Join our community adult rec league (CARL)

Division changes

Teams can request to switch divisions if the level is not a good fit:

• for a 12 week season, requests must be made in the first 3 weeks
• for a 24 to 26 week season, requests must be made in the first 6 weeks
• a team can only switch divisions if another team moves the other way
• if a team moves mid-season, it takes on the record of the team it swapped with

CARL staff make the final decision to keep leagues balanced.

Moving up:

• teams that place in the top 4 of their division for 2 straight seasons may be encouraged to move up
• CARL can also move a team without consultation

CARL leagues give adults of all ages and skill levels a chance to stay active, meet others, and have fun through sport. We encourage competitive play, but the focus is on enjoyment, fair play and healthy living.

CARL has different jersey rules depending on the sport and situation:

• most teams do not need jerseys, but we encourage coordinating colours
• all ice hockey players must wear numbered jerseys for the season
• hockey teams without jerseys can borrow them from CARL with a deposit
• CARL provides pinnies if teams have a colour conflict

CARL reviews all team names and logos. They must be respectful and inclusive.

Names and logos cannot:

• discriminate against any group
• include profanity or sexual references
• be demeaning, obscene, promote violence or that reference dominance over someone
• promote illegal substances
• promote irresponsible use of legal substances
• contain messages that express contempt, ridicule or superiority
• contain messages that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, creed, colour, disability, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or family status

Read the CARL Team Names and Logos – Selection, Approval and Use (PDF) for details.

CARL leagues are built on respect and fair play.

Captains are responsible for their teams and spectators. Players and spectators who do not follow these standards may be suspended or removed from the league.

If you have an issue during a game:

• first, talk to your opponent
• if the problem continues, ask the CARL associate for help during play, at halftime, or along the sidelines
• if the issue is still not resolved, email carl@waterloo.ca by 5 p.m. the next day

How issues are handled:

• feedback – a verbal or written notice of poor behaviour. Repeat offences may lead to suspension
• warning – a formal written warning. Repeat offences may lead to suspension
• suspension – a minimum one-game suspension. Further offences may lead to longer suspensions or removal from the league without refund

Teams with repeated offences may be denied entry into future CARL seasons. Instigation and retaliation are treated the same.

After each game, teams must rate their opponent’s sportsmanship from 1 to 5. CARL associates collect and review these scores.

Low rankings can lead to probation, suspension, or removal from the league.

How rankings work

5 – Excellent Sportsmanship

• unintentional or accidental fouls do not affect the rating
• players question calls respectfully, using appropriate language and gestures
• play flows smoothly with no intentional delays
• teams show consistent and outstanding sportsmanship

4 – Courteous Play

• game is played with courtesy
• poor language is overheard at times
• some fouls are more aggressive
• intense moments are short-lived and stay within the game
• players question calls respectfully

3 – Average Sportsmanship

• game has some intense moments
• inappropriate language is used at times
• occasional intentional fouls occur outside the flow of the game
• game integrity is maintained and no extreme measures are needed

2 – Poor Sportsmanship

• players repeatedly use inappropriate language directed at others
• excessive or flagrant fouls occur
• scrums or pushing happen after play stops
• players antagonize or show clear disrespect for opponents
• players show blatant disrespect for referees or staff – foul language or gestures
• requires a detailed report

1 – Unacceptable Sportsmanship

• team is out of control in both language and actions
• repeated stoppages filled with pushing or arguing disrupt play
• misconduct is severe enough to eject players or stop the game
• team shows blatant disregard for rules, opponents, and the game itself
• team shows blatant disrespect for referees or CARL staff (foul language or gestures)
• requires a detailed report

Resolving issues
Discuss problems with your opponent during or after the game to give them a chance to improve. If the issue continues, email carl@waterloo.ca by 5 p.m. the next day. 

In emergencies, call 911.

CARL staff will remove any player or team from the facility immediately for:

• swearing at another player, staff, or official
• pushing, shoving, or making physical contact with another player, staff, or official
• making comments meant to start or escalate a fight

CARL staff may also suspend players or teams at their discretion.

CARL uses different officiating models by sport:

• most leagues are self-officiated – players must know the rules and make their own calls
• ice hockey games use referees
• slo-pitch games use umpires

CARL associates are City of Waterloo staff. They support fair play, keep games running smoothly, and are expected to be treated with respect under the zero tolerance guidelines.

What they do

Player liaison

• provide customer service to players and facility customers
• record scores and spirit rankings
• check that all players are on the roster
• adjust spirit rankings if they do not meet requirements
• report sportsmanship issues to CARL administration
• promote CARL programs to participants
• provide first aid when needed
• speak to players about behaviour during games

Facility management

• make sure facilities are ready and safe for play
• ensure participants follow facility protocols
• manage game time and adjust if needed

Mediator

• know the rules of each sport
• expect players to resolve disagreements themselves, but step in if needed
• make final decisions to resume play
• enforce zero tolerance guidelines
• explain rules, but do not act as referees

Game management

• keep time for games
• run the clock or end a game early if needed
• suspend a game if prohibited behaviour occurs

What they don’t do

CARL associates are not referees and will not make calls during games

If no CARL associate is present

• tell customer service at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex
• after the game, both team captains must email carl@waterloo.ca with scores and spirit rankings

CARL runs playoffs every season, but not all teams qualify.

Your chance to make the playoffs depends on your sport’s rules and the number of teams in your division.

Refunds depend on how you registered — as a free agent or a team.

Free agents

• if we cannot place you on a team, you will receive a refund with no admin fee
• no refunds or credits if you are suspended or removed for misconduct
• if a game is rescheduled or relocated due to weather or field conditions, refunds are not offered
• if we cannot reschedule or relocate a game, you will receive a refund with no admin fee

Teams

• a 5% administrative fee applies to team withdrawals
• all team refund requests must be approved by the program supervisor
• teams are not eligible for credits on customer accounts
• refunds go only to the person who made the original payment, not to individual team members

For outdoor games, cancellations follow the city’s Field Delay and Cancellation Policy (PDF).

Suspended players or teams do not get refunds for missed games and cannot attend league games during their suspension.

Ignoring a suspension may lead to longer suspensions or removal from the league.

CARL may adjust suspensions based on severity or repeat offences.

Possible suspension lengths

1 game

• aggressive actions such as instigating or retaliating with inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour
• continued poor behaviour during the season

Multiple games

• repeated poor sportsmanship
• aggressive or inappropriate behaviour toward City of Waterloo staff

1 year

• fighting on city property, including throwing a punch, attempting a punch, or dropping gloves in hockey to start a fight

2 years

• multiple fighting offences in a single game

5 years

• repeated fighting offences across games
• behaviour showing intent to injure, loss of control, or complete disregard for safety, rules or the spirit of the league

Teams and players cannot use alcohol or drugs in non-designated areas on City of Waterloo property:

• first offence – league administration issues a warning
• second offence – the team is removed from league play without refund

At the end of each season, CARL reviews team spirit rankings. Teams with low scores may face probation, review, or suspension in the next season.

Probation – average score 3.0–3.5

• team receives a written notice of probation for the next season
• any issues during probation may lead to suspension or removal without refund

Review – average score 2.5–2.9

• team receives a written notice of review for the next season
• team must submit a written plan to improve sportsmanship
• CARL may deny entry or place the team on probation if accepted

Suspension – average score below 2.5

• team is suspended for the next season
• CARL may deny entry into future seasons
• individual players may be allowed to join other teams
• CARL may deny any request to return based on continued offences