Duggan Mother’s Day Tournament

Tournament Rules | May 8–10, 2026

U9, U11, and U13 follow EMSA modified rules please see HERE for details

Tournament Values / Coach Information

• All members of the team, including parents, coaches, and players, are expected to maintain the highest standards of good conduct. Instances of unsportsmanlike conduct will be investigated and addressed without delay.
• Coaches are responsible for reminding team supporters that good sportsmanship rewards exceptional play regardless of who makes the play. Good sportsmanship does not detract from the game but rather makes it more enjoyable for all. While competition is a healthy part of the game, supporters should never lose sight of respect for the game or their competitors.
• Individuals displaying unacceptable behavior will be requested to leave the tournament. Tournament staff can hold the coach responsible for the actions of their team and supporters. Staff reserves the right to deny entry to any person associated with the team at their discretion.
• The organizing committee reserves the right to adjust tiers and groups as needed to provide balanced pools or ensure teams are competitively balanced.
• No refunds will be issued after the registration process is closed. See registration forms and website FAQ for exact date and refund procedures. In the event of a discrepancy, the website FAQ holds priority over refund process.
• These rules are intended to be as inclusive as possible; however, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, the tournament committee reserves the right to make binding decisions upon all participants.

Section 1: General Rules

• 1.1 All teams from U7–U19 are required to fill out their team roster online no later than Monday, May 4, 2026 by 4:00pm. Guest/trialist forms must be attached to game sheets and submitted prior to the start of each game.
  • 1.1.1 No changes to the team roster may be made once that team’s first tournament game has been played. Any corrections requiring change on or after May 5, 2026 must be made at tournament headquarters: Duggan Community Hall, 3728 – 106 Street.
• 1.2 A maximum of four (4) coaching staff members are permitted in the team’s technical area during play.
  • 1.2.1 One must be the same gender as the players.
• 1.3 All mixed-gender teams will participate in the corresponding male age group/tier/division.
• 1.4 Players on U7–U19 teams must be of the appropriate age group as outlined in ASA competition rules but may include players from a lower age group. Teams or players can play up an age group; however, the Tournament Committee will be the final arbiter of the tier in which a team will play.
  • 1.4.1 No player or team may play down an age group.

Section 2: Eligibility of Coaches / Players

• 2.1 All coaching staff and players, including guest players, must be currently registered with a youth soccer association recognized by ASA or CSA for the 2026 outdoor season to participate in this tournament.
• 2.2 Any coaches or players currently under disciplinary action from any ASA or CSA recognized soccer association must advise the tournament committee, who will decide whether the player or coach will be permitted to participate in the tournament.
  • 2.2.1 Failure to notify the Tournament Committee about disciplinary sanctions could result in team elimination from the tournament.
• 2.3 Player cards and coach cards, where mandated for regular play, are not required for this tournament; however, they must be shown upon request by tournament staff.
  • 2.3.1 Failure to produce identification if requested may result in the forced forfeit of the game or games being played by the team.

Section 3: Guest Players (Trialists)

• 3.1 Each team is permitted up to five guest players during the tournament, provided the team does not exceed the maximum roster size for this tournament.
  • 3.1.1 Additional trialist requests must be presented to the committee.
• 3.2 Guest players must be currently registered with a youth soccer association recognized by ASA and/or CSA for the 2026 outdoor season.
• 3.3 Guest players for EMSA teams can only come from within the same zone. Out-of-district teams can only use guest players from their own district.
• 3.4 All guest players must have written approval from their original team with signatures from coaching or management staff on their original team as well as their tentative tournament team. A guest player will be allowed on the following basis:
  • 3.4.1 Tiers 1–4: only from a lower age, lower category, or lower division.
  • 3.4.2 Tiers 5–9: from the same or lower age, same or lower category, or same or lower division.
• 3.5 Teams must submit guest forms and one copy of the game sheet to the referee prior to the start of the game. Coaches must submit a copy of the guest form for each game a guest player participates in. A guest form can cover a range of play dates.
• 3.6 Guest players must be identified on the team roster and game sheets.
• 3.7 Teams competing in Tiers 4 and lower, Community Soccer, are not permitted to use trialists to increase their current roster size. Trialists can only be used to replace missing players.
• 3.8 “Guest” and “trialist” mean the same thing and wording may be interchanged without changing the meaning.

Section 4: Team Rosters

• 4.1 All teams from U7–U19 are required to register their completed roster and identify any guest player or players no later than Monday, May 4, 2026 at 4:00pm.
• 4.2 No changes to a team’s roster can be made after that team’s first tournament game.
• 4.3 Players not on the team roster prior to the team’s first tournament game are deemed ineligible.
• 4.4 Players cannot be registered on more than one team roster.
  • 4.4.1 Any instance of a player playing on more than one team could result in the disqualification of both teams involved, at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
• 4.5 U8 will play in U9 T2 or T3. Similarly, U10 will play U11 T2 or T3, and U12 will play U13 T2 or T3.
• 4.6 The maximum number of players permitted on a team roster is as follows:
  • 4.6.1 U7: Twelve (12) players including goalkeeper or goalkeepers.
  • 4.6.2 U9–U11: Sixteen (16) players including goalkeeper or goalkeepers.
  • 4.6.3 U13–U19: Twenty (20) players including goalkeeper or goalkeepers.
  • 4.6.4 The tournament will recognize EMSA teams with existing special dispensation to carry more players than regularly permitted. Non-EMSA teams must submit a request letter and ASA roster to the tournament coordinator for Tournament Committee review.
  • 4.6.5 All decisions of the Tournament Committee will be final.
• 4.7 All teams must upload an official ASA roster in their online account prior to their online roster function being activated. This must be done prior to the roster deadline set out in paragraph 1.1.
  • 4.7.1 Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of your team without a refund.
  • 4.7.2 Absolutely no additional player registrations will be approved at tournament headquarters.

Section 5: Out-of-Province Teams / Non-EMSA Teams

• 5.1 Travel Documents: All out-of-province teams must submit travel sanction forms with their roster on or before Monday, May 4, 2026 by 4:00pm.
  • 5.1.1 All possible accommodations will be made such that teams travelling 170 km or more will not play Friday.

Section 6: Games

6.1 Format of Match Play

• 6.1.1 Length of games:
  • U7: 2 × 20 minute halves
  • U9: 2 × 25 minute halves
  • U11: 2 × 25 minute halves; medal games: 2 × 30 minute halves
  • U13–U19: 2 × 30 minute halves; medal games: 2 × 35 minute halves
• 6.1.2 All games will have a 5 minute half-time break.
• 6.1.3 There will be no additional time added to games.
• 6.1.4 Injuries requiring on-field medical attention will not result in additional makeup time. If a match needs to be suspended for serious injury, tournament coordinators will make full effort to resume the game from the point of stoppage as soon as possible.
• 6.1.5 Games may end in a tie during round robin play. A game requiring a result will go to Penalty Shoot-Out. See Section 10.
• 6.1.6 Each team will play a minimum of three (3) games and medals will be awarded after the last game.
• 6.1.7 The Mercy Rule applies. No team will be given more than a five (5) goal differential. Tie-breaking procedures will use results after the mercy rule is applied.
• 6.1.8 All games, except U7, will have ASA certified officials or equivalent assigned by the tournament referee assignors. Referee decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
  • 6.1.8.1 Any issues with officiating should be brought to the Tournament Committee.
  • 6.1.8.2 All coaches, players, and spectators are expected to behave within the Code of Conduct outlined in Coaches Information.
• 6.1.9 Substitutions are made at the discretion of the referee. On-the-fly substitutions may be accepted.
  • 6.1.9.1 Recommended tournament procedure: on-the-fly substitutions from U13 upward; directed substitutions during stoppages below this level.
  • 6.1.9.2 Any on-the-fly substitution that results in too many players and interferes with play shall be sanctioned with an indirect free kick to the opposing team.
• 6.1.10 Teams are permitted an unlimited number of substitutions during the game.
• 6.1.11 Scores will not be kept for U7. Participation ribbons will be awarded to all participants after their last game.

6.2 Tournament Pool Format

• 6.2.1 Round Robin format will have no playoff games within a pool or between pools. Tied games in round robin format will stand.
• 6.2.2 Play-Off pool format will have playoff games scheduled within a two-sided pool or between pools. Ties will stand in the first round of games for these formats.
• 6.2.3 Medal Games are final games whose results determine gold and silver. If tied at the end of regulation, Penalty Shoot-Out will determine the winner.

6.3 Game Sheets

• 6.3.1 Official Duggan Mother’s Day Tournament game sheets will be used and are available to print from the website.
• 6.3.2 Game sheets must be completely filled out and given to the game official prior to kickoff.
• 6.3.3 All players, including guest players labeled as “guest,” must be listed on the game sheet prior to kickoff.
• 6.3.4 Tournament officials will collect game sheets after each match. Scores and discipline will be called into headquarters and posted on the official tournament website and information boards at tournament headquarters.
• 6.3.5 If not clear, the team mentioned first on the schedule is deemed the home team.
  • 6.3.5.1 The home team will be required to change jersey colours if a conflict exists.

6.4 Required Equipment and Team Colours

• 6.4.1 The home team is required to provide a minimum of two suitable game balls:
  • U7: Size 3
  • U9–U11: Size 4
  • U13–U19: Size 5
• 6.4.2 Teams are reminded to carry alternative jerseys or pinnies. If a jersey colour conflict exists, the home team will change jerseys or wear pinnies.

6.5 Point System

• 6.5.1 Win = 3 points
• 6.5.2 Draw = 1 point
• 6.5.3 Loss = 0 points
• 6.5.4 No extra points are awarded for shutout games.

6.6 Tie-Breaking Procedures

2-Way Tie: Head to Head → Least Goals Against → Goal Differential → Penalty Shoot-Out

3-Way Tie: Least Goals Against → Goal Differential → Penalty Shoot-Out

Note: This order aligns with EMSA tie-breaking procedures and is intended to promote defensive play.

6.7 Forfeiting Games

• 6.7.1 If one team fails to appear within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time, or forfeits during play, 3 points will be awarded to the opposing team. The recorded score will be 3–0 unless the current score at the time of forfeit is greater.
• 6.7.2 If both teams fail to appear within 10 minutes, both teams forfeit, the final score is recorded as N/S (no score), and no points are awarded.

6.8 Inclement Weather / Unusable Field Conditions

• 6.8.1 Safety of players, coaches, tournament management, spectators, and referees is the primary concern.
• 6.8.2 The Tournament Committee may relocate or reschedule any game, reduce game time, or cancel any game.
• 6.8.3 Unless otherwise notified, teams must appear at the scheduled location and time. City of Edmonton field closures are not in effect for this tournament.
• 6.8.4 Field conditions will be monitored by tournament organizers, who will have final say if a game proceeds.
• 6.8.5 Tournament organizers will follow CSA’s lightning policy and suspend matches if thunder is heard.
• 6.8.6 If the AQHI is 7 or higher, games will not be played.
• 6.8.7 A game is considered complete if one half has been completed before cancellation due to adverse weather.
• 6.8.8 If one half has been played before inclement weather, the game will count and the score will stand. Tournament organizers reserve the right to shorten games or go directly to kicks from the mark if needed.
• 6.8.9 If a game is cancelled before one half is played and kicks from the mark are not possible, the score will be set at 0–0 and declared a tie.
• 6.8.10 Teams must contact the Tournament Committee for verification of any game changes. Updates will also be posted at www.duggantournament.com.
• 6.8.11 The Tournament Committee reserves the right to cancel the tournament in whole or in part due to inclement weather or unplayable fields. No refund may be issued for individual game cancellations.

6.9 Refund Policy

• 6.9.1 See website FAQ for the most up-to-date refund policy.
• 6.9.2 If tournament cancellation occurs prior to the completion of the team’s first scheduled game, a maximum of 50% of the team’s entry fee may be retained to cover startup costs. In all other circumstances, no refund will be issued.

Section 7: Rules of Play / Discipline / Protests

7.1 Rules of Play

• 7.1.1 This tournament follows the IFAB Laws of the Game and current EMSA/ASA rules. Age-group specific rules:
  • U7 – EMSA Mini Soccer Rules (5 v 5)
  • U9 – EMSA U9 Rules for Outdoor (7 v 7)
  • U11 – EMSA U11 Rules for Outdoor (9 v 9), using the 1/3 line as the offside line and the maximum field size permitted
  • U13 – Modified IFAB Laws of the Game (9 v 9)
  • U15–U19 – IFAB Laws of the Game
• 7.1.2 The Tournament Committee reserves the right to amend parts of these laws as outlined within these rules.
• 7.1.3 All players, coaching staff, assisting personnel, and team supporters are expected to obey the laws of the game and respect all tournament officials.
• 7.1.4 Game officials have authority immediately before, during, and immediately after the game, including the area surrounding the field of play and bleachers.
• 7.1.5 Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated. Threats or assaults toward tournament officials will generate an immediate suspension pending ASA Discipline Committee action.

7.2 Discipline for U11–U19 Teams

• 7.2.1 No red or yellow cards are issued to U7–U9 players, but a player can be sent off to cool down and a replacement is allowed. Cards may still be issued to coaches at this level.
• 7.2.2 Red cards carry an automatic minimum one-game suspension. Two yellow cards in two consecutive games result in a minimum one-game suspension to be served the following game.
• 7.2.3 If a player or team official receives a second red card in the tournament, they must report with the team coach to Tournament Headquarters immediately after the game and will not be permitted further participation.
• 7.2.4 It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure players serve their discipline during the tournament.
• 7.2.5 Players or team officials receiving or serving a red card suspension must immediately leave the area of play and are not permitted in the team’s technical area during the suspended game or games.
• 7.2.6 For other offences or when warranted, the Discipline Committee will convene, determine the suspension based on the Referee Report, and advise coaching staff of its findings.
• 7.2.7 All discipline reports will be passed on to the player or team official’s regular league, where further discipline may be enforced.

7.3 Protests

• 7.3.1 Protests of tournament game results will be reviewed if submitted in writing to tournament headquarters within two hours of the game’s completion, accompanied by a $200.00 cheque payable to Duggan Soccer. The fee is refunded if the protest is successful. The Technical Director will make a decision within 2 hours after filing, and that decision cannot be appealed. Protests regarding the Laws of the Game or referee decisions will not be accepted.
• 7.3.2 Playing ineligible players will result in forfeiture of any game that player participated in. Affected teams will be awarded a 3–0 score and three points.

Section 8: Awards (Medals / Team Swag)

• 8.1 A tournament voucher will be provided for each player and is redeemable at the concession at Tournament Headquarters at Duggan Community Hall only.
• 8.2 Awards presentations:
  • 8.2.1 Gold and silver medals for U9–U19 categories will be awarded to the top two teams in each category.
  • 8.2.2 No bronze medals will be given out.
  • 8.2.3 Ribbons will be given to all U7 teams after their last game.
  • 8.2.4 All medal and ribbon presentations will occur at Tournament Headquarters at Duggan Community Hall, 3728 – 106 Street.

Section 9: Field Locations

• 9.1 All field locations are listed on the Locations page and updated regularly. A Google Map of each match location can be viewed by clicking the short name of each location beside the match time.
• 9.2 In accordance with EMSA policy, teams will sit on opposite sides of the field from one another. Spectators should sit on the same side as their team, separated from their team by the center flag. The home team chooses which side they prefer.
• 9.3 If field location does not permit teams to sit opposite one another due to space constraints, teams will sit on the same side, and spectators will sit on the same side of the field, with the centerline flag between the two groups.
  • 9.3.1 Tournament staff or the match official will be the only one with the power to make this decision.
• 9.4 Coaches, players, and parents may not position themselves behind the goal.
  • 9.4.1 Coaching staff must respect the technical area designated in the Laws of the Game and will be warned, then removed, for persistent infringement.

Section 10: Penalty Shoot-Out

• 10.1 In the event of a tie where a result is needed, Penalty Shoot-Out as per ASA and IFAB Laws of the Game will determine the winner. Affected teams are provided 1 minute to select 5 players from those on the field at the end of the match, select the kicking order, and prepare the goalkeeper.
• 10.2 Procedure:
  • The referee flips a coin to determine the goal at which the kicks will be taken, unless one side is in better condition and is chosen at the referee’s discretion.
  • The referee tosses a coin and the team who wins the toss decides whether to kick first or second.
  • The referee keeps a record of the kicks being taken.
  • Both teams take five kicks, subject to the conditions of the Laws of the Game.
  • Kicks are taken alternately by the teams.
  • If one team has scored more goals than the other could score before both teams have taken five kicks, no further kicks are taken.
  • If both teams have scored the same number of goals after five kicks, kicks continue in the same order until one team has scored one goal more than the other from the same number of kicks.
  • Each kick is taken by a different player and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick.
  • Any eligible player, including the designated alternate goalkeeper if any, may change places with the goalkeeper at any time during kicks from the penalty mark, unless the goalkeeper has been sent off.
  • Only the eligible players and match officials may remain on the field when kicks from the penalty mark are being taken.
  • All players except the kicker and the two goalkeepers must remain within their team’s technical area.
  • The goalkeeper who is the teammate of the kicker must remain on the field at the intersection of the penalty area and goal line.
  • Before kicks begin, the referee shall equalize the number of players on the field as required by IFAB Laws of the Game.

Tournament Rules Updated February 23, 2026.

Approved by the Tournament Committee March 25, 2026.