Provincial A-AAA Soccer Championships

1.     DEADLINE DATES

TOURNAMENTS must be registered online at the MHSAA website at least one week prior to the tournament start date.

ONLINE ROSTER is to be entered by MAY 17. All teams must submit online roster regardless of whether they will be attending the Provincial Championships.  Each team in your school must be on a separate roster.

ZONE AND INTERZONE PLAY-OFFS must be completed by MAY 25. Please inform the MHSAA as soon as your representative has been determined.

WILDCARD APPLICATIONS are due by MAY 24 at 1:00 pm sharp.  Wildcards are open to zone semi-finalists and finalists only.  Applications must include the following:

- Letter of intent to participate signed by the Principal.

-  All Schools applying for a wildcard must pay a $25 non-refundable application fee.  Schools selected to play in a wildcard game will additionally be invoiced for the wildcard game fee of $125.  The school will then have 20 working days from the date of the invoice to pay the fee(s) or they will be subject to further sanctioning.

-  All teams applying for a wildcard will have their season record taken from the MHSAA website.  Teams applying must ensure their online record accurately reflects all games played (league, exhibition, & tournament). Additionally, any team that participates in an out of province tournament or exhibition game must email greg@mhsaa.ca with the date, opponent(s) and scores of those games by the deadline above.

Wildcard games, if played, will occur sometime between, May 27-29.  The final date and location will be determined once the teams have been selected. Automatic wildcard spots may be awarded.

SEEDING INFORMATION will be taken from the MHSAA website. All teams will have until MAY 24 to ensure their season record accurately reflects all games played throughout the season. Additionally, any team that participates in an out of province tournament or exhibition game must email greg@mhsaa.ca with the date, opponent(s) and scores of those games by the deadline above.  

2.     FORMAT & RULES

A)    FORMAT: for both the girls and boys championship, it will be an 8 team tournament with a championship and consolation play-off.

B)     Rules: FIFA Laws of the Game will be in effect.  Special playing rules approved by the MHSAA will take precedence over playing rules in the official laws of the game.

Teams arriving late: If a team is fifteen (15) or more minutes late without a valid reason, the game may be forfeited or the team arriving on time may be awarded goal(s).  (Up to the discretion of the convenor and/or MHSAA representative)

Game Length: All games will consist of two 35-minute halves.

Overtime:  Should there be overtime, the overtime will consist of two 7 ½ minute halves.  After that, if the teams are still tied, penalty kicks (as per FIFA Rules) will decide the winner.  Teams will select five players from those eleven players on the field at the end of the overtime to take the first round of kicks alternately with the opposition.  If, after the first round of kicks the score remains tied, then teams will continue alternating the shootout one at a time with those players of the eleven who have not shot.  Teams must have an even number of shots to declare a winner.  That is, the first team to score does not necessarily win.  If the score remains tied after all eleven players have taken kicks, then any of the first five shooters is eligible to take kicks again.   

Uniforms: Shin guards are mandatory.  Teams must have the same-coloured shirts and matching shorts. Absolutely no multicoloured shorts, knee length shorts or cut off jean shorts.  A set of extra uniforms or pinnies (numbered) should also be brought to prevent uniform clashes.  Teams with improper uniforms may not be allowed to play. Athletes, team members and coaches will not be allowed to wear headgear during competition (except the goalkeeper). In the case of extreme inclement weather exceptions will be considered at the discretion of the provincial convenor and MHSAA representative. 

Coaches should be advised that if the uniform rule is not adhered to, they may not be allowed to compete and may be fined up to $200 and be put on probation.  (Probation being that; if the school violated the infraction again, the school may be suspended from all MHSAA activities). Advertising on uniforms must adhere to guidelines as outlined on pages 136-137.

Substitutions: Each team is allowed an unlimited number of substitutes.  Substitutions are allowed at any time during the game when there is a definite stoppage in play.  The referee must be informed of the intention to enter the game by calling “substitution”.  The substitute should remain on the sidelines until the referee waves him/her in.  Players coming out of the game may return later.  Players sent off during a game by the referee cannot be replaced.  The suspended player cannot return during the game.

Cautions: A player receiving one red or two yellow cards during the tournament will be automatically suspended for the following game.  In the case of a red card received during a game, the player will be ejected, and the team will be forced to play short for that game.  The player will not be allowed to play in the next game.  If a player receives two yellow cards in one game, they will be ejected from the game and the team will be forced to play short for that game.  The player will not be allowed to play in the next game. If a player receives two yellow cards during the tournament, they will be suspended from the next game.

The maximum number of coaches, trainers, etc. allowed on the bench will be 4.

Equipment: 
Coaches are asked to bring the following equipment to minimize problems:        

▪ the team’s own properly marked soccer balls for warm-ups (Size 5)

▪ first aid kits.  Each school is responsible for bringing:  tape, bandages and other supplies for treating minor injuries. (Do not expect to have tape provided)

▪ Official Ball:  Eletto Liga 45.2 Match – Fuzionseam – size 5.

It is expected that all teams attend opening ceremonies and related functions, banquets, etc.  Non-attendance may result in fines and/or further sanctions against the school.

3.     AWARDS

Medals are to be awarded to the 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place teams (max 20). The winner and finalists will receive the championship banners, while the consolation and third place winners will also receive a plaque.  

Eleven all-stars and one MVP will be selected.

Schools with team rosters that exceed the allotted number of awards would be responsible for the cost of any additional awards required.