By Laws
ARTICLE 1: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Schools
Member schools of the OVSAA shall consist of all schools under the jurisdiction of the OVSAA.
Section 2 Teams
The OVSAA shall be the governing body for all teams of member schools within its jurisdiction and shall be their representative, legislative and executive body. Its membership shall be composed of all affiliated teams including Districts 19, 22, 23, 53, 58, 67, 73, 74, 83, and Parochial secondary schools located within these districts, as shown on the map.
Section 3 Individual Membership
Individual membership is held by a person who is a teacher in a member school of the OVSAA and the Athletic Policy Committee, schools beside the above districts may obtain membership in the OVSAA.
Section 4 Ceasing to be a Member in Good Standing
That which has failed to pay its current annual membership fees as provided herein, or any other subscription or debt due and owing by it to the Society, and the member shall not be in good standing so long as the debt remains unpaid.
All fines must be paid within 30 days of notice, all school teams will be ineligible to compete until the fine is paid. The OVSAA president or representative will contact the school or schools principal and AD and inform the offending school of the fine. Once the school has been contacted the OVSAA president will contact the offending zone president regarding the issue.
Section 5 Recognition of Longstanding Contributing Members to the
OVSAA.
The OVSAA executive shall accept nominations from executive or regular members of individuals who have made significant contributions to the OVSAA. Nominations should include as much detail as possible as to the OVSAA contributions of the nominee. The nomination should be brought to the OVSAA executive no later than the spring executive meeting so that the executive have time to rule on the nomination and determine an appropriate award.
ARTICLE II: OFFICERS
Section 1
The officers of the OVSAA shall be the President, the Past President and the Vice-President. The President may appoint a secretary to assist in the duties of the office of president. Such an appointee shall be a non-voting executive position.
The officers of the OVSAA shall hold their position for one year, and rotate from Vice-President to President to Past-President.
Year President Vice-President
2009/2010 Central
2010/2011 South
2011/2012 North
2012/2013 West
Section 2 Executive
The executive of the OVSAA shall consist of the officers plus…
a) The Zone president for each of the four zones: South, Central, North and West.
b) The representative of the member Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association. It is recommended the administrative representative on the executive be from the same School District as the president.
Section 3 Executive Meetings
Executive meetings shall be held…
a) 4 times a year.
Extra-ordinary meetings involving all or part of the executive may be called at the discretion of the president.
Section 4 Voting
Voting at Executive meetings shall be one vote per person.
Section 5 Elections
a) Elections will be held at the OVSAA Annual General meeting in June.
b) Voting shall be by the use of voting cards.
c) Each member school shall have two votes in each election.
d) Only members of the OVSAA may vote.
e) Any persons or person(s) wishing to apply for a commission job must indicate their intent at the end of the commission report, before the report is accepted or not accepted. This will be followed by candidate presentations and membership vote.
ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1 - President
The President shall…
a) Preside at all meetings of the OVSAA and shall perform such duties pertaining to
the office.
b) Be sponsored by the OVSAA to attend the BC School Sports Annual General Meeting.
c) Ensure all commission reports are completed and collected at the end of the commission season.
d) Collect all motions prior to AGM and circulate all motions two weeks prior to AGM.
e) Have AGM agenda available to the Executive AGM meeting.
f) Allocate a parliamentarian for AGM.
g) Coordinate, with the Vice President, the date and agenda for the APC.
h) Receive a yearly honorarium of $500.
Section 2 - Vice-President
The Vice-President shall…
a) In the absence of the president, perform the duties pertaining to the office of the president.
b) Be sponsored by the OVSAA to attend the BC School Sports AGM.
c) Be responsible for hosting the OVSAA AGM.
d) Receive a yearly honorarium of $250.
Section 3 - Secretary
The Secretary shall…
a) Record the minutes of all OVSAA meetings.
b) Update the website
c) Assist the President in
(i) items of correspondence
(ii) circulating the minutes within ten days of the meetings.
d) assist the past president with financials.
e) Receive a yearly honorarium of $300.
Section 4 - Past-President
The past-president shall…
a) Handle the finances of the OVSAA.
b) Be responsible for the annual revision and publication of the OVSAA Constitution, by-laws, Rules and Regulations and make housekeeping changes as required. These changes are to be brought forward for approval at the AGM.
c) Be responsible for purchasing and distributing pennants for all OVSAA Championship teams. These pennants should be ready for the September meeting.
d) Locate and coordinate the rotation of trophies for each OVSAA Championship team.
e) Coordinate the nominating committee, which shall assist in obtaining suitable persons to be candidates for the position of president.
f) Order the Executive and Commssion gifts for the AGM.
g) Receive a yearly honorarium of $250.
Section 5 - Zone President
The Zone President shall…
a) Be responsible for conducting all athletics in his/her zone according to the Constitution and by-laws of the OVSAA.
b) Report in writing, to the Annual General Meeting of the OVSAA the results and events of his/her zone.
c) Zone president (or designate) must attend all Okanagan Valley Sport Athletic Association Executive Meetings. $250.00 will be awarded to each zone having representation at each zone meetings. Failure to attend or send representation will result in loss of grant monies.($250 per meeting)
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
Section 1
OVSAA executive and commission meetings shall be held at the most convenient location for all schools within the boundaries of the OVSAA.
Section 2 - Times
a) The OVSAA Annual General Meeting will be held on the last Monday and Tuesday of June subject to approval by the A.P.C. and the OVSAA executive each year.
b) A commissioner’s council meeting with the executive may be called from time to time at the discretion of the OVSAA President.
c) Schools will receive the allotted BCSS block fee reimbursement on the last day of the OVSAA AGM. Schools not in attendance will have the reimbursement less a $100/day fine mailed out to them.
d) Schools configured grades 6-8 need not attend the AGM; however, schools configured grades 7-9 and who wish to participate in Valley Championships must attend the AGM.
e) Failure to send representation to the AGM will result in a $100 fine per day. This fine can be appealed to the OVSAA Executive due to extenuating circumstances. All appeals will be reviewed and discussed by the OVSAA Executive. The OVSAA President will contact the school(s) involved with their decision.
Section 3 - Minutes
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to the Principals and Athletic Directors of each member school and Superintendent of each school district within ten days of the meeting via the Zone President. The Secretary will send minutes to the OVSAA Executive. The APC minutes will only be published if there is a change to a motion.
Section 4 - Voting
a) A majority vote at a General Meeting shall decide any issue other than the changing of the Constitution and By-Laws.
b) A change or amendment to this constitution and By-Laws shall require a notice of motion to be circulated by the president to all member schools at least ten days prior to the Annual General Meeting, and shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members legally voting on the motion.
c) All proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted to the President by May 31st preceding the Annual General Meeting.
d) Voting shall be by the use of voting cards.
e) Each member school shall have two votes.
f) Only individual members of the OVSAA may vote.
g) There shall be no proxy votes.
Section 5 - Quorum
A quorum shall consist of 50% of the member schools.
Section 6 - Travel Expenses
The mileage rate for all OVSAA functions will be $0.52 per kilometer. Payment to be made only to the OVSAA Executive for purposes of travel to/from executive meetings and the AGM. Travel expenses for delegates attending the AGM to be paid by the zones.
Section 7 - Procedures
Procedure in meetings shall be conducted under the revised edition of ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER.
ARTICLE V: FINANCES
Section 1 - Levy
All OVSAA member schools shall be levied $13.36 per secondary school teacher; such moneys shall be used for the operation of the OVSAA. The OVSAA will invoice Districts on behalf of public schools and will invoice independent/private schools directly.
Member schools shall pay 100% of the BCSS membership fees directly to BCSS.
Member schools in good standing will be reimbursed 15% of the BCSS block fee by the OVSAA at the OVSAA AGM. This number will be based on the 2008 membership fees.
Section 2 - Failure to Pay
Failure to pay any debt owed, within the required time frame, shall result in the loss of membership for schools.
Section 3 - Grants and Honorariums
a) Zone grants shall be determined each year at the Annual General Meeting.
b) The zone grants shall be $1,250.00( $1000 Zone Grant plus $250 Zone President Honorarium).
b) All honorariums will be paid at the AGM, and not before. Failure to complete duites could result in lose or adjustment, upon approval from the OVSAA Executive, of honorarium.
c)See DUTIES of OFFICERS for honorarium amount.
d) OVSAA AGM grant for 2008-2009 is $3250.
Section 4 – BC School Sports
Each of our 4 member Associations is a member of the BCSS.
Section 5 - Audits
OVSAA and Zone financial accounts shall be audited and reported to the Annual General meeting each year.
ARTICLE VI: ATHLETIC POLICY COMMITTEE
Section 1 - Membership
a) There shall be one Secondary School representative of the Principals’ and Vice-
Principals’ Association from each of the OVSAA Zones plus the geographic representative of the member Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association or a designated alternate, who shall be the chairperson of the APC.
b) Each Zone President or designated alternate shall receive one vote; the president
of the OVSAA shall attend the meeting as a non-voting delegate.
c) Each member of the APC. shall have one vote, with the chairperson voting only
in the case of a tie.
d) Minutes from the OVSAA AGM shall be circulated to members of the APC one day prior to the APC meeting.
Section 2 - Procedures
a) All changes in the Constitution and By-Laws must be approved by the APC. Once approved by the APC these changes become effective immediately.
b) All annual reports by commissions must be presented to the APC
c) Should the APC question a commission ruling, the matter shall be referred to the OVSAA Executive.
Section 3 - Meetings
a) Meetings shall be called, on the advice of the president of the OVSAA, by the chairperson of the A.P.C.
b) A meeting shall be held by the Monday following the Annual General Meeting and at other times if needed.
c) Expenses for A.P.C. meetings are to be met from the OVSAA budget.
ARTICLE VII: ZONES
Section 1 - Jurisdiction
a) The OVSAA shall have four geographic zones per map: West Zone, North Zone, Central Zone, and South Zone.
b) Each Zone shall have control of all matters related to its own Zone i.e.: Zone membership, scheduling, zone finances, or any other matters that relate solely to the zone concerned.
c) Where competitions are played on the zone basis, each zone shall be responsible
for determining their zone representatives for Valley finals. These representatives
must be declared at least 5 days before the Valley Finals.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMISSIONS
Section 1 - Sports
Badminton Rugby
Basketball Soccer
Cross Country Swimming
Fieldhockey Tennis
Football Track and Field
Golf Volleyball
Wrestling
Section 2 - Authority and Scope
a) The OVSAA shall have commissions for sports under its jurisdiction.
b) The commissions shall have the authority to govern and promote their particular
sport, subject to the Constitution of the OVSAA.
c) No commission shall have the authority to contravene the Constitution of the
OVSAA.
d) The commissions shall be answerable to the Executive of the OVSAA and
therefore to the A.G.M.
e) That Schools hosting Okanagan Championships have the right to charge
participating teams an equitable share of the cost of referees.
f) i) Changes to Rules and Regulations desired by the commissions should be
brought before the A.G.M. and A.P.C. in June. No further changes may
be made until the next A.G.M. if, in the opinion of the Commission, there
are extenuating circumstances, changes must be brought before the
Executive of the OVSAA.
ii) If a sport commission has any proposed changes to the rules/regulations,
scheduling, etc., that sport commissioner must be in attendance at the
AGM or must send a competent designate. If the commissioner or
designate is not in attendance, the motion will not be entertained, only the
report will be acknowledged.
g) When a commission is represented by only one zone then the commission shall be
accountable directly to the provincial body through their local association and
NOT through the OVSAA.
h) When only one zone is involved in an OVSAA commissioned sport for two
consecutive years it will be withdrawn as an OVSAA commissioned sport in the
third year.
Section 3 - Membership
a) Membership in a commission shall consist of a representative of each team
involved in the sport administered by the commission.
b) Each team shall have one vote at commission meetings.
Section 4 - Meetings
a) Each commission may hold one general meeting each school year.
b) Only extra meetings between the Valley and Zone commissioners will be paid for by the OVSAA.
c) Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the commissioner; the
OVSAA shall not be responsible for traveling expenses to such extra meetings.
d) Each BC School sanctioned sport shall have one senior sport commissioner or representative at the Annual General Meeting of the Provincial Commission.
Section 5 - Reimbursement
a) Each commissioner may apply to the OVSAA Executive for reimbursement of commission expenses such as telephone and postal expenses incurred during the
year.
Section 6 - Commissioners: Responsibilities and Procedures
a) Each commission shall elect a commissioner who is a member of the OVSAA.
This election shall be held prior to the Annual General Meeting of the OVSAA.
Where there is no Valley Commissioner for a particular sport by the OVSAA fall
meeting, then there will be no OVSAA pennant.
b) Each commissioner shall be responsible for:
1) communications with the coaches in the commission. This may be through
meetings, letters, faxes, emails, and/or phone calls. Information to be
communicated should include the following:
BCSS registration information and other information from
the BCSS commission.
The league schedule when there is a valley wide league.
Where there are zonal leagues, the commissioner shall
communicate with zone commissioners.
iii) League standings when there is a valley wide league.
iv) OVSAA Playoff and Provincial Championship information.
A final *report to be presented at the Annual General
Meeting of the OVSAA that shall contain summaries and
highlights of the OVSAA and Provincial Championships,
suggestions for *constitutional change, and information
that will lead to the election/acclamation of the
commissioner for the following year.
* See Appendix A for a blank copy of these reports.
vi) Other pertinent information that may not be otherwise
made available to coaches.
2) Communications with the BCSS commissioner.
3) Dealing with disputes that may arise. The commissioner shall involve the
OVSAA President when necessary.
4) Working with the host coaches to ensure smoothly run OVSAA playoffs.
5) Liasons with the respective officials association to ensure qualified
officials for OVSAA playoffs.
ARTICLE IX: CONDUCT
PART 1) COACHES’ CODE OF CONDUCT
The coach/student athlete relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in the personal and athletic development of their students. Therefore, coaches are expected to model the fundamentally positive aspects of school sport. Coaches are responsible for their own behavior as well as their student-athletes.
COACHES SHALL:
1.1.1 Recognize that school sport is an extension of the classroom, with moral and
legislative obligations required of the coach at all times.
Uphold the rules and regulations of BC SCHOOL SPORTS, the O.V.S.A.A., and
the local athletic association and applicable Sport Commission(s).
1.1.3 Actively uphold the rules of the sport, the spirit of the rules of the sport, and
encourage student-athletes to do the same.
1.1.4 Treat all participants fairly and equitably.
1.1.5 Respect the judgment and interpretation of officials without gesture or argument,
and require student-athletes to do the same.
1.1.6 Refrain from using foul, profane, harassing or offensive language or gestures in
the conduct of coaching duties.
1.1.7 Refrain from using physical force of any kind in the conduct of coaching duties.
1.1.8 Under no circumstances encourage a student, either directly of through the
influence of another party, to attend a school other than the school designated by
the place of residence of the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian, for the purposes
of participation in school sport.
1.1.9 Under no circumstances endorse or condone, either covertly or intentionally, the
use of any performance enhancing drugs by any student-athletes.
Abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcohol while in the presence of
student-athletes, and discourage their use by student-athletes.
PART 2) STUDENT-ATHLETES’ CODE OF CONDUCT
The actions of student-athletes are a reflection of themselves, their team, their school, and their community. A student’s involvement in school sport provides opportunities and experiences that are important to the development of a well-rounded student. However, student-athletes must remember that their participation in school sport is a privilege, not a right.
STUDENT-ATHLETES SHALL:
2.1.1 Treat everyone with respect
a) treat teammates, coaches, opponents, event organizers and spectators with
respect.
b) respect and accept with dignity the decisions of officials.
c) be generous in winning and graceful in losing.
2.1.2 Exercise Self-Control at all times
a) remember that there is no place in sport for drugs or alcohol.
b) refrain from the use of foul or profane language.
c) refrain from the use of physical force outside of the rules of the game.
2.1.3 Play Fair
Play within the rules and the spirit of the rules of the game at all times.
2.1.4 Changing
OVSAA teams are asked not to change on the field(s) or in the bench area of gymnasiums. Please use your discretion or change rooms when changing around the play area.
PART 3) SPECTATORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
Spectators are encouraged and welcomed to attend secondary school sporting activities.
SPECTATORS SHOULD:
3.1.1 Treat everyone with respect
a) cheer in a positive manner for all competitors
b) respect the decisions of officials
c) not interfere with the play or competition
d) be courteous and respectful to other spectators, all competitors, coaches, event
organizers and officials
3.1.2 Exercise Self-Control at all times
a) respect the rules and regulations of the facility
b) refrain from the use of foul or profane language
c) refrain from the use of physical force of any kind
PART 4) CONDUCT PROCEDURES, DEFINITIONS, AND PENALTIES
a) Anytime a student, team or coach represents a member school, he or she is under
the jurisdiction of the OVSAA whether playing another OVSAA member or not.
It should be noted that all restricted and unrestricted games are included
regardless of the location.
b) There shall be two divisions of authority with respect to conduct:
1) Less serious matters to be dealt with by the zone or zone commission in the case of zone competition; or by the Valley commission and the
OVSAA president in the case of Valley leagues or in the case of inter-
zone play.
2) More serious matters to be dealt with by the OVSAA executive.
4.1 Defining Responsibilities
a) Zone and/or commission matters shall include such offenses as incidents between
competitors, competitors and game officials, competitors and spectators, and
competitors and adults in positions of authority which occur during a competition. Incidents shall include:
1) Profanity and abusive language.
2) Ejection from a game. Ejection being defined as - a player, coach
or team member has been ejected if the game official has removed
the individual from the field of play and banned them from
remaining on the sidelines or bench area.
3) Expressions of disrespect.
b) OVSAA executive matters shall include such matters as:
1) Second offenses under the zone and/or commission definition.
2) Striking another person.
3) Vandalism, creating a disturbance or similar misconduct while
traveling to and from a competition or at a competition but not
during a game.
4) Coach misconduct.
5) Encouragement of an athlete to use performance enhancing drugs.
4.2 Procedures
a) In a case where an incident has occurred involving either a coach or a player:
1) There shall be a verbal report by the coach(es) in question to the
Zone President of the coach in question and to the appropriate
commissioner within 72 hours.
2) Written reports shall be submitted within 72 hours by
i) the coach or coaches involved.
ii) students involved.
iii) game officials involved.
iv) other coaches or responsible adults if requested.
b) In a case where a coach is engaging in inappropriate behavior the other coach/responsible adult should:
1) First approach the offending coach about modifying their behavior.
2) If no modification is made the offending coach must be notified
that a report will be filed with the OVSAA President. (This step protects you from a BCTF ethics violation.)
3) If a behavior is outrageous step “a” can be missed but not step “b”.
c) In cases where a complaint against a coach is being registered by non-teacher
game officials or other responsible adults, it is expected that both coaches
file appropriate reports.
d) If a team, a coach or a player is brought before the OVSAA executive and is
found guilty of misconduct, the school shall be billed fifty percent of the cost of
the meeting or the conference call. If more than one school is involved in the
disciplinary action they will both share in the cost of fifty percent of the meeting.
4.3 Penalties
a) A minimum penalty of at least a one game suspension from the next league or
playoff game shall be imposed as a result of a player or coach being ejected from
a game. If the proper reports are not filed within 72 hours of the incident, the
suspension shall be a minimum of three games. More serious incidents will result
in more serious penalties.
b) If there has been an incident the offending coach or player has 72 hours in which
to file a report. If the appropriate report is not filed within 72 hours the coach or
player is then ineligible to coach or play until the report is filed.
c) Reported incidents will be filed on a database and repeat incidents shall result in
more stringent penalties.
d) Because ‘of the wide variety of competitive situations in the various sports a
“game” suspension shall be deemed to be suspension from one full match such as
would be used in keeping standings among schools.
e) In cases where a season is over before the penalty is imposed the penalty shall
carry over to the next season the player or coach participates in.
f) The use of ineligible players, failure to complete league commitments and similar violations may result in suspension of up to one year.
g) Upon proof of violation of the Constitution or By-Laws of the OVSAA, the
OVSAA executive may suspend the offending player, coach, team, or school from
participation in activities of the OVSAA or its leagues, or impose such lesser
punishments as it shall decide.
4.4 Executive Procedure
a) Upon receipt of a complaint about conduct the executive person receiving the
complaint must make a decision, or seek advice, on which level of executive
should deal with the complaint.
b) In the case of student misconduct the executive shall call the principal of the
offending student and inform the principal that a complaint has been received and
that the student has 72 hours from the time of the incident in order to file a report.
If the appropriate report is not received within 72 hours then the student will be
suspended until such time as the report is received.
c) In the case of coach misconduct the executive shall call the principal of the
offending coach and the coach to inform them of the complaint and remind them
that reports must be filed. If the appropriate report is not received within 72 hours
the coach will be suspended until such time as the report is received.
d) The responsible executive member shall then contact the discipline committee and
set up a time for either a meeting or conference call to deal with complaint.
e) The responsible executive member shall then contact the offending student or
coach and inform him/her of the time and date of the meeting or conference call
and offer the offending student (or student’s parents) or coach the opportunity to
speak directly to the disciplinary committee if s/he should so desire.
f) The responsible executive member shall phone the principal of the offending
player or coach and the offending player or coach to inform him/her of the
decision of the disciplinary committee and to remind him/her that appeal
procedures are laid out in the handbook.
g) The responsible executive member shall then follow up with a registered letter to
the offending player or coach, and the principal of that individual, detailing the
committee’s decision.
h) The responsible executive member shall contact the appropriate supervisor of
officials and inform him/her that a disciplinary meeting has been held and that
appropriate sanctions have been imposed on the offending coach or player. Said
sanctions to be monitored by the offending coach or player’s principal.
4.5 Appeal Procedure: Coaches or Teacher Sponsors
An Appeal to an Executive ruling may be granted if according to the Administrative rep or designate
a) it is shown that “due process” was not given.
b) new information is presented that would have had bearing on the ruling.
4.6 Appeal Procedures: Student-Athletes
a) Disciplinary appeals by a student must be submitted and signed by the school
Principal and the Athletic Director of the student’s school and must be submitted within one week of notification of the disciplinary ruling. One or both of the above individuals may be requested to represent or accompany the student to the hearing.
b) The Jury of Appeal shall consist of:
i) A teacher/coach from the player’s zone.
ii) An Administrative rep from one of the other zones.
iii) A teacher/coach from another zone.
iv) The OVSAA President or designate as a non-voting member.
c) The OVSAA President or designate shall coordinate the makeup of the Jury of
Appeal.
d) Cost of appeals to disciplinary action shall be the responsibility of the school
making the appeal.
ARTICLE X: COMPETITION AND ELIGIBILITY
Section 1 - Obligation to Participate
Schools are not committed to play in all sports or enter all divisions of a particular Zone league; but where a school has teams competing in sports conducted by the OVSAA those teams are expected to compete in the local league.
In scheduling leagues, commissions must not schedule a league or playoff game within two days prior to Provincial Exams. (Copernican system must be kept in mind)
Section 2 - Zone or Commission Leagues
a) Each zone is responsible for the conduct of leagues within its area.
b) Each commission that operates a league involving teams from more than one zone
shall be responsible for the conduct of such leagues.
c) A zone or commission may permit a second team from a school to compete in a zone or commission league. Only one (1) team from a school shall be permitted to advance to the OVSAA playoffs.
Section 3 - Playoffs
a) Zone playoffs are the responsibility of the zones.
b) Cross-Valley leagues and playoffs are the responsibility of the sponsoring
commission.
c) Valley playoffs based upon the competition of the zone champions shall be
rotated on a 4-year rotation.
d) The hosting zone shall be responsible for the expenses of hosting the Valley
Playoffs as required except that the host school may charge an equitable portion
of the cost of officials to each participating team.
e) The OVSAA will only provide pennants for the valley championships, with the
exception of the historical case of providing $200 for Track & Field.
f) Valley Playoff sites for Valley-wide commissions shall be determined by the commissions and expenses incurred are the responsibility of the commission.
g) Schools must be registered with the Provincial Commission to be eligible for
Valley Championships which are used to decide Provincial berths.
h) Tie Breaking Formula:
This formula will be used in all cases, unless a commission or league rules
otherwise prior to the season.
i) 2 teams tie - the team with the better WIN/LOSS record in games
between the 2 teams shall place higher. If this WIN/LOSS record
is even, the team with the better points for and against record in
games between the two teams shall place higher.
ii) 3 teams tie - placing will be based on the WIN/LOSS record in
games amongst the teams involved. If this WIN/LOSS record is
even, the team with the better points for and against record in
games amongst the three teams shall place higher.
iii) 4 or more teams placing will be based on the WIN/LOSS record in
games amongst the teams involved. If within this placing 2 way
or 3 way ties remain refer to a) or b) above.
e.g. 4 teams tie - WIN/LOSS records of (A) 2-1, (B) 2-1, (C) 1-
2, (D) 1-2, the game between (A ) and B) would decide the top 2
placing and the game between (C) and (D) would decide the third
and fourth placing.
iv) In the event that the tie breaking formula described above does not
resolve the standings then the commissioner shall supervise a
lottery to reach resolution.
i) All teams qualifying for Valley Playoffs must attend or may be barred from
league play in the following year.
Section 4 - Game Rules
a) Zones may establish local rules as deemed appropriate to accommodate its
leagues and schedules.
b) Valley Playoff competitions shall be played under the rules of the recognized
authority for the sport, except in cases where the Play-off does not lead to a
Provincial Championship and exceptions to the rules have been approved by 75%
(seventy-five percent) of the commission of that sport at a properly constituted
commission meeting.
Section 5 - Eligibility
Part 1) DEFINITIONS
1.1 STUDENT PARTICIPATION: A student has participated in a
game/match/contest/event if the student has actually competed in the Inter-school
competition.
SCHOOL COMPETITION: School competition is any game, match, scrimmage, contest or event that occurs between students from two or more different schools where one or more coaches are present.
1.3 RESTRICTED COMPETITION: Restricted competition is school competition where all competitors must meet all of the BC SCHOOL SPORTS eligibility requirements.
All league games and/or events leading to qualification for provincial competition
Must be restricted.
1.3.2 All restricted competition is included in a team’s “playing days” calendar.
1.3.3 All competitions will be considered “restricted” unless the organizer of an
invitational event designates and advertises the event as unrestricted.
1.4 UNRESTRICTED COMPETITION: Unrestricted competition is inter-school
competition involving a Member School in which:
All competing schools have been informed that it will be an unrestricted
competition, and of the specific eligibility rules that will be waived for the
competition.
1.4.2 All students must be registered at the school for which they are competing, be age
eligible and not have graduated.
1.4.3 All unrestricted competition is included in a team’s “playing days” calendar.
1.4.4 Only exhibition, invitational, non-league and/or non-play-off competition can be
advertised as “unrestricted” competition.
1.4.5 All unrestricted competition shall be included in the calculation of an individual
student’s “number of playing days at a higher age level”. (see 6.3.5)
SENIOR COMPETITION: Senior competition is defined as the highest level of
school competition in a particular sport in British Columbia and is open to all
eligible student-athletes.
Team Sports: Senior competition for team sports is any athletic event occurring
on one playing day between teams competing in senior level competition,
involving a Member School and another school, and leading to a BCSS Provincial
Championship.
1.5.2 Individual Sports: Senior competition for individual sports is any athletic event on
one playing day involving the highest level of school competition and leading to a
BCSS Senior Provincial Championship.
1.6 SENIOR ATHLETE: A senior athlete is…
1.6.1 Any student in his/her fourth (4th) or firth (5th) year of eligibility.
1.6.2 Any student in his/her second (2nd) or third (3rd) year of eligibility who has
participated in more than the allotted number of sport-specific senior
competitions (See part 3 - 3.3.2). Allotted senior competitions being four (4)
competitions of which no more than two (2) can be league or events leading to
qualification for a provincial championship.
A second (2nd) year player who plays up would not lose junior eligibility for the
next year, provided that the student is eligible in all other aspects.
1.7 LEGAL GUARDIAN: A legal guardian shall be defined as…
1.7.1 A person who has been appointed legal guardian of the child be will, and has
supported, maintained or cared for the child since the death of the parent(s) with
whom the child was previously residing, or
An adult who is under a legal duty to support or maintain the child under a court
ordered or under a written agreement, and has supported or maintained the child
for the previous twelve (12) months, or
An adult who has signed a Statutory Declaration* stating that they consider
themselves to be the parent of the child, and who has maintained, cared for and
financially supported the child for the previous twelve (12) months.
*A Statutory Declaration is a Declaration sworn before a Notary Public or
Commissioner of Oaths, and has the same effect as an oath given in a courtroom.
A Declaration is considered to be sworn evidence.
Part 2 SCHOOL TEAM ELIGIBILITY
A School Team is defined as any one student or group of students who are representing the school in inter-school sport activity, and are supervised by a school district-approved coach/sponsor and under the authority of the school administrator.
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP IN BC SCHOOL SPORTS: The school that is being
represented by a team must be a Member School of BCSS as per the BC
SCHOOL SPORTS Bylaws 2.3 (a).
a) REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: A school must submit the required Sport Participation form and Player Registration Forms, pay all required membership and/or entry fees by the published deadlines in order to remain eligible for inter-school competition, or pay such fines as approved by BCSS.
b) Sport Participation Forms: Sport Participation Forms must be submitted online
via EXNET to the BCSS office, by October 2nd each year. Subsequent notification
to BCSS for winter and spring sports must be submitted by the following
deadlines:
a) Fall Sports - October 2*
b) Winter Sports - November 27*
c) Spring Sports – March 5*
*refer to BCSS Handbook for sport specific dates
2.2.1 Player Registration Forms: Every school team competing in a BCSS approved
sport, at all levels of competition, must be properly registered using the BC
SCHOOL SPORTS Player Registration Form. All teams must have the student’s
birthdate, grade, current school, previous school, grade 8 entry and initials
entered. Optional information as requested for certain sports is explained on the
back of the Player Registration Form.
2.2.2 Player Registration Forms for ALL TEAMS must be submitted ON-LINE to the
BCSS OFFICE as per the BCSS Handbook, Section: Competitive Rules &
Regulations 6.2.2.6.
2.2.3 Adding Names to a Player Registration Form: Follow guidelines in the BCSS
Handbook. Student athletes registered by the deadlines at a lower level of
competition for that school may be moved up to a higher level of competition as
per 3.3.1 and 3.3.2
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION APPROVAL: The local and/or regional Athletic
Association must approve the participation of a school team for all age levels and
genders. This may be done through a blanket sanctioning procedure in the local
rules and regulations, or special dispensation given by the Association, and sent to
BC SCHOOL SPORTS.
It is recommended that the Athletic Association submit blanket approval for all
sanctioned leagues and levels of competition by June 30th of the previous school
year.
2.4 STUDENT PARTICIPATION ON A SCHOOL TEAM: All students named on
a Player Registration Form, and participating with a school team in restricted
inter-school competition must be eligible as per the BC SCHOOL SPORTS
Student Eligibility Policy.
2.5 SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS: The school team must be accompanied by a
teacher-coach, teacher-sponsor, administrator or responsible adult approved by
the Administrator. The School Administrator must ensure that the supervision
adheres to the Athletic Program Objectives, Guidelines for Community Coaches
and Coach’s Code of Conduct as outlined in the BCSS handbook. The
competition official and coordinator must be aware of who the adult supervisor is
if that supervisor is a different individual then the coach. The supervisor must be
in attendance for the duration of the competition.
2.6 JOB ACTION: Upon receipt of written approval from the B.C.T.F., the Local
Teachers Association and the local School District, school teams will be permitted
to continue their normal competitions during a strike or lock-out.
2.7 SANCTIONS FOR ABROGATION OF SCHOOL TEAM ELIGIBILITY:
Participation of an ineligible student in a restricted inter-school competition
means that a team forfeits all inter-school competitions in which the ineligible
athlete has competed, and must pay a fine of $50 per ineligible student per
restricted competition in which they participated, to a maximum of $200. Further
sanctions as determined by the Local Athletic Association Disciplinary
Committee or the Provincial Sport Commission Disciplinary Committee,
depending on the jurisdiction of the incident, may be brought against:
a) the coach(es)
b) the student(s)
c) the team
d) the school
2.8 STUDENT GENDER: Female students only can compete on a team designated
as a “girls” sport, and male students only can compete on a team designated as a
“boys” sport. Both genders can compete on a team designated as a “co-ed sport”,
in accordance with the sport-specific roster allocations. Schools may appeal on a
student’s behalf under extraordinary circumstances.
Part 3) STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
BC SCHOOL SPORTS recognizes the right of all students to choose which school they attend and which subjects they study. BC SCHOOL SPORTS, however, is charged with the responsibility of drafting, implementing and enforcing rules on eligibility for those who seek the privilege of participating in inter-school competition. The overriding purpose of these rules is to ensure fair and equitable competition.
Students must meet all of the eligibility requirements of BC SCHOOL SPORTS before being able to participate in any restricted secondary school inter-school competition in British Columbia.
(See definition 1.3 for “Restricted Competition”)
STUDENT REGISTRATION AT A MEMBER SCHOOL: A student can only
play for the Member School at which they are registered.
3.1.1. The only exceptions shall be Member School Middle School students and Member
School Junior Secondary School students who can “play up” to the Member
School Senior School that they would normally attend if, by the registration date
(see 2.2.2. and 2.2.3.) they have the approval of both Member School
Administrators both Member School coaches, and the parent(s)/legal guardians.
The local Athletic Association, the District Superintendent and BCSS must be
notified using the “Middle School/Junior School Student Playing Up” Form.
3.1.2 “Playing Up” is a student moving up to a higher age level of competition than can
exist at the student’s present school.
SCHOOL STANDARDS: Students must live up to accepted school and District
standards as judged by the School Administrator.
3.3 MOVEMENT BETWEEN TEAMS
3.3.1 INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS PLAYING UP: A student can participate in up to
four paying days of either restricted or unrestricted competition at a higher age
level than the team for which the student is registered.
a) Only two of the four playing days may involve restricted competition.
b) The student can only play up at the senior school into which the student’s school directly feeds.
c) On the fifth playing day over-all or the third playing day involving restricted competition, the player remains with the higher age level team and must be immediately registered with the higher age level team.
NOTE: Any days that a team plays up MUST BE included in the overall
calculation of the total number of days allowable for playing up by each
individual student.
3.3.2 A student-athlete who plays up to a more senior level playoff / post-season play is
ineligible to return to play in any competition in any lower age group (including
grade 8 & 9 competition) in that sport in any season of play that school year.
3.3.3 If it is deemed necessary to have players compete at two (2) different levels in
order to field teams, an exception can be made with written approval from the
parent/legal guardian, administrator, local Athletic Association and Provincial
Sport Commission.
3.3.4 If a school registers two or more teams in the same age group and same sport,
there will not be any movement of players between those teams for any restricted
competition.
e.g. grade 8 teams, grade 9 teams, junior teams, senior teams or intermediate to
senior teams.
3.4 FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS: A student must be full-time as judged by the
school administrator based on a full-time course load of seventy-five percent
(75%) or more within a school year with courses taken in the season of play in
which the student competes.
3.5 PARENTAL APPROVAL: Prior to participation, the student must have
submitted evidence of parental or legal guardian approval of participation, to be
kept on file at the school.
3.6 GRADUATION: The student must not have completed graduation requirements
in the school year or accepted a Senior Secondary Certificate of Standing in the
current school year. A student may complete graduation requirements within the
school year, continue to take course(s), and remain eligible so long as s/he does
not accept a Certificate of Standing.
3.7 STUDENT AGE AND COMPETITIVE LEVELS:
3.7.1 Senior Competition: To compete in a senior sport competition, students must be
under nineteen (19) years of age as of December 31st of the current school year,
and be in no more than their fifth year of eligibility.
3.7.2 Grade Ten (10) Competition: To compete in a grade ten (10) competition,
students must be under seventeen (17) years of age as of December 31st of the
current school year, and be in no more than their third (3rd) year of eligibility.
3.7.3 Grade Nine (9) Competition: To compete in a grade nine (9) competition,
students must be under sixteen (16) years of age as of December 31st of the
current school year, and be in no more than their second (2nd) year of eligibility.
3.7.4 Grade Eight (8) Competition: To compete in a grade eight (8) competition,
students must be under fifteen (15) years of age as of December 31st of the
current school year, and be in their first (1st) year of eligibility.
3.8 NUMBER OF YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY:
3.8.1 Students have five (5) consecutive years of Athletic Program eligibility,
starting on the entry date into grade 8. A year is considered to be the 12-month
period between September of one school year and September of the next school
year.
3.8.2 If a student chooses not to participate during one or more years of the five-year
period, or is not on a team roster during one or more years of the five year
eligibility time period, that time period will still count toward the five years of
eligibility.
3.8.3 For ungraded students in schools where it is difficult to determine when a student
entered grade 8 (eg. Middle School, K-10, K-12 schools), the student will be considered to be a grade 8 student in the school year commencing in September of
the calendar year in which the student becomes thirteen (13) years of age.
3.8.4 Eligibility Extension Due to Loss of School for Medical Reasons: if a significant
portion of a school year is lost due to illness or accident, the Member School may
appeal on the student’s behalf to have up to one year of eligibility restored.
Medical Documentation must show that the loss of an academic year due to
medical reasons resulted in the student repeating a grade, and prevented a normal
five year progression through school.
The appeal must include medical documentation, academic records and absentee
records from the school(s).
3.8.5 Eligibility Calendar for Student Transfers into British Columbia: A student
coming into British Columbia from another province or another country must
submit documentation stating their month and year of entry into grade 8 or the
grade 8 equivalent in their previous place(s) or residence. These students will
have five (5) years of eligibility from that documented date of grade 8 ( or
equivalent) entry.
These students are not eligible until the required documentation is submitted to
the school, and they are then authorized to play by the Principal, in accordance
with the eligibility rules.
If documentation is unavailable, a combination of age and grade level as
determined by the School Administrator will determine the student’s years of
eligibility.
3.8.6 Returning Exchange Students: A British Columbia student who is returning to
BC after conclusion of a one year or less outgoing student exchange program and
who has concluded their eligibility calendar as per 3.8.7, may be appealed to have
up to one year of athletics eligibility restored under the following parameters:
a) the student has participated in a BCSS approved outgoing exchange
program
b) the student is returning to the same BCSS Member School that they
attended prior to leaving on the exchange program.
c) the appeal specifically excludes any BCSS approved sports in which
the student participated in interschool and/or club competition while
on the exchange.
d) the student meets all other eligibility requirements.
(as of May 1997, approved programs are Rotary International
Exchange and Educational Foundation Exchange)
3.9 HOME STUDY STUDENTS: A student who is registered as a Home Study
Student is eligible to participate only if:
3.9.1 The Principal of the school, the Athletic Director of the school, and the sport-
specific school coach support the student’s involvement, and
3.9.2 The School District has a published policy (as per the Public School Act) that
allows the home study student to participate in extra-curricular activities at the
school with which they are registered, and a copy of said policy has been
submitted to BC SCHOOL SPORTS, to be kept on file, and
3.9.3 The student activity trains and participates with the school team unit for the sport,
and
3.9.4 The student meets all of the other eligibility criteria as written.
3.10 DISTANCE EDUCATION SCHOOL STUDENTS: A student registered at a
Ministry of Education designated Distance Education School is eligible to
compete for a BCSS Member School only if:
3.10.1 The Distance Education School is a Distance Education Member of BCSS
3.10.2 The student competes for the most recent BCSS Member School (Home School)
at which they were registered.
3:10.3 The Principal of the Distance Education School submits a letter of authorization
and approval to the “Home School“.
3.10.4 The Principal of the “Home School“, the Athletic Director and sport-specific
school coach supports the student’s involvement.
3.10.5 The student actively trains and participates with the school team unit for the sport.
3.10.6 The student meets all other BCSS eligibility requirements as written, including
being a full time student.
3.11 STUDENT TRANSFERS: A transfer occurs whenever a student who is
registered at one school transfers and registers at another school.
3.11.1 A student in their third, fourth or fifth year of eligibility, who transfers, must sit
out 12 months of restricted competition, unless declared eligible on appeal to the
BC SCHOOL SPORTS Eligibility Appeals Committee or Jury of Appeal. A
student’s third year of eligibility starts on the first day of school of the applicable
school year.
3.11.2 Notwithstanding 3.11.1, a student who transfers to attend a BCSS Member School
is eligible immediately for restricted competition if any of the conditions
described in 3.11.2.1-3.11.2.8 are met.
3.11.2.1 The student is advancing to a more senior school into which the students current
middle or junior school directly feeds as per normal school district policy.
3.11.2.2 A new public school is constructed or the school district is reorganized and the
school district either assigns students to the new school, or provides an option of
attending a different school.
3.11.2.3 The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have changed their principal residence within
the previous twelve (12) months, to reside within the catchment area or normal
boundaries of the public school at which the student has registered.
(Waiver of appeal must be attached to the Player Registration Form)
3.11.2.4 The student transfers from one public school in one school district another
public school in another school district, or in the same district, and does so to
reside with the parent with whom they have not been living. Only two (2)
transfers for the purpose of moving from parent to parent are allowed during the
five (5) year eligibility period.
(See 3.12.1.2 for appeal information).
3.11.2.5 District Academic Program: The student in a public school, and in his/her third,
fourth, or fifth year of eligibility, transfers to another public school in the same
district for a period of one school year or less in order to attend a district program
at the receiving school. The student is only eligible to compete for his/her home
school. If the student wishes to compete for the receiving school, they must sit
out for 12 months following the transfer or the receiving school must file an
appeal as per part 4.
(Waiver of Appeal must be attached to Player Registration form)
3.11.2.6 Alternate Programs/Schools: If an alternate program school is an offshoot of a
particular Member School (home school), and is administered by that home
school’s principal, the students in the alternate program are eligible to compete for
the home school. If a student transfers to an alternate program administered by a
different principal, the move is considered to be a transfer, and transfer
restrictions shall apply.
3.11.2.7 Incoming Exchange Student: A student who transfers into a BCSS Member
School as in incoming exchange student is eligible to compete for the receiving
school only if:
a) the student is registered as a student in a BCSS approved exchange
program and appropriate documentation is submitted with the
applicable Player Registration Form.
b) the student is only eligible for the duration of the actual exchange
c) the British Columbia family with whom the student is residing is
considered to be the family of record for the duration of the
student’s stay.
d) the student is eligible as per all other BCSS eligibility policies,
including age and the eligibility calendar.
e) the student has not graduated from the high school program in
his/her home country or province.
f) to receive approval for international exchange programs,
applications must be made in writing to BCSS by the not-for-profit
organization. (As of May 1997, BCSS-approved Exchange
Programs are the Rotary International Exchange and the
Educational Foundation Exchange)
Waiver of Appeal must be attached to the Player’s Registration
Form.
3.11.2.8 The student has not participated in any restricted school sport activity for a
twelve (12) month period following a school transfer that is not included in
3.11.2.1 through 3.11.2.6.
3.12 APPEALING A STUDENT TRANSFER:
3.12.1 A student who transfers schools, but does not meet any of the transfer allowances
outlined in 3.11.2 is not eligible to participate until ruled eligible by BC SCHOOL
SPORTS ELIGIBILITY APPEALS COMMITTEE or the JURY OF APPEAL. A
student cannot participate in restricted competition prior to being declared eligible
by the Compliance Officer. Students who are not made eligible upon appeal will still be required to sit out 12 months of restricted competition following their transfer.
Listed are some examples of situations that MAY BE acceptable for appeal. This
list is not inclusive of all extraordinary circumstances for which a member school
may request to have the transfer restriction waived on behalf of the student.
3.12.1.1 District Alternate School Programs: An appeal for student attending a District
Alternate School Program not covered by 6.3.11.2.6 should be appealed if:
a) the Alternate School to which the student has transferred is a
Member School of BC SCHOOL SPORTS.
b) the Alternate School does not offer the sport program at the
appropriate age level.
c) the appeal is for the student to compete for the school at which
he/she was most recently registered.
c) the Alternate School is in the same School District as the school at
which the student was most recently registered.
e) the student meets all other BCSS eligibility requirements.
3.12.1.2 The student transfers more than twice during their five (5) year eligibility period
in order to reside with their other parent. (If a court-ordered or notarized shared
living arrangement is documented, a blanket appeal for the duration of the
eligibility period may be requested).
3.12.1.3 The student transfers to live with a Legal Guardian. (see 1.7).
3.12.1.4 The student who transfers is a Ward of the Province and the move has been
arranged by the province.
3.12.1.5 Individual student transfers initiated by the Administration or District Staff
other than those listed in 3.11.2.2. The appeal must include letters of support
from both the leaving and the receiving schools. This “appealable transfer” is not
intended for students who have been transferred for disciplinary reasons.
3.12.1.6 The student transfers because the home school does not offer the sport in
question. The student must have participated in the sport in their previous years at
the home school, and
a) the Principal of the home school affirms that there will not be a
team, and
b) the transfer is made for the entire school year or what is left of it,
and
c) the transfer is to the nearest secondary school offering a program.
Part 4) APPEAL PROCEDURES
Ascertaining the eligibility of a student is the responsibility of the school at which the student is registered. The local Athletic Association should be the first level of interpretation in reference to determining eligibility.
In situations not provided for in these Eligibility Policies or where extraordinary circumstances inhibit a student’s opportunity to participate in school athletics, the Compliance Officer and The Jury of Appeal shall be empowered to exercise their authority to waive the eligibility rules to ensure a fair and reasonable decision as per the philosophy of BC SCHOOL SPORTS as stated in the preamble to Part 3
Section 6 - Player Registration
a) Teams shall register players and teams as required by the zone, commission, or
BC Association.
b) The zone shall decide cases of forfeiture where registration is not correctly
completed as necessary for Zone play.
c) The Commission shall decide cases of forfeiture where registration is not
correctly completed as necessary for Valley Playoffs or commission schedules.
d) Participation by an ineligible player or players, shall result in forfeiture of the
game to the opposing team.
Section 7 - Defaults, Postponements, and Forfeitures
This section is under the jurisdiction of the Zone or Commission. It is recommended that the following rules be enforced.
a) Default:
Notice of one week must be given to the scheduled opponent by any team
intending to default a game. The principal of the school whose team
intends to default a game must be informed prior such notice being given.
Full explanation of the details connected with the default must be sent to
the Zone President and/or Commissioner who shall decide the penalty for
default.
b) Postponements:
Scheduled games may be postponed only for weather conditions or other
reasons beyond the control of the school and with the specific consent of
the other school involved. The Zone President and/or Commissioner must
be notified as soon as possible. The game must be rescheduled at the
earliest convenience.
c) Forfeit:
If a school, for reasons beyond its control, cannot play a scheduled game,
the Zone President and/or Commissioner may award the game to the other
team involved.
This shall be called a forfeit.
d) Withdrawals:
Zones and Commissions are advised that penalties for league withdrawals
should include probation or threatened suspension from association
membership. Any team entered in a league must realize its commitment
on the part of the team members to carry on its obligation to finish out a
schedule.
e) For the purpose of this Section, the Zone President and/or Commissioner
shall decide whether failure to play as scheduled shall be classed as “default”, i.e. loss of points by both teams.
f) Meeting Commitments: For interlock competition in Valley wide leagues
the penalty for not meeting a commitment will be:
i) a $250 fine and forfeiture of the game for each offence and any
costs associated with the cancelled game( referees, travel, etc).
ii) a second offence by the same team within a 2-year period would be
fined $500 and disallowed from the playoffs in the offending
season
Note: Communication of all forfeitures and penalties must be made
with coaches, athletic directors, and principals of school(s)
involved.
iii) these penalties do not apply when the game is missed due to
circumstances beyond the school’s control ( as approved by the
OVSAA President). However, the game must then be made up if time allows and on conditions of the non-forfeiting school. If unable to make that commitment, part (i) and (ii) will apply.
Note: Athletic directors need to communicate information surrounding
fines and forfeitures to coaches and principals at the start of the
season.
Section 8 - Protests
a) Any intention to protest must be indicated on the score sheet at the time of the game and signed by the team representative. It is necessary for the team representative to inform the official that the game is being played under protest, and for what reason. Protests must be submitted to the OVSAA President within twenty four hours of game time. Failure to indicate intent to protest will nullify any written protest within the twenty four hour period.
b) A judgement call made by an official cannot be protested. A misinterpretation of the law, eligibility of players or breaches of rules and regulations can be protested. The protest can be in the form of a letter, phone call, email, fax or in person.
d) Appeals to decisions of protests of a game or match must be submitted to the
appropriate Commissioner of the OVSAA within 48 hours of the decision.
e) Reports in writing are required from both of the participants and officials
involved.
f) The ruling by the Executive of the OVSAA shall be binding and final.
Section 9 - Appeals
The OVSAA Executive will deal with all requests for participation, in the form of exhibition games that occur out of season of play.
Section 10 - Game Limits
All OVSAA teams will play no more than the listed number of game days. These game day regulations do not include playoffs or provincial championships. Teams that play more than the listed number of games risk suspension from post season play or the next season of play or lesser punishments as decided by the OVSAA Executive.
Sports # of Game Days
Badminton 26
Basketball - junior 24
Basketball - senior 32
Cross Country Running 15
Cross Country Skiing 15
Curling 15
Fieldhockey - junior 22
Fieldhockey - senior 26
Football - senior 15
Golf 15
Rugby - junior 20
Rugby - senior 26
Soccer - senior 26
Swimming 15
Tennis 24
Track and Field 15
Volleyball - junior 22
Volleyball - senior 26
Wrestling 26
** If there is an exemption or a change to the senior numbers by BCSS, the OVSAA will
also make similar exemptions or changes.
ARTICLE XI: SANCTIONING
For sanctioning purposes, each OVSAA School will guarantee that each player meets the eligibility requirements of BCSS.
Section 1 Procedures to be followed for Sanctioning of competition involving a
school from outside of the province (Host schools outside of BC are required to follow the same procedures).
a) Applications are to be initiated by the HOST SCHOOL not later
than 30 days prior to the event (inter provincial or involving any
State(s) from the United States).
b) The “Application for Sanction” is to be prepared in duplicate by
the HOST SCHOOL and forwarded the offices of BCSS.
c) The secretary of BCSS and Commissioner of the sport concerned
will consider the application for sanction and if approved the
application will be signed and sent to the National Federation
office (U.S.).
d) The BCSS office also will complete and forward forms for
endorsement purposes to the Executive Officers of each provincial
or state association from which schools have been invited to
participate.
e) Executive officers receiving endorsement forms will indicate their
action (approval or denial), and sign and forward the form to the
National Federation (U.S.).
f) The National Federation (U.S.) will act upon the basis of the
recommendations received from various provincial or state
executive officers, and formally notify BCSS of this action.
Copies of the notification will also be forwarded to the officers of
each association from which schools have been invited to
participate.
g) If approval is granted, the BCSS office will notify the school
concerned.
Section 2 - National Championships
BCSS, in conjunction with all other provincial Federations, is opposed to national Interschool Championships. Therefore, BCSS will not sanction competition at this level.
Section 3 - International Contests of Cultural Exchanges Involving Competition
The opportunity to promote closer relations with students in foreign countries and the ease of travel has resulted in increased participation in International Athletic competition.
BCSS supports the development of International Understanding and goodwill through athletic exchanges.
In the absence of any established policy at the Canadian National level, BCSS requires that the following procedure be followed:
a) Application to be made to BCSS not later than 90 days prior to the international
event. The application shall state the proposed location, purpose and nature of
competition along with the dates and proposed financial and other arrangements.
b) BCSS, if it approves, will contact the appropriate international body confirming
the following:
(i) That BC participants have met the eligibility requirements of the
Federation.
(ii) That competition is being conducted in the best interests of the schools
concerned and by an educational institution subject to the controls of
school authorities.