OFC - Ontario Football Conference

ONTARIO FOOTBALL

CONFERENCE

BY-LAWS

ONTARIO FOOTBALL CONFERENCE BY-LAWS

1. A regular season and play-off schedule format shall be adopted at the Annual General Meeting.

2. No coach or player shall make any written or verbal contact with an O.F.C. Executive Member. Contact, written or

verbal, shall be made by the Team President or Team Manager only.

3. The Executive shall be responsible for the appointment of officials for all league and play-off games in the O.F.C.

4. Two Representatives may represent each team at each O.F.C. meeting. Each may speak at any motion.

5. At the Annual General Meeting each team shall declare its’ uniform and helmet colours.

6. The Team Manager of each Member Team must be a member of each Team Executive and shall be held responsible for the carrying out of Team responsibilities relative to each game played.

7. The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of the following Executive Members: Past President, 1^st Vice-

President and Referee-in-Chief.

8. A player removed from the game by the Referee and recorded on the score sheet shall be suspended for the next game.

If the offense is deemed sufficiently serious by the O.F.C. Disciplinary Committee, the penalty may be increased (i.e.

suspension) following an opportunity for the player to be heard.

The decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall be rendered within ten (10) days of the suspension.

9. A player removed/ejected from a game by a game referee for a second time during the same season shall be suspended automatically until his case is dealt with by the O.F.C. Disciplinary Committee. The decision of

the Disciplinary Committee shall be rendered within 10 days of the suspension.

10. The Disciplinary Committee may suspend a coach or Member Team official for action detrimental to the O.F.C. A hearing shall be granted for the suspended individual (the “Applicant”) within 10 days of the date of the notice of the suspension, at which time the Disciplinary Committee shall render a decision concerning the suspension. Any costs associated with the hearing shall be borne by the Applicant. That Disciplinary Committee may also attach a fine to the offending team of a minimum of $200. if the Committee feels that the incident warrants a greater fine.

11. All Member Teams of the O.F.C. are to pay their annual C.J.F.L. assessment by the 1^st of September of each year. Any assessments for socks, footballs, media guides, etc. are to be paid at the Spring Meeting of the O.F.C., usually held in June of each year. The O.F.C. Players’ Registration fee is to be paid by midnight of the Thursday prior to the last scheduled League games. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in suspension from the O.F.C. Playoff Games for that season. Reinstatement to the O.F.C. will only take place when the offending team has paid all monies owed to the O.F.C. Insurance fees are to be paid before the player steps onto the practice or game field.

12. Each Member Team shall notify other Member Teams of its’ home field and times of its’ games at the Annual General

Meeting.

13. The score card for each home game must show the surname and one given name for each player.

14. Player Registrations:

Each Team Manager shall be held responsible for the following procedures concerning player registrations:

1) To be eligible to play in a scheduled game, the signed player certificate shall be in the hands of

the Registrar forty-eight (48) hours prior to the commencement of the game.

2) A registered player is one whose playing certificate has been signed by the Registrar.

3) All player certificates shall be submitted by Canada Post, Fax, E-mail or Private Courier.

4) No player certificate shall be approved unless it is accompanied by acceptable proof of age,

release forms, if applicable, and the registration fee.

5) A player who has been registered with another C.J.F.L. team shall not take part in a game

until such time as his registration has been reviewed and certified by the registrar.

6) A Member Team may dress any fifty-five (55) registered players for each regularly scheduled

league home game and fifty (50) for each regular scheduled league away game. Dress

rosters for Inter-Conference games shall be subject to the C.J.F.L. By-laws.

7) The maximum number of players who may be registered by a team at any time during the

season shall be unlimited.

15. Player Release, Transfer

1) C.J.F.L. Rule & Regulation A5 (a)–No player may be transferred or signed by any other

team after the 15^th of September (this corresponds to the team registering their final 60

roster).

1) A player who was registered as a member of a C.J.F.L. team during the previous season MAY NOT PRACTICE with another team until he has secured his release, in writing, from the Team Manager of the team with which he was registered previously. This release shall be mailed to the Registrar.

2) A player may be released only by a Team Manager or Delegate and the release must be

dated and signed. A player’s release is unconditional.

3) A player who is on a team’s REGISTERED PLAYER LIST and who has not been named on the GAME SHEET for at least one O.F.C. regular season game shall be considered a free agent at the conclusion of the regular season and is free to practice and sign with any C.J.F.L. team for the subsequent season without receiving a release.

4) (1) A player who is on a team’s REGISTERED PLAYER LIST and who has dressed for one or more O.F.C. regular season games and who wishes to transfer to another team shall not be permitted to participate in the O.F.C. for fifty-two (52) weeks from the date of the transfer request or the date of the last game in which he participated, whichever is the latest.

(2) A player whose permanent residence is relocated one hundred (100) kilometers or sixty (60) miles further away from the location of his previously registered team is exempt from the fifty-two (52) week restriction in subsection 15 (5)(1).

16. Tampering:

Players who have been registered officially with the O.F.C. Registrar, shall be considered to be

the property of the signing team until such time as they are released formally. Any discussion with these

players by a member of another O.F.C. team shall be considered as tampering.

After an investigation, should the O.F.C. Disciplinary Committee find a member of an O.F.C. team to be guilty of tampering, that member shall be suspended from all League and Member Team activities for a

minimum period of three (3) months.

17. Registration Fees:

1) Each player shall be assessed an O.F.C. registration fee, the amount of which shall be decided annually at the Annual General Meeting. The registration fee shall accompany the player registration forms.

2) Registration fees shall be remitted to the O.F.C. on a Member Team’s cheque or by

money order.

3) A Member Team need not submit registration fees for more than fifty (50) registrations

during the course of a playing season.

18. Dress Code:

All uniforms and outerwear shall be coordinated and similar in colour and design.

(1) A team is required to dress in a professional manner and shall be subject to penalty if any of its’ players fail to comply with the following:

1. 1. The team sweater shall be tucked inside the top of the pants and shall remain tucked in throughout the game. If the sweater is pulled out during the game, the player will be required to tuck it in during a break in the play. The sleeves of the short sleeved team sweater shall not be shorter than 1/4 of the regular sleeve length. The sleeves of a long sleeved undershirt, worn beneath the short sleeved team sweater, shall be of the same colour as the solid colour in the upper part of the sleeve of the main sweater or one of the team colours in the main body of the sweater. All players who wear such undershirts shall wear the same colour.

1. 2. Uniform stockings shall be worn in such a manner that no part of a player’s knee or leg is exposed. A white sock shall be worn outside the uniform stocking, provided that the team colours are clearly visible.

1. 3. Protection gear shall be worn underneath the team sweater, pants and stockings.

1. 4. The knee area of the uniform pants shall not be cut away, tucked in or altered in a manner which exposes the knee and the pants shall overlap the team stockings below the knee.

1. 5. White tape may be used on wrists and hands but tape used on shoes, stockings or any part of the uniform shall be of the same colour as the equipment covered. If, during a game, a player is injured in such a manner that he requires the exterior application of tape to his uniform to enable him to play, such will be permitted as a temporary remedy only, and it shall be the responsibility of the Member Team to remove such tape at the first opportunity during the game.

Penalty: The offending player shall be removed from the game until his uniform conforms to the above standards. Substitution shall be permitted. The fine to the team will be $50.

(2) Uniform and Equipment:

1. No player shall wear equipment of any kind, which may injure the opponent, except as necessary in the manufacture of protective equipment. The Referee may have removed from the game any player who is wearing equipment, which, in his opinion, endangers the opponent.

2. No team shall wear uniforms that blend closely with the colour of the ball.

3. A player shall wear:

i. soft knee pads at least ½ inch (1.27 cm.) thick

ii. thigh guards

iii. hip pads

iv. tail bone pad

v. shoulder pads

vi. shoes which meet the specifications as in Article 4, or which may provide less fixation to the ground, such as ripple shoes or broomball type shoes, where no “cleats” are provided.

vii. a certified helmet

viii. a mouth guard

4. Adhesive material, grease or any other slippery substance, applied on a player’s person or clothing, that affects the ball or the opponent, is illegal.

5. All players’ numbers must conform to those listed on the score sheet. Players shall retain the same numbers throughout the game except when permission to change is given by the Referee. Where a sweater is torn, the Referee shall allow reasonable time for a substitution, but any change in number must be reported to the scorer.

Penalty: The offending player shall be removed from the game until the illegal equipment is replaced and penalized according to the C.A.F.A. rule book. Immediate substitution will be made but the game shall not be delayed.

19. Post-Game Responsibilities:

The Team Manager shall ensure that the following are completed on the date of the game:

(1) the score sheets are completed and signed by the officials–send one (1) copy of the score sheets

to the league registrar,

(2) send one (1) of the score sheet by e- mail (fax) to the statistician,

(3) call the statistician and O.F.C. Media Co-coordinator on the telephone within thirty (30) minutes of the game conclusion and give the score and a brief summary of the game events. As soon as possible, submit to the statistician, by fax or other mutually agreed upon format, the approved statistical game summary sheets. This package must include a copy of the signed Game Day Roster for both teams. In addition, a copy of the Game Day Roster must be sent to the Registrar and the Medical Coordinator or his/her designate.

(4) submit other matters concerning the game as decided at the A.G.M.

20. Final Conference Standings:

Final Conference Standings:

A. When two Member Teams are tied in the final conference standings at the conclusion of a regular season, balanced or unbalanced schedule, preferential ranking for play-off purposes shall be determined on the basis of the following priorities and shall be awarded to the Member Team which:

1. has won the greatest number of games played against the other tied Member Team, or

2. has scored the higher net aggregate of points (i.e. points scored for less points scored against) in games played against the other tied Member Team, or

3. has scored the higher net quotient (i.e. points scored for divided by points scored against)

played against the other tied Member Team, or

4. has won the greater number of games played against all Member Teams of the

Conference, or

5. has scored the higher net aggregate of points in games played against all Member Teams

of the Conference, or

6. has scored the higher net quotient of points in games played against all Member Teams of the Conference.

B. When more than two Member Teams are tied in the final conference standings at the conclusion of a regular season,

balanced schedule, preferential ranking for play-off purposes shall be determined on the basis of the priorities set out

in Section A. (The only alteration in the wording of Section A is that the term Member Team would become Member

Teams for this situation)

C. When more than two teams are tied in the final conference standings at the conclusion of a regular season, unbalanced

schedule, preferential ranking for play-off purposes shall be determined on the basis of the following priorities and

shall be awarded to the Member Team which:

1. Based on the games played against the other tied teams. The relative standing of each tied team to be awarded two points for each game won and (should we revert to regular season ties) one point for each game tied and dividing that point total by the number of games played.

2. If any teams are still tied at this point, then a position of points scored against divided by the number of games played against the other tied teams will determine the order of finish. The lower (est) number will prevail.

3. If any teams are still tied at this point then a position of total points scored against during the regular season will determine the order of finish. The lower (est) number will prevail.

4. If any teams are still tied at this point, then a position of points scored divided by the number of games played against the other tied team will determine the order of finish.

If any teams are still tied at this point then a position of total points scored during the regular

season will determine the order of finish.

21. Home Team Game Responsibilities:

1. (1) Each team shall be responsible for providing a suitable field to meet O.F.C. Rules and Regulations.

(2) The home team shall prepare a flyer showing the line-up of each Member Team and

distribute or sell said flyer at the game

(3) The home team shall have equal spotting facilities made available for both teams with a separate communication to each bench wherever possible. The visiting team shall not have unequal spotting facilities or equipment. In the event that no spotting facilities are made available by the home team, the visiting team shall be permitted to use equipment it has provided even if the home team has no facilities available for its own use.

(4) Each team involved in the O.F.C. playoffs shall notify the O.F.C. President, by phone, on the first business day following the final scheduled league game , of the location and time its’ home field shall be made available for all possible play-off games.

22. Visiting Team Responsibilities:

An updated Roster of the Visiting Team will be sent to the Home Team by Tuesday noon prior to the game date. The Visiting Team will present, to the Home Team, four (4) copies of their Game Day Roster and Depth Charts on arrival for the game to the Home Team Manager. Failure to comply shall result in a fine of $100. minimum if the Disciplinary Committee feels that failure to comply warrants a greater fine.

23. Executive Responsibilities:

(1) The Executive may levy, at its’ direction, a fine of up to $100 minimum against any Member Team for breach of the Constitution and/or By-laws. Action such as abusive language or action, public complaints about officials, damage to property or persons, etc. shall warrant such fines.

(2) The Executive may recommend suspension of a Member Team from competition for conduct detrimental to the O.F.C. including non-payment of fees. Any Member Team that is not in good standing at the beginning of the playoffs shall not be allowed to participate in the playoffs. The President shall call a General Meeting to discuss and vote on the matter.

(3) Any game suspension from the last game of the season or play-offs of a given year shall be reviewed by the O.F.C. Disciplinary Committee. If notified in writing, such player shall be suspended automatically from the next game whether it is a playoff game or the first league game of the following year.

(4) A team being assessed five (5) objectionable conduct or unnecessary roughness penalties in one game or any combination thereof shall be fined a minimum $50., with the final amount to be determined by the Disciplinary Committee. Any further violation could result in additional fines and possible suspension of a team Executive or Coach.

(5) Any action or conduct by a player, coach, team or executive of any Member Team at any C.J.F.L. game, deemed detrimental to Junior football, that team shall be fined a minimum of $200., with the final amount to be determined by the Disciplinary Committee.

(6) Any bench-clearing brawl during a game will result in a $500. fine to both teams and a one-game suspension to both Head Coaches.

24. SCHEDULE OF FINES

Statement of Fines: The maximum fine that can be levied is $500. for any one infraction of the By-Laws. The accumulation of fines can be greater than $500.

1. (1) Failure to meet: Football Canada Anti-Doping Team Information by the set Date. This will result in a $100. fine and an additional $50. per day until the Team complies.
2. (2) Failure to meet: Coaching Certification Report—July 1^st of each year. Failure to comply will result in a $100. fine and an additional $50. per day until a team complies.
3. (3) Failure to meet: 65 man final roster by September 15^th or the date set by the C.J.F.L. Executive. Failure to comply will result in a $100. fine and an additional $50. per day until a team complies.
4. (4) Failure to send: A Head Coach or assigned registered coach to the O.F.C. All-Star meeting will result in a $500. fine.
5. (5) Failure to send: A team representative to all league meetings will result in a $500. fine and/or a Team suspension.
6. (6) Failure to send Game Statistics: All statistics will be into the O.F.C. Chief Statistician by the time set out below. Should the Chief Statistician be notified forty-eight (48) hours before the game of a possible delay in transmitting the statistics, the applicable fines may be mitigated after further review. If the team has not complied, this will result in a $200. fine and an additional $100. for every six (6) hour delay.
7. (7) Statistics Reporting Time Table:

Friday Night Game: 12:00 Noon Saturday

Saturday Game 12:00 Noon Sunday

Sunday Afternoon Game ASAP or 10:00 p.m. Sunday

All game statistics must be in to the O.F.C. Chief Statistician by 10:00 p.m. Sunday night regardless of an extension for a Friday or Saturday game.

1. (8) Failure to send legible Game Statistic Summary Sheets: All game statistics will be sent to the O.F.C. Chief Statistician in a legible format. All Game Statistic Summary Sheets will be completed in full. Failure to comply will result in a $200. fine.
2. (9) Failure to comply with the Film Exchange timetable established by the O.F.C. will result in a $100. fine levied against the offending team and $50. for every subsequent four (4) hour delay. The Film Exchange Timetable is:

Game film for a Friday or Saturday night game will be ready for viewing by 12:00 noon Monday

Game film for a Sunday afternoon game will be ready for viewing by 6:00 p.m. Monday

Game film for a Sunday evening game (5:00 p.m. or later) will be ready for viewing by 9:00 p.m. Monday

1. 25 Player and Spectator Safety and Security

1. It is the Home Team’s sole responsibility to ensure that the visiting team has a safe playing environment and is totally secure from spectators and any provocations.

1. (a) Further to this, the Visiting Team will have safe and secure access to their dressing room at all times
2. (b) If possible, the Visiting Team’s bench will be on the opposite side from the spectators. If that arrangement is not possible then there must be a suitable distance between the spectator seating and the player benches (minimum of twenty yards), with security.
3. (c) There will be a clear zone behind the player benches where only authorized team personnel are permitted. This area will be blocked off at all times by either yellow security tape or other suitable barrier devices. There will be security in this area at all times. (Burlington’s Nelson Stadium for example)
4. (d) Where there is not a possibility of a clear zone, spectators will not be allowed behind the player benches. (Hamilton’s Ivor Wynne Stadium for example)
5. (e) If both teams are on the same side of the playing field, there will be a member from each team’s management group between both benches at all times.
6. (f) It is the Home Team’s responsibility to respond to a request from the Visiting Team or Game Officials about the behaviour of a spectator or spectators.
7. (g) It is the responsibility of the Game Officials to stop play until an unacceptable situation or event has been rectified by the Home Team’s personnel or Security. The Game Officials will be made aware of this requirement by the Referee-in-Chief prior to the season.

2. It is the Home Team’s responsibility to make sure that all spectators have a safe environment in which to watch the game.

1. (a) If feasible there should be only one access point to the game and there should be security at this entrance.
2. (b) There will be signage at the gate regarding the appropriate conduct of spectators, including the prohibition of alcohol consumption except in designated areas under special permits. The Home Team’s management shall reserve the right to refuse admission to or to expel any spectator or spectators from the premises should their conduct or behaviour be deemed unacceptable.
3. (c) It is the Home Team’s responsibility to remove any spectators whose behavious is deemed unacceptable by the Game Officials or, if the situation escalates, to call 911 to resolve the issue.
4. (d) The Home Team will provide the security necessary to ensure that their stadium/park is safe at all times (before, during and after a game) for spectators, Game Officials, Team Officials and players.

3. All bench and sideline personnel must have visible OFC accreditation

4 Security Personnel: The following is minimum deployment for a “non-rivalry” game.

● 1 at the bench area patrolling back and forth in the clear zone ensuring that all people in this area have passes

● 1 at access point, which can do general patrol once the spectators are in

● 1 guard patrolling in front of the stands for spectator’s safety and behavior .

● the key is, if there is trouble, the security personnel or team personnel calls 911.

● for a rivalry game, security should be increase.

Failure to provide the necessary safety and security will result in a fine of up to the maximum allowed under the OFC By-Laws.

Refer to Appendices 1 and 2 for Codes of Conduct

26. Team Head Trainer/Therapist

The O.F.C. stipulates that all member teams maintain the following minimum requirements when assessing trainer/therapist qualifications.

EDUCATION

1. (1) Post secondary education pertaining to treatment of athletic injuries, orthopedic assessment, sport medicine rehabilitation and prophylactic taping and bracing.
2. (2) Acquire and maintain a current Standard First Aid and rescuer C.P.R.
3. (3) Qualify as a First Responder
4. (4) To register as a member of the provincial governing body.
5. (5) To understand and adhere to the code of ethics provided by the respective provincial governing body.

FIELD RESPONSIBILITIES

1. (1) To arrive within adequate time lines for both practices and games in order to prepare athletes for competition and assist in the assessment and treatment of any acute injuries.
2. (2) To render the following on-site services-primary assessment of any injury

-first aid treatment

-prophylactic taping

-recommendations on post-injury participation

-minor alterations and repairs of protective equipment

-pre and post-event stretching and strengthening

-advice on entry into further levels of the health care system

Injury Documentation

(1) To complete an incident report on every injury that takes an athlete out of play for more than one series or requires that the athlete seek further medical attention.

(2) To document minor injuries that may require further medical attention.

Communication

(1) To establish clear lines of communication among Assistant Therapists, Team Physician and the coaching staff concerning the health and welfare of the athlete.

(2) To establish relations with any other medical professionals dealing with the athlete.

(3) To maintain the confidentiality of the athlete’s health issues.

(4) To refer the athlete to the appropriate health care professionals as deemed necessary and to follow up subsequent rehabilitation and re-entry into the sport timetables.

APPENDIX 1

PLAYERS, COACHES AND TEAM PERSONNEL CODE OF CONDUCT

The OFC will not tolerate any action by Coaches, Players or Team personnel that is deemed detrimental to the Game of Football, the OFC or the CJFL, at any time.

In the interest of the enjoyment and the growth of the game, administrators, coaches and players should encourage the type of fan support that is conducive to producing an environment of good sportsmanship and healthy competition.

Prior to the season each team will have a meeting with Coaches, Player and Team Personnel on the Conduct and Ethics of the OFC, the CJFL and Canadian Amateur Football. This is found in CJFL Rules and Regulations under the CODE OF ETHICS and CODE OF CONDUCT.

The Head Coach is totally responsible for the actions of his players and coaching staff at all times.

If the OFC feels that the action of Coaches and/or Players is detrimental to an event, the Head Coach/Coaches will be suspended and the Team will be fined up to the maximum amount allowed under the OFC By-Laws.

The OFC will have zero tolerance for ANY ACTIONS by players towards spectators or opponents at any time, for any reason, that is deemed detrimental to the OFC and the Game of Football. This position is consistent with any sporting event whether amateur or professional. Players must conduct themselves appropriately in order to maintain the principles, integrity and dignity of the OFC and the CJFL.

Failure to do so will result in game suspensions ranging from two games to indefinite. The Head Coach and Team also could face suspension or fine up to the maximum amount allow under the OFC By-Laws.

Only the suspended player can apply for an appeal of their indefinite suspension.

The OFC will not tolerate any behaviour by a Team Official or Team Personnel that is deemed detrimental to the OFC and the Game of Football. The OFC expects that all Team officials will conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate in order to maintain the principles, integrity and dignity of their Team, the OFC and the CJFL.

Team officials must have respect for all fans and sponsors and behave in such a way that they do not embarrass these components of the game.

Team officials must ensure that their organization upholds the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct at all times.

Failure to do so may result in a suspension and Team Fines up to the amount allow under the OFC By-Laws.

APPENDIX 2

CANADIAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

CODE OF CONDUCT

● Respect the right, dignity and worth of others

● Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others

● Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions or inactions

● Be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adherence to the standards,

policies and the rules and regulations of CJFL

● Operate within the Constitution, Rules and Regulations, Policies and Procedures

of the Conference as well of the CJFL.

● Understand the possible consequences of breaching the CJFL Code of Ethics

and Code of Conduct.

● Comply with any all rules and regulations of each Conference and the CJFL.

● Refrain from any form of abuse towards others.

● Refrain from using any obscene language towards others.

● Refrain from any form of discrimination towards others.

● Refrain from any form of harassment towards others.

● Refrain from any form of victimization towards others.

● Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport.

● Promote the interest of Junior Football.

● Do not provide comment to any media or publish any comment (including on any Website) on behalf of the CJFL, its’ Member Conferences or Member Teams unless authorized by CJFL or a Member Conference.

● Do not speak to any media in a negative way or publish any negative comment

(including on any website) regarding the CJFL, its’ Member Conferences

or Member Teams.

● Never act in a way that may bring disrepute or disgrace to CJFL members, its’

stakeholders, its sponsors, potential sponsors and/or partners.