Laurier Athletics and Recreation - Brantford Campus

Department Note

The mission of the Athletics & Recreation Department is to establish an Intramural program for students to enjoy and participate in without restraint, which is free from harassment, discrimination and abusive behavior. This program will also promote healthy and active living in a safe and friendly student-oriented environment.

All players, spectators and administrators are expected to abide by the following:

• Respect the written rules of the game and the unwritten rules of sportsmanship
• Respect the officials and accept their judgement and decisions
• Respect your opponent
• Maintain self-control and dignity under all circumstances

By voluntarily participating in Laurier Brantford’s Campus Recreation/Intramural programs, all participants assume the risk of injury. Laurier Brantford does not accept responsibility for injury or loss incurred by any person participating in activities organized and administered by the Athletics & Recreation Department.

All players must bring their current OneCard to each intramural game. Regular checks will occur to ensure each player is eligible to participate. If a player’s card is lost, then they must bring a piece of photo ID and proof that they are currently enrolled at Laurier Brantford. Remember, you may only play for 1 team in 1 level.

Purpose

The spirit of intramural sport is to provide an outlet for physical activity, further the sense of community and support health and well-being among students. Intramural sports should be a safe and supportive environment for those who choose to participate. This code outlines how the program will be administered, along with participant responsibilities and general conduct. Intramural participants are expected to treat teammates, opponents and officials with respect and dignity as specified in the FAIR PLAY guidelines and the Intramural philosophy of fun for all.  

All who participate in the Intramural program are bound by the details of the Intramural Code of Conduct, the Wilfrid Laurier University Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct (12.3), the Fair Play Code, and the Intramural Captain’s Manual.

Inclusion

Wilfrid Laurier University Athletics and Recreation recognizes and celebrates the diverse student population among its players and encourages students to participate in intramural sports based on their expressed gender identity.

Wilfrid Laurier University Athletics and Recreation department has a Zero Tolerance Policy with regards to discriminatory behaviours of any kind. This includes any language or gesture that a participant finds offensive or disrespectful. Offending individuals will be held responsible for this behaviour regardless of the intent. If a participant understands a behaviour as discriminatory in any way, an investigation will be immediately launched.

Fair Play Code

Everyone who participates in programs run by the Athletics and Recreation department is bound by the fair play code. The code states that everyone who uses recreation facilities should demonstrate respect for others, respect the facility being used, share equipment and space, maintain self-control, and contribute to the betterment of experiences at the facility. Strikes and penalties can also be issued for infractions as outlined below. Penalties may include a suspension from play and processes outlined by various codes which the participant is bound by.

The fair play system is generally based on a three-strike philosophy and may be issued at the discretion of league administration. Stikes are allocated in the following manner:

• 1st Strike (X) – League administrators send an e-mail to the team captain informing them that his/her team has received a strike against them. The team captain will also be warned that any subsequent strikes will result in game forfeiture.
• 2nd Strike (X) – The second strike against a team warrants a meeting between the team captain and League Administrators. 
• 3rd Strike (X) – The third strike against a team results in automatic ejection from the league and a meeting with the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life, to determine the appropriate discipline and future implications for the team.

Game Defaults

Intramural teams are expected to attend their scheduled game with the minimum required players for that sport. If a team is expecting to not have the minimum number of players or is unable to attend their scheduled game, the team is required to provide a minimum of 48 hours notice to the Rec Program Student Leaders. Teams that are unable to field a team, are charged with a default. Refer to sport-specific rules for the minimum number of players required for each sport. When 48 hours notice are not provided, the result will be the following:  

• One (1) default results in the team forfeiting the game.
• Two (2) defaults in a season results in the team being charged with a minus two in the standings.
• Three (3) defaults in a season results in elimination from the league.

League Discipline

When disciplinary action is warranted, it will be administered by the following processes:

• Intramural administration will administer disciplinary procedures in accordance with this code. The Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life can escalate incidents to other entities such as the Dean of Students Office or Department of Residence when necessary.
• If a disciplinary issue has been brought to the attention of any entity, the participant involved will be considered indefinitely suspended from all leagues until a decision has been made.
• Discipline can fall into one or more of the following categories: team infractions, individual infractions and repeat offender infractions.
• If a player has been suspended from one intramural sports league, they may not participate in any other leagues until the suspension has been served in that league.

Team Infractions

Team infractions are related to the operations of the team or when the individual actor cannot be identified. These infractions extend to coaches and other individuals affiliated with the team (i.e., a spectator). These may include in a game forfeiture. For offences that would constitute an individual infraction of Class 2 or above, the penalty will likely also include the removal of a team from play until the perpetrator has been identified. The following represent team infractions: 

• Missing the captain’s meeting
• Defaulting a game for not enough players or not providing enough advance notice to the convenor
• Playing an ineligible player (may also enforce an individual penalty)
• Late roster submissions
• Players getting involved in an incident, and when these players cannot be identified by name
• Failure to clean up litter, garbage or other items like water bottles or athletic tape after a game
• Any sort of facility vandalism (will also enforce individual penalties
• Wearing an inappropriate uniform or article of clothing as outlined in the captain’s manual
• Failure to perform request by the convenor and league. These may include duties such as fairly keeping score or responding to an eligibility check
• An action by a team or player that league administration considers to be a travesty of sport
• Any evidence of drug / alcohol that consumed at an intramural venue (including those offsite)
• In this case, the team will be responsible for any fines incurred by the department
• Failing to adhere to the Fair Play Code
• Failing to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct

Individual Infractions

Individual infractions occur when an individual commits an offence that is classified into one of the categories below. Multiple people who are involved in the same incident may be assigned individual infractions. Individual infractions will usually result in intramural-specific sanctions and the partial forfeiture of the team’s performance bond. They may also involve escalation to another entity, such as the Dean of Students Office. Individual infractions fall into one of five classifications. Examples of penalties are provided below:

Class 1 (minimum 1 game suspension)

• Relatively minor but warranting some disciplinary action. These are characterized by no intent to injure or cause harm; however, the player has been disruptive and/or disrespectful to a staff, opponents, or the department.
  • Excessive questioning or arguing with referees, convenor, or facility staff
  • Offensive language directed towards an opponent (i.e., swearing at an opponent)
  • Failure to follow basic facility rules
  • Throwing an object onto the playing surface (not directed at another person)
  • Pushing or enacting physical force on someone that it outside of the regular rules of play
  • Multiple sport-specific minor penalties in a game (e.g., 3 Yellow Cards, 3 minor penalties)
  • Sport-specific major penalties (e.g., Red Card, Technical Foul, 5 Minute Major, Game Ejection)

Class 2 (minimum 3 game suspension)

• Inappropriate incidents that warrant disciplinary action due to the level of disruption or potential harm the action may have caused.
  • Striking an opponent (not a fight)
  • Checking from behind
  • Verbal abuse of referees or staff
  • Offensive language directed towards an opponent that is deemed more vulgar than a Class 1
  • Squirting someone with a water bottle
  • Failing to leave after ejection
  • Throwing an object at someone which is not considered apart of regular play (does not have to make contact)

Class 3 (minimum 5 game suspension)

• More serious incidents that very likely could have cause some harm to another person.
  • Checking to the head
  • Fight as considered by the referees (usually when 2 or more strikes are thrown)
  • Head butt
  • Evidence of drugs, alcohol, or any inappropriate substances at an intramural venue
  • Playing under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any substance not prescribed by a medical professional

Class 4 (120-day ban)

• Very serious incidents that may also warrant the student(s) involved to be reported to the Dean of Students Office in accordance with the Wilfrid Laurier University Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct (12.3)
  • Facility vandalism
  • Playing while suspended
  • Spitting on an opponent
  • Discriminatory slurs
  • Intentionally using equipment to strike the head of a participant
  • Instigator in a fight
  • Getting involved in a fight or altercation as the 3rd person or more – also referred to as ‘3rd man in’

Class 5 (365-day ban)

• Very serious incidents that will also warrant a report to the Dean of Students Office in accordance with the Wilfrid Laurier University Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct (12.3)
  • Intent to injure
  • Physical abuse of referee or other athletics and recreation staff
  • Continuing fight after an advantage has been gained
  • Leaving the bench to join a fight or altercation

Notes:

*Each class represents a minimum suspension and harsher penalties may be assigned if the league administration deems warranted. 
**Individuals who commit more than one infraction in a season are considered repeated offenders and the class of the infraction will automatically be increased (e.g., from Class 1 to 2).  
***League administration will review any incidents that are reported. When incidents are not directly observed by staff it may however be difficult to issue penalties. To combat this, all incidents that are reported will still be reviewed, documented, and at minimum, warnings will be issued. When trends of inappropriate behaviour have been brought forward, action may still be taken even if the behaviour is not directly observed by staff. Trends are defined as two or more similar complaints about the same individual or team.

Appeals

All appeals must be submitted by the team captain to the Rec Program Student Leaders within 48 hours of disciplinary notice. Appeals may be submitted through email. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life, will determine if the merits of the appeal are appropriate to warrant a meeting. Suspended players will remain suspended until the appeal is heard. If an appeal is warranted, a meeting will be scheduled with the team captain and appeals committee to further understand the situation. After the meetings, the appeals committee will discuss and the full-time staff member will issue a verdict. Verdicts may include upholding the penalty, a stricter penalty, or acquitting the penalty. The structure of the appeals committee may be modified if a member reveals a potential conflict of interest, or if the members of the committee cannot meet for a time sensitive matter. The appeals committee will generally be comprised of the following members: 

• 2 Intramural Captains
• 2 Student Staff
• 1 Full-Time Staff Member

Appeal process: 

1. Captain is provided with a suspension notice from the Rec Program Student Leaders.
2. Captain has 48 hours to review, write an appeal and submit to the Rec Program Student Leaders. 
3. When an appeal is received, the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life, will determine if there is merit for the appeal. Merit will be determined by whether the suspension issued met the criteria of the infraction and the documentation submitted to the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life.
4. If the appeal will be heard, the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life will schedule a meeting with the captain and appeal committee.
5. Prior to the hearing, members of the appeals committee will review the supporting documentation and prepare 1-2 potential questions for the student who committed the infraction that they can ask these at the meeting.  
6. During the hearing, the student who committed the infraction will speak first and be able to reiterate their reasons for appealing the decision. Members of the appeal committee may then ask their questions and seek further clarification.  
   1. If necessary, the referee or convenor may also be called to discuss. 
7. After the hearing, the members of the appeals committee will discuss and provide the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life with a recommended decision (e.g., Reduce, Uphold, Provide Further Discipline)   
8. The final verdict will be issued by the Coordinator, Recreation & Student Life to the student. 

Notes: 

*1 game suspensions and Fair Play Strikes are not appealable 
**Appeal process in the spring / summer may be adjusted due to limited number of staff available.

Game Protests

If a Captain wishes to protest a game, he or she may launch a protest only if a misapplication of the rules occurs. Only the team captain, as outlined through registration, may protest a game. 

All protests must be made in writing to a Rec Program Student Leader within 24 hours of the end of the game. Protests must be sent by the team captain as indicated through the registration process to a Rec Program Student Leader via email.

All final protest rulings will be communicated by the Rec Program Student leaders and will be considered final.

Player Eligibility

Only registered Laurier students with a valid student ID and are on the roster are eligible to participate in the Intramural program. For those playing in a joint league, only players with a valid student ID or YMCA membership and are on the roster are eligible to participate in the Intramural program. The following eligibility rules are to be respected: 

• Participants may only play for ONE team per league
• Teams may not have more than three (3) extramural and/or varsity athletes on their roster
• Only players on the roster with completed waivers are considered eligible players
• Players must sign in with the referee or Rec Program Student Leaders prior to the start of each game. Sign in involves presenting a valid student ID/YMCA membership to the referee or Rec Program Student Leaders. Only players who have signed in and have presented a valid student card/membership card will be recorded as ‘played’
• Leagues participants must be recorded as ‘played’ on the game sheet for a minimum of 3 regular season games to be eligible for playoffs.

Ineligibility

Students are ineligible to participate in Intramurals if they fall into one of the following categories:

• Student is suspended from Intramural play
• Student plays for a team that has been knocked out of the play-offs—i.e., the player cannot join another team that remains in play
• Student plays for a team that has been removed from the league or Intramurals for any reason—i.e., the student may not join another team in the same league

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation occurs when a team knowingly or not uses an ineligible player in an Intramural game. Eligibility is determined according to the rules outlined in the section on player eligibility.

Any player who is not covered by these regulations or who has not received special permission from the Rec Program Student Leaders (e.g., hockey goalies) is deemed ineligible for Intramural play.

There are individual and team sanctions for misrepresentation. The minimum sanction is game forfeiture.

Game Procedures

Intramural program blocks are scheduled in specific increments that include warm-up, gametime, room for intermission (sport-dependent), and a buffer at the end for transition. The referee and Rec Program Student Leaders have the discretion to adjust these times in order to stay on schedule. Generally, an intramural program block is structured as follows: 

• Warm-up: 10 minutes and begins at the start of the program block
• Game start: 10 minutes into the program block, the clock will start at this time regardless of whether teams are ready to play. This includes if teams have not appropriately signed in yet, or if the playing surface/boundaries are not clear of obstruction (i.e., bags, jackets, wet shoes). It is up to the players and captain to ensure they are signed in appropriately and have not obstructed the playing surface or boundaries with their belongings.
• Game ends: approximately 5 minutes remaining in the program block

Playoff Structure

Playoff structure will be determined by the Rec Program Student Leaders and there is no guarantee that all teams will make playoffs. Teams have penalties or infractions may be deemed ineligible for playoffs. Playoff games are often scheduled based on standing. 

Return to Play from Injuries

As in any sport, there is risk to injury. If an injury occurs, it will be the call of the Rec Program Student Leaders and the player injured as to whether that player may return to play for the rest of the game. It is at the discretion of the player to decide if they are healthy enough to return to play for subsequent games. If a player is injured and staff recommend seeing a medical professional, it is the player’s responsibility to follow through with making that appointment and speaking to a professional about whether it would be safe for them to return to play.

Equipment

For the safety and protection of all participants, the following policies will be enforced: 

• Helmets, full facemasks (cage/plastic) and mouthguards must be worn and properly fastened for:
  • Ice Hockey
  • Ball hockey
• Shin guards are recommended for all participants involved in all soccer leagues.
• As equipment needs to be fitted to each individual and is of a personal nature, participants are expected to supply much of their own equipment.
• Mouth guards are strongly encouraged for all sports
• Equipment made of hard plastic (i.e., hard braces) is not permitted unless approved by the Rec Program Student Leaders
• Braces must be soft
• Watches are not permitted 
• Jewelry must be taped or removed 
• Glasses or lenses are permitted at the player’s own risk 
• Hats are not permitted for indoor sports
• Brimmed hats are not permitted for outdoor sports
• Soft cleats are permitted for outdoor sports, however metal cleats are not allowed
• Adhesive substances may not be applied to gloves or hands (e.g., Stickum, Glove juice, etc).

Refunds

A request for refunds must be submitted to the Rec Program Student Leaders by midnight of the registration deadline. Request for refunds must indicate the reason for withdrawal from the league, the order number, and payment method. No refunds will be processed after the first day of play. If a free agent is transferred to a team other than the free agent or finds their own team to play on, they shall not be eligible for refund. Free Agent fees WILL NOT be transferable to team captains who have free agents placed on their team as a service has been provided by the department.

Inclement Weather

The safety of players, employees and spectators is the primary concern in any weather event that occurs during any intramural league play. The activity still must end at completion of scheduled booking unless permission granted by the Athletics and Recreation Department.  Facility staff are permitted to cancel any activity due to severe weather conditions at any time. 

Failure to comply with the above-stated expectations during Intramural play will result in an appropriate penalty as outlined in this code.