1. Physical/Rough Play
a. Play that is rough or overtly aggressive such as taunting, name calling, threats, intimidations and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in players being ejected from the league without refund.
b. Any instances of physical aggression will be cause for immediate expulsion for everyone involved, whether instigating or retaliating.
2. Harassment
True North FPL is committed to fostering a harassment-free environment where all players are treated with respect and dignity. Harassment both during and after games will not be tolerated, and anyone who is found to be in breach of this may be asked to leave the league.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Offending or humiliating someone physically or verbally
- Threatening or intimidating someone
- Behaviour of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, unwelcome, hostile or offensive environment
3. Alcohol/Drugs
Consuming alcoholic beverages or recreational drugs at league facilities/venues by players or spectators is strictly forbidden. Offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund.
4. Incidents Which Result in Loss of Permits
Any team or individual involved with any incident that results in the loss of a permit or which causes harm to the relationship between the league and a facility may be expelled from the league without refund.
5. Blood During Games
Any player who begins to bleed during a game must leave the playing area immediately. The player cannot return to the game until the bleeding has stopped and the wound has been sufficiently covered.
6. Reporting Injuries
Injuries requiring further medical attention other than basic first aid must be reported to the league by team captains via truenorthfpl@gmail.com
7. Game Scores
a. The team captain must enter the game score by 1pm two days after the game is completed (e.g. for Wednesday games, scores must be entered by 1pm on Friday). If neither team has entered their score then the league will reach out to captains directly.
b. If a team defaults a game, the score will be automatically entered as a 3-0 win to the opposing team.
8. League Standings
a. Wins are worth 3 points, ties are worth 1 point and losses are worth 0 points.
b. Ties in the standings will be broken first by goal +/- then by head-to-head record.
9. Playoffs
a. Depending on how many teams register for the season, playoffs may be 2 or 3 weeks, and will be scheduled once the results of the last game of the season have been inputted.
b. Once eliminated, teams will still play until the end of the season in consolation playoff games.
c. Subs may be used during playoffs but only in the following circumstances:
- If you have 8 or fewer players confirmed, you may request a sub. If you already have 8 players, you cannot ask for a sub.
- When requesting subs, you must first contact the sub list. If you have no luck there then you may contact other teams to request subs, but this must be done through the captain chat/email and not individually.
- Subs from other teams can only play if their game is at a different time, so that players are not missing their own playoffs.
- At all costs, captains must try to ensure that subs are of equal skill level to players missing from their team and should not use subs to stack their side.
10. Refereeing
a. The league has no referees so there may not be league representatives in attendance at games. Players must play fairly and ensure rules are followed at all times.
11. Conflict Resolution
If a game is becoming heated, please follow the guidelines below to help resolve conflict before it escalates:
-Before every game, captains should introduce themselves to each other so that the channel of communication is open from the very start.
- Call a time-out if tension is building. Teams can take a water break and captains can step to one side to discuss any issues that have been presented.
- Captains should speak to their own teammates about the situation. Reflect on anything that could be done differently and agree as a team how to proceed to cool down and get back to playing the game without tension.
- If captains feel that the game is no longer safe to continue with, they may call off the game. In this instance, both captains will need to send an incident report, as detailed in section 12 below.
12. Incident Reports/Complaints
If there is an incident during a game, please follow the steps below to resolve conflict or report issues:
- If it can be sorted out during the game, this should be your first priority. Captains should speak with each other as soon as possible so that the game ends on a positive note.
- If you have general feedback where no action needs to be taken, please complete send an email to truenorthfpl@gmail.com at your earliest convenience.
- If you would like to file an official complaint, please send an email to truenorthfpl@gmail.com. Unless urgent action needs to be taken, please wait at least 24 hours before sending an email so that you have time to reflect on the situation first.
- If there is a serious issue which needs immediate attention, please contact the league at truenorthfpl@gmail.com with the subject line URGENT. Where possible, please nominate one person to reach out so that we are not receiving multiple messages about the same incident.
13. Subs and Player Eligibility
a. During the regular season, team captains can ask anyone to play on their team so long as they are listed on a team roster for the current season, or are registered as a sub. All players must have signed the waiver to be eligible to play.
b. Teams that use players who do not fall into any of the categories listed above may be subject to default.
c. Captains must contact the entire sub list when requesting a sub for their games, it is not permitted to pick and choose who is contacted for subbing.
14. Facility Care and Respect
a. When leaving the pitch, please take all of your items with you, dispose of trash in provided receptacles and leave the space how you found it.
b. Please be sure to vacate the premises by the time specified on your schedule (i.e. if your game finishes at 8pm, you should stop the game at 7.55pm to give enough time to leave).
15. Weather/Cancellation Policy
a. Games will continue as scheduled, rain or shine, unless the venue itself is closed. The league will contact you if a game is cancelled so there is no need to check in with the league regarding this. If you don't hear from us, then the game is ON!
b. Games may be cancelled in the following instances:
1. Imminent thunderstorms - If thunder and lightning is in the area 30 minutes before the start of the game then the match may be cancelled. If it is passing overhead then the games may start a little later rather than being cancelled. This will be communicated to captains so that they can let their teammates know.
If a storm starts while play is underway, the game must cease immediately and the final score will be recorded at the moment play ended.
Matches will not be rescheduled if they are cancelled for thunderstorms.
2. Extreme heat - It is not safe to go ahead with a game when temperatures reach 36 degrees Celcius. A decision will be made by 2pm on game day if temperatures are in this range, and you will be informed by the league if your game has been cancelled.
Matches will not be rescheduled if they are cancelled for extreme heat.
3. Unsafe field conditions - This may not be something that the league is aware of until arriving at the field, therefore it will usually be an on-field call. If teams believe the field is unsafe to play on (e.g. standing water), then it is up to captains to make a final call as to whether or not they wish to play.
Rescheduling these games is at the discretion of the TDSB, so if possible please take photos of the condition of the field and send them to truenorthfpl@gmail.com, so that we can contact the school board for either a refund or a make-up date.
4. School closure - If a venue is closed for an emergency during our season, the league will contact you as soon as possible to let you know that the permit has been cancelled for the evening. In these instances we will offer a refund for that match, or reschedule the games if there is time to do so at the end of the season.
c. If teams want to cancel their games outside of the reasons above, then the following rules come into play:
1. One team wants to cancel - If the opposing team still wants to play, then the team that does not want to play will forfeit with a 3-0 scoreline.
2. Both teams want to cancel - If both teams would like to cancel a game, then the score is a 0-0 draw.
We advise teams to please go ahead with games as much as possible, matches should only be forfeited in extreme cases when no other solutions can be found. Please be considerate of other players in the league who have all paid to play weekly games.
16. Spectators
Spectators are welcome to view leagues and events. Spectators are considered to be the equivalent of team members; as such, their actions are the responsibility of the team captain and each spectator must abide by all league rules and policies. Former players who have been suspended or ejected from the league are not welcome to attend as spectators.
17. Age Requirements
All players must be 19 years of age or older.
18. Social Media
Upon registering for the season, you can indicate whether or not you would like photos and/or videos of you posted online. These are the options you will be presented with:
- You may use photos and videos of me on social media
- You may not use photos and videos of me on social media
- You may use photos and videos but don't tag me in them
If you change your mind at a later date, please email us at truenorthfpl@gmail.com and we will update your preferences.