GWC25 Tournament Rules

INTRODUCTION

Welcome, team coordinators and captains of the eight teams participating in the 2025 Grassroot Winter Cup! We at Grassroot Soccer Association are thrilled to have your teams competing for the championship in this year’s annual tournament. Our vision is to inspire youth development, promote healthy living, and create a foundation for lifelong well-being and success within Calgary’s diverse communities.
For the 2025 tournament, we are adopting a league format, which means a total of 56 games will be played. Teams get 3 points for every game they win, 1 point for draws and no point for loss. At the end of the competition, the team with the most points will be crowned champions! In case of a tie when it comes to table position, we shall follow fifa convention.
Please review the information below and ensure that all details are communicated to your respective teams. Additionally, each team’s coordinator and captain must sign the last page of this document. The signed document must be submitted on or before February 12, 2025.

A. GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Arrival Time: Teams must arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled game. Due to venue booking rules, any game that starts late for any reason will have its playtime reduced accordingly. No additional time will be granted, so punctuality is crucial. If a team cannot field at least four outfield players and a goalkeeper at kickoff, a goal will be awarded to the opposing team every five minutes interval up until 15 mins. Three goals and three points will be awarded to the more complete team. If neither team can field at least four players and a goalkeeper, both teams will receive zero points.
2. Match Format:
o At Shouldice Athletic Park, games will be played in a 7v7 format (six outfield players plus one goalkeeper per team).
o At Calgary Soccer Centre (CSC), teams will vote on whether to play 6v6 or 7v7 before the tournament begins.
3. Code of Conduct: Disorderly behavior, including fighting, pushing, instigation, or the use of abusive language, will not be tolerated. Violators will be banned from the competition, and depending on the severity of the incident, the entire team may face penalties such as disqualification or a deduction of their security deposit.
4. Game Duration: Each match will consist of 25 minutes of continuous play with no breaks.
5. Team Roster:
o For games at CSC, teams may register a maximum of 20 players. The finalized player list must be submitted by February 13, 2025.
o For games at Shouldice Athletic Park, teams may add up to five additional players to their roster. The updated list, including these extra players, must be submitted by March 10, 2025. Players added to the roster must not have been registered by another team in the tournament. If this happens, the player will be banned and the team registering an already registered player will have 3 points deducted from their total points per registered player.
6. Calgary Soccer Center (CSC) rules:
o At CSC, indoor cleats without studs are the acceptable footwear. If any player comes with studded cleats, the player will forfeit that game.
o The ball is considered out of play if it hits the net on all sides of the picture. A kick-in or corner kick will be awarded.
o No barging players to the wall at anytime. A foul will be awarded and/or cards.
7. Publicity and team fans:

We encourage all teams to come with their fans to watch each game. GSA will provide promo materials and game recaps to help get lots of friends and supporters to the games. If you have social media pages, please tag yycgrassrootsoccer (Instagram) in all your posts. Let’s work together to make this tournament on of the best in Alberta.

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B. VENUE & SCHEDULE
1. Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Calgary Soccer Centre: Annex – Bravo and Alpha fields
o First games kick off at 7:00 PM, with all matches concluding by 10:00 PM.
2. Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Calgary Soccer Centre: Annex – Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie fields
o First games kick off at 8:30 PM, with all matches concluding by 10:30 PM.
3. Sunday, March 16, 2025 – Shouldice Athletic Park: Quarter Fields #01, #03, and #04
o First games kick off at 2:30 PM, with all matches concluding by 5:30 PM.
4. Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Shouldice Athletic Park: Quarter Fields #01, #03, and #04
o First games kick off at 9:00 AM.
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C. GAME SCHEDULE
1. The game schedule for each matchday will be shared at least three days in advance via the WhatsApp group.
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D. GAMEPLAY
1. Each game will begin with one team kicking off at midfield. The home team will decide whether they want to start with possession of the ball or choose which side of the pitch to begin on.
2. After a goal is scored, the team that conceded will restart play with a kick-off from the center.
3. Kick-offs cannot be played forward.
4. A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-off.
5. The ball must completely cross the goal line and enter the net for a goal to count.
6. The opposing team must be at least five feet away from the ball during a kick-off until it is in play.
7. Substitutions can be made on the fly, except for the goalkeeper, where a stoppage in play is required. However, the substituted player must leave the field completely before the substitute can enter. If both players are on the field simultaneously, a free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.
8. Heading the ball is allowed.
9. When the ball goes out of play on the sidelines, the opposing team will restart with a “kick-in” from the spot where the ball exited.
o A goal cannot be scored directly from a sideline kick-in unless it touches another offensive player before entering the net.
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E. FOULS / INFRACTIONS
1. No slide tackling – Players, including goalkeepers, are not allowed to slide to challenge an opponent with the ball. The opposing team will automatically gain possession if this occurs. Repeated infractions may result in a warning or removal from the game. (Note: Goalkeepers may go to the ground to make a save as long as they are not moving toward an attacking player.)
2. Players are not allowed to attempt to kick or challenge for the ball while lying on the ground.
3. Players may not kick or attempt to kick an opponent.
4. Players may not trip or attempt to trip an opponent.
5. Jumping at or into an opponent is not allowed.
6. Charging an opponent in a violent, reckless, or dangerous manner is prohibited.
7. Holding, grabbing, pushing, or obstructing an opponent in any way is not allowed.
8. Players may not make any contact with the goalkeeper inside the goal area. Any interference with the goalkeeper will result in the keeper gaining possession of the ball.
9. Handballs – A handball occurs when the ball touches any part of a player’s arm from the shoulder to the fingertips, except for the goalkeeper inside their designated area.
o All handballs, whether intentional or accidental, will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team unless the infraction occurs inside the goal area.
10. Indirect free kicks – If a player commits a foul or rule violation, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the infraction.
o A goal cannot be scored directly from an indirect free kick; it must be touched by another offensive player before entering the net.
11. Penalty kicks – If a foul occurs inside the goal area, the opposing team is awarded a penalty kick.
o The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the kick is taken (no advancing forward before the shot).
12. Cards (Yellow & Red) – Referees may issue disciplinary cards as follows:
o Yellow Card – The player must leave the field for one minute and stay in the referee’s designated box. Multiple yellow cards may be issued to the same player.
o Red Card – The player is ejected from the match and cannot be replaced.
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]F. GOALKEEPING
1. Goalkeepers cannot use their hands for back passes.
2. Goalkeepers are allowed to leave their goal area and play the ball with their feet.
3. Goalkeepers are not allowed to handle the ball outside their goal area.
4. If a goalkeeper picks up the ball outside their designated area or brings it back inside the goal area to handle it, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick either at the spot of the infraction or from the edge of the goal area, whichever is farther.

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G. INDEMNITY
1. Participation in the 2025 Grassroot Winter Cup is voluntary, and all players, team coordinators, and participants acknowledge the inherent risks involved in competitive sports, including but not limited to physical injuries, accidents, and other unforeseen incidents.
2. The Grassroot Soccer Association (GSA), its organizers, officials, referees, and affiliated partners shall not be held liable for any injuries, medical expenses, damages, losses, or liabilities sustained during or as a result of participation in the tournament.
3. By participating in this tournament, all players and team representatives agree to assume full responsibility for their health, safety, and well-being before, during, and after games.
4. Each team is strongly encouraged to ensure that all players have adequate medical insurance coverage before competing in the tournament.
5. Any damages to equipment, facilities, or venues used for the tournament will be the financial responsibility of the player responsible for the damage and their team. The team coordinator and captain are expected to ensure all players respect the facilities and equipment provided.
6. GSA reserves the right to remove any player or team that fails to comply with the rules and regulations outlined in this document.

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H. REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT
1. The Grassroot Soccer Association (GSA) confirms the receipt of a $250 security deposit from each participating team as part of their tournament registration.
2. This deposit serves as a commitment fee to ensure fair play, sportsmanship, and adherence to the tournament rules.
3. The full security deposit will be refunded within five (5) business days after the conclusion of the tournament, provided that the team has met all participation requirements and has not incurred any penalties.
4. Forfeiture Policy:
o If a team fails to show up for a scheduled game, they will forfeit the entire deposit—no exceptions.
o A $50 deduction will be made from the security deposit for every Red Card received by a player on the team.
5. If a team incurs deductions and the remaining deposit is less than the refundable amount, the team will receive the adjusted balance accordingly.
All teams are encouraged to honor their commitments, play responsibly, and maintain discipline throughout the tournament to ensure a full refund of their deposit.

Addendum to the rules 2/13 (February 15)

* All players are required to wear shin guards. If you play without one, you would be asked to leave the game. You can return when you wear one. Players without shin guards can be replaced.
* The goalie has 10 seconds to release the ball back in play after catching it.
* Once the game begins, the doors at CSC for each field remain closed. Players or coaching staff waiting outside can not disrupt the game by walking into the pitch. Please wait until the goalie catches the ball before you can enter. Time will not be added for such delays.
* Each game will have a Game Day Marshall (GDM) to assist the ref and the general operations of the game.
* Each team is to bring 2 balls for every game.
* Please do not play unregistered players. Playing unregistered players can lead to a few repercussions up to disqualification from the tournament. Reach out if you need to make adjustments.

NO CLEATS at Calgary Soccer Center

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I. AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
We are excited to celebrate the outstanding performances, sportsmanship, and dedication of teams and individuals throughout the 2025 Grassroot Winter Cup. The following awards will be presented at the end of the tournament:
🏆 Team Awards
1. Champions – Gold medals, a trophy, and a cash prize (TBD).
2. 1st Runner-up – Silver medals.
3. 2nd Runner-up – Bronze medals.
🌟 Individual & Special Awards
1. Highest Goal Scorer – Awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.
2. Best Goalkeeper – Recognizing the most outstanding goalie based on saves, clean sheets, and overall performance.
3. Best Behaved Coach – Awarded to the coach who demonstrates excellent sportsmanship, leadership, and respect throughout the tournament.
4. Fair Play Team – Given to the team that upholds the highest level of sportsmanship, discipline, and respect for opponents and officials.
5. Most Punctual Team – Recognizing the team that consistently arrives on time for all games.
6. Team with the Highest Participation in Grassroot Soccer Events – Awarded to the team that actively engages and supports Grassroot Soccer initiatives beyond the tournament.
7. Team with the Highest Fan Support – Given to the team with the most enthusiastic and supportive fans throughout the tournament.
We encourage all teams and players to compete with passion, respect, and commitment, as these awards recognize not just skill but also dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Good luck to all teams! ⚽🏆🎖️