach.
• Soccer style shoes or runners are the only permissible footwear to be worn by players.
• Shin guards must be worn to practice and games. You can obtain these at any store
that sells sporting equipment (ie: Kicks, Sport Chek, etc…)
• Absolutely NO Jewelry is permitted. This includes earrings. Taping is not permitted.
This is important for player safety. If possible, removing jewelry prior to arrival at
practices or games is best to ensure that it is not lost or stolen. The community league
and coaching staff are not responsible for lost or stolen jewelry.
• If your player requires a brace (Knee, Ankle, Wrist) they may be permitted as long as
there is no potential to injure others. The decision to permit the brace is up to the
game official.
Additional Uniform information is available in the EMSA Rules and Regulations. Your coach will
have a copy of this or you can find it on the EMSA website (https://emsamain.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/06/EMSA-Rules-and-Regulations-Outdoor-2016-Indoor-20162017.pdf).
Practices:
Practices are important to helping players learn key soccer skills and to encourage team
building. They are usually less formal than a game and players have the change to get to know
their teammates better. It is strongly encouraged that players attend practices regularly,
however at times we recognize that there may be times when a player cannot attend. Should
this occur please ensure that your coach is aware of your absence.
Practice schedules will be communicated by your coach.
General Game
Information:
Games will be held during the weekdays for regular season play. Tournament games schedules
may be played on weekdays or weekends. Game schedules will be communicated by your
coach.
Division
U4
U6
U8
U10
U12
U14
U16
U18
Game Duration
2 x 20 minute halves
2 x 20 minute halves
2 x 30 minute halves
2 X 35 minute halves
2 X 40 minute halves
2 X 45 minute halves
2 X 45 minute halves
# of Players
3v3
4v4
5v5
7v7
8v8
11 v 11
11 v 11
11 v 11
Your coach will communicate how early they will expect the player to arrive at the field prior to
a game.
Players that arrive after the first half of the game will not be permitted to play.
If you will be unable to attend a game or will be late for a game, please let your coach know as
they will be required to inform the Referee.
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Player Lines & Changes It is up to the discretion of the coach to determine player lines and they will work to create
well balanced lines. During the game, when change outs are required, the coach will have their
own method of performing change outs. Their method will include how long they wish their
players to play and will try to ensure every player has equal play time. In general player shifts
tend to be shorter as the intensity level of play is increased. Your coach will do their best to
ensure there is equal play time but please recognize that many factors may occur during a
game that may not make that possible for that particular game. Please keep this in mind when
considering your players play time. If you are finding your player is not getting equal play time,
please discuss this with your coach or Parent Liaison (if one is appointed). They may not be
aware that it is occurring or there may be a reason that they have limited the players play
time.
Inclement Weather
The joys of outdoor soccer also includes the various weather patterns we go through in
Alberta. You should prepare yourself accordingly with blankets, umbrellas, raincoats,
outerwear such as hats and gloves.
Games do not get called unless the fields are not in a playable state, the choice of play could
result in an injury, or lightening is present.
Coaches will communicate if a game is called for weather as soon as they aware of the
cancellation. Your coach will let you know how you will be contacted. If you do not hear from
your coach, please go to the field to see if the game is still on. Please keep in mind that a game
can be cancelled anytime leading up to the actual start time of the game.
If a game is in progress, the game may be delayed based on the weather that is being
experienced. The Ref will provide the coach with information about game delays. If lightening
is present and considered to be too close to the field, you will be directed to exit the field
immediately and return to your vehicle for a period determined by the Ref. You may be
required to wait until the lightening is passed based on how far the game has progressed.
If a game is called, it may be rescheduled on a day that is not a regular game day. Your coach
will notify you of a rescheduled game.
Field Rules:
It is EMSA’s policy that teams will sit on opposite sides of the field from one another. The
spectators of a team should sit on the same side of the field as their own team but will be
separated from their team by the center flag. The home team will have the choice as to which
side they prefer. We do realize that several fields in the City or surrounding areas do not allow
teams to sit opposite of one another due to space constraints. If you are playing at a field that
is set up at such both teams and their spectators will sit on the same side with the center line
flag between the two groups.
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If a game is in progress when you arrive, please respect the other team’s players and parents.
You may set up your chairs or equipment behind the playing team, far enough back as to not
cause disruption. Once that team has completed their game you may move your chairs or
equipment into a suitable position to view the game.
Do not set your chairs up directly behind the line as players need to use the immediate area
behind the line for throw ins.
It is important that we adhere to the Field Rules so as not to risk being fined.
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Tournaments:
If you are bringing any food or drink to the field, please ensure that your garbage is
disposed of in a trash receptacle.
No smoking on the fields or school property if the field happens to be at a school.
Tournaments up to the discretion of the coaching staff. If they are interested in taking their
team to a tournament they will communicate that with the team and parents. Players and
Parents will be given the option to participate.
Please note that tournaments are not part of the fees you paid for the season and it will be up
to the team to come up with the necessary funds to attend any tournaments the team wish to
participate in.
Please note there will be a minimum level or required players in order for the team to
participate.
Post Season:
Some teams may have the option to participate in post season play. Post season is optional
participation is up to the discretion of the coach. If they are interested participating they will
communicate this with the team and parents. Players and Parents will be given the option to
participate. Please note there will be a minimum level or required players in order for the
team to participate.
If a team is interested in post season they will be eligible to participate in City Finals – July 3rd
to 9th.
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If the team chooses to participate in City Finals they will also have the option to be eligible to
participate in Inter Cities – July 22nd to 23rd (Edmonton or Calgary) and Provincials – July 21st to
23rd (Location TBD).
Team who are interested in post season play will need to indicate if they are interest in
participating in City Finals (Only) or City Finals AND Inter Cities & Provincials.
Post season information will be posted on the EMSA Main Website (www.emsamain.com) as
soon as it becomes available.
Player Positioning
Player positioning becomes very important in soccer as players progress through the divisions.
In U4 and U6, player position is introduced and players get to rotate through positions so they
can learn each position. Players of this age are encouraged to stay in position formation during
play but are not formally placed in positions. At this age it is just important that players learn
position awareness.
In U8 and U10, positioning starts to become more formalized and by U14 players will typically
be placed in positons early on in the season. Players can express interest in positions that they
would like to play and coaches will work with the player to help determine where the player’s
best fit is on the team.
Player Conduct
Players are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with EMSA’s Rules and Guidelines.
BCL would like to remind players and parents that they are representing Baturyn and the
leagues reputation can be affected by negative game play or conduct. We encourage players to
conduct themselves in a positive manner.
EMSA utilizes a carding system to address player conduct during games that is introduced in
U12 and it utilized for U12 and higher teams. The carding system is meant to discourage
negative game play and allow for a coach and player to correct their behaviour.
There are 3 cards in the system:
Blue – for minor infractions (warning)
– for more serious infractions or multiple blue cards being received by one player in a
game (caution)
Red – for serious infractions (suspension)
For more information on EMSA’s expectations of Player Conduct, please see the EMSA Rules
and Regulations. Your coach will have a copy of this or you can find it on the EMSA website
(https://emsamain.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/EMSA-Rules-and-Regulations-Outdoor2016-Indoor-20162017.pdf).
Coaches
Coaches hold a valuable position and have a lot of responsibility. Coaching staff are volunteers
and are doing the league and our players a favor by taking on this enormous job. It is
important that they are respected for their role on the team. These positions can sometimes
be difficult to fill so we need our coaches to feel supported by players and parents. Our
coaches are open to feedback and discussion that can positively enhance the team. In that
regards please know that our coaches are doing the best they can to assist players.
All BCL Coaches are required to sign off on their own conduct by EMSA prior to starting the
season and as they act on behalf of BCL, they are expected act in a positive manner during
games and practices.
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Should you have an issue with your coach that you uncomfortable addressing, please contact
Candice, Soccer Director, at [email protected]. Please note it is encouraged that you try your
best to work with your coach to resolve issues and only utilize Candice as a last resort.
EMSA Player Cards
EMSA requires all U14 to U18 players to have an active player card. These cards are issued by
EMSA. All required players to have this card will be required to attend a carding session or to
visit EMSA’s North Office to obtain this card. This card is to be present at every game in order
for the player to participate. Failure to provide this card will result in the player being unable to
play.
Coaches may elect to keep these cards during the season to ensure that they are brought to
every game or they may elect to leave this as the responsibility of the player. Should the coach
elect to keep the cards, they will be returned to the player at the end of the season as they are
good for more than one season of play.
Referees and the Ref
Liaison:
Referee’s are responsible for applying EMSA Rules and Guidelines and ensuring player safety
on the field. A Referee’s call may not always be a favorable call but it must be adhered to and
respected while the game is in play. Should a Referee be an issue during a game, the Coach
does have the ability to address this with EMSA after the game. Please trust that your coach
will bring forward any serious issues. On that note, EMSA requires each team to have a Referee
Liaison. This role is filled by a parent for every game. Failure to provide a Ref Liaison could
result in a forfeit.
The Referee Liaison’s responsibilities are:
• Being required to sit near the centre of the spectator section and monitor behavior.
• Behavior that needs to be addressed is inappropriate comments, gestures, and/or any
other unsporting behavior directed at the game officials, players, coaching staff, or any
other individual in the spectator section.
• Be expected to quickly defuse potential issues before they escalate by either making
your presence more visible or calmly addressing the behavior with the person(s)
involved.
• If an incident does occur, be required to provide a brief written report to the referee of
the game. Investigation by EMSA League Director may be conducted.
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