Scheduling

Seasons of Play

Seasons are designed to minimize overlap between sports, as well to coordinate with SSNS events where possible.

Soccer - Mid September - October
Volleyball - November - early December
Basketball - January - February
Flag Football - Mid April - May
Slo-Pitch - Mid-May - June
See Sports Calendar

Season Length

The number of games (guaranteed, not including playoffs) is based on input from coaches and Athletic Directors at registration time over the past three years.
Sometimes season length will differ between divisions, based on:

• the number of teams per division

• available days in schedule (accounting for weather delays)

• consideration of demand by teams in that division

Soccer: ~5-6 Games
Volleyball: ~5-7 Games
Basketball: ~5-7 Games
Flag Football: One-Day Tournament per division (9-5pm)
Slo-Pitch: One-Day Tournament per division (9-5pm)

Divisions

Some sports are divided into tiers or divisions based on a number of factors. Schools are asked to indicate their preference of tier/division during registration. In order to create experiences that are as fair as possible, some divisions have to be realigned. 

There are not enough schools (in most zones) to create an entire grade 8 division. Often, there are seasons when not enough teams apply to play in a particular division, so they have to be combined/realigned.

When creating divisions, considerations will be given to the following:

• School size (enrolment in grades 6-9) - Where possible, preventing large schools (250+) from playing small schools

• Highest grade level (8/9) - Where possible, preventing schools with grade 9s from playing schools without grade 9s.

• Keeping a balanced schedule (min and max # of teams per division, fewer byes, etc.)

• Requests (preferences) from schools at registration

Scheduling

Considerations will be given to the following:

• Travel: Home vs Away games

• Fields/venues available

• Dates available

• Officials available

• Requests made by schools at registration re: dates to avoid, travel issues,  etc.

Days of Play

Games will be avoided on:

• Professional Development Days (HRCE/CSAP)

• Holidays

• Provincial Assessments

Efforts will be made to avoid games on the following days, but  may have to be used if necessary:

• Fridays

• Mondays-Thursdays outside the regular season plan for a division  (for example, a  division that usually plays Mondays and Wednesdays may have to play on a Thursday)

• Scheduled SSNS Event days (Cross Country, Badminton, etc.)

Fields / Venues

Soccer

• Attempts are made to minimize travel for schools, where possible.

• Schools may not play home games at their school field due to uncertainty of field conditions.

  • Soccer games are booked back-to-back as it is easier to find an official to referee two games rather than just one, particularly if they are traveling.
    This often results in teams playing a "home game" at a field other than their own school.

Volleyball/Basketball

• Home games will be played at the Home Team's school gym, unless it is unfit for play

• In the case that a school is unable to host, the opposing team's gym will be used.

  • During the volleyball season, "Home Teams" will be responsible for booking a referee, even when play at opposing team's gym.

Flag Football / Slo-Pitch 

• These one-day tournaments are played at central locations with enough playing surfaces and facilities to accommodate a large number of teams.