LEAGUE RULES

  1. All W.O.R.L. games will be governed by ORA playing rules in effect for that year.
    1. By a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, the W.O.R.L. Executive may delete or implement any rule for that season only. Even with a two-thirds (2/3) majority, the Referee in Chief holds veto rights on the grounds it is too difficult for the referees to administer.
  1. Under certain conditions, games may be played on ice surfaces without the approved Ringette markings.
  2. Games sheets must be signed by the coach or manager ten (10) minutes prior to the game, at the location designated.
  3. Teams must be ready to go on the ice five (5) minutes before game time. In the event of unforeseen circumstances that affect a team’s ability to start the game within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time, the convener or league official shall make a decision to default or reschedule, based on the circumstances.
  4. Declaration of Teams, Scheduling, Reporting of Results, and related fees and fines.
    1. Declaration of Teams
    1. The first meeting of the new season, held in September, will be the Team Declaration meeting, where each Association will declare the teams that wish to participate, indicating the division and intended level of play.
    2. The Declaration will be performed by the W.O.R.L. Representative of each Association. However, the Head Coach of each team being declared is strongly encouraged to attend the meeting, as important decisions must be made at this meeting that will impact all teams.
    3. The W.O.R.L. Council (W.O.R.L. Executive and Association Representatives) will discuss and agree on the teams that will play in each Division for the season. Divisions are not required to follow the normal A/AA designation. As well a Division may be made up of teams from two age divisions (e.g. Bell/Open, etc).
    4. The W.O.R.L. Council will also agree on a scheduling strategy, e.g. (whether the scheduling will be performed for the season, how many games will be scheduled, whether there will be cross-over games between two divisions, whether there will be more games scheduled between teams within a W.O.R.L. Division based on geography, relative strength, etc.).
    5. The Scheduler and Statistician will go over the rules with respect to schedule changes and game results reporting, to ensure all W.O.R.L. Reps, and all coaches in attendance understand their responsibilities.

F) The W.O.R.L. Rep, Head Coach of each W.O.R.L. team and Referee-in-Chief of each association will sign a declaration form confirming that they understand their

responsibilities with respect to the game schedule. If the Head Coach is not in

attendance, the W.O.R.L. Rep must ensure that a signed Form from each Head Coach and Referee-in-Chief is submitted at the Schedule Review meeting.

 

LEAGUE RULES

G) Associations will pay the appropriate registration fees for each of the teams they have declared. In addition, each Association will pay a deposit of $350, to be refunded at the end of the season, net of any fines and administration fees owed. If an Association deposit drops below $300 due to levied fines, the Association must issue a cheque by the next W.O.R.L. meeting to bring the deposit back to the $350 level.

H) W.O.R.L. Reps will provide the Scheduler with a listing of ice times available for their Home games. If this listing is not available at the Team Declaration Meeting, it must be faxed to the Scheduler the next day.

W.O.R.L. Reps should also identify, to extent possible, any tournament that their teams are expected to attend, especially in the first half of the season in order for the Scheduler to take this into account. Note that, while subsequent schedule changes are permitted due to tournaments, the Association will be assessed the normal schedule change administration fee.
    1. Games must be scheduled to be played prior to the Provincials in each division.

J) If an Association has declared a team, and the team pulls out, the Association will be assessed a fine, as follows:

- if the Scheduler is advised before the schedule is drafted, the fine will be $0.

- if the Scheduler is advised after the schedule has been drafted, the fine will be $100.

- if the pull-out is after the schedule is finalized, the fine will be $300.
    1. The Statistician has the authority to levy all fines.
    2. All associations to list date of home tournament at September meeting.
    1. Scheduling and Schedule Changes

A) A Schedule Review Meeting will take place approximately one week after the Team

Declaration Meeting. The Scheduler will present the draft schedule for review by the

W.O.R.L. Reps. Head Coaches are encouraged to attend this meeting.

B) At the meeting, schedule changes will be made where necessary. There will be no

administration fee for these changes.

 

C) Any schedule conflicts that remain after the Schedule Review Meeting must be resolved within the ensuing week.

D) The Scheduler will publish an updated schedule within a week of the Schedule Review

Meeting. W.O.R.L. Reps will then have one week to perform a final review and changes without incurring an administration fee.

Note: It is the responsibility of each W.O.R.L. Rep to ensure there are no time conflicts in the final schedule for their teams (e.g. two games scheduled at the same time, or too close together, for the same team). The Scheduler must be advised of such conflicts in the one week review period. Otherwise, the Association will incur a schedule change administration fee.

 

LEAGUE RULES

E) Once the schedule has been finalize, changes are not permitted, except under the

following circumstances:

i) inclement weather.

ii) tournaments, if at least two week prior to tournament date (see exception below).

iii) ice exception, lose of ice, ice not available to Association.

There may be times where a team has been accepted in a tournament less than two

weeks prior to Tournament date. Under these circumstances, a schedule change will be permitted if the W.O.R.L. Rep of the other team and Scheduler/Statistician are advised within 48 hours of the team being accepted in the tournament, and documentary evidence from the Tournament coordinator of late acceptance can be produced.

F) Inclement weather

When it comes to inclement weather, it is better to err on the side of player safety.

Therefore, games cancelled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled without an

administration fee. However, it is the responsibility of the W.O.R.L. Rep of the team

canceling the game to contact the other W.O.R.L. Rep as soon as possible to confirm the decision to cancel due to inclement weather. The W.O.R.L. Rep must NOT assume that the other team knows of the inclement weather. If the W.O.R.L. Rep does not advise, a fine may be levied, at the request of the other W.O.R.L. Rep.

G) For permitted schedule changes, it is the responsibility of W.O.R.L. Rep of the Association initiating the change to advise the other W.O.R.L. Rep, obtain formal confirmation of acceptance, and subsequently advising the Scheduler/Statistician of the change by forwarding a completed "W.O.R.L. Game Change Form".

NOTE that if the initiating W.O.R.L. Rep faxes, e-mails, or leaves a voice message to the other W.O.R.L. Rep, it cannot be assumed that the message has been received or

accepted. A formal acknowledgement must be received.

H) The Association of a team that misses or forfeits a scheduled game will automatically be fined $300. The Association must pay this fine by the next scheduled W.O.R.L. Meeting. An Association may appeal the fine at the meeting, for a refundable fee of $50. Once the fee has been paid, the Association may present its case to the W.O.R.L. Council. A vote to repeal the $300 fine must be accepted by at least three quarters of the Council members who are in attendance. If the appeal is upheld, and the fine is cancelled, the fee will be refunded.

If the fine is not repealed, the Association must pay the $300 fine immediately (in

addition to the $50 appeal fee). If the fine is not paid, the W.O.R.L. Council may take

appropriate disciplinary action, including expulsion of the team/Association.

Of the $300 fine, $200 will be paid to the Association of the other team involved in the

cancelled or forfeited game.

J) No game may be rescheduled past the date for the Provincials, and all games must be

played prior to the Provincials. If "TBA" games have not been rescheduled or played by the Provincials, the team having caused the TBA will forfeit the game. If the TBA was due to mutual agreement between the teams, the game will be recorded as a 1-1 tie,and each team will be fined $100.

 

LEAGUE RULES

5.3. Reporting of Results

A) The W.O.R.L. Rep of the Home team is responsible for reporting game results on the

W.O.R.L. Website by Monday, 11:00pm of each week, for all games played from Monday to Sunday of the previous week.

New W.O.R.L. Rep. will be given a new pass code # each season.

A fine of $5 will be levied if the Monday 11:00pm deadline is missed. The fine will

increase by $1/day, until the results are reported.

B) The W.O.R.L. Rep of the Home team is also responsible for forwarding the game sheets to the Statistician. The game sheets must be forwarded by the next W.O.R.L. scheduled meeting.

A fine of $5 will be levied if the game sheet is not received or post marked by the

deadline. The fine will increase by $1/day, until the game sheet is received.

6. The Home Team

A) The home team shall be the team listed second in the league schedule.

B) The home team shall select the game referees and timekeepers during W.O.R.L. league play regularly scheduled games.

C) The home team is responsible for supplying an ORA game sheet. They are also

responsible for filling out the top portion properly including Game #, Date, Rink, Time,

Division, Visiting Team Name, Home Team Name. The home team is responsible for the referees signing the game sheet with a legible signature and their referee number. The home association is also responsible to put game results on W.O.R.L. Website and forward the white copy of the game at the next W.O.R.L. meeting to the Statistician.

The team roster and the coaching staff are the responsibility of each team. Last name

and initial (first name preferred) is mandatory. All affiliate players must be indicated by

"AP", as well as, both first and last name mandatory.

The fine for not using an ORA game sheet is $10.

The home team shall have choice of uniforms in the event of a color conflict. (eff. 1994).

7. A referee’s time out shall be left to the discretion of the referee.

8. There shall be no more than four persons (Coaches and/or Managers) allowed on the bench at

any one time. (eff. Dec. 4/84). One of these must be a female of at least 16 years of age. Local

Associations are responsible for having the referees check that there is a woman over 18 years

of age on the bench before the game can start, (except for Open) or else the game will be

cancelled and defaulted. (eff. Apr. 16/02).

9. A) There shall be no overtime played for tie games during the regular schedule. Each team

will receive one point.

 

LEAGUE RULES

B) In the event of a tie in points for standings at the end of the season, use ORA tie

breaking procedures.

C) i) All games in W.O.R.L. are 2 x 15 minute stop time periods. Unless an association

declares playing 2 x 20 minute stop time periods at the scheduling meeting in

September of that season.

ii) After the scheduling meeting if an association wishes to change the length of a game

the visiting team must agree to it.

iii) A game that is subject to curfew. The home team must make the visiting team aware

prior to start of game.

10. In defaulted games, the score shall be recorded as a 1-0 game with the winning team awarded

two points in the standings. (ORA sanctioned score).

11. A) Each team must submit a list of players (20 maximum) by November W.O.R.L. Meeting.

B) Any Association not paying their fees and outstanding fines by Oct. 1st, shall be

suspended from play until these are paid. (eff. Apr./88)

12. A) Tournament games cannot be used as W.O.R.L. games. (eff Jan. 24/78)

B) A Central Ontario Ringette League (CORL) game can be used as a W.O.R.L. league

game. Photocopy of the Home Team’s game sheet will satisfy W.O.R.L. as the white copy

of the game. W.O.R.L. game number is to be clearly marked on the submitted copy of the

game sheet.

13. A) Each team will submit a team roster to W.O.R.L. by November meeting. An

association may add or remove to their roster at any time. Any change must be

submitted to the President of W.O.R.L. prior to the player playing in a W.O.R.L.

game for their new team.

B) Once a player has been added or deleted from a W.O.R.L. roster after November

meeting, that player is not eligible to be used as an affiliate player for any team for the

balance of the year.

C) Any player added to a W.O.R.L. roster after January 15th, is not eligible for W.O.R.L.

playoffs.

D) As well as their own roster, each team may use any player playing either/or:

i) same age division or lower, same calibre or less

(example 1. A Junior AA could choose:

a Junior AA, A, B or C player or

a Tween AA, A, B or C player)

(example 2. A Junior A team could choose:

a Junior A, B or C player or

a Tween A, B or C player)

LEAGUE RULES

ii) one calibre higher only, age division lower

(example 1. a Junior A team could also choose:

a Tween AA player)

division in their association, up to two (2) times.

The team must have permission from their own association and the association is

responsible for the well being of it's members.

E) A team may use as many affiliate players in a game as desired as long as the total

number of players does not exceed eleven (11).

F) All affiliate players must be recorded on the game sheet with the designation "AP" and

both first and last names must appear.

G) Fines for improper use of affiliate players will be as follows:

i) More than 2 games with 1 team - $25.

ii) More than 11 players dressed - $25.

iii) Not marked affiliate players - $10.

iv) Both First and Last name not on game sheet - $10.

14. In exceptional circumstances, alterations to league rules may be made at the discretion of a

majority of the executive.

15. In the event of a player or team official receiving a match penalty :

A) They will be suspended for the next two W.O.R.L. and/or sanctioned event games.

B) The Vice President and Region shall be notified of such penalty.

C) The Vice President shall contact the players’ association and the Associations that are

scheduled to play next and notify them of such suspension.

D) The games will be forfeited if the player or team official participates in either of the

team’s next two W.O.R.L. and/or sanctioned event games.

E) Referees must give a brief explanation of the circumstances pertaining to the match

penalty on the white copy of the game sheet.

F) All suspensions handed out by W.O.R.L. must allow an appeal and this appeal will be

heard by the discipline committee. The person or Association must put up a $50.00 nonrefundable administration fee and be responsible for costs before the appeal will be

heard.

16. A) A game may be started with six (6) players if others are detained by weather or other

unforeseen circumstances. Others may join the game when they arrive. Seven (7)

players must have participated before game finishes or else game will be forfeited. (eff.

Apr. 25/91).

 

 

LEAGUE RULES

B) All W.O.R.L. games will be played with stop time only, with the remaining time left on the

clock noted on the score sheet.

17. All referees for W.O.R.L. games must have minimum qualifications of 2C. Failure to comply will

result in a $25.00 fine due at the next W.O.R.L. meeting. (eff. Dec 4/84). An Association unable

to provide two referees who have 2C as minimum qualifications for a W.O.R.L. game would first

contact the visiting and neighbouring Associations. If these Associations were unable to provide

a referee, then the Home Referee-In-Chief or his assistants will contact the W.O.R.L. Referee-

In-Chief for assistance. Only if he were unable to provide a referee of minimum 2C level would

the W.O.R.L. Referee-In-Chief grant permission for a Community referee to be used in a game.

A Community referee will be used only in extreme circumstances. (eff. Sep. 18/84).

18. An association not represented at a regular scheduled meeting will be subject to a Twenty-five

($25.00) fine. The association will be allowed to present the reason for its absence at the next

scheduled meeting and if not accepted by vote of the members present the fine will be levied

from the associations bond. (eff. Apr. 17/02).

19. Shot Clock.

A) All W.O.R.L. games will be played using the shot clock. Permitted the arena is equipped

with shot clocks and home team can provide a minor official to operate the shot clock.