News and Announcements
As of right now, BC Soccer has officially approved a new Discipline Policy & Procedure manual.
(it was actually Oct 25, not what I thought which was after the Committee meeting we just had)
It is a bit of a read, brace yourself and settle in.
Here is the link to the BC Soccer website and where the link is:
Here are the Guidelines for Sanctions:
I think there is a lot in these manuals, some further clarification in a lot of areas, and some extra attention to details that are very helpful.
Something that has changed is the overall Principle of Discipline and the importance of Consecutive, Additive, & Progressive Discipline.
We have been able to successfully change a lot of guidelines that were excessive and not for the betterment of the soccer community. Also, there is some stiffer regulations and further clarification on Team Admin, League Officials, or Coaches that break rules. There is more attention on repeat offenders and situations where an ejected member continues to abuse officials.
BC Soccer will be investing time & money to properly train Discipline Chairs and League Admin across the Province. In the not too distant future, our League will be involved in this as well as piloting new recording and reporting procedures that will be a benefit to all involved.
We are still doing business as usual here as we are following those guidelines, but having this revamped document will hopefully create a standardization across the Province.
I support the direction, part of the reason I got involved with it.
Happy reading.
Attention all Team Administrators:
As a League, we had some questions for the referee’s. The referee’s had some questions for us the League, and the teams had questions for the referee’s and the League……hopefully this straightens out some confusion and we all can do some things to make soccer a little more enjoyable.
Overall, the issues that needed some clarification were:
ID Cards
Game Balls
Team Lists
Safety.
So in attending the last referee’s meeting this past Monday, and in coordination with a referee committee, we put together some things that need to be addressed asap – and that will help us get where we all want to be.
ID Cards – It was stressed to the referee’s that all ID Cards need to be checked at the beginning of the game.
This is a mandatory process and should be reported to the League if it does not take place. It was also suggested, and we believe to be a great idea, that all your ID Cards be in order that your Team List is in. So hopefully team admin are using the website to print-off their game day team lists – having your ID Cards in the same order that your team list is in will make the procedure a lot smoother for everybody. We ask that you do this starting this weekend. Referee’s were reminded that no ID Card means no participate unless the situation falls under one of the allowances per our rules and regulations. We are pretty confident that this small adjustment will make a big difference, so please follow through.
Game Balls – As per our rules, the home team is supposed to provide the 2 VISL Umbro game balls. It should be noted that the visiting team is also to provide 2 VISL Umbro game balls should the home teams get lost or damaged. Referee’s may want to have a look at the game balls prior to kickoff to make sure they are pumped up to proper levels etc. Be prepared to produce the game balls should the referee ask for them during the pre game process. We ask that you follow through with this as it will allow the referee’s to do their job a little easier, and hopefully prevent any issues during the game.
Team Lists – Please have a look through our rules and make sure all the necessary info is on them. Everything should be filled out and be available for the referee at least 15 minutes prior to kickoff. Again, we urge team admin to use the website to print off lists – it should make your lives a lot more simple and eliminate any administrative mistakes. Referee’s are providing us with important information about permitted players, so please make sure your paperwork is in order. Please ensure all the ID #‘s and jersey #’s are listed – even the GK should have a jersey #.
Safety – we all have let this go the last couple years, so it is back on the radar as there has been some problems across Canada. Please note and make sure that all grass fields need anchors for the goal posts. No anchors will be an automatic fine. Referee’s should be insisting on an anchor – if there is no anchor, the game may not be played which = a bigger fine. We all want to avoid this, hopefully all teams will have anchors by this weekend, but for sure by next weekend.
It should also be noted that teams really need to have a med kit available.
Also, as a League we do not have anything formal in place for concussion protocol. This is up to your teams to sort out, and we really hope you do.
Finally, there is a referee entry level course on Jan 8-10 here in town. As further info is available, we will post. As a League we will cover at least 50% of your registration fee for this once a passing grade is given.
If you are interested in this, please let me know.
Any other questions, team admin are more than encouraged to drop me an email at vincentgreco@shaw.ca
Thanks all, hope the season is going well !
The Soccer Office will be closing early come Halloween day/night.
They will be closed by 3:30 pm.
Usually, the Office hours are:
Mon—Fri • 10am—5:00pm 101-1246 Esquimalt Rd Victoria, BC V9A 3N8 TEL: 250-382-7489 FAX: 250-382-7480 admin@lowerislandsoccer.comThis is to inform you that all registrations have been submitted to BC Soccer and players on your rosters are locked. Players no longer members of your team can only be moved by TRANSFER (up to Jan 15th, 2015). If you require additional spots for new players, this can be done via Paypal Payments on the Website or at the Soccer Office. Once we receive notification of payment we will add the appropriate amount of spots.
Fraser Sim – VISL Website
Cees van Delft – League Registrar
As mentioned at the start of this year; at the Organizational Meeting, there is a new discipline procedure in place. We are going back to a system we used to use as BC Soccer has approved it this past Provincial Cup.
Effective tonight, when you receive a red card in a game, if the offense is not deemed too extreme, there will be a suggested suspension posted on the website. Once the suggested suspension is posted, you may accept the amount or you may attend a discipline meeting in Esquimalt on the posted discipline meeting nights. If you see pending hearing on the website, you will not get a suggested suspension amount. You will just need to attend a meeting. You will need to prebook / RSVP for this, so please do not just show up or your case will not be heard as there will be no paperwork present. The person that received the red card, or the team admin will need to send me an email to state their intention of showing up. In order for the discipline committee to have time to get the necessary paperwork – please let me know as soon as you see your name posted. Should there not be enough notice before the next discipline meeting, you will be suspended till the following discipline meeting.
A reminder that all suspensions with an assessment of more than 1 game will have a $10.00 fine per game as well. Fines are payable before you participate in sanctioned activity. Failure to pay the fine will result in further sanction to the individual and/or team. Specifically, at minimum – the game, if protested, will have the result overturned. As well, the individual that did not pay their fine will have their original fine doubled. We hope it does not go that route, but everybody is held accountable.
Another reminder that only regulation games count towards the serving of a suspension. Should your opposition forfeit or be the cause of an abandonment, the non offending player will have a game knocked off their suspension. The offending party will not have a game knocked off their suspension.
If you are not sure of something, there is no harm in sending an email after you have done some searching on your own…….just give some time for an answer and please do not expect your question to be answered if it is posed on game day. If you received a red and your name is not on the web, send an email – don’t pay the price later when the report comes in late for whatever reason. Yellows are being posted as they come in. While the website is considered gospel, administrative mistakes can occur and teams still need to stay on top of their totals. If a players accounting on the website does not match yours, deal with it in advance to avoid any further sanctions. Sending an email post match is not advisable and could result in further sanctions to individuals.
Another change we put in this year is the red card resulting from 2 yellow cards in 1 game. This will be just the standard 1 game suspension. No fine or discipline meeting necessary.
The email address to contact for reserving your place in Esquimalt or the procedure moving forward – vincentgreco@shaw.ca
This communication is intended to be of some help prior to things going sour. It is not fun having a 6 month suspension handed out, but that is the reality of the rule and we try to follow the BC Guidelines as much as possible.
Thanks, and hoping you stay out of the book!
Seasons
Sponsors
