Rules and Regulations
CBFA 2026 Rules and Regulations
CALGARY BANTAM FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2026
DECLARATION
I acknowledge that I have read the Calgary Bantam Football Association 2026 Rules and Regulations
and, by my execution of this Declaration, agree to abide and comply by and with such Rules and
Regulations and will, to the best of my ability, cause the team with which I am associated, its players,
the other team coaches, parents, and other individuals associated with the team to abide and comply
by and with such Rules and Regulations and Code of Conduct.
I acknowledge also to ensure that all Coaches under our team have completed the mandatory Police
Check and Safe Contact Course, and I am responsible for said action.
I further acknowledge that any penalty for breach of such Rules and Regulations (except as otherwise
identified therein) shall be in the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the Calgary Bantam Football
Association.
DATED this ______ day of________________________________, 2026.
Name of Team: _____________________
Witness:
Printed Name: __________________________
Witness Signature: _______________________________
Head Coach:
Printed Name: __________________________
Head Coach Signature: _______________________________
CALGARY BANTAM FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2026
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pursuant to Article 7.2 of the Bylaws of the Society, the following playing rules and regulations have
been adopted by the Executive to govern conduct of play during the 2026 season:
1. These Regulations shall be read subject to the Bylaws of the Society and shall not, in any way or
manner whatsoever be deemed to limit the effect of the Bylaws. In any conflict between the
Bylaws and the Regulations, the Bylaws shall govern.
2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise specifies or requires:
a) "Bantam Age Group" Means individuals up to the age of 15 years, whose 16th birthday does not
fall on or before December 31, 2026.
b) "Commissioner" or "Commissioners" shall be that person, or those persons chosen by the
Executive, or the person or persons appointed by the Commissioner to act in his stead.
c) "District" shall be the area in Calgary and the surrounding areas from which each Team may
draw Players, as determined by the Executive, and communicated to each Team.
d) "Player" means an individual of the Bantam Age Group.
3. The terms contained in these Regulations which are defined in the Bylaws shall have the
meanings given to such terms in the Bylaws.
4. Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa and words
importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine or neuter genders.
5. (a) Each Player shall submit to the Commissioner the following, on or before the Player's first
league game:
i a duly completed registration form, including, without limitation, proof of such
Player's age, with all parts completed to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, such
form to be in a form and contain such matters which are satisfactory to the
Executive.
ii a registration fee in the sum of $ 500.00 and
iii. a medical form, containing such information is required by the Commissioner and
each coach must have available at each practice and game.
(b) Any Player who has failed to provide his registration form, the registration fee, and the
medical form to the Commissioner on or before such Player's first league game, shall be
ineligible to participate in any activity of the Society including, but without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, practicing with any Team, or playing any football games.
(c) Any Team who knowingly allows a Player who has failed to provide his registration form,
the registration fee and the medical form to the Commissioner on or before such Player's
first league game, to practice or play in any league games shall forfeit any league games
in which such Player has played and may be liable to suspension or penalty, as
determined by the Commissioner.
6. Each Player must be of the Bantam Age Group and must present a birth certificate or similar
document to the Commissioner (photo online with registration) as proof that he is of the Bantam
Age group.
7. (a) The maximum weight for offensive players being QB, running back, or receiver will not
exceed 180 lbs (these players MUST report to Commissioner before first game for
weigh-in plus all other games until Commissioner says so). All other positions can be
unlimited weights and cannot carry the football.
(b) The Commissioner or the head coach of the opposing Team through the Commissioner,
may challenge the weight of any given Player, on a reasonable basis.
8. A Player shall not be eligible to participate in any playoff games unless he has participated in one
or more league games. Provided that, if a Player has not participated in one or more league
games due to an injury suffered while playing football with his Team, he shall be eligible to
participate in the playoff games of that Team. All players MUST live in the City of Calgary or
surrounding areas with our rural teams.
9. No Player in grade 10 as of Sept 1 of 2026 or the equivalent shall be eligible to play in any
football games of the Society.
10. The following Regulations govern the conduct of each Player in the Society and breach of the
Regulations shall be handled as follows:
(a) A Player who:
(i) utilizes tobacco in any form including cannabis or vape products
(ii) consumes alcoholic beverages.
(iii) utilizes profane language.
(iv) destroys or pilfers property belonging to another person.
utilizes narcotics or abuses other drugs; or
(v) commits any other act which the Executive deems detrimental to the
Society or its objects including Social Media Abuse
(vi) consistently plays outside of the established rules of the game in a manner that is
considered dangerous with harmful intent
may be suspended or expelled from the Society, with or without warning by the Commissioner
and the Team to which the offending Player belongs may forfeit one or more games, is the sole
discretion of the Commissioner.
(b) 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 Society pending, a hearing in
the presence of the Commissioner who shall, in his sole discretion, decide as to the
further play of that Player.
11. (a) A Player shall play for the Team in the District in which he lives unless, he:
(i) has been released from the Team in the District in which he lives and waived by
that Team. Players released at Peewee are eligible to stay with the organization for
which they played Peewee or play for the team in the area they live in. This
decision MUST be made before their first year of Bantam eligibility (signed release
must be attached to registration form).
(ii) has received a signed release (back of registration and medical forms) from the
Team in the District in which he lives; or
(iii) has played for a Team in a District other than the one in which he lives during the
2025 season and has moved to another District.
(iv) qualifies to play elsewhere as defined by the 2026 Sunset Clause.
(b) Any Team which knowingly breaches the provisions of paragraph 11(a) hereof and allows
a Player who does not live in its district to play for it shall forfeit all games in which that
Player has played and in addition, all coaches and managers who had participated or
acquiesced in such breach may be suspended or expelled from the Society.
12. All adults associated with any Team in a capacity as coach, manager, trainer, parent or otherwise
shall always conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the objects of the Society.
a. Behavior considered to be physical or emotional abuse, intimidation, belligerence, hostility, taunting,
or acts of incivility, will result in immediate ejection from the playing facility. Upon review by the
Executive, may result in suspension or expulsion from the Society.
b. If, in the sole opinion of the Executive, any such person conducts himself in a manner
which may be detrimental to the Society, they will be liable to suspension or expulsion from
the Society.
c. Two “Objectionable Conduct” penalties against a team’s bench will result in an immediate
ejection from the game of any coach(s) receiving the bench penalty and the Head Coach,
without review, the Head Coach will automatically serve a one game suspension.
d. In this regard, the person designated as the "Head Coach" of each Team shall execute an
original copy of the Declaration attached hereto before a witness on or before the Annual
General Meeting.
13. (a) Prior to the commencement of each game, other than exhibition games, each Team involved
in the game shall provide four copies of the roster of players for that game, with players listed in
numerical order and in accordance with their respective sweater numbers on a computer-
generated roster form (One to Commissioners office and three to timekeeper). Failure to include a
player or players on such roster shall result in the immediate disqualification of such player or
players. Head coach must sign roster confirming listed players are dressed. All coaches that are
with the teams on the sidelines or in press box must also be listed on the roster forms.
Failure to comply may result in suspension.
14. Teams participating in league play must have clean uniforms. Uniforms must tucked-in or lay flat
through the back and torso and are not to be lifted, tied or otherwise altered. Hoodies are to be
tucked in for safety reasons. It is the responsibility of the coaches and managers to see that
their Players comply with this Regulation. Breach of this Regulation may result in disqualification
or suspension of the Player or forfeiture of a game. Game pants and jerseys shall only be used
for games.
15. (a) Each Team participating in a league game shall provide at least 3 adults (the "Adult
Roster") for the entire game in which such Team is participating, for the purpose of
assisting the Executive with game day responsibilities including, working the yardsticks,
spotting, and assisting at the timekeeper’s bench. Failure to supply the Adult Roster at the
time that the game is intended to commence (as identified in the league schedule) will result in
the Team which fails to provide its Adult Roster forfeiting the game with a final score to be entered
into the standings of 1-0. Failure to supply the Adult Roster on more than one occasion may result
in suspension of that Team from league play, at the sole discretion of the Commissioner.
(b) Each team participating in a league game shall nominate 1-3 parents to act as parent
liaisons to assist in crowd control during games. Parent liaisons would report to the team manager,
who would in turn report to the head coach. Head coaches report to the league directors. Announcers,
timekeepers and other CBFA volunteers are not to be harassed.
16. Each Team must be prepared to play their respective games at the time scheduled for such
game. Teams arriving late will be penalized in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Amateur
Football Association or otherwise, as the Commissioner deems fit.
17. No team shall contact any Team outside the Society with a view to engaging in exhibition games
unless it has received the prior written permission of the Executive.
18. Subject to paragraph 20 hereof, Canadian Amateur Football Association rules apply.
19. Timing of league games shall be as follows:
(a) 1st and 3rd quarters 12 minutes straight time.
(b) Last 3 minutes of 2nd and 4th quarters stop time.
In the last 3 minutes of the half, the clock stops after each play. The clock starts when the
referee whistles time in after:
(i) an ordinary running play.
(ii) a completed forward pass; or
(iii) a declined penalty.
The clock starts on the snap of the ball after:
(i) an incomplete forward pass.
(ii) a play where ball is carried out of bounds; or
(iii) an accepted penalty; and
(c) Half time shall be for a period of 8 minutes.
(d) All League and Playoff games will have 2 timeouts per half.
(e) Clock will stop after touchdowns and re-start after kick-off.
(f) Mercy Rule - In the second half no stoppage of clock when point spread is greater than 35
points.
20. Leadue Standing Tie Break Rules are as follows:
1. game between each other. 2. Points against vs common opponents played. 3. Overall points
against.
21. Footballs for league games will be supplied by the Commissioner.
22. (a) Full contact practices shall not be allowed until the Team has returned the Football
Alberta Membership application form (insurance form) which is provided to each of the
Teams. Copy presented at equipment pick-up otherwise no equipment issued. There will
be no football during the month of July (Football Alberta Seasons of Play Rule)
(b) No Player shall be involved in any contact whatsoever during practices or otherwise until
he is registered on a Football Alberta insurance form. The cost to insure is $50.00 and
this fee will be included in players $ 500.00 registration fee.
23. Without restricting any of the foregoing, any Team utilizing 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 Commissioner.
24. ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE LEAGUE NO LATER THAN ONE WEEK
AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR TEAMS FINAL GAME. EXCEPTIONS ONLY TO THOSE
TRYING OUT FOR THE CBFA SELECTS TEAM.
25. (a) One of the objects of the Society is to encourage participation of all Players in all
games and practices and, therefore, to that end, each Team shall have a maximum of two two-
way players (down linemen ONLY). This must be noted on the game day roster. The only
exception would be where circumstances dictate such a need. Such a need would be injuries.
Teams should communicate this need through their league director prior to start of games. Formal
complaints of philosophy abuse should be in writing to the league Commissioner and President
upon which will be investigated. Suspension of coaches and/or loss of game may occur.
(b) All players dressed on game day must see the field in a meaningful way…i.e., special teams’
rotations or game situations where the difference in score is plus or minus 3 scores or more.
26. Each Team shall have a minimum of 24 eligible Players and shall be allowed a maximum of
36 eligible Players in full football equipment for each regular season league game and a
maximum of 36 eligible Players in full football equipment for each playoff game. Teams,
where necessary, can play up to 2 down linemen two ways. This MUST be down linemen
ONLY and between the tackles (3-point stance). These players MUST be designated on the
roster before each game. The 2-way play for 2025 will mean that only offensive players
play on punts and only defensive players play on punt return. The only exceptions would
be the kicker and any back ups that are not on either offence or defence as regulars. If
kicker is over 180 lbs. the ball can only be advanced by kicking.
27. Each Team shall have at least one coach who is and shall continue to be certified by the
Canadian Amateur Football Association as having attained level II in the Coaching Certification
Program. All additional coaches must have or be attaining level I in the Coaching Certification
Program. As well, all Head Coaches have the responsibility of ensuring that all Coaches
and Managers with their team have an approved Police Check (copies must be sent to
executive) prior to participating in games or practices as well as have taken the Safe
Contact Course provided through Football Alberta.
28. Each Team shall strictly adhere to the schedule which is to be provided to each Team at the
Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Executive
Royal Inn, 2828-23 St. N.E., Calgary, Alberta.
29. Each Team will be receiving an invoice from the Society for the payment of a Team registration
fee in the amount of $100 (the "Fee"). The Fee shall be payable in full to the Commissioner on or
before such Team's first league game. A Team which fails pay the Fee strictly in accordance with
the foregoing shall be suspended from league play and shall forfeit all games in which it was
scheduled to play, until the Fee is paid in full. The intent of this regulation is to require each Team
to secure a sponsor to pay the Fee on the Team's behalf. However, failure to secure a sponsor
does not exempt a Team from paying the Fee.
30. No Team shall be entitled to raise any fundraising money whatsoever unless it has received the
permission of the Executive.
31. In the event of an injury players are NOT to take a knee, instead they will huddle away from the
injured player to allow the Athletic therapists room to identify and assist the injured player. The
Athletic Therapist has sole discretion when it comes to an injured player being permitted to return
to game play.
32. Only players are permitted on the playing surface during game play unless otherwise invited by
the Referee’s. Teams and staff on the sidles must also always stay within the boundaries of their
bench (between the 40-yard lines). Only team personnel with issued sideline pass provided by
the CBFA, are permitted on the sidelines.
33. With respect to a breach of the rules numbered 8, 18, 23(a), 26 or 32 hereof, the penalty for any
such breach shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Calgary Bantam Football
Association, in their sole discretion, after due investigation.
34. “NECK RULE” - For the protection of the center on long snaps, no player may make direct contact
with the center until he comes to a hitting position with his head up.
35. Teams are subject to The Personal Information Protection Act and release of information about
players or their families. To release any information, it is the responsibility of the Head Coach to
obtain meaningful consent (Refer to https://oipc.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Meaningful-
Consent-2018.pdf). Failure to do so is punishable by lay and may result in immediate suspension.
36. Use of drones is prohibited. In the event a drone being operated near the playing facility, the
game will be suspended, and each team attributed a loss in the standings, with 0 points for and
50 points against.
DATED as of April 6, 2026.
BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE
Bill Monks
Bill Monks, President.
