Brampton Volleyball League

Mission Statement

Revision: March 24, 2007

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of this league is to provide recreational volleyball for the residents of Brampton.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

References to "BVL" or the "League" pertain to the entire Brampton Volleyball League. "Divisions" are categories of the League (e.g. Co-Ed Competitive 6s, Co-Ed Reverse 4s, Co-Ed Non-Spiking 6s, Men's, Women's, Beach). "Levels" are subcategories of the Divisions (e.g. C1, C2, C3, D1). "Members" are the individuals who pay to play in the BVL.
The "Administrator" is a paid staff person who shall facilitate the wishes of the Board. The Administrator shall take direction from the elected Communications Director. In the absence of the Communications Director, the President will supervise the activities of the Administrator.
The BVL will hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to:
- Elect members to the Board of Directors.
- Present Financial Statements.
- Answer questions posed by the membership.
The Board of Directors will be elected by current BVL members in attendance at the AGM. The Board will consist of a maximum of nine Directors. A minimum of four Directors will be elected at each AGM. The Directors shall choose, from within their ranks, who will serve in each of the Executive roles. These roles include President, VP-Facilities, VP-Referees, Treasurer, Director of Communications, Director of Standings and Statistics and Director of Open Gyms and Clinics. The term for each Director's position is two years.
In the event a director's position becomes vacant, the board may appoint an interim director who will serve until the next AGM.
No individual may occupy the position of Treasurer for more than three consecutive years. All expenditures must be approved by at least two Directors.
A quorum of directors (5 or more) must be present to vote.
No more than 20% of the members may reside outside of the City of Brampton. The Board may take whatever steps they feel are necessary to satisfy the player residency requirements of the City of Brampton Parks and Recreation Department.
At any time, the rules may be amended by a majority decision of the Board of Directors.
On an annual basis, the Board will re-evaluate the structure, and the size, of the League. The availability of gymnasium space is an important factor.

REGISTRATION / REFUNDS

The fee structure shall be determined by the Board. Membership fees will be used to pay for facilities, referees, and League operations. Partial payments, or post-dated cheques, are not acceptable. Registration will not be accepted without full payment. Spots will not be held for any teams. No exceptions!
Teams will be registered on a first-paid, first-entered basis. No reservations allowed. The League will accept a predetermined number of Individual entries for each Division. The BVL will assist these individuals to organize themselves into teams.
Teams entries differ from Individual entries. If any portion of a team's payment is incomplete, or unacceptable, all members of the team will be held accountable. Failure to immediately rectify the incomplete payment upon notification will result in forfeiture of registration spot.
Refunds and transfers are subject to a service charge. Refunds cheques will not be issued prior to the end of Realignment. Refunds will not be issued until the Treasurer is satisfied that the original payment has cleared through the banking system.
If an individual registrant leaves the League before the beginning of Realignment, the BVL will retain a $20 Service Charge. If a team departs before the start of Realignment, the BVL will retain $50 as a Service Charge.
Prior to the beginning of Realignment, an Individual may join an Existing Team. A refund will not be issued until a completed Transfer Request form is submitted to the Administrator. The BVL will retain a $10 service charge to cover administrative costs.
After re-alignment refunds to Individuals entries will only be issued for the following reasons: INJURY, MOVING, PREGNANCY. No refund will be granted prior to Executive approval. All applicable service charges will be deducted from the gross amount. A deduction will be made to offset the cost of games played.
If a person withdraws from a Team entry, the BVL is not obliged to refund any portion of the Team entry fee. Refer to the section titled "Eligibility" for information regarding roster changes.
If an NSF cheque is submitted to the BVL, a service charge of $25 will be levied. The subsequent payment must be made in the form of a certified cheque or cash.
The Board reserves the right to amend team names. Similar names create confusion and misunderstandings. No team will be allowed to change their team name before the end of Realignment.

COMMUNICATIONS

BVL Communication Policy: Your team's captain/representative, will receive an email of future schedule changes/issues and the website will also reflect the changes/issues. If less then 48 hours notice is available, you will receive a voicemail in addition to the email. All league wide events will be released to all members who wish, by providing email addresses. We do not release contact information to outside agencies, all information if for the sole use of the Brampton Volleyball League related events.

Each team must provide the name, phone number (home & work), of a designated Captain.
Each Team captain must designate a co-captain. The co-captain must be from a separate household and maintain a separate email address.
The BVL Administrator will contact the Captain via email or telephone to convey important or time-sensitive information. It is the responsibility of the Captain or designated co-captain to convey all information to the members of their team.
The BVL provide various modes of communications:
- Telephone BVL Hotline: 905-792-2692
- E-Mail: hotline@bramptonvolleyball.com
- Website: http://bramptonvolleyball.com
- Printed material distributed at BVL events (ie schedules, flyers and newsletters)
- Telephone BVL Hotline: 905-792-2692 A post office box: Brampton Volleyball League
  
  P.O. Box 68557,
  Great Lakes Postal Outlet
  Brampton, Ontario
  L6S 6A1
A representative of each team will be required to attend the Captains meetings.
It is unlikely that the BVL will cancel games due to bad weather. On occasion, a School Principal will decide to close his / her facility. The BVL has no control over this decision, or the timing of the cancellation. Every effort will be made to provide advance notice to the affected Captains. If the weather is bad, please check the recorded message on the Hotline (792-2692) or refer to the website: http://www.bramptonvolleyball.com. The Peel Board of Education also offers a website http://www.peel.edu.on.ca which may help you to confirm the status of each facility.

TEAMS MADE UP FROM INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES

If Indy teams are having problems with their players (example: not attending games), the Captain or Alternate Captain is required to contact League Administrator. If an Indy Team requires players, they must first claim them off of the BVL Waiting List.
Each Individual team (hereafter referred to as 'Indy Teams') will be required to designate a Captain and Alternate Captain. The BVL will convey information to both the Captain and the Alternate Captain of the Indy Teams. They are required to pass this information onto ALL listed players on their INDY Team roster. Contact information will be provided to desginated representatives. Should it be determined that the chosen Captain does not adequately provide that communication to Indy Team players the BVL will designate another Captain or have the adminstrator assume the responsabilities till the BVL sees fit.

ELIGIBILITY

The eligibility of any individual, or team, shall be determined by the Board. The minimum age to play in any BVL Adult Division is 18 yrs.
A member may only play on one team in a Division. Players may play in more than one Division (i.e. men's, women's, reverse 4's or Non-spiking). Only the people listed on the team roster are eligible to play. A player cannot be on more than one roster in a single Division. No player may participate in both the Co-Ed Competitive and the Co-Ed Non-Spiking Divisions in the same season.
Before the end of the Initial Captain's Meeting, each team must submit a completed team roster. The roster shall identify all regular players and spares.. The Board has the right to deny any proposed roster change. Players who are not on the roster will not be eligible to participate. A cut-off date for roster changes will be determined at the Initial Captain's Meeting. No roster changes will be allowed after that date unless authorized by the BVL Executive. Roster changes must be submitted, by phone or email, prior to the player's first game
All regular players will be required to sign the BVL waiver form which must be submitted before the start of the regular season.
Failure to submit a roster, may result in the forfeiture of all wins until acceptable documentation is received by the Administrator. Forfeited wins will not be reinstated.
For a player to leave one team and join another, requires the completion of a "Player Transfer Form" and payment of the $10 transfer fee. Once the transfer is approved, the BVL will contact the Captains of the affected teams.
If player eligibility is in question, a player must, upon request, provide one piece of picture identification to allow proper verification. The information will be recorded on the score sheet and the match will continue. Failure to comply may be grounds for protest of the game results. Only Directors, Convenors, Captains, Referees/On-Site Coordinators and the Administrator may request eligibility confirmation. If the identity of a participant can be established, despite the absence of picture identification, the Board will decide his/her eligibility. If the participant is deemed to be ineligible, the games in which they played will be forfeit. The referee will notify teams if any game is being played under protest.
Prior to the playoffs, each Head Referee/On-Site Coordinator will be provided with a copy of the Rosters. Disputes concerning eligibility must be directed to the Head Referee/On-Site Coordinator in any given facility. If the Head Referee/On- Site Coordinator can confirm the identity of the disputed individual, the person may be permitted to play. The game may be played under protest. If the Board determines that the player is ineligible, the games in which they played, will be forfeit.

CONDUCT

Participants must accept the referees decisions with sportsmanlike conduct, without disputing them. In case of doubt, clarification may be requested only through the game captain. Participants must refrain from actions or attitudes aimed at influencing the decisions of the referees or covering up faults committed by their team. Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of fair play, not only towards the referees, but also towards other officials, the opponents, team- mates and spectators. Communication between team members during the match is permitted.
Inappropriate behavior, or indebtedness to the BVL, may result in a suspension or sanction. Permanent expulsion shall require a majority decision by the Board. The Board shall determine if any refund is warranted.
Refusal to comply with a request from a representative of the BVL may result in sanctions which affect the entire team.
The BVL utilizes gymnasiums owned by public institutions (i.e. City of Brampton, Peel Board of Education, Dufferin-Peel Separate Schools etc.). Members shall respect the policies / restrictions which are imposed by the property owner. Spectators under the age of 16 are not allowed in the facilities during BVL Adult Programs. There shall be no smoking, drinking, chewing of gum or use of profanity in the facilities. Access within the facilities shall be restricted to the gymnasiums, change rooms, washrooms and the corridors that connect them to the building entrance.
Failure to comply with a BVL rule may result in the interruption of a game. If the transgressor continues to defy the instructions of an authorized BVL representative (i.e. a referee, a convenor, an instructor, the Administrator, or a Director), their team may be assigned a default. If the objectionable conduct persists, the individual, or the team, may be subject to additional penalties.
Any person who commits an act of aggression (physical or verbal) at a BVL event will be immediately suspended from participation in any BVL activities. A Disciplinary Committee must then investigate the incident. A Disciplinary Committee must then investigate the incident which may result in further sanctions, up to and including permanent expulsion
A Disciplinary Committee will consist of at least three Directors from the BVL Executive, none of whom can be a party to the incident. The Disciplinary Committee will be formed, investigate the incident, and respond within 5 days from the date of the incident. All involved parties will be advised of the Committee's findings and of any disciplinary measures that result.
A decision of the Disciplinary Committee may be appealed to the full Board of Directors, none of whom can be a party to the incident. The appeal must commence within 48 hours of the receipt of notification of the Disciplinary Committee?s decision. The appeal must be in the form of a signed letter delivered to the BVL Administrator or to a member of the Board of Directors. The incident shall be reviewed and within 5 days the plaintiff will be advised of the decision. All suspensions shall remain in effect during the appeal process.
A Team Captain may protest any game when they feel their opponent or referee is in violation of a BVL rule. Any BVL member not participating in the game in question may also protest the game if they feel the teams or referees are in violation of a BVL rule. A referee?s ball handling calls are not grounds for protesting a game.
The person protesting the game must immediately inform the Referee/On-site Coordinator and the affected Captains that the game is being played under protest. It is also considered sportsmanlike to provide the offending team(s) the opportunity to correct the perceived problem.
A team may lose a protest for being unsportsmanlike, even when they are in the right.
If a protest cannot be resolved during the game in question, then it should be submitted in writing to the BVL Administrator within 7 days. Unsigned protests will not be considered. Within 5 days of the receipt of the protest, a member of the Board or a Co-ordinator will respond. All concerned parties will be notified of the decision. Within the framework of existing BVL Rules, the Directors have the authority to take any necessary action to resolve the dispute.
Any team that defaults games on two evenings during the season will receive a verbal warning from the League Executive. A third default will lead to a written warning from the League Executive. A fourth default will result in ejection from the BVL for the remainder of the season. NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED! The BVL reserves the right to deny the team (or its members) entry in subsequent seasons. Teams comprised of Individual Entries may be given special consideration.

GENERAL

It is understood that there are inherent physical risks associated with any sport. People will be hit by balls during the course of a game. It is not uncommon for individuals to come in contact with other participants and the gymnasium equipment. Sprained ankles, broken fingers etc. may result from participation in this sport. The BVL will be held harmless against any claims, direct or indirect, associated with personal injuries sustained at a BVL event. It is understood that all players accept these risks as a condition of participation.
To ensure the safety of all concerned, the Board reserves the right to deny an individual the opportunity to participate in a BVL event. The reason for such an action must be explained to the Directors and to the offending party. This may, or may not, relate to the physical state of an individual.
Representatives of the BVL (including Directors, Co-ordinators, Referees/On-Site Coordinators and Administrators) may conclude, cancel, or modify an event if they have a concern related to safety.
Prior to further participation, any player who discovers that she is pregnant must submit a Doctor's note to the League Executive. The note must confirm that the risks of personal injury to the mother and/or fetus associated with physical activities involved in volleyball play have been discussed and the participant has agreed to accept all responsibility for such risks in order to continue playing.
The Board will provide clarification concerning the interpretation of the BVL rules.
All commitments and/or information (spoken or written), pertaining to the BVL or the BRAMPTON VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE, must be pre-approved by the BVL Board of Directors.
Realignment is the process of ranking teams. Teams will play a series of games to determine the Level where they will begin the Regular Season. New teams and teams made up of individual entries, are slotted into positions in the existing ladder. Realignment enables teams to move up, and down the ladder each week.

GAME RULES

Games will be played according to BVL rules (which are based on current OVA Rules unless otherwise stated).
All games will use 'rally point' scoring to 25 pts. Exceptions will be made for the Non-spiking, Reverse 4's and Master's Divisions.
The Libero player is not permitted
Let serves are permitted and must be played in Coed Competitive, Men's, Women's, Masters 35+ and Reverse 4's only.
There are no uniform requirements.
All games are played at Men's net height (2.43m or the top loop on the pole) with the exception of the Women's, Co-ed Reverse 4's and the Youth League which play at Women's net height (2.24m or the second loop from the top).
Each team is responsible for providing a game volleyballs. Under no circumstances shall members use or remove volleyballs belonging to the rental facilities. Any team(s) found in contrevention of this rule will automatically default their games and may be suspended from the league without refund.
A Team may have up to 12 players on its roster, and a minimum of 8 for indoor/outdoor 6's and a minimum of 6 for indoor/outdoor 4's. Minimum/Maximum requirements for Individual teams are set by the league
A Legal Team in the Indoor Co-ed Competitive Divisions shall not have more men than women on the court, with a minimum of 1 man and no more than 3 men. A legal Team in the Outdoor Coed 4's Competitive divisions shall not have more men than women on the court. The only exception being an outdoor Coed 4's team may choose to start playing a game with 3 players. If the team consists of 2 males and one female a 5-point penalty will be instituted. The minimum number of players is 4 for all divisions except Co-ed Reverse and Beach Volleyball Competitive 4's where the minimum is 2. No ghost players are permitted in Co-Ed 6's.
A Legal Team (above) must be present on the court, in view of the opposing team and referee, and dressed in an appropriate manner to play at the scheduled start of their game.
A team may chose to use either a continuous rotation or standard OVA substitution in a game. Only one method can be used per game, (e.g. a team which starts the game using continuous rotation cannot switch to substitution during the same game.) Definition - Continuous Rotation: All team members (on the court and on the bench) must be played in a game where the bench player rotates in for the player who served last in a continuous circle. No player may be skipped when using this option.
No player may deliberately kick a ball. This action will end the rally and a point will be awarded.
A time-out may not be called with less than five minutes remaining in a match.
It is your team's responsibility to start your match on time. This applies even if no referee is present or if there is another community group in the gym. Our permits entitle us to take over the court at the exact time specified. The games will end at the appointed time regardless of when play began.
A game goes to 25 points (27 max). A team may win 27-26. The last game in a match may have to be played to a time limit instead of 25 points. Exceptions to 25 points (27 max) games are Reverse 4's (21 points (23 max)) and Non-Spiking (15 points (17 max)).
A match is all the games in your scheduled time against one team.
The Referee/On-Site Coordinator will choose a game-clock. This may be a clock on the wall or it may be a wristwatch. The referee/On-Site Coordinator may call a two-minute warning and/or last serve at his/her discretion. It is in the interests of the Captain to enquire as to how time is being kept.
If there is less than ten (10) minutes remaining in a match and the final game has not started, the current game will be ended and the score will be recorded. If the current game is a tie, then a last rally point will be played in all divisions. The final game will then be started. If time is called and the score is tied, then a last rallypoint will be played in all divisions. There are no ties.
The Referee/On-Site Coordinator will determine when a game has been defaulted. The Referee/On-Site Coordinator must advise the participants that the game has been defaulted. A team defaults their first game from the official scheduled start time if a legal team cannot be supplied (see Rule #9). The second game is defaulted five minutes later. The third game is defaulted five minutes after the second. For the first scheduled game of the evening, teams will be given an additional 5-min. grace period before a team officially defaults. E,g. This means for 6:30pm scheduled match the first default occurres at 6:35pm. The second match will be defaulted at 6:40pm. The third match will be defaulted at 6:45pm (where applicable).
In the absence of a Referee, the match must proceed. To ensure that the win is recorded, the Winning Captain should call the results in to the Hotline. As an added measure, the results may be conveyed to the Head Referee of the facility. It is the Head Referee's responsibility to report the scores within 24 hrs.
It is your team's responsibility to play against the team identified on your schedule for that specified night. Playing any other team will result in both teams receiving zero wins for that night. Make-Up games may be rescheduled before the end of the round, at the discretion of the BVL, based on timing and court availability.
Unless otherwise stated, tie breakers will determined as follows:
One player may serve only five consecutive times. After this, a team retains service but must rotate to the next player in the ratation.
In Co-ed Competitve 6's you cannot utilize a rotation which has all three men in the front row.
When a Coed Competitve 6's team plays with 4 players, the server is considered the back row player and is the only player who may not attack the ball from the front court.
Despite an injury, you must field an eligible team. Inability to do so will result in a default.
In the Non-Spiking Division, you cannot reach over the net into the opponents side of the court, to block a ball.
In the Non-Spiking Division, you are not allowed to spike the ball. If a swinging motion is utilized to contact the ball, he/she must have at least one foot in contact with the floor. The ball must go up before it goes down.
In the Non-Spiking Division, if a player jumps to tip the ball, the ball must go up before it goes down. The downward power tip is illegal.
All divisions will use these rules. Conveners may choose to amend rules/format for a specific Division in order to facilitate play.? Copies of such changes must be provided and require executive approval prior to institution or start of the season.

Upcoming Events

Aug. 23, 2008

Aug. 25, 2008

Sep. 01, 2008

Sep. 09, 2008

Captains' Corner

Weather

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