SmartCoach
Well-Known Member
Yes, bizarre decision by the league and I look forward to them trying to explain their way out of this one. Best explanation that I was able to source out was that this was a promotion spot and not a "vacancy" therefore Rule 6.3 is not in effect. I am told rule 6.3 vacancies refer to when teams do not return to the league and the VMSL receives this notice in August, etc. (ie Surrey Utd.), and must fill the spot when no playoffs can take place. The language in the rules and regs really needs to be cleaned up to define this as we continue to have these unexpected vacancies, etc., and the league seemingly just changes the rules every time. They are not necessarily wrong in determining the best way to fill these spots, though I am sure there are several opinions, but it is a bit mickey mouse when you keep appearing to make it up as you go along. As Sea to Sky were expelled from the league without ever having played a game their spot is being looked at as an extra promotion spot that ALL second place teams get to playoff for the chance to claim. Richmond and West Coast tied for second place in 3C and thus, like any other tiebreaker in the VMSL, must playoff to determine who finishes in second and then gets a chance to enter the promotion playoff. I guess the reasoning is fair, but, because there is not an iron clad rule that all the teams knew about in advance, I think it is only fair for a team like Richmond or West Coast to have a moan.
The real issue, if you ask me, is that this is completely different than how the league handled the Division 1 vacancy when Akal was expelled after never playing a game last season. The league still counted Akal as a relegated team and did not promote an extra Division 2 team, despite the boisterous objections of a certain North Vancouver based team... Anyway, if the same rules had been applied in this case then VUFC would be safe and Royal City would be playing off against Euro with only the usual three teams coming up from Division 3. I just think the league needs to clean up the language in the rules so that everyone knows what is happening from the start and it is a transparent process without all this speculating.
As for the CAT system, historically it has always been in effect for playoffs, however, as Div. 3 is at the bottom of the pyramid, there is not a team that players could be called up from. None of the four playoff teams have a U21 team or any affiliated Masters teams that I am aware of, so it will only be players signed to those squads taking part.
Good bye Cat Mow