FARM TEAM

ARTICLE 3

3:1 OUTLINE
Throughout the course of the season it has been found that situations arise that force coaches to field a team with an inadequate number of players. This, in many cases, causes the game to be unbalanced and, in extreme cases, forces the forfeiting of games. In all cases, this puts a strain on the players and reduces their enjoyment of the game.

In an effort to correct this, the BYSC has adopted a Farm Team system for House League and Mini divisions (U9 and older), recognizing that the intent of Recreational soccer is to foster, develop and promote soccer amongst the youth of Burlington, regardless of ability or caliber of player and that all players be given optimum playing time.

The rules that follow are to be utilized as a means of determining the number of players that can be called up and the conditions on which farm team players will play. It is the responsibility of the Convenor to monitor and arbitrate the rules with the intention of the above outline in mind.

3:2 RULES
1) At the beginning of the season, the Recreational Administrator will supply a "Coach Contact" list to the convenor of U10 and above age groups. The Coach will contact all players on their team by e-mail or by phone to establish a list of players willing to play up. No player will be forced to play-up against their wishes. This list will be given to the convenor of the age group above.

2) Prior to calling up players, the coach must establish that he/she cannot field enough players to maintain a competitive roster (13 or less players). Should a team have 14 players available, they will not be permitted to call up. In house league play, a team that cannot field 13 players, may call up players to a maximum of thirteen (13) players in total, dressed for that game. Any team that cannot field 7 players from their original roster will have to forfeit the game).

3) Note that the intent of the farm system is that all house league team players would be assured a minimum of 3 quarters of play (unless injury or medical conditions preclude the 3 quarters duration). No farm team player may play more quarters than a regular team player.

4) The coach will contact their convenor, requesting players for a specific game. The convenor will forward contact information of the coaches from an age division directly below their own age group, and when possible, with the same shirt colour as the requesting team. All decisions will be at the discretion of the Convenor and/or Convenor Representative.

5) At least 24 hours notice prior to game time should be given by the coach.

6) A suspended player will not be called-up during their suspension.

7) The Farm Team system will apply to regular season games. Call-ups will also be allowed for tournament, round-robin games, but will NOT be allowed for championship/consolation final games.

8) The Farm Team player's team will always be of priority. Release from practices must be approved by their coach; however, coaches will not unreasonably prevent any players from playing-up. An attempt should be made not to schedule practices for your Farm Team game night.

9) Names of players called-up must be provided to the Referee by the coach prior to the start of the game. When reporting games, Farm Team players are to be noted on the game sheet.

10) Any complaints regarding the Farm Team rules are to be directed to the Recreational Administrator within 24 hours of the completion of the game in question.