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SOUTHERN ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION (SOSSA)

REGULATIONS — Revised: June 2024

Table of Contents

1. Purpose

2. Equity Statement

3. Definitions

4. Regulation 1 - Competition/Activities

5. Regulation 2 - Committees

6. Regulation 3 - Eligibility

7. Regulation 4 - OFSAA Transfer Polic

8. Regulation 5 - Protests and Appeals

9. Regulation 6 - Supervision / Code of Behaviour

10. Regulation 7 - Awards

11. Regulation 8 - Amendments

 

Purpose

These Regulations relate to the governing rules and playing regulations of the Association as it relates to sport competitions and activities. These Regulations complement the Bylaws of the Association, which relate to its corporate governance, and are superseded by the Bylaws.

The Zones of SOSSA shall remain autonomous in dealing with matters of concern to their own member schools, provided that the Regulations of SOSSA are not contravened.

Equity Statement

The SOSSA membership is to be aware of equity issues in its sports. SOSSA supports equity in all aspects of its sports program.

Definitions

The following terms have these meanings in these Regulations:

a. Association – the Southern Ontario Secondary School Association (SOSSA).

b. Board – the Board of Directors of the Association.

c. Days – days including weekends and holidays.

d. FTE – Full-Time Equivalent/Enrolment.

e. Member – A Secondary School which meets the requirements of membership as stated in the Bylaws.

f. OFSAA – the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations.

g. Ordinary Resolution – a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast on that resolution or consented to by all voting Members entitled to vote on that resolution.

h. Playing Regulations – sport specific rules of play at the various competitions and activities sanctioned by the Association.

i. Regulations – the governing rules and playing regulations of the Association as it relates to sport competitions and activities between Members.

j. Secondary School – any Collegiate Institute, High School or equivalent, Independent School, and

k. Vocational School for secondary students.

l. Special Resolution – a resolution that is submitted to a special meeting of the Members of the Association duly called for the purpose of considering the resolution and passed at the meeting, with or without amendment, by at least two-thirds of the votes cast; or consented to by each Member of the Association entitled to vote at a meeting of the Members of the Association.

m. Zones – areas within the membership territory consisting of school boards and athletic associations/councils.

 

Regulation 1

Competition/Activities

1.1 General Rules

a) Any school team entering SOSSA sponsored or approved competitions must be under the control of a staff member of the school which it represents.

b) In the event of work-to-rule sanctions being imposed, the Executive Director shall call a meeting of the Board of SOSSA in advance to give direction to the membership and it may be necessary to establish an ad hoc committee of non-affected members.

c) Teams or individuals from schools and/or school boards that are in a work-to-rule or strike situation shall not be eligible to compete in SOSSA for duration of the job action. No penalties or additional fees shall be assigned in such cases

d) Any remaining schools and/or boards are free to continue with league and championship play as per SOSSA Constitution and sport playing regulations. The funding model will be reviewed to assure equitable allocation of fees.

e) It shall be the duty of every member of SOSSA and the Convenors not to attend, organize, convene or participate in any manner, whatsoever, in any extra-curricular school activities, events or tournaments involving school(s) from within SOSSA or from other Association whose member schools have instituted a withdrawal of voluntary activities.

f) Anyone wishing to begin a competition in a new sport in the association must present it as a motion at the SOSSA Annual Meeting.

g) In activities which receive medals, that medallions only be issued if there are two or more Zones represented at the SOSSA Championship.

h) SOSSA schools hosting tournaments shall use the rules of eligibility set down by OFSAA/SOSSA.

i) For team sports OFSAA rest times between games be used unless all coaches involved agree otherwise. Rest times may only be altered subject to the availability of match officials.

j) The HOME team for all SOSSA Championship games shall be decided by a flip of a coin.

1.2 Exhibition Tournaments Sanctioning

a) SOSSA schools hosting tournaments shall use the rules of eligibility set down by OFSAA/SOSSA.

b) Sport schools and sport academies are schools that offer flexible or modified time tabling to accommodate students’ athletic training, competition and /or travel schedules; or schools that admit athletes due to their level of athletic status who are required to take additional credits in health and physical education specific to fundamental and fitness training principles.

c) Sport programs are considered to be a course or courses offered by a school which are sport-specific curricular programs.

i. Any student enrolled in a sport school, sport academy, or sport programs will be eligible to compete in all sports provided they are attending the designated school according to school board boundaries (or the closest school where no boundaries exist.

ii. Any student enrolled in a sport program and the school is not his/her designated school according to school board boundaries (or not their closest school where no boundaries exist), will be eligible to compete in any sport except the sport being provided through their sport-specific curricular program. The period of ineligibility will continue as long as the student attends the school where the sport program exists.

iii. Any student enrolled in a sport school or sport academy and the school is not their designated school according to school board boundaries (or not the closest school where no boundaries exist), will be eligible to compete in any sport except their declared or designated sport of speciality. The period of ineligibility will continue as long as the student attends the sport school or sport academy.

iv. The declared or designated sport of specialty shall be the sport played at the highest level. Schools must submit their students’ declared or designates sport of speciality for approval by the local athletic association (e.g. district, zone) by September 15th of the current school year.

v. An appeal of a student’s declared, or designated sport may be made by the school’s athletic director, principal, or vice-principal to SOSSA by September 30th of the current school year.

d) Teams or individuals shall adhere to minimum safety standards as outlined in OPHEA and/or OFSAA guidelines.

e) If adverse conditions cause the cancellation of school transportation or the closing of schools on any given day, all SOSSA championship events scheduled for said day which involve school(s) impacted by a cancellation or closer shall be rescheduled to the alternative date on the SOSSA website or the next school day if the alternative date has already been utilized.

1.3 OFSAA Entry Funding

a) Funding Formula

i. The amount of cost of a SOSSA championship paid through SOSSA fees be based on the number of schools within SOSSA which participate in that sport. The rate of payment will be four percent time the number of schools participating in the sport. (i.e., 4% X 25 = 100% of cost). A school is defined as "participating" if it has a minimum of four competitors involved in the sport.

ii. The numbers used to calculate the participation funding-formula is determined by participation numbers given in the OFSAA participation surveys.

iii. The assessment for sports that are not fully paid by SOSSA will stay the same for three years. The percentage will be reassessed every three years.

iv. That portion not paid by SOSSA will be paid by those participating in the tournament. The method for allocating costs will be determined by the convenor.

b) TEAM:

SOSSA shall remit a maximum of one half (50%) of entry fees for eligible OFSAA Championships only (note - no participation fee). The proportion of the entry fee for OFSAA Championships to be paid by SOSSA is based on the number of schools participating in the sport at the SOSSA level. The rate of payment will be two (2) percent times the total number of schools participating at the SOSSA level. Example: if 25 teams participate then 25 X 2% = 50% entry covered. 

c) INDIVIDUAL:

SOSSA shall remit one hundred percent (100%) of entry fees and participation fees for eligible OFSAA Championships only. The rate of payment will be four (4) percent times the number of schools participating in the sport at the SOSSA level.

Example: 25 schools participating 25 X 4 = 100%.

Note: if there are less than ten (10) schools participating in an activity (team or individual), SOSSA shall not pay any of the OFSAA entry cost/fees.

d) If there is no SOSSA Championship in a sport, SOSSA will not cover any expenses incurred for OFSAA qualification.

e) Costs for OFSAA/SOSSA Championships will not be charged to SOSSA: tennis, golf, Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, and curling.

1.4 Distribution of Funds: OFSAA Championships

a) All monies earned, after costs are covered, in hosting an OFSAA championship shall be divided 80% to the hosting school(s) and 20% to SOSSA.

b) When SOSSA qualifies to enter more than one team to the OFSAA Championship (host entries) SOSSA shall pay one half of the entry fees for both teams.

c) To receive reimbursement, schools shall submit entry fee invoices to the Executive Director, no later than the first Executive meeting or September 30th whichever is earlier in the school year following the event.

d) When OFSAA offers SOSSA an additional entry to an OFSAA Championship, beyond the OFSAA constitutional allotment, that team shall be responsible for the OFSAA entry and administrative cost.

e) It be resolved that SOSSA shall pay one half (1/2) the “host” team entry to OFSAA.

f) Schools going on to OFSAA competition are responsible for any late entry fees or non-participation fees incurred with OFSAA.

g) SOSSA will not be obligated to pay bills from schools that bill SOSSA for occasional teacher services for OFSAA coverage.

1.5 Distribution of Funds: SOSSA Championships

a) All disbursements shall be made by the Executive Director, subject to the approval of the Board.

b) Convenors must send a Championship Report Form to the Executive Director.

c) Reimbursements for running SOSSA Championships are forwarded only after the SOSSA report form is received from the Convenor.

d) To receive reimbursement, schools shall submit SOSSA tournament costs and other expenses to the SOSSA Executive Director, no later than the first Board meeting or September 30th whichever is earliest in the school year following the event.

e) Since SOSSA is responsible for any losses incurred on SOSSA tournaments, then SOSSA should realize any profits. The monies earned at a SOSSA championship will be divided 60% (school), 40% (SOSSA) after expenses are covered by any school convening a competition.

f) That when SOSSA qualifies to enter two (2) teams to the OFSAA Championship, if there is an extra game required, SOSSA shall be responsible for any expenses or profits realized.

g) SOSSA will not reimburse expense monies for food and/or drinks for officials, volunteers and/or coaches.

h) Should a school not give at least forty-eight (48) hours’ notice of withdrawal from a SOSSA Championship Tournament, said school shall be responsible for cost incurred by their non-attendance. Cost may include referees, first aid; other team transportation; facilities; and may include other costs not listed herein.

i) SOSSA will reimburse emergency medical personnel for championships deemed high risk by OPHEA and will include the following: ice hockey; tackle football; rugby; wrestling; track and field; field hockey; cross country; gymnastics; and lacrosse.

j) SOSSA will not be obligated to pay bills from schools that bill SOSSA for occasional teacher services for SOSSA coverage.

 

Regulation 2

Committees

2.1 Appeals & Protests Committee

a) The Appeals & Protests Committee will hear and consider appeals that are related to school classifications (see restrictions in 3.4 below), athlete discipline/suspensions, athlete eligibility and SOSSA Championships, all of which take place at the SOSSA level.

b) For greater clarity the following matters may not be appealed to the Committee:

i. Decisions of Officials, including player ejections

ii. Eligibility at an OFSSA Championship

iii. SOSSA Bylaws, Regulations, or Playing Regulations

c) The Committee will consist of five (5) members, which shall be the Executive Director (as non-voting chair) as well as each of the four (4) Zone Representative Directors that are elected by the Members.

d) The Executive Director will serve as Chair of the Committee and shall not vote.

e) Quorum for the Committee shall be the Chair plus a minimum of two other Committee members.

f) Decisions of the Committee are considered final.

2.2 Transfers Committee

a) The Transfers Committee will hear and consider appeals that are related to student transfers, only after they are appealed at the Zone level.

b) The Committee will consist of seven (7) or eight (8) members as follows:

1 - Principals' Representative Director
1 – Zone Director (from a different Zone then the Principals' Representative)
1 – OFSAA Representative Director (either OFSAA Rep Director may serve in this capacity)
4 - Members at Large – either the chair of each Zone Transfer Committee or one other member of each Zone Transfer Committee

Plus, if SOSSA has a member on the OFSAA Transfer Committee, then they will be one (1) of the Committee members only if they do not fall into one of the other categories. This person would be the possible eighth member.

c) Committee members are determined on an annual basis, either as determined by the members at an Annual Meeting or by the SOSSA Board of Directors.

d) The OFSAA Representative Director will serve as Chair of the Committee and shall note vote.

e) Quorum for the Committee shall be the Chair plus a minimum of two other Committee members.

f) Decisions of the Transfers Committee may be appealed in accordance with the OFSAA Transfers Policy.

 

Regulation 3

Eligibility

3.1 Student Equity

g) A student may only play on one team in the same sport (team or individual) at the SOSSA level during a school year.

3.2 School

a) Each member school shall be entitled to representation at each SOSSA championship.

b) Membership in an association and conformity with the constitution, by-laws and standing rules of the association concerned is a prerequisite for participation in any championship co-ordinated by SOSSA.

3.3 Classification (as per OFSAA)

a) For all senior team sports championships coordinated by SOSSA schools shall be classified on student populations as follows:

• A - 500 or less students
• AA - 501 - 950 students
• AAA - 951 - and above

3.4 Classification Appeals

a) A school appealing for a change in classification must do so to the SOSSA Appeals & Protests Committee with written support from the zone in which the appealing school competes. The motion would be dealt with by the SOSSA Committee and its decision will be forwarded to OFSAA.

b) SOSSA shall hear and consider classification appeals based on school composition. Schools wishing to appeal on any other basis (location of school, team composition, competition and OFSAA success) shall be appealed through SOSSA to OFSAA.

c) Appeals to move down a classification, shall be as a school. There shall be no sport specific downward movement.

d) Classification appeals shall be submitted by May 15th prior to the September of the year of the appeal. Appeals may be submitted each year.

e) For all Junior Team Championships coordinated by SOSSA, the schools shall be classified as follows:

• “A” school population 799 or under
• “AA” school population 800 and over

3.5 Declaration of Competition

a) The school’s declaration of level of competition for the current school year shall be based upon the October 31st enrolment of the previous school year.

b) Any school with Association approval, may elect to compete in a higher classification of activity.

c) Fall Activities: Schools who wish to move to a higher classification (i.e. AA to AAA) for fall activities shall complete and submit a reclassification in writing by the Annual General Meeting prior to the fall of reclassification.

  d) Winter Activities: Schools who wish to move to a higher classification (i.e. AA to AAA) for winter shall complete and submit a reclassification in writing by November 15th of that school year.

e) Spring Activities: Schools that wish to move to a higher classification (i.e. AA to AAA) for spring activities shall submit reclassification in writing by the Friday before the March Break or March 15th whichever comes first in that school year.

f) A school may participate in only one school classification of competition in any one activity during school year at the SOSSA level.

g) For Co-educational championships coordinated by SOSSA an all Boys’’ school and an all-girl’s school may combine for entry. Zones must declare such school combination to the SOSSA Executive Director by September 15th of the school year.

3.6 Athlete/Individual Eligibility

A student may only play on one team in the same sport (team or individual) at the SOSSA level during a school year. To represent a school in any individual championship coordinated by SOSSA, a student must:

a) have had their name on Zone eligibility list for at least one competition.

b) be certified as eligible on the ELIGIBILITY FORM and signed by a principal of the school. Schools shall revise a SOSSA eligibility sheet dated within seven days prior to the SOSSA competition. This eligibility form must be brought to SOSSA competitions by participating coaches.

c) meet the following requirements for individual activities:

i. Novice - the individual’s birth certificate indicates that they have not yet reached their 14th birthday by January 1st prior to the start of the school year in which the Competition is held. Students may compete in this category for one year only in grade 9.

ii. Junior - the individual’s birth certificate indicates that they have not yet reached their 15th birthday by January 1st prior to the start of the school year in which the competition is held.

iii. Senior – the individual’s birth certificate indicates that they have not yet reached their 19th birthday by January 1st prior to the start of the school year in which the competition is held.

d) to move on to the SOSSA, Regional or OFSAA Competition, all student/athletes shall compete and qualify at the individual championship meet (badminton, swimming, golf, track & field, tennis, cross country, and wrestling). There shall be no pre or post qualifying.

3.7 Team Eligibility

To represent a school in any team championship coordinated by SOSSA, a student must:

a) be certified as eligible on the eligibility form and signed by the principal of the school Schools shall submit a SOSSA eligibility sheet dated within seven days prior to the SOSSA competition. This eligibility form must be brought to SOSSA competitions by participating coaches.

b) meet the following requirements:

Junior: The individual shall be in either of their first two years of high school, based on the date of entry into grade nine,

and

The individual’s birth certificate shall indicate that they have not reached their 16th birthday by August 31 prior to the start of the school year in which they are in either of their first two years of high school.

Exception: a student who has been accelerated one year in elementary school shall be allowed to play at the junior level for a maximum of two (2) consecutive years in the first three (3) years of his/her high school career. The student shall meet the above age requirement (part b) and documentation of the acceleration shall be provided with the eligibility sheet.

Senior: The individuals’ birth certificate indicates that they have not reached their 19th birthday by January 1st prior to the start of the school year in which the competition is held.

Exception: are indicated in specific sports regulations

c) To represent a school in any championship, team or individual, co-ordinated by SOSSA, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:

i. be in Grade 9-12
ii. have been enrolled no more than five (5) years from date of entry into grade 9;
iii. be eligible under the OFSAA transfer (see OFSAA web site);
iv. be registered and in attendance as a regular student in the day classes of the school for which they play and:

achieves the following course requirements:

i. Students who have fewer than twenty-two (22) credits must be taking courses which define them as full-time students under the Ministry of Education definition. Namely, a student in a traditional school must be registered in a minimum of six (6) full day school credit courses; in a semester school, a student must be registered in a minimum of three (3) full day school credit courses in the semester in which he/she participates.

ii. Students who have achieved twenty-two (22) credits must be taking four (4) non-semester full day school credit courses over the school year or two (2) full day school credit courses per semester.

iii. Any player who plays in a higher age classification for two season games shall not be eligible to play in the lower category in the same activity until the following year. Listing on the game eligibility sheet is to be considered as having competed.

iv. All students entering SOSSA competition shall furnish upon request of the Executive Director, an official birth certificate.

v. The Board shall have the power to rule on any aspect of eligibility not specifically covered by any of the rules of competition.

vi. If an ineligible contestant participates in a SOSSA competition, it automatically results in a team loss for that game or activity and any prior game or activity in which the ineligible contestant participated.

vii. Any Junior must be listed as a Junior on the game sheet when playing in a Senior game. Violation of this rule makes him/her a senior for the duration of the season. If they play a second senior game, they become a senior for the duration of the season. A Junior, to be eligible for senior playoffs, must be listed on the game sheet of one regularly scheduled senior league game.

viii. A player may compete in only one age classification in any playoff or championship series in the same season in any one sport with the exception of Track and Field.

Example: a school has both Junior and Senior Basketball teams participating in Zone playoffs.
The Senior team wins their play-off game and continues. A junior player who has been Eligible for the senior team may NOT be called up to participate on the senior team during zone play-off and/or championship game(s). If the senior team is successful and wins the Zone Championship, the junior player may participate at the SOSSA and/or OFSAA level, including festivals.

d) Any suspension or disciplinary action in Zone play shall be carried forward into SOSSA competition. The Zone convenor shall be responsible for reporting such athletes and the nature of the disciplinary action on the SOSSA eligibility sheet.

e) Any student who registers and either (a) attends one full term or semester or (b) practice or plays with a team or an intercollegiate team at a post-secondary institution and then returns to any high school is ineligible for SOSSA competition for the remainder of his/her high school career.

f) That students in a systems/alternative education program, who intend on returning to their home school upon completion of the program, be allowed to compete for their home school until the activities season is completed.

g) Unlimited number of players may be listed on the eligibility sheet, but there shall be the maximum number of players on the game sheet as per OFSAA playing regulations and/or as submitted on a single game sheet.

3.8 Championships

a) For team championships the rotation for the tournament draw will be cyclical every three years and SOSSA will confirm the rotation each year. For example the rotation may be as follows:

Example:

YEAR ROTATION ROTATION
Year 1 1 - 2 3 - 4
Year 2 1 - 3 2 - 4
Year 3 1 - 4 2 - 3

b) At the conclusion of the SOSSA annual general meeting if there is an activity without a convener then said activity will not run a championship in the upcoming school year.

c) If there is no SOSSA Championship in an activity for two consecutive years than the sport may be removed from the SOSSA Championship list.

d) Zone finals should be completed in the week prior to the SOSSA Championships. There should be a weekend between the Zone and SOSSA Championships.

e) The zone convenor in a sport must contact the SOSSA convenor in that sport, at least two weeks prior to the SOSSA competition if their zone will not be sending a representative in that sport to the SOSSA championship. If there is no zone competition in an activity, the zone secretary will contact the SOSSA Executive Director.

f) The SOSSA convenor should fill an open position at the SOSSA tournament (when a zone, for whatever reason, is unable to send a representative therefore leaving an uneven number of teams) with the second-place team from the host zone's playoff schedule. If this is not possible, (i.e., there is no second place for that sport in the zone) the fourth spot should be filled by the convenor in consultation with the SOSSA Executive Director. There are no timelines involved in this decision.

g) If there are only two Zones represented for SOSSA competition, additional teams from the said two Zones may NOT be added. The game between the two zones will be the Championship.

h) An alternate date must be set for each championship in the event for some reason one of the schools involved, is closed or buses cancelled.

i) Championship dates set by Executive Director shall not be changed without approval. Exception would be a tentative date set in conjunction with the championship date, in the event for some reason one of the schools involved is closed or buses cancelled.

j) If a convenor steps down due to ill health, contract difficulties, etc., their Zone will be encouraged first to take on that event. If no convenor is available, the other Zones will be offered to host the event. If within two (2) weeks of the SOSSA Championship there is NO CONVENOR - ALL Zone reps will be notified and they will have 48 hours to find a convenor, otherwise there will be NO event.

k) Where there is a SOSSA championship in an activity in order to represent SOSSA at an OFSAA championship, the team must compete at the SOSSA level in that SOSSA championship.

3.9 Classifications

a) SOSSA championships are offered for "A", "AA" and "AAA"”, at the senior level in the following sports only:

i. Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball
ii. Girls’ and Boys’ Volleyball
iii. Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer

b) SOSSA championships are offered for "A/AA" and "AAA ", at the senior level in the following sports only:

i. Girls’ and Boys’ Hockey
ii. Girls’ and Boys’ Rugby
iii. Boys’ Field Lacrosse

c) SOSSA champions are open (not classified) at the senior level for following sports only:

i. Boys’ Baseball
ii. Girls’ Field Hockey
iii. Boys’ Football
iv. Ultimate

d) SOSSA Championships are offered for A & AA at the junior level (see Article VII, Section 1-in the following sports only:

i. Girls’’ Basketball and Volleyball
ii. Boys’’ Basketball and Volleyball

NOTE: Junior team championships shall be one day tournaments.

e) For all SOSSA sports, when SOSSA qualifies to enter two (2) teams to the OFSAA Championship (excluding the host entry), the Second Entry will follow:

OFSAA Second Entry Formula
a. The SOSSA Champion is an automatic entry.
b. The SOSSA runner-up may be challenged for the second entry by the team losing to the champions in semi-finals.
c. The challenge match shall be played the next day or on the alternate date noted on the website not on the Championship Day.

Unless:
• The two teams (challenger/runners up) are from the same zone.
• The team that finished higher in the zone championship is automatic second entry.

f) At all SOSSA Championships, the convenor will ensure that there MUST be, on sight, someone, or group specifically responsible for athletic injuries.

g) Host Team for OFSAA Championships:

i. The host team entry shall be defined as the team whose school is hosting the OFSAA Championship.

ii. Host team shall have an automatic entry to the OFSAA Championship.

iii. Should the host team forfeit the right to go to the OFSAA Championship. The selection of two entries shall be through the use of the two-entry formula.

iv. Should the SOSSA Champion be the host team for the OFSAA Championship, the selection of the second entry will be through the use of the second entry formula.

h) If a school hosts an OFSAA Championship, the school has the first right of acceptance or refusal of the SOSSA Convenorship for that activity in the same school year as the OFSAA Championship.

i) Should the winner of a SOSSA Championship elect not to go to the OFSAA Championship, the two-entry rule shall be used to determine the OFSAA entry. It is expected that the convenor is given advance notice that a said school will not be attending OFSAA Championship.

j) If SOSSA is offered a LATE second entry, SOSSA shall consider if there is suitable time to determine the second entry prior to OFSAA entry deadline.

Regulation 4

Transfers

4.1 OFSAA Transfer Policy

SOSSA has adopted the OFSAA Transfer Policy as a whole. Please refer to the OFSAA web site (www.OFSAA.on.ca)

4.2 SOSSA Transfer Policy Procedural Process

a) All transfer students are ineligible for SOSSA competition until cleared by their Zone Transfer Appeal Committee.

b) Students not eligible under these criteria may appeal in writing. The appeal must be made by the principal of the athlete's school or principals' designate with proper documentation to the SOSSA Transfer Committee.

c) The deadline for any appeal of eligibility to the SOSSA Transfer Committee is seven (7) days prior to the scheduled date of the Board meetings. Such appeals must be forwarded through the Zone Transfer Committee chairperson. All documentation must be in the hands of the SOSSA Transfer Committee chairperson within 24 hours of the appeal submission date.

d) An appeal to the SOSSA Transfer Committee must be accompanied by a fifty dollar ($50.00) fee, refundable if the appeal is successful at the SOSSA.

e) When a case is heard at the SOSSA level, a Committee member who participated in the decision at the zone level must declare a conflict of interest. Such a member may be present while the case is presented to the Committee and may ask or be asked questions with the approval of the chair. However the member must leave the room after the case is presented and must not participate in any decision which may influence the vote of the Committee. The SOSSA Transfer Committee will be established at the Annual Meeting.

f) The SOSSA Transfer Committee is described in Regulation 2. The Committee chairperson will set the dates for all association hearings and will notify all parties (Zone Transfer board, appealing school, and appealing student) of the decision.

g) The SOSSA Transfer Committee will make the final decision for the Association.

h) Athletes who wish to appeal the decision of the SOSSA Transfer Committee may appeal in writing to the OFSAA Transfer Committee - see the OFSAA Transfer Policy Procedural Process

Regulation 5

Protests and Appeals

5.1 General

a) All incidents occurring at a zone level shall be appealed initially through the zone within 48 hours of the incident in question.

b) If an ejection occurs in a zone championship which might affect that player's eligibility at the SOSSA championship, any appeal regarding the ejection must be heard at the zone level. The decision regarding the appeal must be forwarded to the SOSSA Executive Director in case the SOSSA Appeals & Protests Committee is needed.

c) All incidents occurring at a SOSSA competition shall be handled by a protest procedure at the site of the competition. If a further appeal is desired, refer to the Appeal procedures below.

5.2 Protest Appeal Procedures

a) Zone referred and SOSSA competition - all protest appeals at the SOSSA level must be made directly to the Executive Director of SOSSA within 48 hours of the zone appeal hearing or the SOSSA competition.

b) The protesting school(s) shall post a one hundred dollar ($100.00) cash bond with the SOSSA Executive Director in conjunction with the written protest. If the protest is successful, the one hundred dollar ($100.00) bond will be returned.

c) All protests must include the Physical Education Head's and the Principal's signatures.

d) The SOSSA Appeals & Protests Committee is described in Regulation 2.

5.3 Ejections

a) If a player or coach is ejected from a SOSSA activity, that individual will be suspended from the next championship competition unless after an appeal, the SOSSA Executive rules to the contrary. It is recommended that the referee is to make a special report to the SOSSA Executive Director or the convenor on the back of the eligibility sheet. The onus of appeal is on the coach. If a player or coach is ejected from a final competition of a SOSSA activity, that individual will be suspended from the first league competition in that activity in the next year's schedule.

5.4 Misconduct

a) Any player or coach who strikes or threatens another coach or an official will be suspended from all further competition until such time as the SOSSA Board can render a decision.

 

Regulation 6

Supervision / Code of Behaviour

6.1 General

a) It is desirable that only teachers with the highest ideals be employed within the realm of interschool sport. If, however, a non-teacher undertakes this role, then a supervising teacher, who is a regular member of the teaching staff, must also be enlisted both to facilitate and maintain educational direction.

b) All players and team officials are open to censure for unsportsmanlike conduct by the Association. Censure can be brought to the Association by the individual zone.

6.2 Code of Behaviour for Spectators

a) Guidelines for Spectators:
i. Cheer in a positive manner
ii. Respect officials’ decisions
iii. Do not interfere with the competition
iv. Keep off the playing area
v. Be courteous and respectful

b) That Canada’s, Ontario’s and participating school’s flags/banners shall be the only flags/banners displayed at SOSSA playoffs and championships.

c) No artificial noise makers are permitted at SOSSA Championship events.

d) Schools choosing to take student fans to a SOSSA Championship, shall do so with the advanced permission of the convenor and shall be expected to pay an entrance fee. The student fans shall be escorted with appropriate supervision (board policy re supervision of trips) and that an administrator/teacher in charge shall be present if there is more than one busload (40 students) of student fans.

 

Regulation 7

Awards

7.1 SOSSA Awards

a) Medallions will only be issued if there are two or more Zones represented at the SOSSA Championship.

7.2 Team Award Medallions Chart

ACTIVITY TEAM AWARD MEDALLIONS

Badminton Boys’ & Girls’ Grade Nine, Junior, Senior
Total medals - 26 max

Baseball Boys’ 18 max

Basketball Jr Boys’
A 15 max
AA 15 max

Basketball Sr Boys’
A 15 max
AA 15 max
AAA 15 max

Basketball Jr Girls’
A 15 max
AA 15 max

Basketball Sr Girls’
A 15 max
AA 15 max
AAA 15 max

Cross Country
(Co-ed) 1) Girls’ Overall
2) Boys’ Overall
3) Aggregate SOSSA (2nd -5th Ribbons)
Total medals - 36 max

Curling
Boys’ 5 max
Girls’ 5 max
Total medals - 10 max

Field Hockey Girls’ 18 max

Football Boys’ 40 max

Golf Boys’ 5+1 max
Golf Girls’ 5+1 max
Golf Total medals - 14 max

Hockey Boys’
A/AA 20 max
AAA 20 max

Hockey Girls’
A/AA 20 max
AAA 20 max

Lacrosse Boys’
A/AA 30 max
AAA 30 max

Rugby Boys’
A/AA 30 max
AAA 30 max

Rugby Girls’
A/AA 30 max
AAA 30 max

Skiing Alpine
Co-ed Boys’ & Girls’ – Open
Total medals - 14 max

Slo-pitch Girls 18

Soccer Boys’
Sr A 20 max
AA 20 max
AAA 20 max

Soccer Girls’
Sr A 20 max
AA 20 max
AAA 20 max

Swimming
96 1st place & 96 2-5 ribbons

Track and Field 138 awards
Tennis Junior 8 max
Senior 8 max
Elite 8 max
Ultimate Co-ed 28 max

Volleyball Jr Boys’
A 15 max
AA 15 max

Volleyball Sr Boys’
A 12 max
AA 12 max
AAA 12 max

Volleyball Jr Girls’
A 15 max
AA 15 max

Volleyball Sr Girls’
A 12 max
AA 12 max
AAA 12 max

Wrestling Boys’ 16 max

Girls’ 13 max

 

Regulation 8

Amendments to the Regulations and Playing Regulations

8.1 Amendments

Any motions to amend the Regulations and/or Playing Regulations may be made by a Member School within SOSSA or by the SOSSA Board of Directors. Motions will be considered at the Annual Meeting of Members.

The Regulations and Playing Regulations may be amended by a two-thirds majority of votes cast (excluding abstentions). On all other matters, a majority of votes cast rules (excluding abstentions). No member shall have more than one vote.