GENERAL RULES FOR ALL SPORTS

GRADE LIMITS: Participation Eligibility - Team Sports

• Junior - Grades 4, 5, 6
• Senior - Grade 7

*Any player may move up

PLAYING DAYS:               

• Monday - Junior Boys                      
• Tuesday - Junior Girls
• Wednesday - Senior Boys
• Thursday - Senior Girls

POINT SYSTEM:              

• Win - 2 points
• Tie - 1 point
• Loss - 0 points

OBLIGATION TO PLAY:

If a school agrees to participate in a given sport or sports, their team(s) is/are obligated to play every game.  Weather conditions can only constitute a postponement, not a cancellation of a game.

REFEREES:

1. Both coaches shall referee the game unless mutually agreed upon officials are chosen. Officials shall complete the game.
2. If there is a sub-zone playoff, the two schools involved will mutually agree upon and arrange for a neutral field and referee(s).

GAME TIME:     

Games will be played at 15:30 hours, and every effort should be made to START each game on time.

GENERAL POLICY:   

1. In all games, the home team shall be responsible for the preparation of the field.
2. The home team shall be responsible for the general order of the playgrounds or gymnasium.  The visiting coach shall assist in maintaining proper conduct on the grounds and shall be responsible for the conduct of his/her own team.
3. In games played on neutral grounds, the leader or authorized official of the school shall be responsible for marking the grounds and maintaining order. Visiting teachers shall assist in maintaining order.
4. Unless otherwise agreed upon by both coaches, the home team shall supply equipment in good condition.
5. In cases where games are played on neutral grounds, one coach shall arrange for the neutral grounds and the other coach shall arrange for a referee.  Both grounds and referee must    be mutually agreed upon by both coaches.
6. The referee or umpire shall be the final judge of the suitability of the equipment and condition of the field.
7. Each team must be under the charge of a teacher, child care worker, staff assistant, community school coordinator, vice principal, principal, or other education staff approved by the Principal from its own school.  Failure to observe this ruling shall result in forfeiture of the game.
8. A parent and/or volunteer from the school may coach, but a school representative (from the aforementioned list of qualified people) must be present for the duration of the game.  The team sponsor must be on the bench (or side lines for soccer) and is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the players, coaches and spectators associated with their team.  The final selection of staff to be in charge of school teams should be at the discretion of the school principal.
9. The referee or umpire shall be in absolute control of the play and players and shall have the power to report to the Executive any serious misconduct.  Any players thus reported shall make themselves liable for suspension for the balance of the season.
10. Inappropriate conduct by a coach during the game, may be reported to the Executive.  In the event that there is conflict, disagreement or action taken by a coach which meets with the disapproval of the opposing coach, it is recommended that:
11. Any team that fails to take the field within 15 minutes of the time appointed shall forfeit the game provided the opposing team is ready within that time.  If a team is unable to play a scheduled game, they must contact the school involved by 14:00 hours of the day of the game or forfeit the game.  The Executive shall rule upon the validity of extenuating circumstances.
12. Any pupil who is under suspension due to disciplinary reasons shall be ineligible to play during the suspension.
13. All games shall be played according to the pre-arranged schedule providing that the weather conditions are deemed appropriate by the referee or umpire. (see 6 above)
14. Should a playoff round be delayed past the date set for completion of said round, it shall be the duty of the athletic coordinator to take charge of such round and order games played on consecutive dates so that the date set for the final round may be maintained.
15. After a pupil has played in a league game, he or she must remain in that division and on that team for the remainder of the season, in that sport.  If a team uses a player who has, in that sport, first played in another division or on another team in that school, the team is then forced to forfeit the game or games in question.
16. All players will receive an equal share of playing time (per game) as is possible.
17. A playoff shall be of one game duration unless both coaches and the league chairperson agree to play 2 out of 3 games, and providing that such arrangements shall not delay other scheduled playoff games.  In volleyball, 2 out of 3 games shall constitute a match.  Zones may also be decided by round robin tournaments.
18. That the VEPAA make every attempt to schedule the sport meetings at least three weeks prior to the commencement of each respective season.
19. Due to safety and liability, all student athletes playing VEPAA sanctioned sports must be prepared to play wearing proper gym attire. Any clothing worn by participating students which is deemed unsafe by the referee and/or both coaches will not be permitted to participate.
20. It is recommended that all coaches carry a First Aid Kit for minor injuries.
21. All teams involved in VEPAA interschool play must have matching uniforms that clearly identify the school by having the school name and/or school ‘nickname’ and/or school logo. All uniforms must be numbered.  Exceptions: cross country and track & field

The B.C. School Act states that all (public) schools and Provincial schools must be conducted on strictly secular and non-sectarian principles.   The Vancouver School District plans its athletic events around Ministry required instruction days, statutory holidays, Pro D days, various other school events and the weather.  We make every effort to accommodate schools’ and district calendars to make these events as accessible as possible to all students.  Given all other constraints we are not always able to plan our events around the various religious holidays that families may observe on their own.  All extra-curricular sports activities and events are voluntary and not required by the school. 

PLAYOFFS:         

Each Zone, as determined by the schedule, shall declare a champion.

              Tiebreakers      

The champion shall be declared at the end of regular season play.  If, after the regular season, two teams are tied in points, the record against each other will determine first place.  For example: Teams A and B each have 15 points, but Team A has beaten Team B in regular season play.  Team A is the zone champion.

                            a.           If, after regular season play, two teams are tied and their win-loss record against each                                                             other is the same, then a playoff game will determine the zone champion.

                            b.           The playoff will be played on a neutral facility with neutral officials unless otherwise                                                        agreed upon by both coaches.

Start Time         

              All games shall begin at 15:30 hours.

              Sites/Referees 

              League or zone chairpersons shall arrange for a neutral facility and referee(s) for the finals.

              Awards

              Teams reaching the final and finishing second in league playoffs will be awarded a plaque.

              Format