Junior Policies & Forms

Juniors Participation Policy | Responsible Adult Permission Form | Juniors Athlete Code of Conduct | Concussion Code of Conduct | Concussion Policy and Rowan's Law

Juniors Participation Policy

Revised October 18, 2019.

Note: A PDF version of this document is also available.

Note: Any adult league team that has a Junior aged participant/member (18 years of age or younger) must adhere to the Juniors Participation Policy.

The Toronto Ultimate Club (TUC) greatly values its Junior players and works to foster an environment that protects the physical and emotional well-being of players under the age of 18. The purpose of this Policy is to allow properly supervised participation, where appropriate, and to prevent participation where there is potential exposure to overly physical play or inappropriate language.

There is no TUC appointed supervision for adult leagues or events and there are no referees or convenors on site. Any Junior player who participates in TUC leagues or events, as well as their parent/legal guardian, must acknowledge this fact and waive TUC from responsibility associated with TUC leagues or events. It is the duty of the parent/legal guardian to ensure that if their Junior player is participating in TUC adult leagues or events that they are under the supervision of a Responsible Adult, as defined below.

Definition of a Junior

  • A Junior is defined as a member/participant who is 18 years of age or younger by December 31st of that calendar year. The Junior Membership is valid from January 1st to December 31st of the calendar year. If a member/participant is 19 years of age at anytime during the calendar year, he/she/they is considered an Adult member/participant.
  • Juniors aged 9-13 are further designated as 'Youth' and members/participants 8 years of age or younger are further designated as 'Children'.

Definition of a Responsible Adult

  • A 'Responsible Adult' is a person aged 21 years of age or older, endorsed by the Junior participant's legal guardian, who supervises the Junior participant.  It is their duty to ensure that the Junior participant is safe and protected from any enviornment that is physically or emotionally inappropriate.  The responsibility includes full supervision fo the Junior throughout the course of his/her/their participation in the TUC league/event, and possibly removing the Junior from any inappropriate situation.
  • A 'Responsible Adult' is declared to the league convenor or tournament/event director, via the TUC Responsible Adult Permission Form from the parent or legal guardian, prior to the start of the league/event. For league, the Junior and Responsible Adult should be declared to the opposing captain prior to the start of the game.

​Adult League Participation Rules for Juniors

  • Junior aged players who are 16 years of age or older (ages 16 or 17 at the start of a league) may join an adult league team provided they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or other Responsible Adult who is playing on the same team. The parent or Responsible Adult can be playing on the same team or supervising from the sideline, but MUST be present for the duration of all games played by the Junior, with TUC. In addition:
    • The Responsible Adult must be a minimum 21 years of age.
    • A Responsible Adult, who is not a parent or legal guardian, can only be responsible for up to three (3) Junior players and must be authorized by the parent or legal guardian of each Junior in order to fulfill this role.
    • Parents or legal guardians can be responsible for any number of Junior players for which they are parents or legal guardians. In addition, they can be responsible for up to three (3) Junior players for which they are not a parent/legal guardian.

Any Junior player who is 15 years of age or younger at any point during an adult league, is NOT eligible to participate in TUC adult leagues. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the TUC Executive Director.

TUC Event Participation Rules for Juniors

  • For Junior participants, the rules for adult leagues apply also to TUC tournaments and other events that are not specifically targeted to Juniors
  • The exception to this rule is pickup, which is an informal gathering of ultimate players and is not regulated by TUC. Juniors are permitted to participate in pickup games.

Disciplinary Action

In order to enforce these conditions and foster fair play, we partly rely on the honour system and on our players and team captains. Please abide by the Spirit of the Game when dealing with this (and any other) issue. Remember, these rules are in place to PROTECT a young player from physical and emotional harm, not prohibit them from playing. TUC offers Junior aged leagues for Juniors seeking to play this great game.

If a team does not properly declare his/her/their Junior player(s) and Responsible Adult(s), or violates the rule above, that team and player are subject to TUC sanctions. The results of all games played with invalid or unsupervised Junior player(s) are disqualified. Individuals/teams committing repeat offences or blatant violations are subject to additional sanctions at the discretion of the TUC Executive Director.

Responsible Adult Permission Form

The purpose of this form is for a parent/legal guardian to acknowledge the supervision of a Junior aged player by a Responsible Adult, and the acknowledgement of the same Responsible Adult to accept this responsibility, for the Junior aged player to participate in a TUC league or event that is of an adult content. There is no TUC appointed supervision for adult leagues or events and there are no referees or convenors on site. Any Junior player who participates in TUC leagues or events, as well as their parent/legal guardian, must acknowledge this fact and waive TUC from responsibility associated with TUC leagues or events. It is the duty of the parent/legal guardian to ensure that if their Junior player is participating in TUC adult leagues or events that they are under the supervision of a Responsible Adult, as defined below.

Definition of a Responsible Adult

  • A ‘Responsible Adult’ is a person aged 21 years of age or older, endorsed by the Junior participant’s legal guardian, who supervises the Junior participant. It is their duty to ensure that the Junior participant is safe and protected from any environment that is physically or emotionally inappropriate. This responsibility includes full supervision of the Junior throughout the course of his/her/their participation in the TUC league/event, and possibly removing the Junior from any inappropriate situation.
  • A ‘Responsible Adult’ is declared to the league convenor or tournament/event director, via submission of the Responsible Adult Permission Form from the parent or legal guardian, prior to the start of the league/event. For league, the Junior and Responsible Adult should be declared to the opposing captain prior to the start of the game.

Here is the Responsible Adult Permission Form for the Responsible Adult and Parent/Legal Guardian to sign.

Juniors Athlete Code of Conduct

Revised March 19th, 2021

Ultimate is a sport which relies on unique principles of Spirit of the Game, sportsmanship and self-referring. These values are important to TUC and all of our members. Please take a moment to discuss this Code of Conduct and the Concussion Code of Conduct with your child.

Note:  A PDF version of this document is also available.

This form must be signed and submitted by players that wish to compete with any TUC Juniors program. If a player is under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the form. Please note that acknowledgment and signature are obtained when registering for a Junior Membership.

Player Expectations:

  1. I will play with Spirit.
    1. I will always play fair and abide by the rules of the game. I truly believe that all my opponents are doing likewise. Therefore, rule infractions are the result of ignorance or accident, not malice, and can be easily and quickly corrected. I understand that everyone on the playing field will have a different perspective on a play and I will defer to the player with the 'best' perspective when the outcome of a play is in doubt. I may engage in a short, less than 1 minute, discussion about the specific scenario or rules however, if I still disagree with a foul called against me, I will merely say "I contest" -- the play is repeated and the game will go on.
    2. I will always try to avoid physical contact with other players. I understand that "I was going for the disc" OR “I touched the disc first” is NEVER a valid excuse for initiating contact with another player. I will never engage in dangerous play.
  2. I will respect my teammates & opponents.
    1. I will be on time for my game. If my team cannot make it to the field by game time, we will notify our opponent in advance. If we don't have enough players, I will not expect the other team to match our line-up, either in number or gender ratio. I will abide by any rule changes agreed to by both captains before the game. During the game, I will always be courteous and will refrain from swearing. If I have issues with my opponents, I will let my team captain straighten them out.
    2. I understand that incidents of dangerous play will be investigated and offenders will face suspension from the league. I understand that anyone involved in a fight will be expelled from the Toronto Ultimate Club (TUC).
  3. I will respect other users of the park.
    1. I am the public face of the sport of Ultimate and of TUC and I will conduct myself accordingly. By my actions, both on and off the field, I will demonstrate to the public that "spirit of the game" distinguishes Ultimate from other sports.
    2. I will be courteous to other users of the park. I will be proactive in redirecting a non-player who might cross the playing field during a game, rather than cursing or shouting at him/her after they step onto the field. I am a guest in their neighbourhood. I will not consume alcohol or recreational drugs at the field, nor will I urinate in public, or litter. If I bring my pet to the game, I will maintain control of it at ALL times and will clean up after it. I will NOT allow it to run freely (except in off-leash areas) or to approach passers-by.
  4. I will respect the sport of Ultimate.
    1. I will learn the rules of Ultimate so that I can abide by them. I will always bring or have access to a rulebook to the game so that I may have a guide on how to deal with situations on the field that I have not previously encountered. I understand that the "captain's clause" allows for variations and simplifications in the rules, but these must be agreed on prior to the start of the game. I understand that the absence of referees and the flexibility allowed by the captain's clause does not justify "anything is acceptable" or "let's just ignore that rule and play" behaviour. In disagreements, I will defer to a more knowledgeable player. I understand that if a situation arises where nobody knows what to do, the fairest thing to do is repeat the play.
  5. I will respect the playing field.
    1. I understand that playing fields are a critical resource and require protection. I will not risk damage to a field by playing on it when it is wet and soft. I understand that fields are most vulnerable in spring and will stay off them until the ground is sufficiently dry. I will not litter. I will check the playing field for garbage and other hazards before my game starts. I will leave the field in better condition than when I arrived by picking up garbage left behind by others and, if necessary, filling in holes. In the interest of protecting fields, I will not play on fields in conditions that may jeopardize permits or their use for the season.
  6. I will abide by all TUC policies.
    1. Membership in TUC confers some rights and privileges, but also certain responsibilities. Actions which are disruptive to the club or which infringe upon the rights and privileges of other members will result in the withdrawal of privileges or perhaps expulsion from the TUC.
    2. As a member of TUC, I agree to abide by all club policies and bylaws. I understand that these policies are there for the benefit of all members, including myself, and address a variety of issues such as community relations, player safety, spirit of the game, and league structure & administration. I understand that violations of these policies will be investigated and disciplinary measures will be applied to my team.
    3. In the interest of player safety, I will not play during bad weather (i.e. lightning storms, heavy rain) and will not engage in dangerous play or physical altercations. I will abide by all league rules, including those concerning registration and playoff eligibility.
  7. I will inform TUC of game related problems and opportunities.
    1. I will communicate to TUC any problems or issues my team and I encounter so that they may be dealt with and the club can improve. I understand that TUC will only investigate and deal with problems that have been formally reported via the on-line Incident Reports or result from low reported spirit scores. I will report issues related to "spirit of the game" (e.g. dangerous play, fights, defaults). I will report field problems (e.g. holes, garbage, permit conflicts with other groups) and will advise TUC of unused greenspace so that TUC can expand its field inventory. I will report injuries suffered during the course of my game.
  8. I understand that Ultimate is not refereed by TUC.
    1. I understand that TUC adult leagues and events are unsupervised, not refereed by any third party or any official or representative of TUC, and not otherwise overseen. I further understand that adult leagues and events can include potential physical contact or language and behaviour of an adult content, for which the Toronto Ultimate Club cannot be responsible in the absence of supervision. If I am of a 'Junior' participant age I will ensure that my parent/legal guardian is aware of these circumstances and if required provide the necessary approval for my participation.
  9. I will accept TUC’s disciplinary action.
    1. I understand that if, after due process, I or my teammates are found in violation of one of these policies or that if my actions, or those of my teammates, jeopardize TUC's access to field permits, I or my teammates could face disciplinary actions. I will accept TUC's disciplinary actions, which may include suspensions and/or expulsion without refund from the league and/or the TUC. 

I acknowledge that I have read the TUC Juniors Athlete Code of Conduct. By signing this form, I understand that I am required to adhere to all expectations stated in this policy.

Athlete's Name:
Athlete's Signature:
Date:
DOB:

I acknowledge that I have read the TUC Juniors Athlete Code of Conduct. By signing this form, I am stating that I am aware that my child is required to adhere to all expectations stated in this policy. I agree that photos of my child may be used for the media and or website.

Parent's or legal guardian's signature (if under 18 years of age):
Parent's or legal guardian's name:
Date:

Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes, Captains, Coaches, Parents and Administrators

Note:  A PDF version of this document is also available.

I will help prevent concussions through my:

  • Efforts to help Athletes develop their awareness, body control, agility, and sense of safe play;
  • Respect for the rules of Ultimate;

I will care for the health and safety of all participants by taking concussions seriously. I understand that:

  • A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects;
  • A person doesn't need to lose consciousness to have a concussion;
  • An athlete with a suspected concussion should stop participating in training, practice or competition immediately;
  • Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a suspected concussion increases a person's risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases their risk of other injuries or even death;
  • I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when an individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion;

I will create an environment where participants feel safe and comfortable speaking up. I will:

  • Lead by example, I will tell a fellow player, coach or captain and seek medical attention by a physician or nurse practitioner if I am experiencing any concussion symptoms;
  • Encourage athletes not to hide their symptoms, but to tell a coach or adult captain if they experience any symptoms of concussion after an impact;
  • Understand and respect that any athlete with a suspected concussion must be removed from sport and not permitted to return until they undergo a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition;
  • For coaches only: Commit to providing opportunities before and after each training, practice or competition to enable athletes to discuss potential issues related to concussions;

I will support all participants to take the time they need to recover.

  • I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process;
  • I understand the athletes will have to be cleared by a physician or nurse practitioner before returning to sport;
  • I will respect my fellow players, captains, coaches, parents, physicians and nurse practitioners and any decision made with regards to the health and safety of our athletes.

I will help prevent concussions, through my:

  • Acknowledgement of the escalating consequences for those who repeatedly violate the Concussion Code of Conduct.

By signing, typing your name and other information and checking the "I Agree" checkbox with an "X", I acknowledge that I have fully reviewed and commit to this Concussion Code of Conduct.

Name: _____________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________
Position: __(Please Specify)__________________________
☐ I Agree

Concussion Policy and Rowan's Law

Concussion Policy

Concussion Awareness Resources

Rowan's Law

Ontario is a a national leader in concussion management and prevention. Rowan's Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 makes it mandatory for sports organizations to:

  1. Ensure that athletes udner 26 years of age, *parents of athletes under 18, coaches, team trainers and officials confirm every year that they have reviewed Ontario's Concussion Awareness Resources
  2. Establish a Concussion Code of Conduct that sets out rules of behaviour to support concussion prevention
  3. Establish a Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol

The new rules requiring the review of Concussion Awareness Resources and Concussion Codes of Condut came into effect on July 1, 2019, and the rules for removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols are expected to be in place by July 1, 2020.  https://www.ontario.ca/page/rowans-law-concussion-safety

Rowan's Law was named after Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player who died in 2013 from Second Impact Syndrome, after suffering several concussions over a six day period.  Rowan's Law Day, the last Wednesday of each September has been designated Rowan's Law Day in Rowan's memory to help continue to raise awareness about concussion safety.