GPPWFL House Rules
Mighty Peace Pee Wee Football League (MPPFL)
Bylaws (2023)
Effective April 1, 2023, MPPFL (Might Peace Peewee Football League) (hereinafter “MPPFL”), the following Bylaws have been adopted by the MPPFL to govern conduct and fair play of the MPPFL during any scheduled & sanctioned events put forth by the MPPFL. The MPPFL encompasses all teams/leagues of peewee age group that have declared intent and been accepted to participate in the current season.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. These Bylaws shall be read subject to the Bylaws of the Teams and shall not, in any way, limit the effect of the Bylaws of the Teams. All teams that have been accepted to participate in the current MPPFL season shall govern themselves internally as per their individual Bylaws set forth. Unless requested, the MPPFL will be limited to governing the conduct and fair play of all scheduled & sanctioned events put forth by the MPPFL in the current season.
2. In these Bylaws, unless the context otherwise specifies or requires:
“Peewee Age Group” means Individuals that fall into the U13 age group set forth by Football Alberta.
“Teams” means teams of peewee age (U13) group that have declared intent and been accepted to participate in the current season by the Board.
“The MPPFL” means the Board of Directors that is voted in by the participating team representatives at the League AGM.
“Player” means an individual of the Peewee Age Group U13.
“Rule Book” means the Canadian Rule Book for Amateur Football.
“Bylaws” refers to this document.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS ANDOBLIGATIONS
3. In accordance with the Bylaws all Teams shall enter into a agreement with the MPPFL which shall include terms as deemed by the MPPFL, in their sole discretion, to be relevant and to include, but not be limited to;
(a) Agreement to abide by the Bylaws as established, amended, and adopted by the MPPFL from time to time;
(b) Agreement to follow the philosophy of the MPPFL; and
(c) Agreement to have all disputes arising during or as a result of sanctioned & scheduled events set forth for the current season between Teams decided by the MPPFL.
4. Each Player shall submit to the following, on or before the Player’s first MPPFL game:
o A duly completed registration form, including, without limitation, proof of such Player’s age.
(a) Any Player who has failed to provide their registration form on or before such Player’s first MPPFL game shall be ineligible to participate in any activity of the MPPFL including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, practicing with any Team or playing any football games.
(b) Any Team who knowingly allows a Player who has failed to provide their registration form on or before such Player’s first MPPFL game, to practice, or to play in any MPPFL games shall forfeit any league games in which such Player has played and may be liable to suspension or penalty, as determined by MPPFL and or Team.
5. A Player shall not be eligible to participate in any playoff games unless they have participated in three or more MPPFL games. Exceptions may be made due to an injury suffered while playing football with their Team, they may be eligible to participate in the playoff games of that Team.
6. Player Eligibility shall be defined as a player in the peewee age group, U13. (Football Alberta regulations) Eligibility can be revoked if players participate in higher-level football games, excluding Bantam Spring Camps or external skill development camps.
7. The following governs the conduct of each and every Player in the MPPFL while participating in any sanctioned MPPFL event or activity and any breach of this section shall be dealt with as follows:
(a) A Player who:
o Utilizes tobacco/vaporizer in any form whatsoever
o Consumes alcoholic beverages
o Utilizes profane language
o Destroys or pilfers property belonging to another person
o Utilizes narcotics or abuses other drugs; or
o Commits any other act which the MPPFL and or Team deems detrimental to the MPPFL and or Team or its objects
May be suspended or expelled from the MPPFL and or Team, with or without warning by the MPPFL and or Team and the Team to which the offending Player belongs may forfeit one or more games, in the sole discretion of The MPPFL and or Team.
(b) In supplement to and not so as to limit the Rules of the Canadian Amateur Football Association, any Player guilty of Unnecessary Roughness shall be suspended for three (3) plays during the game by the game officials and any Player guilty of Unnecessary Roughness and suspended from play by the officials for the second time in that game shall be suspended for the balance of that game, and may also be suspended from the next MPPFL or playoff game, whichever is first, in the sole discretion of The MPPFL.
(c) Any Player found by the officials in a game to be guilty of rough play with intent to injure shall be immediately suspended from all further play in the MPPFL pending a hearing in the presence of The MPPFL who shall, in their sole discretion, make a decision as to the further play of that Player.
(d) Any Team member’s swearing on the field or the sidelines during a game shall be subject to an automatic objectionable conduct penalty.
8. Each Coach shall submit to the following, on or before the Coach’s first MPPFL game:
? A Criminal records Check.
? All coaching requirements set by Football Alberta
(a) Any Coach who has failed to provide requirements and the Criminal Records Check on or before such Coach’s first MPPFL game shall be ineligible to participate in any activity of the MPPFL including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, coaching any football games.
(b) Any Team who knowingly allows a Coach who has failed to provide their requirements and the Criminal Records Check on or before such Coach’s first MPPFL game shall forfeit any MPPFL games in which such Coach has coached and may be liable to suspension or penalty, as determined by The Board.
9. All coaches shall have obtained, “Making Headway”, “Making Ethical Decisions” and “Safe Contact” before they are allowed on the field (*effective immediately). “Making Headway” & “Making Ethical Decisions” are offered as free online courses through the NCCP program via www.coach.ca. “Safe Contact” is offered through Football Alberta; please contact the MPPFL or Team/League you are associated with to inquire when the next upcoming clinic will be hosted. All teams Coach(es) must be certified by the Canadian Amateur Football Association as having attained level one (1) or novice community coach in the Coaching Certification Program. Head Coaches must be at least in training under the Community Sport Initiation (Novice Coach) or be in training on the Competition Introduction at Position to qualify to be on field with players. Please refer to the link http://footballalberta.ab.ca/web/coaching/documents/NCCPExplanationofStreams.pdf provided
10. All personnel associated with the MPPFL and or Team in a capacity as coach, manager, trainer, Board member or otherwise shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the objectives of the MPPFL. If, in the sole opinion of the MPPFL, any such person conducts themself in a manner, which may be detrimental to the MPPFL, they shall be liable to suspension or expulsion from the MPPFL.
11.The following governs the conduct of each and every Coach in the MPPFL while participating in any sanctioned MPPWFL event or activity and any breach of this section shall be dealt with as follows:
(a) A Coach who (at sanctioned MPPFL games and events):
o Utilizes tobacco or vaporizers in any form whatsoever
o Consumes alcoholic beverages o Utilizes profane language
o Destroys or pilfers property belonging to another person
o Utilizes narcotics or abuses other drugs
o Actively recruits players for any team past pee wee or tries to get players to switch teams at the peewee level; or
o Commits any other act which the MPPFL and or Team deems detrimental to the MPPFL and or Team or its objects
May be suspended or expelled from the MPPFL and or Team/League, with or without warning by the MPPFL and or Team and the Team to which the offending Player belongs may forfeit one or more games, in the sole discretion of The MPPFL and or Team.
12The following governs the conduct of each and every member in the MPPFL while participating in any sanctioned MPPFL event or activity and any breach of this section shall be dealt with as follows:
(a) Bench conduct shall apply to anyone directly associated with the Team for the game, the following apply:
o Utilizes tobacco or vaporizer in any form whatsoever;
o Consumes alcoholic beverages o Utilizes profane language
o Destroys or pilfers property belonging to another person
o Utilizes narcotics or abuses other drugs; or
o Commits any other act which the MPPFL and or Team deems detrimental to the MPPFL and or Team or its objects
Any person the MPPFL and or Team deems to be disobeying these rules shall be ejected from the field.
(b) There will be a no tolerance policy to poor conduct from anyone directly associated with the Team on the sidelines. Any infraction would be dealt with by the team’s coaches or if failure to do so by The MPPFL.
GAME REQUIREMENTS
13.The MPPFL, in its sole discretion, shall set the schedule for the MPPFL. Each Team shall strictly adhere to the schedule, which is to be provided to each Team prior to the first game of the season subject to variations communicated to any Team from The MPPFL.
14. Each Team, in its sole discretion, shall set the practice schedule for their individual Team.
15. In the circumstance where no or not enough officials (min. 3) have arrived there will be no game, a make-up game will be rescheduled if possible.
16. Prior to the commencement of MPPFL game(s), each Team involved in the MPPFL shall provide the MPPFL with one (1) copy of the roster of players for the MPPFL season in accordance with their respective sweater numbers as well as all coaches names, on a roster form. All Teams must update the MPPFL of any updated rosters prior to the next MPPFL game. Failure to include a player or players on such roster shall result in the immediate disqualification of such player or players from the remainder of that game.
17. Each team will have a minimum of 18 players on the eligible roster for the season and minimum 13 players dressed and ready to play for each game.
18. Each team will have a maximum of 5 adult coaches and at least 1 adult coach for every junior coach. The head coach for each team must be 18+.
19. During games there will be a maximum of two (2) coaches on the field with the players and all teams will have no coaches on the field for the playoffs.
20.Without restricting the generality of any of the Bylaws any Team using ineligible Players shall forfeit each game in which such ineligible Player has played and the coach or coaches may be liable to suspension following an investigation by The MPPFL.
21. Each Home team participating in a MPPFL game shall provide at least three (3) people for the duration of the game as sideline personnel as well as set up the field a half hour (30 minutes) prior to game time and clean up the field immediately after the game.
22.Timing of league and exhibition games shall be as follows;
o All quarters shall be twelve (12) minutes in duration and during the last three (3) minutes of the second and fourth quarter, timing shall be in accordance with the Rule Book (stop time).
o Excluding the last three minutes of each half, the clock will only be stopped for touchdowns, time outs, player injuries, and any reason the Referee deems necessary. o At any time after the first half, if the difference in score between the 2 teams becomes 35 points or more, the clock will be running time for the remainder of the game except for the instances noted already in the above point, not including the last 3 minutes. *as per Football Canada*
o Half time shall be ten (10) minutes in duration
o All games, other than playoff games, which are tied at the end of regulation time, shall be registered as a tie game.
23.Timing of Playoff games shall be the same as specified in Regulation 26. Also, overtime in accordance with the Rule Book shall apply to playoff games only.
24.Each Team shall be entitled to two (2) time outs per half and one (1) in overtime, with no unused timeouts carried over.
25.In the event of a tie in the standings, at the end of the regular season, the tie breaking formula to be used to determine rankings will be determined by the MPPFL.
MPPFL Specific Rules
LEAGUE SPECIFIC RULES
26.Any Player guilty of Unnecessary Roughness shall be removed for three (3) plays during the game by the game officials and any Player guilty of Unnecessary Roughness for the third time in that game shall be suspended for the balance of that game, and may also be suspended from the next league or playoff game, whichever is first, in the sole discretion of MPPFL.
27.Any Coach ejected for objectionable conduct during a game may also be suspended from the next league or playoff game, whichever is first, in the sole discretion of The MPPFL.
28.Any Player found by the officials in a game to be guilty of rough play with intent to injure shall be immediately suspended from all further play in the MPPFL pending a hearing in the presence of The MPPFL and Team who shall, in their sole discretion, make a decision as to the further play of that Player.
29.Blocking below the waist shall be a ten (10) yard penalty except where it occurs in between the tackles where there shall be no blocking at or below the knee.
30 .All players on the eligible roster for the game must play a minimum of 10 plays in each game. (exceptions may include injury or disciplinary action).
31. At the beginning of halves and after touchdowns have been scored, teams will kick off and return the ball. The ball will be spotted at the fifty five (55) yard line and after being kicked must travel at least twenty (20) yards, in the air, to the thirty five (35) yard line. Any ball that fails to make it the twenty (20) yards, in the air, after being kicked will be immediately blown dead and the receiving team will take over possession on the fifty five (55) yard line. If the ball is kicked directly out of bounds, it will be spotted on the fifty five (55) yard line but if it rolls out of bounds after traveling the twenty (20) yards then the ball will be spotted where it went out of bounds.
32. If a player on the kick-off is within a five (5) yard buffer around a receiving player, whether that player was on side or not, the play will immediately be blown dead and the appropriate no yards call (10 yard penalty) will be made by the official and the ball spotted where it was blown dead plus the assessed penalty yards.
33. After a touchdown has been scored there will be an attempted PAT (point after touchdown). If PAT is successful the kicking team will be awarded 1 pts and the ball will be set up for kick-off.
34. Defense may only rush 3 players for each defensive play. If a team is running with 2 down linemen they may blitz one linebacker. If a team is running 3 down linemen, no linebacker may blitz.
35. Defense may not blitz any linebackers through the A gap (gap on either side of the center)
36.The offence will be allowed to run any style of offence that they wish with the exception of no quarterback sneaks. The ball may be run up the middle by a running back in a dive or the quarterback can run a draw play as long as it is clear that he delayed his run up the middle by either moving backwards away from center with the ball or hesitating after receiving the ball from center by a long snap before moving forward with the ball. If the official finds any infractions in this area, he will whistle the play dead and the down will be rerun.
37.The offence will be awarded an extra play on each offence series run, for a total of four (4) plays, as long as one of the first two (2) plays run in the series is a passing play. If the offence does not run a passing play in the first two (2) plays then that series will end at three (3) plays instead of being awarded the four (4) plays. A passing play is defined as any play where the ball is moved forward through the air, if the ball is moved backwards even if it is through the air it will not be considered a passing play but a lateral.
LIGHTNING SAFETY
38. Lightning is the most frequent severe storm hazard encountered in football. Most lightning casualties occur through the months of May and September. Safety is always the number one (1) concern for all participants and spectators involved in the game of football.
39.ACOMPLAINT RESOLUTION *Applies to MPPFL sanctioned events only. Teams can govern their membership through their Board specific COMPLAINT RESOLUTION process*
39. Any complaints or concerns from a member regarding a breach of the Bylaws by a member shall be directed to the MPPFL. The MPPFL, in their complete discretion, shall deal with the complaint and come to a decision on any action to be taken. Such complaints must be in writing and signed by the complainant.
(a) If the MPPFL, in their sole discretion, deems there are no reasonable grounds for the complaint, they may dismiss the complaint and shall advise the complainant.
(b) If the MPPFL deems there are reasonable grounds for a complaint against a player member, they shall advise the player member of the complaint and shall hear submissions from the subject player member and his parents only. At the initial hearing, The MPPFL shall not hear from any witnesses aside from the subject of the complaint and his parents. After the initial hearing, The MPPFL, in their sole discretion, may render a decision to either dismiss the complaint or to take disciplinary action against the subject of the complaint.
40.Any complaints or concerns from a member regarding a breach of the bylaws by a Team, coach or manager, and board members or disputes between teams or coaches or managers, shall be directed in writing to The MPPFL who shall then either hear and determine the dispute.
41.The penalty for the breach of any bylaw shall be determined by The MPPFL in their sole discretion, after due investigation in accordance with these bylaws
Guiding Principles for the Mighty Peace Peewee Football League 2025 Season
? There will be no tolerance for harassment or conduct unfit for a public youth sports field.
? We will abide by the 24 hour rule. If there is a complaint, problem or possible discipline, the person/team with the complaint will wait 24 hours and then reach out by email to the president. The letter will be reviewed by the board and any action will be decided by the board. I would recommend having a person that all coaches can contact if something happens and they need to let them know right away. Of course in any emergent case, contact the president immediately.
? We will demand that all coaches and players are respectful to all other coaches and players and families. Please report any concerns.
? Please remind fans that we are here to have a positive impact on players and we are to be respectful to everyone. Yes, cheer for your team, but we do not need to boo the other or say unkind things to the players or coaches (or refs)
? Home teams should have someone at the field that is not a coach to deal with things that may arise on game day. Home teams will be responsible to stick crew and score clock.
? Visiting teams are to make sure they leave their area the way they found it. Clean up and garbage and take back anything you brought.
? Please report all major injuries to the president.
? At the end of each game please text the president the score (both teams).
? The league likes pictures! It would be great to send a few with the score after each game please for our Facebook account.
? HAVE FUN, we want this to be a great positive experience for the players, families and volunteers. Share any good news stories you may have
