The following are effective as of October 14, 2009,Revised July 27th 2012
SOUTH SASK FEMALE HOCKEY LEAGUE CONSTITUTION
Article 1 – Name The name of the League shall be known as the South Sask Female Hockey League (SSFHL).
Article 2 – Objects
2.01 The League shall operate within the framework, and shall abide by all regulations, bylaws and regulations, as dictated by the Saskatchewan
Hockey Association (SHA).
2.02 The Objectives of the League shall be;
a) To foster and promote the level of hockey under its jurisdiction.
b) To control and administer the playing of the game of hockey in accordance with the rules, regulations and etiquette of the game.
c) To recognize the whole hockey player – as an individual with specific social, educational and physical needs.
Article 3 – Membership
3.01 Membership to this league shall be available to Minor/Female Minor Hockey Associations within the southern half of Saskatchewan. The League
will work in conjunction with the North Sask Female Hockey League (NSFHL) and the Saskatchewan Hockey League (SHA) to ensure teams are
placed in the appropriate League and Division that is in the best interest of Female Hockey in the Province.
3.02 Each registered team is empowered to administer and conduct its affairs in accordance with the bylaws and regulations as established by the
Minor/Female Hockey Association they are a member of and those established for the SSFHL.
3.03 Any violation of the constitution, the bylaws and regulations of this league or the SHA or Hockey Canada regulations, by any member of this
league, shall render such member liable to disciplinary action and/or suspension as may be deemed necessary.
3.04 No team shall be entitled to be represented and/or have voting privileges at the Annual Meeting of this league, unless its financial commitments to
the league are fully paid and they are deemed to be in good standing with the League.
3.05 The Annual Membership Fee shall be established at the Annual Meeting. This Membership Fee from each member Association for each team is
payable to the League by a date determined at the Annual Meeting and must be paid before such team can participate in any league, exhibition or
tournament approved games. All team privileges are automatically lost upon default of any monies due the League. Such Membership Fee shall be
reviewed annually.
3.06 Teams shall all be required to post a performance bond annually as determined at the Annual Meeting
Article 4 – Board of Directors & Executive Committee
4.01 The Board of Directors for the SSFHL shall consist of the Executive Committee and one Director from each Member Minor/Female Hockey
Association. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Past-President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Referee-in-Chief.
4.02 The President shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the League. The Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will be elected
to two year terms in alternating years.
4.03 The Referee-in-Chief shall be an appointed by the President prior to the commencement of each playing season.
4.04 Directors for each Member Association must be appointed annually by the Annual Meeting of the League by the Minor/Female Hockey
Association.
4.05 No member of the Executive Committee shall be permitted to represent an individual member Minor/Female Hockey Association at any meeting of
the League.
4.06 The Director of each member Minor/Female Association shall be the voting members of the Board of Directors and shall have one vote, except the
President who shall only vote in the case of a tie. Executive Committee members shall only have a vote within Executive Committee meetings.
4.07 At all Meetings of the Board of Directors, a quorum shall consist of three-quarters of the voting members being present.
4.08 The Duties and Powers of the Executive Committee shall be established via the Bylaws determined by the Board of Directors.
Article 5 – Elections
5.01 Nominations may be received for the following Executive Committee positions; President Vice President Secretary Treasurer
5.02 For voting purposes, the established order of voting is as outlined in Article 5 a).
5.03 A candidate defeated for a position in the above order of voting may be nominated through a mover and seconder from the floor for any position
lower in the order of voting.
5.04 Any Executive Committee member must be elected by an absolute majority of the votes cast. If no winner is declared on the first ballot, the
candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated from the second ballot and so on, until one candidate attains an absolute majority.
5.05 The ballots shall not be destroyed until a motion to that effect has been approved by the delegates.
Article 6 – Meetings
6.01 Annual Meeting
a) The Annual Meeting of the SSFHL shall be held no later than June 15th annually to be held in a central location or a location of the
President’s choice.
6.02 There shall be a minimum of two (2) Board of Directors Meetings held per year with one being the Annual General Meeting. A minimum of seven
days notice shall be given to all Board Members.
Article 7 – Amendments to the Constitution
7.01 The Constitution may be amended at the SSFHL Annual Meeting with the intended amendment submitted in writing to the Secretary a minimum of
thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. Amendments require a 2/3 rd majority vote for adoption.
7.02 The Bylaws may be amended at the SSFHL Annual Meeting with the intended amendment submitted in writing to the Secretary a minimum of
thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. Amendments require a majority vote for adoption.
Article 8 – Consistency
8.01 Where the provisions of this Constitution, Bylaws and/or Regulations are inconsistent with the Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations of Hockey
Canada (HC) and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA), the HC and SHA Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations shall prevail.
The following are effective as of October 14, 2009,Revised July 27th, 2012
SOUTH SASK FEMALE HOCKEY LEAGUE BYLAWS
By-Law 1 Duties of Executive and Board of Directors
1.01 Duties of the President
a) The President shall have the duty of presiding over all meetings of the League.
b) The President may represent any or all of the Executive and Board of Directors on any occasion and will be responsible to his Executive
and Board of Directors for the same. In absence of the President, or at his request, the Vice President shall have the powers of the President
in every respect.
c) To call special meetings as deemed necessary or at the request of any of four (4) League Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations
received in writing.
d) To deal with and rule on all protests and/or suspensions and provide reports to the SHA General Manager and SHA Chairperson Female
regarding the details of those protests and/or suspensions.
e) In consultation with the Executive Committee, appoint a Commissioner for each of the Divisions within the League.
1.02 Duties of the Past President
a) It shall be the duty of the Past President to advise the new President, Executive Committee and Board of Directors on League matters.
1.03 Duties of the Vice President
a) The Vice President will assume duties in various areas of the League Structure which may include any of the following;
i) Statistics
ii) Website
iii) Registration
iv) Budget
v) Constitution and Bylaws
vi) Schedule Preparation
1.04 Duties of the Secretary
a) It shall be the duty of the Secretary to;
i) Record all minutes of League meetings and attend to all correspondence of the League.
ii) Distribute notices to member clubs and Executive Committee members of all meetings when directed by the President.
iii) Update and maintain the League’s Constitution and Bylaws.
1.05 Duties of the Treasurer
a) It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
i) Receive all monies of the SSFHL and deposit same to the credit of the SSFHL.
ii) Pay all accounts as authorized by the Board of Directors
iii) Maintain an accounting system detailing all receipts and expenditures.
iv) Collect all membership fees and monies due to the SSFHL.
v) Co-sign all cheques with the President vi) Have all financial records subject to inspection of the President at all times and shall
produce them at the request of the Executive Committee.
vii) Have all financial records prepared for review by an Audit Committee.
1.06 Duties of the Referee-in-Chief (RIC)
a) It shall be the duty of the RIC to;
i) Be responsible to the President; however the RIC is governed by the Rules and Regulations of Hockey Canada and the SHA.
ii) Coordinate or delegate assignors for all league games and such games as exhibition/tournaments. To cooperate with the SHA in
the assigning of officials for League playoff games.
iii) Coordinate or delegate supervisors for league games as deemed necessary.
iv) Assist the President in a consultative process of determining the facts to a particular incident(s) that might require a League ruling
ie: coach, manager or player suspension.
v) Formulate and communicate official’s reports to and from respective individuals and the League.
vi) Report to all meetings the concerns of officials and to relay concerns of the league back to officials.
By-Law 2 Banking
2.01 The SSFHL shall maintain it accounts in a Chartered Bank, Credit Union and/or Trust Company.
2.02 All withdrawals or cheques shall require the signature of the President and Treasurer.
2.03 The Treasurer shall submit a financial statement at the League’s Annual Meeting.
By-Law 3 Cost of Membership
3.01 Performance Bond
a) A performance bond of $500.00 shall be posted by all participating associations by the Annual Meeting of the current season.
b) A performance bond shall be forfeit if a team fails to appear for a league game without the Presidents consent. The bond shall be
forwarded to the non-offending team as compensation for the loss of game and expenses, less $100.00 for league administration costs. The
offending team shall not be reinstated until the bond has been resubmitted to the SSFHL.
c) In addition to the loss of the bond, the team that fails to attend a league game as set for in paragraph b) herein, the offending team shall be
fined an amount equal to the travel costs it saved by not appearing for the game. The offending team will not be reinstated until the fine has
been submitted to the SSFHL.
d) That any team that fails to complete a game after it has started is subject to the loss of its performance bond, after a review of the
circumstances by the league. e) That the league retains the team’s performance bond. The teams will pay the league and outstanding
amounts required to bring the performance bond up to the correct amount established by the league, by the Annual Meeting of the current
season.
3.02 Application for Membership
a) Application for Membership must be in writing and received by the SSFHL Secretary thirty (30) days prior to the SSFHL Annual Meeting (to
be held by June 15th annually). The application must include payment for the membership fee and the performance bond.
b) The SSFHL membership will consider the application at the Annual Meeting and membership shall take effect upon the election of the
applicant by a majority vote of the League Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations.
3.03 Membership Fee
a) The yearly membership fee shall be determined annually by the Annual Meeting.
By-Law 4 Probation/Withdrawal from the League
4.01 Probation All Member Minor/Female Hockey Association teams in the SSFHL shall be on a probationary period for one year following which an
evaluation will be completed and a vote taken to determine full member status in the league.
4.02 Withdrawal from the League
a) That any Member Minor/Female Hockey Association that withdraws a team(s) from the League after the final league schedule has been
completed and causes extra expenses to the Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations in the league will be charged with such expenses.
Those extra expenses might include, but are not limited to, expenses paid to teams affected by such withdrawal, rescheduling costs, special
meeting costs or any additional costs related to the withdrawal, may exceed the $500.00 performance bond. Should the Member
Minor/Female Hockey Associations that withdrew wish to re enter the league in some future season, than in addition to double the
performance bond, the Minor Association would be required to pay those expenses before being accepted back into the league.
b) Any member of the League may withdraw from membership with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the League. The member
must file a notice of withdrawal by April 1st and if accepted by the League members, will become effective as of the Annual Meeting.
c) Any member of the League may apply for a maximum of a one (1) year leave of absence with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all the
members of the League. The member must file a notice of withdrawal by April 1st and if accepted by the League members, will become
effective as of the Annual Meeting.
d) Any Minor/Female Hockey Association on a leave of absence shall not have voting privileges at League meetings.
By-Law 5 – League Meetings
5.01 League Meetings The SSFHL shall hold two meetings per year to be held in a central location or a location of the President’s choice.
5.02 Missing League Meetings Fines of $300.00 shall be levied against teams that do not attend league meetings.
By-Law 6 Registration
6.01 Membership
a) The SSFHL shall consist of three “divisions”
i) Midget AA
ii) Midget A
iii) Bantam
b) If a Minor/Female Hockey Association “Tiers” their teams within the Midget age division, the top tiered team(s) must play in the Midget “AA”
division and the second tiered team(s) must register in the Midget “A” division.
c) The SSFHL Executive has the authority to move a team from the Midget “AA” to the Midget “A” or from the Midget “A” to the Midget “AA”
division at the midpoint of the League Schedule if a team is deemed to be too strong or too weak for the respective division.
d) If a Minor/Female Hockey Association “Tiers” their teams within the Bantam age division, the top tiered team(s) must play in the Midget
“AA” division and the second tiered team(s) must register in the Bantam division.
6.02 Team Sweaters Teams must have two sets of sweaters (Light and Dark) to be worn as follows;
a) Home team will wear light sweaters
b) Visitors will wear dark sweaters
c) Sweater numbers shall be the same for the home and away sweaters
6.03 Registration/Eligibility of Players
a) Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations must fax/email in SHA approved team rosters to the League Vice President or Statistician
PRIOR to the first League game being played. Failure to abide by this bylaw will result in a fine of $25.00 being assessed to the Member
Minor/Female Hockey Association. (If the SHA has not returned an approved roster prior to the first game a copy of the roster must be
faxed/emailed and an approved SHA team roster forwarded when it is received from the SHA). All additions and deletions to rosters approved
by the SHA deadlines of January 10th and February 10th must be faxed/emailed to the League Secretary.
b) No player shall be permitted to participate in a League game unless she is properly registered through the SHA as a registered player or
affiliated player. If a member team allows an ineligible player to play in a game, such game, upon ruling by the President, shall be counted as
a win for the opposing member team and the coach of the member team who played the ineligible player, shall be suspended for a length
determined by the President.
By-Law 7 – Scheduling
7.01 League Format The SSFHL Board of Directors shall determine the schedule at a Scheduling Meeting held annually in September.
a) Each Member Minor/Female Hockey Association must submit a minimum of twenty (20) weekend and weekday dates with appropriate ice
times to the scheduling meeting for each of their teams. Failure to do provide ice time will result in forfeiture of the League Bond and
membership in the SSFHL.
b) League play will commence and end on the dates determined by each division at the scheduling meeting ( October 15 th and Feb 15th
should be used as a guideline)
c) All Divisions of the SSFHL will play a minimum of twelve (12) games and the maximum amount will be determined annually at the League
Scheduling meeting.
7.02 Exhibition and Tournament Play
a) There shall be no alterations to the league schedule permitted for the purpose of attending exhibition games or tournaments after the
schedule is finalized. A fee of $200.00 will be charged for any approved changes.
7.03 SHA Sask First Under 18 Provincial Team/Sask First Program
The SSFHL schedule will be set in conjunction with the SHA Sask First Under 18 Provincial team and Sask First Female Program in order to avoid
conflicts.
7.04 Scheduling
a) Weekend play
i) If possible, SSFHL shall schedule games primarily on weekends to avoid excessive travel mid week, unless two teams agree to a
midweek scheduled game.
7.05 Cancellation of Games
a) Except in the event of adverse weather or misadventure, the defaulting team will forfeit the points for the game on notice of less than 48
hours and will be fined $500.00 to be paid to the league in trust and forwarded to the other team involved. This rule applies to both scheduled
league and playoff games. The fine is to be paid within 48 hours of the date of the forfeited game and no further play is to be commenced until
such payment has been received by an officer.
b) In the event of adverse weather or misadventure, the game will be cancelled and the following procedure is to take place; - Traveling team
to phone home team immediately to inform them of the situation. - Home team immediately informs the Referee-in-Chief, President and Vice
President in charge of statistics. The game will be rescheduled at a mutually agreed upon time and date and approved by the President.
7.06 Tie Breaking Procedure
The SSFHL will apply the SHA Tie-Breaking Regulation 3.08.01 for the determination of the playoff spots following the regular season’s league play.
By-Law 8 Playoff Format
a) All teams in the SSFHL shall participate in the league playoffs. The Playoff Format will be reviewed annually at the League’s Fall
Scheduling Meeting.
b) The Playoff Dates will be determined at the League scheduling meeting.
c) Each playoff series shall consist of a best of 3 games. All 3 dates must be set before the start of the series. Any game ending in a tie will
proceed to overtime as per Rule 10.16 of the Hockey Canada Official Hockey Rules. Playoff format may be looked at and changed at the
scheduling meeting each year. Each division would vote separately and could only change format with 2/3 majority vote.
d) The team finishing League play in the higher position shall receive the extra home game.
e) Teams must complete their Playoff series in the time frame allotted and they must advise the Vice President with the agreed upon times,
dates and locations forty eight (48) hours prior to the start time of the first game.
f) Teams who wish to extend the time frame allotted to complete their series must first receive permission from the President. Failure to gain
permission and playing games will result in a $100.00 fine to the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association responsible.
g) SSFHL players must play in a 1/3rd of Female teams games they are registered on to be eligible to play in playoffs with their registered
team or the team they are AP’d to. Players that did not play in 1/3rd of the games will have to be approved by the SSFHL Executive before
they are allowed to play for any team in playoffs.
By-Law 9 Conduct of Game
9.01 Game Warm-ups
a) Each team will be allowed a five (5) minute warm-up
b) Each home team is responsible to supply pucks for the warm-up.
c) Each team shall confine itself to its respective side of the centre ice red line during the warm-up, and any player, coach or team official who
instigates any incident by crossing the centre ice red line, or creates an incident by verbal abuse, shall be subject to league discipline, which
can include fines and suspensions.
9.02 Game Timing
a) The format for the timing of periods will be as follows:
i) Games must be two (2) hours long.
ii) Periods should consist of three (3) twenty (20) minute stop time periods with a minimum of one (1) ice cleaning every two (2)
periods.
9.03 Playing Regulations All SSFHL games shall be played in accordance with Hockey Canada and SHA playing rules.
9.04 Shaking of Hands Teams shall shake hands upon the completion of each SSFHL game.
9.05 Time-Outs Each team shall be permitted one thirty (30) second time out during the course of each game.
9.06 Off-Ice Officials The Home teams shall be responsible for the assignment of a timekeeper and scorekeeper and these positions must be filled by
adults.
9.07 Game Sheets
a) Home teams must submit game sheets and reports to the League Statistician within one (12) hour of each game being completed.
b) Teams failing to comply within the stated time shall be subject to a $50.00 fine.
By-Law 10 – Referees
10.01 Assigning of Officials
a) All Member Hockey/Female Hockey Associations must provide the name of the Referee assignor in their Association to the Leagues
Referee-in-Chief.
b) The home Member Minor/Female Hockey Association shall assign and pay the cost of the referee and two linesmen.
c) All SSFHL games must be scheduled with a three (3) person referee system.
d) At the request of a team, the SSFHL Referee-in-Chief shall assign neutral officials for a League or League Playoff game however the
following will apply;
i) Request must be made seventy-two (72) hours prior to the start of the game or playoff series and in the event of a playoff series, if
the request is made; neutral officials are used for all games.
ii) Team making the request for the neutral official(s) is responsible for all referee fees, RIC Scheduling Fee of $50.00 and travel
mileage.
iii) Upon receiving a request for the assignment of a neutral official(s), the Referee-in-Chief will advise the “other” team.
iv) A “neutral” official shall be deemed an individual(s) who have no personal relationship with any individuals associated with the
teams participating in the game or series.
e) All fees paid to officials will be determined by the Member Minor Hockey Association hosting a game.
10.02 Protection for Referees and League Officials
a) Each Member Hockey/Female Hockey Association shall provide at its rink a separate dressing room for the exclusive use of the referees
and other League Officials and shall take all steps necessary to ensure that no other person without the permission of the referee, gains
access to such dressing rooms.
b) No official or player of a member team shall enter such dressing room, except with the permission of the referee.
By-Law 11 Suspensions
a) The SHA Minimum Suspension Guideline, Regulation 3.07.02, will be enforced. These are minimum suspensions and additional
suspensions may be imposed wherever conditions and circumstances are warranted.
b) The Executive Member assigned to be in charge of issuing Suspensions will notify the Manager of the team involved and copy the Member
Minor/Female Hockey Association of the team involved of any suspensions arising from infractions occurring during League Games.
Managers and Coaches are reminded that any player or team official assessed a “match” penalty cannot participate in any further games until
notified by the Executive Member in charge of suspensions.
By-Law 12 Action Detrimental to the League
If, in the opinion of the President, based upon such information and reports as he may deem sufficient, any act or conduct of any official of a Member
team or player, whether during or outside the playing season, has been dishonorable, including the use of racial epithets or racist acts, prejudice to or
against the welfare of the SSFHL or the game of hockey, he may expel or suspend such person. Prior to any expulsion or suspension, a player or
member team has the right to submit a written report of the incident which may involve an expulsion or suspension as long as the report is received by
the League President via electronic message no later than noon of the day following the incident in question.
By-Law 13 Harassment Policy
a) The purpose of a Harassment Policy is to ensure the SSFHL and its member teams take reasonable steps to ensure that the care of all
individuals involved in the operation of the League are addressed. This includes players, coaches, trainers, management, volunteers, billets,
and league and game officials.
b) The SSFHL will not tolerate abuse of any nature (sexual, emotional, verbal or physical) to any player, coach, trainer, management,
volunteers, billets, and league and game officials. The SSFHL requests that all Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations, who have a team
as a member of this league provide documentation that indicates they are satisfied that the staff and volunteers associated with their team
have an acceptable background for their position of trust. Reports of harassment provided to the Executive of the SSFHL will be directed to
the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association governing the team in question and/or the appropriate government agency for investigation
and action.
By-Law 14 Protests
15.01 Protests and all evidence in support thereof, must be in duplicate and signed by the President of the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association
of the protesting team along with the Manager of the team. Protests and evidence in support thereof, must be in the hands of the League President
within twenty-four (24) hours of the advertised time of the game and must be accompanied by a deposit of $300.00 which sum shall be forfeited to the
SSFHL should the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final, disallow the protest. If the protest is upheld, the team not upholding the
regulation shall lose their defense fee of $300.00
15.02 A copy of said protest and the evidence thereof must be served upon the protested club receipt of the protest. The team protested shall be
allowed twenty four (24) hours to file a defense and evidence with the President, and must be accompanied with a defense fee of $300.00
15.03 The President shall render a decision in writing as soon as possible and not later than three (3) days after receipt of the defense.
15.04 All transmission of the protest and evidence may be completed by fax/e-mail.
By-Law 15 Appeals
16.01 Any player, coach, manager or team shall have the right to appeal in regards to any decision of the Executive Committee, providing the following
conditions are met;
a) An appeal is sent to the President within twenty four (24) hours of the decision of the Executive Committee outlining all reasons for said
appeal which is to be dealt with within four (4) days.
b) All appeals must be accompanied with a non-refundable cheque in the amount of $300.00 payable to the SSFHL.
c) The President shall appoint an Appeal Board of three (3) Executive and/or Directors which shall render a decision within four (4) days.
d) All appeals can be transmitted by fax and/or email.
By-Law 17 Recourse to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association
17.01 Any recourse to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association of any jurisdiction of any member, before all rights of appeal and all the rights of remedies
of the Constitution and By-Laws of the SSFHL shall have been exhausted, shall be deemed to be a violation and breach of these By-Laws, and a
violation and breach of the League decisions, and shall result in the automatic indefinite suspension of such member from SSFHL activities and games.
17.02 Any member team, manager, player, coach who has sought Saskatchewan Hockey Association action before exhausting all proper procedures of
appeal will be liable for any expenses and disbursements incurred by the SSFHL.
17.03 Until all expenses are paid, at the discretion of the President, the right of membership of the said party will be suspended.
17.04 Any team, manager, coach or player who having exhausted the appeals procedures within the SSFHL and proceeds with an appeal to the
Saskatchewan Hockey Association will be liable for all SSFHL expenses which are incurred by the League as a result of said appeal to the
Saskatchewan Hockey Association, should the SHA rule in favor of the League prior to reinstatement of said party’s membership with the SSFHL.
By-Law 18 Amendments to the By-Laws
18.01 The By-Laws may be amended by the submission of a notice of motion to the Secretary a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the SSFHL Annual
Meeting. The Secretary shall circulate said notices of motion to the members a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
18.02 The giving of notice hearing may be waived by a two-thirds majority vote of those present and eligible to vote.
By-Law 19 Overage Players
19.01 Application for the use of any Overage players in the Bantam or Midget divisions must be made in writing by the Member Minor/Female Hockey
Association and presented to the SSFHL Secretary seven (7) days prior to the Fall Scheduling meeting. The use of an overage player(s) must be
approved by the majority of the League Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations. Overage players in the Midget Division must be attending High
School.
By-Law 20 Winding Up
In the event of dissolution of the League, the assets, after payment of all liabilities, shall be divided in an equitable manner and donated to community
or female sports activities as determined by the Board of Directors.