CALGARY BANTAM FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2023
CALGARY BANTAM FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2023
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pursuant to Article 7.2 of the Bylaws of the Society, the following playing rules and regulations have been
adopted by the Executive to govern conduct of play during the 2023 season:
1. These Regulations shall be read subject to the Bylaws of the Society and shall not, in any way or manner whatsoever be deemed to limit the effect of the Bylaws. In any conflict between the Bylaws and the Regulations, the Bylaws shall govern.
2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise specifies or requires: "Bantam Age Group" means individuals up to the age of 15 years, whose 16th birthday does not fall on or before December 31, 2022; "Commissioner" or "Commissioners" shall be that person or those persons chosen by the Executive or the person or persons appointed by the Commissioner to act in his stead; "District" shall be the area in Calgary and the surrounding areas from which each Team may draw Players, as determined by the Executive, and communicated to each Team; "Player" means an individual of the Bantam Age Group;
3. The terms contained in these Regulations which are defined in the Bylaws shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Bylaws;
4. Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine or neuter genders.
5. (a) Each Player shall submit to the Commissioner the following, on or before the Player's first league game:
i. a duly completed registration form, including, without limitation, proof of such Player's age, with all parts completed to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, such form to be in a form and contain such matters which are satisfactory to the Executive;
ii. a registration fee in the sum of $ 375.00 and
iii. a medical form, containing such information is required by the Commissioner and each coach must have available at each practice and game.
(b) Any Player who has failed to provide his registration form, the registration fee, and the medical form to the Commissioner on or before such Player's first league game, shall be ineligible to participate in any activity of the Society including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, practicing with any Team, or playing any football games.
(c) Any Team who knowingly allows a Player who has failed to provide his registration form, the registration fee and the medical form to the Commissioner on or before such Player's first league game, to practice or play in any league games shall forfeit any league games in which such Player has played and may be liable to suspension or penalty, as determined by the Commissioner.
6. Each Player must be of the Bantam Age Group and must present a birth certificate or similar document to the Commissioner as proof that he is of the Bantam Age group.
7. (a) The maximum weight for offensive players being QB, running back, or receiver will not exceed 180 lbs (these players MUST report to Commissioner before first game for weigh-in plus all other games until Commissioner says so). All other positions can be unlimited weights and cannot carry the football.
(b) The Commissioner or the head coach of the opposing Team through the Commissioner, may challenge the weight of any given Player, on a reasonable basis.
8. A Player shall not be eligible to participate in any playoff games unless he has participated in one or more league games. Provided that, if a Player has not participated in one or more league games due to an injury suffered while playing football with his Team, he shall be eligible to participate in the playoff games of that Team. All players MUST live in the City of Calgary or surrounding areas with our rural teams.
9. No Player in grade 10 or the equivalent shall be eligible to play in any football games of the Society.
10. The following Regulations govern the conduct of each Player in the Society and breach of the Regulations shall be handled as follows:
(a) A Player who:
i. utilizes tobacco in any form including cannabis or vape products
ii. consumes alcoholic beverages;
iii. utilizes profane language;
iv. destroys or pilfers property belonging to another person; utilizes narcotics or abuses other drugs; or
v. commits any other act which the Executive deems detrimental to the Society or its objects including Social Media Abuse
vi. consistently plays outside of the established rules of the game in a manner that is considered dangerous with harmful intent
may be suspended or expelled from the Society, with or without warning by the Commissioner and the Team to which the offending Player belongs may forfeit one or more games, is the sole discretion of the Commissioner.
(b) Any Player found by the officials in a game to be guilty of rough play, with intent to injure, shall be immediately suspended from all further play in the Society pending, a hearing in the presence of the Commissioner who shall, in his sole discretion, decide as to the further play of that Player.
11. (a) A Player shall play for the Team in the District in which he lives unless, he:
i. has been released from the Team in the District in which he lives and waived by that Team. Players released at Peewee are eligible to stay with the organization for which they played Peewee or play for the team in the area they live in. This decision MUST be made before their first year of Bantam eligibility (signed release must be attached to registration form).
ii. has received a signed release (back of registration and medical forms) from the Team in the District in which he lives; or
iii. has played for a Team in a District other than the one in which he lives during the 2023 season and has moved to another District.
(b) Any Team which knowingly breaches the provisions of paragraph 11(a) hereof and allows a Player who does not live in its district to play for it shall forfeit all games in which that Player has played and in addition, all coaches and managers who had participated or acquiesced in such breach may be suspended or expelled from the Society.
12. All adults associated with any Team in a capacity as coach, manager, trainer, parent or otherwise shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the objects of the Society. If, in the sole opinion of the Executive, any such person conducts himself in a manner which may be detrimental to the Society, he shall be liable to suspension or expulsion from the Society. In this regard, the person designated as the "head coach" of each Team shall execute an original copy of the Declaration attached hereto before a witness on or before the Annual General Meeting.
13. (a) Prior to the commencement of each game, other than exhibition games, each Team involved in the game shall provide four copies of the roster of players for that game, with players listed in numerical order and in accordance with their respective sweater numbers on a computer-generated roster form (One to Commissioners office and three to timekeeper). Failure to include a player or players on such roster shall result in the immediate disqualification of such player or players. Head coach must sign roster confirming listed players are dressed. All coaches that are with the teams on the sidelines or in press box must also be listed on the roster forms. Failure to comply may result in suspension.
(b) All players dressed on game day must see the field in a meaningful way...i.e., special teams rotations or game situations where the difference in score is plus or minus 3 scores or more.
14. Teams participating in league play must have clean uniforms. Uniforms are to be tucked in properly and no hoodies are to be worn for safety reasons. It is the responsibility of the coaches and managers to see that their Players comply with this Regulation. Breach of this Regulation may result in disqualification or suspension of the Player or forfeiture of a game. Game pants and jerseys shall only be used for games.
15. (a) Each Team participating in a league game shall provide at least 3 adults (the "Adult Roster") for the entire game in which such Team is participating, for the purpose of assisting the Executive with game day responsibilities including, working the yardsticks, spotting, and assisting at the time keeper's bench. Failure to supply the Adult Roster at the time that the game is intended to commence (as identified in the league schedule) will result in the Team which fails to provide its Adult Roster forfeiting the game with a final score to be entered into the standings of 1-0. Failure to supply the Adult Roster on more than one occasion may result in suspension of that Team from league play, at the sole discretion of the Commissioner.
(b) Each team participating in a league game shall nominate 1-3 parents to act as parent liaisons to assist in crowd control during games. Parent liaisons would report to the team manager; who would in turn report to the head coach. Head coaches report to the league directors. Announcers, time keepers and other CBFA volunteers are not to be harassed.
16. Each Team must be prepared to play their respective games at the time scheduled for such game. Teams arriving late will be penalized in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Amateur Football Association or otherwise, as the Commissioner deems fit.
17. No team shall contact any Team outside the Society with a view to engaging in exhibition games unless it has received the prior written permission of the Executive.
18. Subject to paragraph 20 hereof, Canadian Amateur Football Association rules apply.
19. Timing of league games shall be as follows:
(a) 1st and 3rd quarters 12 minutes straight time.
(b) Last 3 minutes of 2nd and 4th quarters stop time. In the last 3 minutes of the quarter, the clock stops after each play. The clock starts when the referee whistles time in after:
i. an ordinary running play;
ii. a completed forward pass; or
iii. a declined penalty.
The clock starts on the snap of the ball after:
i. an incomplete forward pass;
ii. a play where ball is carried out of bounds; or
iii. an accepted penalty
(c) Half time shall be for a period of 10 minutes.
(d) All League and Playoff games will have 2 timeouts per half per team.
(e) Clock will stop after touchdowns and re-start after kick-off.
(f) Mercy Rule - In the second half no stoppage of clock when point spread is greater than 35 points and score clock will not show lopsided scores beyond a difference of 35 points.
20. Footballs for league games will be supplied by the Commissioner.
21. (a) Full contact practices shall not be allowed until the Team has returned the Football Alberta Membership application form (insurance form) which is provided to each of the Teams. Copy presented at equipment pick-up otherwise no equipment issued. There will be no football during the month of July (Football Alberta Seasons of Play Rule)
(b) No Player shall be involved in any contact whatsoever during practices or otherwise until he is registered on a Football Alberta insurance form. The cost to insure is $40.00 and this fee will be included in players $ 400.00 registration fee.
22. Without restricting any of the foregoing, any Team utilizing ineligible Players shall forfeit each game in which such ineligible Player has played and the coach or coaches may be liable to suspension following an investigation by the Commissioner.
23. ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE LEAGUE NO LATER THAN ONE WEEK AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR TEAMS FINAL GAME. EXCEPTIONS ONLY TO THOSE TRYING OUT FOR THE SELECTS TEAM.
24. One of the objects of the Society is to encourage participation of all Players in all games and practices and, therefore, to that end, each Team shall have a maximum of two two-way players (down linemen ONLY). This must be noted on the game day roster. The only exception would be where circumstances dictate such a need. Such a need would be injuries. Teams should communicate this need through their league director prior to start of games. Formal complaints of philosophy abuse should be in writing to the league Commissioner and President upon which will be investigated. Suspension of coaches and/or loss of game may occur.
25. Each Team shall have a minimum of 24 eligible Players and shall be allowed a maximum of 36 eligible Players in full football equipment for each regular season league game and a maximum of 36 eligible Players in full football equipment for each playoff game. Teams, where necessary, can play up to 2 down linemen two ways. This MUST be down linemen ONLY and between the tackles (3-point stance). These players MUST be designated on the roster before each game. The 2 way play for 2023 will mean that only offensive players play on punts and only defensive players play on punt return. The only exceptions would be the kicker and any back ups that are not on either offence or defence as regulars. If kicker is over 180 lbs. the ball can only be advanced by kicking.
26. Each Team shall have at least one coach who is and shall continue to be certified by the Canadian Amateur Football Association as having attained level II in the Coaching Certification Program. All additional coaches must have or be attaining level I in the Coaching Certification Program. As well, all Head Coaches have the responsibility of ensuring that all Coaches and Managers with their team have an approved Police Check prior to participating in games or practices as well as have taken the Safe Contact Course provided through Football Alberta.
27. Each Team shall strictly adhere to the schedule which is to be provided to each Team at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Executive Royal Inn, 2828-23 St. N.E., Calgary, Alberta.
28. Each Team will be receiving an invoice from the Society for the payment of a Team registration fee in the amount of $100 (the "Fee"). The Fee shall be payable in full to the Commissioner on or before such Team's first league game. A Team which fails pay the Fee strictly in accordance with the foregoing shall be suspended from league play and shall forfeit all games in which it was scheduled to play, until the Fee is paid in full. The intent of this regulation is to require each Team to secure a sponsor to pay the Fee on the Team's
behalf. However, failure to secure a sponsor does not exempt a Team from paying the Fee.
29. No Team shall be entitled to raise any fundraising money whatsoever unless it has received the permission of the Executive.
30. C.B.F.A. will not sanction any football related activity for the period beginning December 15 and ending May 1 annually.
31. With respect to a breach of the rules numbered 8, 18, 23(a), 26 or 31 hereof, the penalty for any such breach shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Calgary Bantam Football Association, in their sole discretion, after due investigation.
32. “NECK RULE” - For the protection of the center on long snaps, no player may make direct contact with the center until he comes to a hitting position with his head up.
DATED as of Apr 19, 2023.
BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE
Bill Monks
___________________________ Bill Monks, President.
DECLARATION
I acknowledge that I have read the Calgary Bantam Football Association 2023 Rules and Regulations and, by my execution of this Declaration, agree to abide and comply by and with such Rules and Regulations and will, to the best of my ability, cause the team with which I am associated, its players, the other team coaches, parents, and other individuals associated with the team to abide and comply by and with such Rules and Regulations.
I acknowledge also to ensure that all Coaches under our team have completed the mandatory Police Check and Safe Contact Course and I am responsible for said action. I further acknowledge that any penalty for breach of such Rules and Regulations (except as otherwise identified therein) shall be in the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the Calgary Bantam Football Association.
DATED this ______ day of________________________________, 2023.
Witness: Head Coach:
Name: __________________________ Name: __________________________
(Please print) Name of Team: _____________________
