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Did You Know?: 2019 Roster Mandates
2019-01-30
New Roster mandates are in place for 2019 including a new Roster Size Policy, Roster Age Categories, & Player Recovery as well upcoming changes in 2022.
ROSTER SIZE POLICY
Below you will find roster size chart.
2019 Mandate:As listed on the chart below, Ontario Football Alliance members must have the “Minimum to play game” for 2019.
2022 Mandate:Ontario Football Alliance members must follow the full chart listed below.
Mandating a team’s roster size at the start of a season with a minimum number of players makes sure that teams have enough players to continue during a season should in-season injuries occur.
The recommended maximum to being thinking of alternative options is a threshold at which having too many players restricts the ability for all players to get playing time or adequate development opportunities.
ROSTER AGE CATEGORIES
A standardized system in-line with the LTAD would allow players from across the country to compete in the same groupings. Confusion would be minimized when determining a standardized pathway for athletes to move from grassroots to high performance.
2019 Mandate: Ontario Football Alliance members must have a maximum age difference of 24 months. Associations fielding teams in the U20 (Varsity/Midget) division, the maximum age difference will remain at 36 months.
*Any player wanting to play outside of this age difference must apply to the Ontario Football Alliance for approval.
2022 Mandate: Ontario Football Alliance members must follow the standardized age categories listed below.
Two Roster Age Categories exemptions that can be made:
PLAYER RECOVERY POLICY
Allowing for proper rest and recovery reduces the risk of injury, and maximizes weekly practice and preparation time. A longer recovery time between games would also enable players sufficient time to work through the return-to-play protocol and may deter players from rushing through the protocol to return to competition during a short week of practice.
Mandate: Ontario Football Alliance mandates a player must wait a minimum of 2 calendar days in-between tackle football games.
Example: If a player is an active roster participant in a game on Monday, the earliest that player can be an active roster participant in a game would be on Thursday.
“Active Roster” Definition:If player is in equipment for a game, regardless if he participates in the game would be considered on the active roster.
Below you will find roster size chart.
2019 Mandate:As listed on the chart below, Ontario Football Alliance members must have the “Minimum to play game” for 2019.
2022 Mandate:Ontario Football Alliance members must follow the full chart listed below.
| Minimum to start season |
Minimum to play game |
Recommended to play a game | Maximum to begin thinking of other alternative options |
|
| Touch 5’s | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Touch 7’s | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
| Flag 5’s | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Flag 7’s | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
| 6-a-side | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| 9-a-side | 17 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
| 12-a-side | 30 | 24 | 28 | 45 |
Mandating a team’s roster size at the start of a season with a minimum number of players makes sure that teams have enough players to continue during a season should in-season injuries occur.
The recommended maximum to being thinking of alternative options is a threshold at which having too many players restricts the ability for all players to get playing time or adequate development opportunities.
ROSTER AGE CATEGORIES
A standardized system in-line with the LTAD would allow players from across the country to compete in the same groupings. Confusion would be minimized when determining a standardized pathway for athletes to move from grassroots to high performance.
2019 Mandate: Ontario Football Alliance members must have a maximum age difference of 24 months. Associations fielding teams in the U20 (Varsity/Midget) division, the maximum age difference will remain at 36 months.
*Any player wanting to play outside of this age difference must apply to the Ontario Football Alliance for approval.
2022 Mandate: Ontario Football Alliance members must follow the standardized age categories listed below.
| Age Category | Age of players in Division | Maximum Age Difference (From oldest to youngest) |
| U8 | 6 & 7 year old’s (cannot turn 8 in the calendar year) |
24 Months |
| U10 | 8 & 9 year old’s (cannot turn 10 in the calendar year) |
24 months |
| U12 | 10 & 11 year old’s (cannot turn 12 in the calendar year) |
24 months |
| U14 | 12 & 13 year old’s (cannot turn 14 in the calendar year) |
24 months |
| U16 | 14 & 15 year old’s (cannot turn 16 in the calendar year) |
24 months |
| U18 | 16 & 17 year old’s (cannot turn 18 in the calendar year) |
24 months |
| Elite 18+ | 18 years old & above | N/A |
Two Roster Age Categories exemptions that can be made:
- If a player has no participation pathway, he/she can be moved to a different age grouping pending the approval of the Ontario Football Alliance.
- If the current age category does not fit the developmental age of the player, he/she can be moved up or down an age category pending the approval of the Ontario Football Alliance.
PLAYER RECOVERY POLICY
Allowing for proper rest and recovery reduces the risk of injury, and maximizes weekly practice and preparation time. A longer recovery time between games would also enable players sufficient time to work through the return-to-play protocol and may deter players from rushing through the protocol to return to competition during a short week of practice.
Mandate: Ontario Football Alliance mandates a player must wait a minimum of 2 calendar days in-between tackle football games.
Example: If a player is an active roster participant in a game on Monday, the earliest that player can be an active roster participant in a game would be on Thursday.
“Active Roster” Definition:If player is in equipment for a game, regardless if he participates in the game would be considered on the active roster.