Note: This festival will be run in accordance with the published rules, policies and procedures of the Eastern Ontario Soccer Association, Ontario Soccer, Canada Soccer and FIFA, except for changes herein after provided.

TIER CLASSIFICATIONS

The festival will be comprised of generally two (2), tiers per age group and gender, subject to a minimum number of team registrations.

Girls - Saturday May 18th 

Boys - Sunday, May 19th 

AGE AND ELIGIBILITY 

Festival is open to mini teams participating in district level of play or mini select teams composed of players born in the year of the age groups listed below. 

• U8 - date of birth in 2016 or later 
• U9- date of birth in 2015 or later 
• U10- date of birth in 2014 or later
• U11- date of birth in 2013 or later
• U12 - date of birth in 2012 or later 

AGE AND GAME PLAY 

• U8 - 5 v 5 ( includes GK )
• U9 - 7 v 7 ( includes GK )
• U10 - 7 v 7 ( includes GK )
• U11 - 9 v 9 ( includes GK )
• U12 - 9 v 9 ( includes GK )

STANDINGS

U8-U12 (Festival) - as part of the Long Term Player Development model no scores will be posted and standings will not be kept.

TEAM COMPOSITION

• U9 - U10 division game rosters are limited to twelve (12) players (7v7 play); Team rosters are limited to 14 players
• U11 - U12 division team & game rosters are limited to (16) players (9v9 play).

Teams may include up to three (3) guest players, from their club, provided the players meet eligibility criteria. 

DURATION OF GAME & BALL SIZE 

Ball Size - 4

Game Duration 

• U8 is 5v5 & 30 minute games
• U9-U10 is 7v7
  2 game format - 50 minute games ( 25 min halves)
  or
  3 game format - 33 minute games ( 15 min. halves)  
• U11-U12 is 9v9
  2 game format - 70 minute games ( 35 min. halves )
  or
  3 game format - 46 minute games ( 23 min. halves) 
  
  There will be a five-minute half-time break in all games. 

There is NO stoppage time.

The following age groups will not exceed the permitted time limit per competition day:

i) Under 8 will not exceed 80 minutes per competition day

ii) Under 9 and Under 10 will not exceed 100 minutes per competition day

iii) Under-11 & Under 12 will not exceed 140 minutes per competition day 

There will be a maximum of 120 minutes between games.

FREE KICKS, OFF SIDES, THROW INS 

The following will apply for this tournament: 

U8-U9 Free Kicks

• All free kicks will be direct For any offense in the penalty area that would normally result in an indirect free-kick, a direct free kick shall be taken from that part of the penalty area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the offense was committed. 
• Off Sides - No off sides 
• Throw Ins - No throw ins for this age group, only kick ins. 

U10 Free Kicks 

• All free kicks will be direct For any offense in the penalty area that would normally result in an indirect free-kick, a direct free kick shall be taken from that part of the penalty area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the offense was committed. 
• Off Sides - No off sides 
• Throw Ins - No throw ins for this age group, only kick ins. 

U11 & U12 Free Kicks 

• Direct and Indirect for this age group 
• Off Sides - Off sides apply 
• Throw Ins - Throw ins apply

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

On-line registration is mandatory. 

Notification of tournament acceptance is subject to receipt of tournament fee.

Teams must be registered with their provincial, state or national association. Teams from outside the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association (EODSA) must submit an authorized travel permit from their home district.

Teams outside of Ontario must submit proof of injury and liability insurance from their governing body.


The Ottawa South United Soccer Association, OSU Force Academy and the tournament will not be liable for injuries to any participant on or off the fields during the tournament.

Teams will be required to register on the Friday evening prior to the tournament. A team official will be required to attend and provide the following documentation.

• Proof of insurance. (Ontario teams only need to produce their Ontario Soccer Association Roster)
• Permission to travel form from their provincial or state association.
• Tournament team roster
• Player Passes, Cards, books from the team's provincial, state soccer association or federation is mandatory.

Game Sheets

Your game sheets will be printed for you to pick up at your team registration - team check in.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

U8 - U12 - registration deadline - May 5

SCHEDULE 

The schedule will be published 7-10 days prior to the Festival, but reserves the right to make necessary changes, to accommodate teams and account for unforeseen circumstances.

LAWS OF THE GAME 

All games will be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as published by F.I.F.A., except as modified herein. 

SUBSTITUTIONS 

Substitutions may be made at the following times, with the consent of the referee: 

• On any goal kick 
• On a team's own throw in 
• After a goal is scored 
• At half time or any other period (i.e., overtime) 
• By either team after an injury 
• Substitutions will be unlimited in number. 
• Substitutions will not be allowed for a player ejected from the game. 

EQUIPMENT

Each team should have two sets of different coloured jerseys. In the event of a conflict of jersey colours, the home team listed on the schedule (home) will be required to change. The goaltender's jersey must be distinct from their team, the opposing team and the referee.

OUT OF TOWN TEAMS

Teams that are registered outside the EODSA must provide us with a travel permit from their district.

Additionally, teams outside Ontario must provide us proof of Insurance. 

GAME REPORTS 

A field marshal will ensure that each team enters its line-up on the official game report and will hand it to the referee prior to the game. The report will remain with the referee from the start of the game and will be returned to the tournament convener through the field marshal at the end of the game. The referee will enter goals scored and note any cautions or ejections in the game report. 

POSITION OF TEAMS / SPECTATORS

Teams (players, coaches and managers) will take up position on the same side of the field within the marked technical box. Up to four (3) team officials will be allowed in the technical box. Teams must restrict their movement within the technical box along the touchline. Spectators will take up position on the opposite side of the field across from their respective team.

The festival relies on coaches and team officials to set an example of conduct and sportsmanship and to exercise all necessary control over their players and associated parents and spectators. The Festival Committee reserves the right to eject any person (player, coach, team official, parent or spectator) exhibiting inappropriate behaviour from the immediate playing areas.

DISCIPLINE

All misconducts will be conducted in accordance with Ontario Soccer rules and regulations. All decisions by review are final. Where permitted Discipline By Hearing may be requested within 15 minutes of the completion of the game. Decisions by Hearing may be appealed to the EODSA. Please note that all misconduct will be reported to the EODSA. 

PROTESTS

Protests will not be allowed on referee judgment calls. Protests must be filed in writing to the field marshal within one half hour of finish of the related game and a $200.00 cash deposit must accompany the protests. This deposit will be refunded only if the protest is upheld. The Festival Committee prior to the team's next game will make a decision and the decision will be final and binding. There will be no appeals. 

 FESTIVAL COMMITTEE 

The Festival Committee will rule on all matters of protest or dispute other than those related to the referees judgment call.

FORFEITS

If a team is unable to field five (5) players for U9-U10 games, (6) players for U11-U12 games at least 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the game will be forfeited.

FAILURE TO SHOW

Failure to appear will be considered grounds for forfeiture of a team's entry fee. 

A team that intentionally forfeits a game is also forfeiting any further tournament play. 

FEE REFUNDS 

Teams that have been accepted to the tournament will not be entitled to a refund. 

UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS 

Under normal weather conditions, games are to be played at the scheduled time and location. However, if inclement weather conditions occur, the location and starting times may be altered. Unless previously advised by the Festival Convener, teams must appear at the scheduled location on time, regardless of weather conditions. No game will be played in an electric storm. Where a storm occurs during a game, play will be immediately suspended until the storm passes. Under no circumstances may teams withdraw from the playing field area, i.e., the parking lots, etc., until the referee has advised that they may do so. If a game is abandoned, the festival committee will rule on its status, but every attempt must be made to complete the game as scheduled. When 50 % or more of the total game time has been played, and play cannot continue, the game will be automatically rules complete. 

NOTE: 

There will be no refund of festival entry fees for games reduced or not played due to weather conditions. 

CANCELLATION POLICY 

Should the festival be cancelled in whole the Festival Entry Fee will be fully refunded to all participating teams. The festival Host will not be responsible for other expenses incurred as a part of participating in the tournament. 

SCHEDULE 
All teams are requested to be at the field 30 minutes prior to the team's first game in order not to delay the game schedules.