Player Eligibility & Substitutes Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines the requirements for player eligibility, substitute players and borrowing players within Urban Rec competitions.
Urban Rec encourages teams to do whatever they reasonably can to get a game on. However, competition integrity is also important, and all participants must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in this policy.

Scope

This policy applies to all Urban Rec participants, teams and captains competing in Urban Rec leagues and competitions.

Player Eligibility

All players participating in an Urban Rec game must:

  • Have an active Urban Rec membership profile.
  • Be registered on the Urban Rec system.
  • Have accepted the Urban Rec Waiver.
  • Have accepted the Urban Rec Code of Conduct.

Players who have not completed these requirements may not participate in an Urban Rec competition.

Captains are responsible for ensuring all players representing their team meet these requirements before taking the field or court.

Substitute Players

Urban Rec understands that players occasionally miss games due to work, travel, injury, family commitments or other reasons.

Teams are welcome to use substitute players throughout the season to help maintain healthy team numbers.

There is no additional fee for substitute players.

Substitute players must still meet all player eligibility requirements outlined in this policy before participating.

Individual Teams

Urban Rec individual teams are generally assigned enough players to complete a season.

However, individual teams may also use substitute players when required.

Team Captains remain responsible for maintaining sufficient player numbers and ensuring all substitute players meet the eligibility requirements of this policy.

Playing in Multiple Urban Rec Competitions

Urban Rec encourages members to participate in multiple leagues, sports and competitions.

Players are welcome to substitute for teams in other Urban Rec competitions provided they meet the player eligibility requirements outlined in this policy.

Many members use this as an opportunity to play additional sports, meet new people and enjoy more games each week.

Borrowing Players Within the Same League

Borrowing players from another team within the same competition is permitted where it helps ensure a game can still be played.

Examples may include:

  • A team being short on players.
  • A team being unable to meet minimum player requirements.
  • A team needing additional players to avoid a default.

Urban Rec's preference is always to get a game on wherever possible.

However, because borrowing players from competing teams can affect competition integrity, special rules apply.

Match Outcomes When Borrowing Players

Where a team borrows players from another team within the same competition, the opposing team may choose before the game begins to:

Option 1: Accept a Forfeit Result
The game may still be played socially, however the match will be recorded as a forfeit in accordance with the Forfeit & Default Policy.

Option 2: Play for the Result
The opposition team may agree to allow the borrowed players and have the match recorded as played.

In this case:

  • The game result will stand.
  • No forfeit will apply.
  • The match score will be recorded as played.

Any agreement regarding borrowed players and match eligibility must be made before the game commences.

Once the game has started, the agreed outcome cannot be changed.

Captain Responsibilities

Captains are responsible for:

  • Maintaining a healthy roster throughout the season.
  • Ensuring all players are eligible to participate.
  • Informing the opposition and League Host if borrowed players are being used.
  • Confirming any agreement regarding match outcomes before the game begins.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in forfeits, disciplinary action or other sanctions determined by Urban Rec.

Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

  • Forfeit & Default Policy
  • Competition Rules
  • Code of Conduct

 Review

Approved By: Urban Rec Management Team
Last Updated: June 2026
Next Review Date: June 2027