Intramural Policies and Playing Regulations

• Game sheets for each (Sunday-Saturday) week are usually printed every Sunday morning. In the event that a player does not join their team on IMLeagues (i.e., create account, accept invitation, read/sign waiver, pass quiz) before the game sheets are printed they may still be permitted to play provided they can provide proof (via cellphone, laptop etc.) to the official on site that they do appear on their team’s IMLeagues roster (i.e., above criteria has been met) prior to their game’s start time, at which point the official (and only the official) will write their name down on the game sheet and permit them to play. No players will be permitted to be written in on any game sheet following the Roster Close Deadline.
• A player must participate in at least two regular season games during a five-week schedule for their sport, and in at least four regular season games during a 10+ week schedule to be eligible for the playoffs. Players on the roster who have missed games due to injury can request to be granted eligibility by their Intramural sport convener to participate in playoffs so long as they present a signed doctor's note including injury date and return to participation date.
• All roster members must be 16 years or older and are required to have a valid physical piece of Photo ID prior to the beginning of every game. Pictures of Photo IDs, or any attempt to use an electronic device in the place of a Photo ID are not acceptable. Non-members must also comply with all other eligibility rules and policies. If you are not a member of Campus Recreation (i.e. have a current/active Campus Recreation membership) then you are classified as a non-member.
• Participants may play on one gender specific team (men's or women's), one co-ed team and one open team (if offered) per sport, per season regardless of competition level.
• Once a player appears on a team's roster they are ineligible for any other team in that sport/gender division. If a player is caught playing for multiple teams, they will be suspended for the remainder of the season from that sport.
• No current varsity (or JV) athletes or professional athletes are eligible to play Intramurals in their associated sport. Ex-varsity/professional players are eligible to play Intramurals, however they must play at the highest skill level offered in their associated sport. Ex-varsity status occurs at the beginning of the 4th subsequent semester (summer semesters included) following the last semester in which a player appeared on a varsity/professional athletics website roster. Ex-varsity status ends at the beginning of the 7th subsequent semester (summer semesters included) following the last semester in which a player appeared on a varsity/professional athletics website roster. Teams in all sports may carry one ex-varsity player; except ice hockey, softball and soccer 11s teams which are permitted two.

See the following scenario for clarification:

Semester 0 = last semester playing varsity (Fall 2016)
Semester 1 = must sit out (Spring 2017)
Semester 2 = must sit out (Summer 2017) 
Semester 3 = must sit out (Fall 2017)
Semester 4 = eligible to play (Spring 2018) [ex-varsity status]
Semester 5 = ex-varsity status (Summer 2018)
Semester 6 = ex-varsity status (Fall 2018)
Semester 7 = return to regular participant status (Spring 2019)

The varsity/professional rule as stated above applies to the below related & cross-over sports:

Varsity Badminton = Intramural Badminton
Varsity Basketball = Intramural Basketball
Varsity Baseball/Softball = Intramural Slo-pitch & 3-pitch
Varsity Football = Intramural Flag & Snow Flag Football
Varsity Rugby = Intramural Flag Rugby
Varsity Ice Hockey = Intramural Ice Hockey & Ball Hockey (indoor & outdoor)
Varsity Soccer = Intramural Soccer (7s & 11s), Snow Soccer & Futsal
Varsity Squash = Intramural Squash
Varsity Ultimate Frisbee = Intramural Ultimate Frisbee
Varsity Volleyball = Intramural Volleyball & Beach Volleyball
Varsity Waterpolo = Intramural Inner-tube Waterpolo

• Any team found using an ineligible player will forfeit any points gained in the standings while using that player. The Intramural Program Coordinator or sport convener also reserves the right to remove the team from the league.
• It is the responsibility of the team captains to check with the Intramural sport convener regarding questions over any player’s eligibility and to ensure all players meet the eligibility.

• Rec. – designed with emphasis on fun, participation, fitness, and socializing
• Comp. – designed for those seeking a more competitive experience

• Member teams pay preferred Campus Recreation member fees plus the performance bond. All players must be 16 years or older and are required to have a valid physical piece of Photo ID prior to the beginning of every game. Pictures of Photo IDs, or any attempt to use an electronic device in the place of a Photo ID are not acceptable.
• Captains must appear on the team roster and be a Campus Recreation member.
• Team registrations must meet the minimum team roster requirements (see sport specific rules for details). 
• Member teams are not permitted to have any non-member participants on their roster.

• Any team carrying more than TWO non-member on their roster is considered a non-member team and must pay the non-member team fee plus the performance bond. All roster members must be 16 years or older and are required to have a valid physical piece of Photo ID prior to the beginning of every game. Pictures of Photo IDs, or any attempt to use an electronic device in the place of a Photo ID are not acceptable. Non-members must also comply with all other eligibility rules and policies. If you are not a member of Campus Recreation (i.e. have a current/active Campus Recreation membership) then you are classified as a non-member.
• Team registrations must meet the minimum team roster requirements (see sport specific rules for details).
• Once you have registered you cannot change your status to a member team. 

• Appear on the team's roster
• Must be a Campus Recreation member.
• Complete the necessary forms, enter your team in the desired sport by the entry deadline and pay necessary entry fees by the deadline.
• Complete the Intramural “Quiz” and respond to the playoff email.
• Ensure that the team's roster is completed on IMLeagues (link) by the roster close deadline. 'Completed' means 1. Each player has accepted the invite to join the team on IMLeagues and has an active IMLeagues account; 2. Each player has read and signed the participation waiver on IMLeagues; 3. Each player has passed the sport specific rules quiz.
• Know and understand the eligibility, league and house rules for your corresponding sport.
• Inform teammates of sports rules, policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all players on your roster abide by rules to avoid problems during the season.
• Ensure all players are eligible to participate.
• Notify all team members regarding place, date, and time of contests and any changes that occur.
• Notify the Intramural sport convener if your team is unable to play, at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled game (72 hours for Inner-tube Waterpolo).

Following the close of registration the captain (payee) will receive an invitation from IMLeagues (our scheduling website) via email from the Intramural sport convener inviting you to join your team that your Intramural sport convener has created in your name. This email invite will be sent to the email you registered (paid) with. Please log in to IMLeagues (or create an account if you do not already have one) and on your Home Page you will see a “Pending Invitation” to join the team, click on this Invitation.

You then must pass a Quiz to join your team’s roster. There are links to the information required to answer the Quiz questions which you will need to open in new tabs/windows in your browser. A passing grade of 80% (16/20 correct) is needed to be added to your team’s roster. If this grade is not achieved, you will have an unlimited number of attempts to complete the Quiz. Once you pass the Quiz, you must read and accept our waiver to play Intramural Sports at Western University. You have now been added to your team’s roster. Once the Intramural sport convener has made you captain on your roster (does not happen automatically, usually done within 24 hours of passing quiz), you will be able to invite your teammates via email and change your team’s settings (i.e. team name and photo). Please note that the Quiz is not an exhaustive list of all of our Policies and Procedures. The link provided will show all IMS Policies and Procedures.

Once you invite your teammates via email through IMLeagues, your teammates will also have to complete a Quiz to join your team’s roster. A passing grade of 80% (16/20) correct is needed to be added to the team’s roster. If this grade is not achieved, they will have an unlimited number of attempts to complete the Quiz. Once they pass the Quiz, they must read and accept our waiver to play Intramural Sports at Western University.  

If you have any questions, please visit the Intramurals tab on this website for the answer before emailing your Intramural sport convener or Program Coordinator.

Campus Recreation is committed to assuring that its programs are free from discriminatory, inappropriate, and disrespectful conduct or communication. We respect the rights of all students, staff and faculty to learn, play and work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Intramural Sports program, reserves the right to reject and request a name/photo/uniform change when inappropriate content is used by any participant team.

When choosing a team name/photo/uniform, please ensure it is in good taste and is not offensive to individuals or groups on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, culture. or gender identity & expression. Team names/photos/uniforms must not contain profanity, racial slurs, sexual innuendo, references to drugs or alcohol, or other words that may be offensive, discriminatory or otherwise degrading in nature.

In the event a team name is rejected, we will change the team name to the captain’s last name and provide the captain an opportunity to choose a new one. Should the captain be unable to submit an appropriate new team name, the team name will remain named with the captain’s last name for the duration of the season. In the event is team photo is rejected, we will remove the team photo and provide the captain an opportunity to choose a new one.  Should the captain be unable to submit an appropriate new team photo, the team will be without a team photo for the duration of the season.

Campus Recreation reserves the right to reject and/or modify any team uniform that does not comply with the preceding regulations. Campus Recreation will not be held responsible for any loss, monetary or otherwise, as a result of an alteration to a uniform made by the department. Please keep the above in mind if/when purchasing team uniforms. It would be prudent to wait to see if your team name is accepted before purchasing uniforms, or email us ahead of time at intramurals@uwo.ca if you are unsure and under time constraints.

Please refrain from wearing any inappropriate clothing/jerseys/uniforms that may be considered offensive based on the guidelines above while participating in intramurals sports.

See ''Captains' Information" for roster close dates. Please note: An incomplete roster (adding any player after this deadline for any reason) will result in the loss of half of a team’s performance bond (i.e., incomplete roster violation). It is the responsibility of the captain to make sure their roster is completed by the roster close date and to identify any "technical difficulties" they may be having to their Intramural sport convener prior to this date.

An email with playoff information will be sent out to all captains by the Intramural sport convener no later than one week before playoffs are scheduled to begin.

Captains must email the convener back with their name, team name and division to confirm they have read and understood the email. Please note: Failure to respond to the online playoffs captain’s meeting will result in the loss of half of the performance bond.

Participants are encouraged to participate within the Spirit of Sportsmanship, and must remember that our officials are students with an interest in sport - not necessarily CARDED officials who aspire to make the profession a part of their livelihood.

• Any suspension longer than an automatic one game suspension for a red card or game misconduct results in the identified player(s) being suspended automatically for an indefinite period, pending an investigation. Participants cannot return to competition until they have been granted reinstatement by their Intramural sport convener.
• The Intramural sport convener will inform the captain of the offending team before their next scheduled game (if possible) that a player(s) is suspended and that a decision regarding the suspension will be made before the next scheduled game (if possible).
• Due to the time-sensitive nature of issuing and enforcing suspensions, the length and severity of each suspension is at the discretion of the Intramural sport convener, in consultation with the officials involved.
• The Intramural sport convener will request documentation from as many persons involved in the incident as nessary. Once a decision has been made, the Intramural sport convener will notify the suspended player(s) and the captain of the offending team. Please note: The Intramural Program Coordinator will notify the suspended player(s) and the captain of the offending team for any Class 4 and 5 suspensions. Class 4 and 5 suspensions will also be reported to Campus Police.
• A decision regarding the length of any suspension involves numerous factors - the severity of the act, prior precedent, as well as the possible results of the act.
• The Intramural Program Coordinator is also bound to report any and all incidents that violate the Student Code of Conduct. Any incidents that involve threatening words or action, the illegal use of alcohol or drugs, violations of the University's harassment code, and/or damage or destruction of University property will be reported to the Campus Community Police for follow-up within the Student Code of Conduct.
• Once the player(s) are notified they and their captain have the right to appeal the suspension and request a meeting with the Intramural Sports Appeals Committee to discuss the suspension.
• Once an appeals meeting has been scheduled, the captain of the offending team and the player(s) being suspended are both required to attend the meeting. 

All decisions made by the Intramural sport convener on protests and disciplinary matters can be appealed by members of the affected team. All appeals must be made by the captain of the offending team within 72 hours of the decision. Appeals must be made to the attention of the Intramural Sports Appeals Committee and submitted by emailing intramurals@uwo.ca.  All appeals will be directed to the Appeals Committee. Appeals cannot be made regarding decisions on a one-game suspension. 

Intramural Sports Appeals Committee Terms and Conditions

Committee Constituents:
• 1 full time program coordinator from Campus Recreation who was not involved in the decision in question
• 1 team leader from Intramural Sports who was not involved in the decision in question
• 1 convener from Intramural Sports who was not involved in the decision in question 

Team Representatives:
• Suspended Player
• Team Captain

Scope:
• This committee is charged with reviewing the following:
a. Participant suspensions that are greater than one game and that have been officially and appropriately appealed by the party in question.
b. Protests officially and appropriately made by a team that will effect game outcome. Please note: As per Intramural policy, protests will only be reviewed for the following:
i. Misinterpretation of rules and regulations by an official
ii. Question(s) of player eligibility

Authority:
• All decisions made by the appeals committee are final.
• When dealing with suspensions the committee has the authority to overturn decisions made by Intramural staff, lessen the original suspension or increase the original suspension.
• When dealing with protests the committee has the authority to support the original decision, require a replay of the effected portion of the game, anddeclare defaults or forfeits due to proven cases of player ineligibility.

Note:
• An appeal is an opportunity for the suspended player and their captain to state their case against the given suspension. A decision made by the committee must be unanimous before proceeding.

There are only two grounds for protest:

1. Misinterpretation of rules and regulations by an official
2. A question of player eligibility

Please note: A judgment call by an official is not grounds for protest.

Procedure for (1):

1. The captain must inform the official verbally that they are protesting the game. This must be done at the time of the alleged rule misinterpretation and before play resumes.
2. The official shall announce to both teams that the game is being played under protest.
3. The captain must email the Intramural sport convener with a full explanation before 4:00pm on the next business day following the completion of the contest in question.

Procedure for (2):

The captain must email the Intramural sport convener no later than 48 hours after the conclusion of the game with sufficient evidence to support the allegation of ineligibility. The eligibility of the player in question will be determined by an investigation, the official game report and/or the testimony of a league official.

Please note: The Appeals Committee (if a quick decision is needed due to time constraints the Intramural Program Coordinator or a designate can rule on behalf of the committee) shall rule on all protests. Intramural Staff will provide game details. Further participant feedback will be sought only when necessary. Decisions will be rendered prior to the next regularly-scheduled game for either team, and therefore information should be submitted quickly. Established precedents will be used where applicable. This decision is final. 

Outdoors

• Games will continue to be played during all weather conditions except: if thunder is heard, games will be suspended for 15 minutes. If no thunder or lightning are seen or heard in the subsequent 15 minutes, games will continue. If thunder and lightning persist, games will be cancelled and rescheduled, if possible. If lightning is seen, games will be immediately cancelled and rescheduled, if possible.
• Field conditions will be monitored by Intramural staff who may suspend games at any time if they believe the field is unplayable.
• When in doubt, players should expect the game to be played and arrive at the field on time. If games get/are to be cancelled the sport convener will send out a message to those affected as soon as the decision to cancel has been made.

Indoors

• Intramural staff have full authority to suspend/cancel games if they believe the playing conditions are unsafe.  Games will be rescheduled, if possible.
• In the event of a problem with lights or leakages, captains will be notified and games will be rescheduled, if possible.
• When in doubt, players should expect the game to be played and arrive at the indoor facility on time. If games get/are to be cancelled the sport convener will send out a message to those affected as soon as the decision to cancel has been made.

2 Strikes and You’re Out:
1st Strike – team loses half of their performance bond.
2nd Strike – team loses the other half of their performance bond (and will now have no performance bond left).

When a team loses their entire performance bond due to defaults, captain doesn't respond to the captain's online playoff meeting email, incomplete roster, or multiple game player suspensions, the team can be removed from the league immediately or at the end of the regular season (at the sport convener’s discretion) without refund. To be considered for reinstatement in the league the captain must meet with the Intramural Program Coordinator. A meeting with the Intramural Program Coordinator DOES NOT guarantee reinstatement in the league.

Performance Bond Payback: If your team shows up for your game and the other team defaults, your team will receive a small part of your opponent’s performance bond. 

Performance Bond Refund Dates
See ''Captains' Information" for performance refund dates.

• Any person will be ejected from a game or prevented from participating for the consumption of a controlled substance either at the activity site, which is prohibited by Provincial and Federal Law, or in sufficient quantity prior to the game to significantly impair his/her participation and/or behaviour.
• The decision to eject the individual can be made by any Intramural employee that is present.
• The decision of the Intramural employee is final and not considered grounds for protest.
• If players from a team are caught consuming controlled substances at the site of the activity (e.g. team rooms or sidelines) the entire team will be removed from the league without refund.  
• There is NO smoking (including any electronic smoking devices) in or around the intramural field of play.

• All jewelry must be removed from visible parts of the body before the participants are permitted to play.
• Jewelry that is not removable for religious or medical reasons must be made as safe as possible. Medical alert necklaces or bracelets must be taped down with the medical information still showing.
• Some types of jewelry (such as rings and earrings) pose a significant safety risk to participants and as such absolutely must be removed. If a participant cannot remove these articles for any reason, he/she will not be permitted to play.
• Any braces must be fully padded with no moveable/sharp area showing. 

• Any person showing signs of blood on their person or clothing will be immediately removed from a game or activity and will not be permitted back into an activity until the clothing has been removed and the blood flow has been stopped. Teams and players are asked to bring extra clothing to a game just for this occurrence.
• If any body fluid spill occurs on the playing area the game will be delayed until such time that the spill can be appropriately cleaned and sterilized.