Fraser Valley
Regional Water Polo Tournament
Walnut Grove Community Center, Langley
Wednesday August 1, 2007
8:00 AM - 1:00PM

P1 and P3

Game Schedule

P3 Game 1 8:15 AM
P1 Game 1 9:00 AM
P3 Game 2 9:45 AM
P1 Game 2 10:30 AM
P3 Game 3 (if required ) 11:15 AM
P1 Game 3 (if required) 12:00 PM

BACKGROUND

Governance

Rules for the 2007 Provincial Championship Competitions.
All Regional and Provincial Championships are governed by the BCSSA in accordance with the By-laws, Rules and Regulations set forth by the BCSSA Board.

Categories of Play
Co-educational Provincial Championships will be played in the following categories:

P1: 11 & Under. Players born in 1996 or later.
Players shall be within this age group as of Dec 31st, 2007.

P2: 12 & 13. Players born in 1994, 1995.
Players shall be within this age group as of Dec 31st, 2007.

P3: 14 & 15. Players born in 1992, 1993.
Players shall be within this age group as of Dec 31st, 2007.

P4: 16 to 18. Players born in 1989, 1990, 1991.
Players shall be within this age group as of Dec 31st, 2007.

Definition
“Participant” in a Regional or Provincial Championship shall be understood to include players, coaches, referees, managers, volunteers and medical personnel.

Team Rosters:
The full names of all participants must be included on the team roster to be submitted to the Regional Deputy Director for the Fraser Valley by August 1, 2007.

All participants must be registered and in good standing with the BCSSA. Individuals or teams not abiding by this rule will not be permitted to participate in the Regional Championships.

Copies of the team roster (maximum 13 players) for each game must be presented to the recording/official’s table 15 minutes before scheduled game time.

GENERAL RULES

Rules of Play
The rules of play for all championship categories shall be in accordance with the BCSSA Rules and Regulations.

Team Eligibility
In order to be eligible to participate in Regional’s, club teams must be registered with a member club and BCSSA.
ANY COACH WHO HAS COACHED A TEAM DURING THE SEASON WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PLAY WITH THAT TEAM.

Team Composition
Teams in all categories are permitted to select thirteen (13) players, all of whom must individually be properly registered with BCSSA and be collectively registered as a member team.

The minimum team composition is seven (7) players (goalie included); three of whom must be girls, and three of whom must be boys. A minimum of three (3) girls/boys must be in the water at all times except as provided below;

If a team has only four girls/boys and due to exclusions was reduced to three (3) eligible girls/boys and an additional girl/boy was excluded from the game for three personal fouls or a misconduct. The team will play one member short with only two (2) girls/boys in the water.

Alternates:
Each team may list (2) alternates on their roster. The same player may be listed as an alternate for more than (1) one team, as long as all other eligibility requirements are met.

Once an alternate replaces a player on a roster, that alternate may not be used as an alternate on another team.

Once a player on a roster is replaced by an alternate, that player may not return to that team roster for the duration of that tournament.

Player Eligibility
Player eligibility rules will be defined by the BCSSA Board. A player must be eligible to participate in BCSSA Water Polo on the BCSSA member team registration date.

A BCSSA player can only participate in water polo activities during the competitive season that have been approved by a BCSSA Standing Committee which includes; the Provincial Water Polo Director and two Regional Directors, as appointed by the President.

The following are ineligible to play BCSSA Water Polo:

• Athlete not registered with BCSSA.
• Athlete who is registered in the wrong age category.
• Athlete under suspension due to brutality.
• Athlete who has played with a BCWPA selected club team at any of the following events will be deemed ineligible:
  • Provincial Senior Championships
  • National Championships – Youth or Junior
  • Any Senior Tier I Tournament – Includes any CNWPL games
  • Any individual attending a Water Polo Canada’s National Team Training or Selection Camp (Youth, Junior or older)
  • Participation on a Water Polo Canada Youth or National Team.

Note: A selected team also includes BCWPA club teams if they have attended one of these events.

If there is doubt about player eligibility, please contact the BCSSA Office/Water Polo Director prior to the Game/Tournament, or contact the Meet Manager BEFORE the player or players enter the water.

This exclusion of elite players is based on the tenet that BCSSA water polo is developmental in nature and increased participation is to be encouraged. It further recognizes that elite level players have adequate alternate opportunities for both training and play through National and International competition and other summer programs.

A player may appeal to the BCSSA Water Polo Director for permission to return to BCSSA Water Polo after attending Youth Nationals formerly Juvenile Nationals and/or a Water Polo Canada Camp once, and sitting out for a period of one year.

Duration of the Game
Each game subject to scheduling constraints is expected to consist of four (4) quarters for seven (7) minutes running time with two (2) minute intervals between periods. If there is only a 2-point score differential with one minute remaining in the game, the last minute will be played in stop time. Any variation from this format will be communicated to the coaches prior to game time. [NB the clock is stopped whenever the referee calls for the ball to be removed from the pool.]

Time-outs-Refer to Rules and Regulations Section 4.C

Shot Clock- For Age Categories 16 to 18 and 14 & 15

Ejections- Refer to Rules and Regulations.

Pool Specifications
The playing area for each Regional Championship shall be in accordance with BCSSA Rules of Water Polo, Section III section 1.A..

Competition Format
Due to the amount of teams represented in the Region a best of 3 game formats will apply.

Tie Breaking Procedures
Refer to Rules and Regulations Section 4.B (Rules of the Game)

Vetoes
No vetoes, pertaining to referees, shall be permitted during the Regional Championships.

Protests
Refer to Rules and Regulations Section 11.A and 11.B

Conduct/Discipline
Refer to Rules and Regulations Section 12.A and 12.B

Brutality/Misconduct/Disrespect
Refer to Rules and Regulations Section 10

Forfeits/Defaults

• Any team which forfeits a game will lose by a score of 7-0. Additional action will be based on a review of the circumstances by the Discipline Committee.
• If all girls/boys from one team are excluded from the game, the team will forfeit the game.
• A forfeit occurs when less than six (6) members of a team are present at the start of the game, or when an ineligible player is participating or if a team does not have three (3) members of each sex to start the game.

Note: Teams that do not satisfy the minimum player requirements 5 minutes after the scheduled game start time will forfeit. A forfeit will result in a score of 7-0 for the winning team and 2 points towards standings. 0-7 against the forfeiting team and 0 points toward standings.

Water Polo Caps
If a bathing cap is worn under a Water Polo Cap, it MUST be the same colour as the water polo cap.

Team Benches Refer to Rules and Regulations Section 2.C

Articles Causing Injury
Prior to taking part in a match, the players must discard all articles likely to cause injury.

The following objects are not permitted:

• Rings
• Eye glasses
• Necklaces
• Long toe nails
• Earrings
• Swimming goggles, including prescription goggles

Soft, safety and prescription glasses are permitted. Other objects not listed here will be examined by the officials before the tournament begins.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Pre-Competition Meeting-if required
Regional Water Polo Representative {Deputy Director} will organize and conduct a pre-competition meeting for coaches, officials and team personnel. It is the responsibility of each team to ensure that a representative is in attendance.

The following agenda items will be discussed at the meeting:

• Schedule
• Protest Committee
• Competition rules
• Verification of team rosters
• Tournament procedures

Championship Awards
Region shall provide and present medals to each player/coach on the gold, silver and bronze (if require) medal teams. A maximum fifteen (15) medals per team will be provided.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Regional
Regional shall ensure the following:

• That a competition Referee-In-Chief is selected.
• All referees are eligible to referee, and coaches are registered with BCSSA. A referee schedule is compiled at the discretion of the Referee-in-Chief.
• The ball used for all 11 & U BCSSA competitions shall be the Mikasa #6008, or equivalent.
• The Mikasa #6009 ball or equivalent shall be used for all other age groups.
• That a minimum of three (3) minor officials are provided
• That an adequate swimming area is provided for team warm-ups prior to the start of each game, where possible.

Club/Team
Club/Team shall ensure the following:

• That all players are registered with BCSSA.
• That all Regional/Provincial Rules and Regulations are maintained and adhered to and that the club/team is in good standing with BCSSA.
• That all players adhere to the Player Code of Conduct.