Divisional Playing Up Policy

A player wishing to play up must try out for the highest level team in the older age group, and be in the top 1/3 of the skill/playing level for that team.

A request to play up must be made in writing, by email to the age group co-ordinator, at least two weeks prior to the published evaluation dates for the age group the player wishes to join. The request will be evaluated by a committee consisting of affected age group coordinators, the Divisional Coordinator and the technical director who will make a recommendation to the Board. No underage player may register for a team until approval to do so is granted by the Board. This will be strictly adhered to.

Factors that the committee may consider in reaching a decision include:

• In the situation where a player who is playing in a non-tiered environment is seeking to play up a year that is tiered, refer to the house league playing up policy. In this circumstance only, the playing up policy will be less restrictive.
• There are no teams available for the player in his/her age level.
• A team in the older age group requires additional players to be viable and there are not enough players in that age group.
• The player's social maturity, motivation, commitment, physical maturity and abilities must be equivalent to the other players on the team to which he/she is seeking placement.

The parents must be fully informed of the player's options and the pros and cons of each option.

The evaluation committee may consult with the coordinator and the coaches for the player's own age category.

Coaches may not recruit underage players. Underage players should not be invited to annual evaluations. However, if under-age players wish to attend evaluation sessions, we will not deny access.

House League Playing Up Policy
DSA strongly encourages all its players to play in their natural age group. Any players wishing to play up an age group should make a request to the DSA Technical Director and Executive via their age group coordinator by February 1.

Factors that will be considered in granting or denying a request include:

• Will the player’s development be stunted if he/she plays in his/her natural age group?
• Does the player give the team he/she is playing on an unfair or disproportional advantage? Being the “best player in the age group does not automatically satisfy this consideration.
• Does the player have the ability to compete physically with the players in the older age group?
• What are the likely impacts on the team/age group that player is leaving and on the team/age group the player is requesting to join?

Mid-season requests, which are generally disruptive, will be held to a higher level of scrutiny. It is strongly recommended that all requests to play up a year be completed by February 1. However, missing this deadline does not automatically preclude players from being able to play up a year. Players with compelling reasons for their request will be reviewed a on a case by case basis.

The playing up policy will be less restrictive in situations when a player who is playing in an un-tiered environment is seeking to try out for an age group that is tiered. Players must apply in writing at least two weeks before evaluations, if applicable, for the age group they wish to try out for. In this circumstance, the underage player must be in the top quarter of all players in their natural age group as determined by the player’s coach and DSA’s Technical Director. If this requirement is met, then the player will be permitted to register for evaluations for the older age group. Players will be placed on a team/level that best suits their development which may be in the older age group or in their natural age group as determined by the Technical Director and other evaluators.

House League Playing Down Policy
DSA strongly encourages all its players to play in their natural age group. Any players wishing to play down an age group must meet the criteria outlined BC Soccer's Playing Down Policy outlined below. If the criteria is met then a parent can to the DSA Technical Director and Executive via their age group coordinator.  And an evaluation will be set up to assess the child to allow them to play down.

There are to be no players playing down an age group on a Dunbar Divisional team as the Club must abide by the rules that govern all Divisional Teams in the various leagues.

BC SOCCER ASSOCIATION PLAYING DOWN POLICY
(Disabled or Physically Challenged)
The existing rules and regulations governing the registration of players provides for the following:
• Players may not register in an age group that is lower than the age attained by January 1st of the
season ending
• Players shall not be restricted to registering in an age group higher than the age attained by January
1st of the season ending
The rules and regulations governing the registration of players does not provide for the registration of players
who may be:
• Disabled
• Physically challenged due to an infirmity
• Team sports face difficulties in two areas:
• The infirmity is sufficient that it could affect the teams from playing the game
• The size of disabled or physically challenged player playing in a younger age group could create risk to
the other players participating in the game
1) Policy
a) Each case shall be dealt with on its own merits
b) Players meeting the criteria shall be assessed by a person technically qualified to determine if the
disability or the size of the disabled or challenged player
i) Creates a risk to the other players or themselves
ii) Is sufficient to prevent the game to be played under the basic laws of the game
c) The request to play in a lower age group under this provision must be made annually.
d) An independent assessment of the player’s abilities shall be performed if during the season a situation
develops that impacts the game as outlined in b) i) & ii)
e) A district association shall make every attempt to place a player who meet the criteria and determined
to be physically able to participate in the sport
f) Access to the Association’s Soccer Development Department staff shall be available to a member if a
qualified individual is not registered with the district association
g) Assessments may be made by individuals with experience in dealing with challenged players provided
they hold a recognized coaching certificate
h) A game may not be protested on the basis of age once approval has been granted unless the decision
is suspended due to a re-evaluation
i) The avenue of appeal shall be to the provincial association
j) The district shall have the right to determine where the player may play if the size of the disabled or
challenged player poses a risk to others, however, in no circumstances, shall the player be registered in
age group greater than what is required in the rules
2) Criteria for Application & Consideration
a) The Parent or Guardian of the player must make written application to the club and the district
association
b) Written evidence of the infirmity by a medical practitioner must be included with the written request
3) Procedure
a) The club shall request the district association to arrange for an assessment by a technically qualified
individual
b) The District Association shall request the Association arrange for an assessment by a qualified
individual if such a person is not available within the district
c) The player shall first be assessed at a team practice followed by a more formal assessment under game
conditions (preferably an exhibition game)
d) The assessment and recommendation shall be made in writing and copied to the district if the
evaluation is performed by or the Association
e) The assessment shall be completed at the local level within thirty days of the district receiving a
properly filed request
f) A request for dispensation with supporting documentation shall be forwarded to the provincial
association for approval