House League Regulations

Parent Code of Conduct: By enrolling your child in our program, you are agreeing that you and any of your guests will abide by the following code of conduct:

• We will remember that children participate to have fun, and that this is a game for youth, not for adults.
• We will teach our child to play by the rules, and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility.
• We will be positive role models for our child and encourage good sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game.
• We will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, parent or player, such as booing and taunting or using profane language or gestures.
• We will respect the referee and his/her authority during games and will never criticize, contradict or interfere with referees or coaches at the field.
• We will take time to speak with coaches privately and in a reasoned manner if we have any concerns.  
• We will supervise any child young enough to normally require adult supervision, and never leave such a child alone at the field. We understand that coaches and league officials are not responsible for the supervision of any child.

Anyone who fails to abide by this code of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including a ban from attending games or expulsion of your child from the Club.

The NTSC will observe a very low tolerance for inappropriate behaviour or interference by parents or spectators and will deal harshly with infractions that come to its attention. Parents are reminded that they are spectators only and are in no way participants in the game.

Player Eligibility: The NTSC house league program is open to all local children who are in good standing with the Club, regardless of their gender, skill or experience in the game of soccer. To be considered “in good standing” a returning player must, among other things, have met NTSC's attendance and withdrawal requirements in a previous season. Returning registrants are not guaranteed placement in the current year's program. For insurance and liability reasons, any player who is not officially registered with the NTSC may not, under any circumstances, participate in any NTSC games. Any player actively playing in a competitive “rep” league (such as CSL or CTYSL) may not concurrently participate in the house league program.  

Player Attendance: Players may not be absent from more than any four (4) games that their team plays in any one session, including the finals day tournament, except under very special circumstances and by pre-arrangement with the coach. Any player who is regularly and unduly absent may be dismissed from the Club, at its discretion. Coaches should report non-attendance to their convenor, who should in turn report it to the league. Players should notify their coach of any absence ahead of time, to allow the coach to properly prepare for the game.

Withdrawal: Any player who wishes to withdraw from the house league program and remain in good standing with the Club must advise the administrators by email at administration@ntsoccer.com or by fax at 416-924-4965, prior to their team's second scheduled match of the session. Failure to do so may be ineligible to participate in the league the following year. Players may only withdraw after this time (and remain in good standing with the Club) for certifiable medical reasons or for unique compassionate reasons, and only if the administration is promptly notified.

Refunds: All refunds are subject to an administrative fee and must be requested in writing (email). A full refund (less an admin. fee of $25) will be made for any withdrawals received by the administration by March 10 for the spring session or May 10 for the summer session. A refund of 50% of paid fees will be made for any withdrawals received April 10 for the spring session or June 15 for the summer session. In unique circumstances, such as certifiable medical reasons, the Club may offer a full refund, at its discretion. After the dates indicated, no refunds will be issued, except for certifiable medical reasons or unique compassionate circumstances. For any other NTSC program, the refund deadline is four (4) weeks prior to the start of that program.   

Equipment: Team equipment issued to coaches (including equipment bags, pylons and goalkeeper shirts) remains the property of the NTSC and must be returned immediately following the team's last game in the finals tournament at the end of the session. Player uniforms also remain the property of the NTSC until this time, after which players may keep their own uniforms. Any player who withdraws or is dismissed from the program must immediately return his/her complete uniform to their coach. No one, aside from league officials, is permitted unauthorized access to the field house at Eglinton Park, or into any equipment storage facilities used at other fields, nor are they permitted to remove any equipment without direct authorization. Theft or malicious damage of any NTSC equipment or property may result in immediate and permanent expulsion from the Club.

Uniforms: As noted in the NTSC Laws of the Game, players must wear their full uniform and proper equipment during each game. In inclement weather, players may wear sweaters underneath their jersey but no player, other than the goalkeeper, is permitted to wear long pants. Chewing of gum is not permitted during play. The goalkeeper is permitted to wear a hat, however, no player is permitted to wear anything which, in the opinion of the referee, endangers the safety of themselves or any other player – this includes metal cleats, hard casts and all jewellery.

Referees: The referee has full authority on the field during play and his/her decisions regarding facts concerned with the play are final. The referee may banish from the field, and its vicinity, any person who is interfering with the game in an inappropriate fashion, such as constant arguing or badgering. Coaches are not to argue or question on-field decisions during the course of play, and are expected to display an attitude of respect towards referees and ensure that their players do the same. Referees are not required to provide their names or any other identifying information to coaches or any other person. Any concerns regarding referees should be directed to the head referee at referees@ntsoccer.com.

Laws of the Game: All games will be played in accordance with the NTSC Laws of the Game. Coaches, players and parents are encouraged to read and become familiar with these laws.

Expulsions/suspensions: Any player who is shown the red card, for any reason, shall be automatically suspended for their team's next scheduled game. The Club will also investigate every red card incident to determine in any further disciplinary action is necessary, and will advise the coach of any such decision. It is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that a player does not participate in a match while under suspension; if a team is founding to be fielding a suspended player, both the player and coach will be subject to further sanctions, at the discretion of the NTSC.

Kickoff times: Players are expected to arrive at the field 15 minutes prior to the time indicated on the schedule. For divisions up to and including U9, the first 25 minutes of the session will consist of player development, which is a vitally important part of the child's overall soccer experience. Coaches are asked to report players who are continually late, so that the Club may review their standing. Player development sessions will end prior to the end of the regular season, with the final two games and playoff games in the spring session, and the final game plus playoffs in the summer session, consisting of a full-hour game in the divisions that would normally have player development.

Weather/rainout policy: In some instances, games will be cancelled ahead of time by the Club due to weather or field conditions. In most cases, however, this decision is made at the field by the most senior referee present, who is the only person authorized to make decisions regarding a game's status. For more details, please read the NTSC's Weather/Rainout Policy.

Equal Time Rules: Each player is entitled to an equitable amount of playing time throughout the regular season and the finals tournament. Coaches are to provide this “equal time” to each player, to the best of their ability. The Equal Time Rules are:  

• All shifts should be of roughly equal duration subject to the duration of periods of unstopped play.
• No player may play more than one shift in excess of any of their teammates, and no player should play an extra shift (in excess of their teammates) for an undue number of games throughout the season (including the finals tournament).
• In the U6 to U11 divisions, all players on the sidelines must be shifted onto the field every time a shift change is indicated by the referee (with the exception of player injury).  

There is no limit on the number of shifts a player may play in a row in a particular game, as long as the above criteria are met.  

Coaches must not seek to gain advantage by overplaying their best players, nor should they favour any particular player for any other reason. Coaches are expected to keep shift records on a rotation sheet throughout the game, and to make it available to the referee, convenor or any NTSC official at any time during the season.  

In the case of the goalkeeper, the coach must select one of the following options at the start of the game:  

• One player may act as goalkeeper for he entire match; or
• Two players may play as goalkeeper, splitting the game in half. When either of the players is not playing as goalkeeper, they will be substituted according to the Equal Time Rules; or  
• The goalkeeper position may be treated the same as any other positions, with players shifted in and out of it as per the Equal Time Rule for the entire game.

Any player who wishes to play goalkeeper at any point in the season should be given the opportunity.

Equal Time Violations: The spirit of the Equal Time Rules is to provide all players with equitable playing time regardless of skill. Coaches are encouraged to discuss any perceived rule violations with one another at the field, as these are often innocent oversights. However, any coach who believes an opposing team is deliberately violating the letter or spirit of the law should immediately report it to their division's convenor, making note of any specific players who may have been over- or under-played. Referees have no jurisdiction over the Equal Time Rules; concerns regarding this rule should not be addressed to them.

If a team is found to have deliberately attempted to circumvent the Equal Time Rules, the following disciplinary action will apply:

• For a first offence in one session, the team shall have three (3) points and three (3) goals deducted from their total in the standings.
• For a second offence in one session, the team shall have five (5) points and five (5) goals deducted from their total in the standings, and the coach shall come under disciplinary review by the Club.
• For a third offence, the team shall have seven (7) points and seven (7) goals deducted from their total in the standings, and the coach will face sanctions, up to and including expulsion.

During the finals day tournament, coaches must provide their rotation sheets for all playoff games in order for their team to receive their prizes. As well, referees will be advised to watch for potential Equal Time violations and immediately report them to a convenor or league official. Any coach found to be violating the Equal Time Rules during the finals tournament will face disciplinary sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the Club.

Player Injury: Any player injured during play should never be moved in any way (particularly in the case of potential head, neck or spinal injuries). If they are unable to do so after a reasonable time, a coach should call 911 or solicit a qualified physician from amongst the spectators if available. Any serious player injuries must be reported to administration@ntsoccer.com. Failure to advise the Club in a timely manner may result in ineligibility for NTSC insurance coverage.  

Good Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship is a fundamental lesson that we wish to teach our players through our programs. Swearing, verbal or physical aggression, bullying, malicious teasing or excessive argumentativeness on the part of any participant toward any other participant (players, coaches, parents, referees or other spectators) is unacceptable, and is completely contrary to the spirit and objectives of our program. Coaches and parents should set a good sportsmanlike example for players at all times. At the end of each match, players and coaches from both teams should line up at the middle of the field and shake hands, immediately after the match ends and before leaving the field or having a team meeting.  

Community Courtesies: Players, coaches and spectators are asked to pick up their litter from the field and that of others who have failed to do so. Note that some of our facilities (particularly fields with artificial turf) have guidelines prohibiting pets, food and beverages other than water– please be aware of and abide by these guidelines, or you will endanger the Club's permit status and our ability to provide programs for children. Where dogs are permitted, ensure that they are on leashes at all times in the park. Cars must be parked legally and courteously in all areas in and around the neighbourhood of the parks.

Dismissal From Program: The NTSC reserves the right at any time to dismiss for the session or permanently ban from the Club's programs any player, parent or coach for their failure to abide by these regulations. While NTSC prefers not to punish players for the actions of their parents, if a parent is banned from attending games and refuses to comply, the Club reserves the right to dismiss the child from the program as well.

The NTSC Laws of the Game represent an important complementary resources to these regulations, and may be accessed by clicking here.