a) Returning and new teams shall register with the LIWSA on forms prescribed on-line by the LIWSA by June 30 of each year.

b) League teams shall be permitted to register a maximum of 24 players. Exceptions may be made at the LIWSA Executive’s discretion.

c) Teams are permitted to release players at any time. Released players are not permitted to sign with any other LIWSA team after January 15th.

a) New teams entering the League must pay a new team registration fee, set annually by the LIWSA Executive, and the fee must be received with the team registration on or before June 30.

b) No team shall be allowed to participate in any league or cup game if they have outstanding fees or fines in excess of $200.

c) BCSA affiliation fees are due by September 1 annually.

d) LIWSA league fees shall be paid in two installments at the beginning of each playing season: 50% on or before September 1st, the remaining 50% no later than October 1st.

i. If a team folds prior to their first scheduled league game, 75% of LIWSA annual league fees will be reimbursed to the team. League fees will not be reimbursed if the team folds after their first scheduled league game.

a) Players registering for Divisions other than Over 30 and Over 35, must be a minimum seventeen (17) years of age or older, on or before December 31 of the current playing year.

b) Teams in Divisions other than Over 30 and Over 35 shall be permitted to register a maximum of two (2) underage players subject to Rule 3.3 (a) above, hereinafter referred to as the “youth quota”.

c) Players registering for the Over 30 Division must be thirty (30) years of age or over, on or before December 31st of the current playing season.

d) Players registering for the Over 35 Division must be thirty-five (35) years of age or over, on or before December 31st of the current playing season.

e) A transgender (male to female) may register and play on a LIWSA team with documentation or evidence that shows the gender is sincerely held, and part of their core identity. Documentation includes but is not limited to government-issued documentation or documentation prepared by a health care provider, or other qualified professional not related to the player.

f) All players and team officials are required to have a digital photo of their LIWSA ID card(s), which is checked by the referee before each League or Cup game. Failure to produce a digital photo of their LIWSA ID card(s) will result in the player not being able to participate in the League or Cup game.  The team will also be subject to a fine and/or forfeiture of the game (See Rules pertaining to LIWSA ID cards).

i. A team will be subject to a fine and/or forfeiture of the game if that team is unable to produce LIWSA ID cards (photos of the cards) for players and team officials. 

ii. A grace period of 20 minutes from scheduled kick off will be given to produce LIWSA ID cards (photos of the cards) for players and team officials before a match official has authority to suspend the match. 

g) Players may register as Category A players (Premier) or Category B (Divisions 1, 2, 3A, 3B, Over 30A, 30B, and Over 35).  

h) All player registration shall be completed on-line by the team or club official and is valid only for the current season. 

i) The LIWSA Registrar or designate, as assigned by LIWSA executive, is the sole authority in determining when a player is properly registered.

j) All players must be registered twenty‑four (24) hours prior to taking part in any league game. 

k) All players must be registered seven (7) days before taking part in any Cup competition. 

l) No player shall be permitted to register for more than one team at any one time, or play in more than one provincial, district and inter‑district cup competition under the jurisdiction of BCSA without first receiving written permission from BCSA. 

m) Players who have been previously registered in another soccer association in Canada must obtain a transfer from their originating provincial association. No player may register unless they have given their previous association seven (7) days’ notice.  Such transfer notice must be received by the BC Soccer Association, prior to the player being allowed to play

n) Players who have been previously registered with another soccer association outside of Canada must obtain an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) prior to registering with any Club or Team with LIWSA. The ITC must be received by the BC Soccer Association, prior to the player being allowed to play.

o) Playing of unregistered players will result in forfeiture of the game and result in additional disciplinary action as determined by the LIWSA, including fines and suspension or expulsion of the team from LIWSA. 

p) Teams entered in BC Provincial Cup are not permitted to register new players after March 31st. 

Competitive Teams [Category A]: Premier Division,

Recreational Teams [Category B]: Division 1, Division 2, Division 3A, Division 3B, Over 30A, Over 30B, and Over 35.

a) Over 30 teams will be assigned to Over 30B, and Over 35 teams assigned to Over 35.

b) All other new teams will be assigned to Division 3A or Division 3B, or at the discretion of the LIWSA executive.

a) number of wins.

b) number of wins in head to head competition.

c) goal differential (goals for minus by goals against).

a) If the eligible team(s) are part of a club that due to geographic  or population limitations (i.e. Salt Spring) are unable  to  sustain  a  team  in the higher division, exception to promotion may  be  made  at  the discretion  of  the LIWSA Executive. Any team not wishing to be promoted under these conditions, must notify the LIWSA President in writing, no later than one (1) week after the completion of the League schedule for that Division.

b) Vacancies in any division may be filled by voluntary promotion of third placed teams or by challenge for promotion, or as otherwise determined by LIWSA.

a) Premier, last placed team relegated to Division 1

b) Division 1, first placed and second placed team promoted to Premier and last placed team relegated to Division 2

c) Division 2, first placed and second placed team promoted to Division 1 and last placed team and second to last placed relegated to Division 3A or 3B

d) Divisions 3A and 3B, first placed team from each Division promoted to Division 2

e) Over 30A, last placed team relegated to Over 30B

f) Over 30B, first placed team promoted to Over 30A 

g) Over 35, teams finishing in 1st place for more than 2 seasons may be promoted to one of the Over 30 divisions, at the discretion of LIWSA.

h) Where LIWSA determines there is an opening in a Division, teams may apply to challenge for the opportunity to play in higher Divisions (use the “Application for Promotion” form on the web site).

a) A permit shall allow a registered youth player to play for a senior team in a league or local senior Category A/B cup competitions with out affecting her status. 

i. A registered youth player on permit with a senior team in a senior category A/B Cup competition is cup tied to that team to the end of that competition.

b) Application for permission to play up must be made at least 24 hours prior to the game for which the permit is to be issued. (See Section g below)

c) Youth permit forms for league games shall be submitted on‑line at the LIWSA website. Permit forms must be completed by the team requesting the player and include consent from the affiliated youth team releasing the player.  

i. Permit requests must be submitted to LISA (Lower Island Soccer Association) and UISA (Upper Island Soccer Association) 24 hours in advance of game. LISA office validation hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday. UISA office validation hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday thru Thursday and Saturday.

ii. Permitted players must be included on submitted roster sheet with two (2) copies of the validated permit attached. 

d) A permit is valid only for the day and game stated on the permit application form. 

e) All Youth players must submit a one time signed parental liability form before playing in the LIWSA in any competition for that current season. 

f) Any disciplinary action applied while playing in a game under permit shall apply to all future scheduled games. 

g) Youth players may play up on permit an unlimited number of times within a season. 

h) Youth permits for Terry Price and Doug Day cups shall be submitted using the LIWSA permit form. Provincial Cup competitions shall be submitted using the BCSA permit form located on the BCSA and LIWSA web sites. Permit forms must be completed by the team requesting the player and include consent from the youth player and affiliated youth team releasing the player. 

i. No youth permits are permitted for Stephanie Shergold or Frank Leversedge local cup competitions.

ii. Hard copies of the form must be signed in the following order:

• Youth player
• Youth team
• Senior team
• Lower Island Soccer Association (LISA) or Upper Island Soccer Association (UISA). 
• Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association
• BC Soccer Association

iii. Allow a minimum of five days (LISA must receive between Monday to Friday and UISA Monday to Thursday and Saturday) for all approvals of youth permits for cup competitions.

a) Any club with more than one (1) team in the league may permit players from a lower division team to play in a league game. Each individual player may move up for a maximum of six (6) games within a current playing season. A maximum of three (3) Intra club permitted players may be used in league games at any one time.

i. A team playing a permitted player who has exceeded the six (6) game limit will be subject to fine/forfeiture. 

ii. A player who has exceeded the six (6) game limit will incur immediate suspension and discipline hearing before reinstatement.

b) No player shall intra-club permit to another team in the same division. Divisions 3A and 3B are considered as the same division.

c) Any Over 30 and O35 teams that belong to a club that has Division 1 or lower Division teams registered shall be allowed to Intra club permit those players which meet the divisional age requirements. All other Intra club permit rules, as stated above shall apply. Intra-club permits for O30s are as follows:

i. O30A teams that belong to a club that has a division 1, 2, 3A, 3B, O30B and O35 team shall be allowed to Intra-club permit those players which meet divisional requirements. 

ii. O30B teams that belong to a club that has a Division 2, 3A, 3B, and O35 team registered shall be allowed to Intra-club permit those players which meet divisional age requirements.

iii. O35 teams that belong to a club that has an O30B or Division 3A and 3B team registered shall be allowed to Intra-club permit those players which meet divisional age requirements.

d) Intra-club permits are valid for league games only and not permitted for cup or promotion/relegation play-off games. Players on Intra-club permits must be included on page two of the approved Team Roster.

e) Intra-club permits are available on‑line at the LIWSA website, paper permits are not acceptable. Intra‑club permits must be completed on-line before scheduled kick off.

a) 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie 

b) If two (2) or more teams have an equal number of points on completion of the round robin, the following criteria shall be used to determine the final standings:

i. Previous Match Results – The winner of the match between the two teams tied in points shall be awarded the higher position.

ii. Goal Differential - Shall be calculated by goals for minus goals against.

iii. Goals Against – Shall be the team with least goals conceded.

iv. Penalty Kicks  or  Coin  Flip - If  two  (2)  or  more  teams  are  still tied under the previous criteria, then the higher position shall be decided by kicks  from  the  penalty spot  mark  as  per  FIFA  Laws of the Game at a time and place  decided  by  a  LIWSA Representative OR winner of coin flip takes the higher position.

a) Any team proven to have played an ineligible player, (i.e. unregistered with team or league, registered in another League outside of British Columbia, disqualified, not eligible for cup play, wrong age, suspended, denied permit), shall be disqualified from further  participation  in  cup competition.

i. Any team official proven to knowingly have played an ineligible player will be subject to a fine, forfeiture and further discipline as determined by LIWSA.

ii. All of the disqualified team’s victories will be reversed in favour of the opposition with a score of 3 ‑ 0

a) violated rules established from time to time by the BCSA regarding the conduct of members on and off the field, including the conduct of spectators

b) conducted themselves in a manner considered by the LIWSA to be unbecoming of a member registered with the League

c) conducted themselves in a manner considered by the LIWSA not to be in the best interest in the game of soccer or the BCSA

a) a reprimand
b) a fine or bond; (BCSA Rule 10iv)
c) suspension from playing, coaching, or managing for one or more league or cup games or for one or more playing seasons
d) suspension of the member for an indefinite period
e) expulsion of the member from the LIWSA.

a) A player with a red card or team official sent from the field of play will automatically be suspended for one (1) game, in the competition in which it occurred.  The player or team official having served the one (1) game suspension shall be eligible to resume play unless notified by the League that further disciplinary action is being applied. The one game suspension shall be carried from one season to the next if not served prior to the completion of the season in which is issued.

b) A player who accumulates three (3) official cautions (yellow cards) within a period of one playing season shall be automatically suspended for one (1) game without hearing or appeal for the following league game or cup game. After having served the one-game suspension the player shall be eligible to resume play unless notified by the LIWSA that further disciplinary action is being applied.  The one game suspension shall be carried from one season to the next if not served prior to the completion of the season in which it was accumulated.

c) A player who accumulates five (5) official cautions (yellow cards) within the period of one playing season will be required to appear before a Discipline Committee and shall be assessed a one (1) game suspension which must be served in the player’s following league or cup game, whichever comes first. A player must serve this suspension in the following game within the competition in which the cautions were earned.

d) Having accumulated additional cautions under 10.4(c), players receiving further caution (yellow cards) in the current season shall be automatically suspended for two (2) games (league or cup) without hearing or appeal after having served the two‑game suspension, the player shall be eligible to resume play unless notified by the LIWSA that further disciplinary action is being applied. The (two) game suspension shall be carried from one season to the next if not served prior to the completion of the season in which it was accumulated. 

e) Players or officials reported for unethical physical conduct, violent misconduct, inciting violence, discrimination, combined offenses or for assault of  Referees  and/or  Game  Officials,  shall  stand  suspended  from all soccer activities within the jurisdiction of  the  LIWSA  until  their case has been heard, and dealt with by the LIWSA.

a) The rules governing discipline issues and penalties states that any person or organization reported for misconduct is required to serve an automatic one game suspension and does not differentiate between exhibition, league or cup games. The penalty for being expelled from a game remains the same regardless of the situation. Standard discipline policy must be followed for any misconduct that brings the game into disrepute.

b) Exhibition games do NOT count as games served for current suspensions. 

a) Teams, which are designated as the home team, shall be responsible for reporting the score and the referee’s name or ID number for all games played during the week by 5:00PM on the Sunday of that week to the appointed division liaison. Failure to report scores will result in a fine.

b) Home teams are responsible for marking the field or liaising with the appropriate authority for marking the field, for checking on the condition of the field and to be aware of possible closures.  Home teams are also responsible for obtaining alternate fields when closures occur and advising the opposing team and the division liaison of such field changes as soon as an alternate field has been confirmed.  If a home team can not supply a field by 6:00pm Wednesday, then the field choice goes to the visitor team.

c) Home teams are responsible for supplying a properly inflated size 5 game ball and a back-up inflated size 5 game ball. If not a $50 fine will be administered.

d) Both teams are responsible for nets, corner flags and goal anchors. Failure to do so will result in a $50 fine.

e) Home teams are responsible for changing jerseys and socks, when team colours conflict.

a) Each team must ensure that all players on the team are registered in accordance with Regulation 3.3 which includes possession of valid LIWSA Player ID cards. Failure to produce valid LIWSA ID cards (photos of the cards) will result in a fine as per.

b) Each team is responsible for sending a team representative to the AGM and to all scheduled coaches and managers meetings.  A team representative is only permitted to represent one team at such meetings. Failure to send a representative will result in a fine.

c) Each team is responsible for supplying two (2) corner flags, one (1) goal net and appropriate goal anchors. Failure to provide game equipment could result in a fine.

d) Each team must supply the LIWSA Registrar with a list of its coaches and managers including all contact information (e.g. phone, address and email). It is the responsibility of the team to ensure the list is up to-date when contact information is changed.

e) Team lists in duplicate must be handed to the referee at or before half-time and must be signed by the coach or team manager. Team lists must be standard size and on the form provided on the website. 

Team lists are to include:

i. Players: first and last name, correct jersey numbers, and player ID number of all players taking part in the game.

ii. Team officials (coaches and managers): first and last name, LIWSA ID number, and signature. At the discretion of the referee, team officials not listed on the team lists may be asked to leave the technical area or the field.

iii. Youth to Senior or Intra-club permitted players must be clearly identified as such on the team list. Attaching permits is not required.

f) Every team is responsible for securing a home field for their scheduled home games. If a home team can’t supply a field by 6:00 pm Wednesday, then the field choice goes to the visitor team.

g) When an annual trophy is in the possession of a team and it is destroyed, damaged or lost, it shall be the responsibility of that team to pay the LIWSA for its replacement or repair. Any team withdrawing from the LIWSA shall return all annual trophies to the LIWSA Competitions Chair immediately.

a) No games are to be scheduled after 4:00 pm on Sunday by the home team, unless mutually agreed to by the opposing team. LIWSA also has the discretion to limit or refuse such requests.

b) Friday evening games requiring travel to or from Sooke, Saltspring or over the Malahat will not start before 8:00pm unless mutually agreed to by both teams.

c) A game is deemed to be complete when a minimum of 60 minutes of play has been completed, (i.e. one completed 45 minute half plus 15 or more minutes of the second half). Decision to call the game after the minimum amount of 60 minutes has been played will be at the discretion of the referee. This rule is only to be applied under exceptional circumstances (e.g. serious injury of player, hazardous weather conditions, and natural disaster).

d) All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game and the Universal Guide for Referees.

e) Unlimited substitutions are allowed in regular league play.

f) No overtime shall be played in regular league play.

g) A match should not be considered valid if there are fewer than seven players on either of the teams. (Ref.: FIFA Law 3: Number of Players).

h) No substitution is allowed for a carded player ordered from the field by the referee.

i) Substitutions can only be made during a stoppage of play and with the referee's consent.

j) A team must be given twenty (20) minutes from the scheduled start of the game to field a team or else default and forfeit the game.

k) If and when a team wishes to reschedule/postpone a game, the procedure is as follows:

i. If 30 days’ notice of a requested game change is received by the LIWSA, in writing, then the game will be unilaterally rescheduled at the discretion of LIWSA without the opposing team being consulted. This rescheduled date must be before the original scheduled date.

ii. No requests for rescheduling will be considered or granted within 96 hours (4 days) of the original scheduled game time, date, and location unless the field is closed due to weather, or if extenuating circumstances apply as determined by LIWSA.

iii. A $20 fee, payable to LIWSA, applies for each rescheduled game, regardless of how much notice is provided, and is payable by the team requesting the change, unless the field is closed due to weather.  The same fee applies if the venue changes after Sunday and it results in any cancellation of game officials.

l) Games postponed due to extenuating circumstances or weather must be rescheduled and played within 21 days of the original scheduled date. Games not rescheduled and played within the 21 days will be rescheduled by the Division Liaison to a time and location of the LIWSA's choosing, with any field booking expense payable by the home team.

m) If both teams cannot agree on a new time, date and location then the game will go on as originally scheduled. A team is under no obligation to accommodate a change request from the opposing team. If for any reason, the scheduled game is not played the LIWSA has the discretion to deem the game as a forfeit by the team causing the game to not be played. The team causing the forfeit will be also be fined and the opposing team will be awarded a 3-0 win. However if a team shows up at the field with fewer than the mandatory number of players they will receive the 3-0 loss but will not be fined. 

n) The LIWSA executive reserves the right to reschedule this or any game at its convenience provided 72 hours notice is given to the teams involved.

o) A team defaulting (forfeit) a LIWSA league game shall be subject to a fine, the cost of game officials and field rental expenses if applicable. The defaulted game will result in a 3-0 score being awarded to the opposing team. 

i. First defaulted game: $250

ii. Second defaulted game: $500

iii. Third defaulted game: $750 and suspension of team

If the forfeit is due to extenuating circumstances, a discipline hearing may be held.

p) A team defaulting a LIWSA cup game shall be subject to a League fine and the cost of game officials and field rental expenses if applicable. The defaulted game will result in a 3 – 0 score being awarded to the opposing team.

q) Defaulted game: $500 and suspension from further cup play in the current playing season and the following playing season. If the forfeit is due to extenuating circumstances a discipline hearing may be held. 

r) A team abandoning a game before its completion, for any reason, shall be liable for the expenses of the game and subject to disciplinary action, including fines. LIWSA, upon review of the circumstances of the abandonment of the game, will determine the status of the game.

s) Any team with fines outstanding after thirty (30) days shall be suspended until all fines are paid.

t) No team with outstanding fines in excess of $200 shall be permitted to register for the next playing season.

u) A team proven to have played an ineligible player in a league game shall forfeit the game. Points will be awarded and a score of 3 ‑ 0 will be recorded in favour of the opposition. Teams will also be subject to a fine.

v) Player’s Equipment: (Ref.: FIFA Law 4: Player's Equipment)

i. The basic compulsory equipment of a player shall consist of a matching jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings, shin guards and footwear.

ii. A player shall not wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or to other players, (jewellery, visible body piercing, beads, watches etc.). Exception: players may wear a medical alert bracelet, if required.

iii. Shin guards, which must be covered entirely by the stockings, shall be made of suitable material (rubber, plastic, polyurethane or similar substance) and shall afford a reasonable degree of protection.

iv. Goalkeepers shall wear colours that distinguish them from the other players and from the referee.

v. Knee braces must be covered at all times during play with a suitable soft material, (cloth, athletic bandage, foam, etc.).

w) Visible under-garments such as thermo pants (compression shorts/sliders) are authorized. They must, however, be of the same colour as the shorts of the team of the player wearing them. If a team wears multi- coloured shorts, the undergarments must be of the same colour as of the predominant colour of the shorts.

x) Team uniform jerseys must be numbered and match in colour and style. No two uniforms can have the same number.