The Gate City Growler Cup is an Affiliated Tournament that is Sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and the North Carolina Adult Soccer Association (NCASA).
There is no limit on the number of guest players. Teams can be created for this tournament.
Female players are allowed in any of the Men’s Divisions with these limitations:
1) Female players ages 18 - 30 are allowed in the Men’s Open and Over 30 Divisions
2) Female players ages 30+ are allowed in the Men’s Over 40 and Over 50 Divisions.
All games are played with the 8 vs. 8 format -- there is no Offside or “3-Line Rule”.
In group play, matches can result in a tie (see “Point System”).
Each team is guaranteed three 60 minute matches (5 minutes for halftime).
Substitutions can be made during either team’s goal kick, throw in, when a yellow card is issued, after a goal is scored and at halftime. Substitutes must stay off the field until the player leaving the field has come off.
One quality game ball will be provided for each match, but each team MUST bring at least one decent game ball to each match and place it behind their goal.
One USSF Certified Referee will officiate each match. Three Referees will officiate all Finals except the Over 50 and Over 55 Divisions.
Rosters will be ‘locked’ as of Check-In Friday, July 27, 2018.
TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN
There is a mandatory team check on Friday, July 27 from 6PM - 10PM.
Each team Captain/Manager (or a team Representative) must be at check-in to present their teams:
- Player Passes (laminated with headshots)
- 6 Copies of Gate City Growler Cup Roster
- $100 Check for the Non-Refundable Performance Bond
- Permission to Travel Clearance Letter from Non-NC State Associations
- Gate City Growler Cup Medical Release/Hold Harmless Agreement
TEAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All Non-NC teams must obtain a “Permission to Travel Clearance Letter”
from their State Association (see “State Registrars” under the “Documents” link to contact your State Association).
All teams must have a completed “Gate City Growler Cup Medical Release/Hold Harmless Agreement, including the signatures of each player.
Each team is allowed a maximum of 16 players on their Roster.
-Men’s Open /Women’s /CoEd teams’ players must be at least 18 or turn 18 in 2018.
-Men’s Over 30 teams’ male players must already be 30+ or will turn 30 in 2018.
-Men’s Over 40 teams’ male players must already be 40+ or will turn 40 in 2018.
-Men’s Over 50 teams’ male players must already be 50+ or will turn 50 in 2018.
-Men’s Over 55 teams’ male players must already be 55+
Co-Ed teams play with 3 females on the field, in any position. Teams that can’t field 3 female players will play down the number of females that they are unable to field. NO SLIDE TACKLING IN COED!!
Players are allowed to play in more than one division, but can only play on one team within a division.
The Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Directors have the right to forfeit the matches of teams who do not follow the Eligibility Requirements.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All players must be registered with the USASA through their affiliated State Association; or their USASA Sanctioned Adult League. Players who do not play in a USASA Sanctioned Adult League should obtain a “TOURNAMENT ONLY PASS” from NCASA.
Here’s the link:
http://www.youthleaguesusa.com/ncasa/live/Player.html
PLAYER PASSES WILL NOT BE ISSUED ON-SITE IN 2018.
Players will need to obtain their passes from their home leagues or obtain the “Tournament Only Pass” online prior to arriving at check-In.
Every player listed on your roster must have a current, laminated player pass with their headshot.
Players in the “OVERS” may be required to show a Driver License or Passport to the game official prior to each match.
ALL players must have valid ID available throughout the tournament. The Gate City Cup Tournament Director and/or the match official(s) can ask for a valid ID to verify proof of identity or age at any time during the tournament.
Current NPSL, PDL and U.S. CLUB player passes are eligible.
CASH PRIZES
Open and Over 30 cash prizes are based on each Division having 16 teams; CoEd is based on 12
teams; Over 40 is based on 24 teams; Over 50: 16 teams, Over 55: 8 teams Women’s: 6 teams.
The Men’s Open Champion will receive $2500 and the Finalist will receive $600. The CoEd Champion will receive $1500 and the Finalist will receive $600. The Over 30 Champion will receive $2000 and the Finalist will receive $600. The Over 40 Champion will receive $2000 and the Finalist will receive $600. The Over 50 Champion will receive $600 and the Finalist will receive $200. The Over 55 Champion will receive $600 and the Finalist will receive $200. The Women’s Champion will receive $600 and the Finalist will receive $200. *Actual cash prize payouts will change if the max number of teams is not met. The Gate City Growler Cup Staff reserves the rights to expand the amount of teams in each division, based on demand
DIVISION BREAKDOWN
DIVISIONS of 6 / 12 / 24 Teams will be placed in groups of 3. Each team plays the other two teams in their group. The top two advance to knockout play. 3rd place teams will play a consolation game with a 3rd place team from another group. In Division of 6, since 4 teams will advance there will be semifinals and a final. In Division of 12, since 8 teams advance there will be quarterfinals, semifinals and a final. In Division of 24, since 16 teams advance there will be a Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and a final.
DIVISIONS of 8 / 16
Teams will be placed in groups of 4. Each team plays the other team in their group. The top two advance to knockout play. In divisions of 8, since 4 teams advance there will be semifinals and a final. In divisions of 16, since 8 teams advance there will be quarterfinals, semifinals and a final.
POINT SYSTEM
Win = 6 points Tie = 3 points Loss = 0 points Shutout = 1 point
Goals Scored = 1 point, up to 3 maximum per game
The Match Official must report the score of each match to the Beer City Cup Tournament
Headquarters within two hours of the conclusion of the match.
ADVANCEMENT TO THE KNOCK-OUT ROUNDS
At the end of Group Play, teams will be ranked in their group based on the Point System. Any
situation in which two or more teams have the same number of points, the Tie Break Rules will be applied in the following sequence:
- Head to Head Competition: the result of the game played between the teams
- Goal Differential: the team with the higher goal difference will be ranked prior to others
- Most Goals Scored: the team with the most goals scored will be ranked prior to the others
- Least Goals Allowed: the team with the fewest goals allowed will be ranked prior to the others
- Penalty Kicks:
If two teams are still tied for the same ranking, the FIFA penalty kick procedure will be used to determine the winner. If three or more teams are still tied, the tournament committee will decide how to proceed.
TIE BREAK RULES
Knock-out round matches: Straight to PKs.
Finals: One 10 minute period will be played with the “Golden Goal” rule. If the game is still tied after the 10 minute overtime, the FIFA penalty kick procedure will be used to determine the winner.
UNIFORMS and PLAYER EQUIPMENT
All jerseys must have numbers on them. Teams must have an alternate jersey in case of a uniform
color conflict. If there is a conflict, the visiting team will change jerseys. The official will inspect the players prior to the start of the game to be sure that no player has improper equipment. All players must wear completely covered, legal shin-guards. Screw-in studs or metal cleats are not allowed. Nor is jewelry allowed to be worn during matches.
FORFEITS
A team that forfeits a match will not be eligible for advancement. Their participation in future Gate City Growler Cup’s will be reviewed by the Tournament Directors.
A minimum of 5 players at the time of kickoff will constitute a team. A match should not start nor continue if either team drops below 5 players. A forfeit shall be awarded if a team has less than 5 players on the field.
A forfeit shall be awarded if a team is not present and prepared to play within 10 minutes of the scheduled time of kick-off.
A forfeit shall be awarded if a team starts the game and quits at any time during the game.
If a team forfeits a match at any time during the tournament, then all of their other matches will be considered forfeits as well. Forfeit scores are 3-0. No Shut-Out point will be given, 9 points total will be awarded for the forfeit.
If a match is terminated due to fighting/violent conduct, the result of the match will be determined by the Tournament Directors. If there is fighting/violent conduct during the finals, the prize monies are subject to a 50-100% reduction.
EJECTIONS
If a player receives a Red Card, they must sit out an actual match.
Any player, coach or spectator ejected from the match will not be replaced and must leave the Bryan Park Soccer Complex. The ejected player/coach/spectator will be suspended for the following match. Ejections due to violent conduct will result in a 3 game ban. The Gate City Growler
Cup Tournament Directors reserves the right during the tournament to administer additional penalties as warranted.
Any player/coach/spectator that is guilty of physical or verbal abuse deemed as threatening to the
referee will be suspended from all games for the rest of the tournament, whether he/she is registered for one team or more than one team; and shall be referred immediately to NCASA.
NCASA, USASA and the team’s home league shall, except in the case of referee assault, have the responsibility for imposing, should circumstances warrant, additional sanctions within their respective jurisdiction with regard to any matters arising from the tournament.
The issuance of all yellow and red cards and other matters involving the conduct of a team, its players, coaches or supporters will be recorded by the host organization and also reported to NCASA, USASA and the team’s home league.
FANS AND SPECTATORS
Each Manager/Captain and player is responsible for the conduct of their fans and spectators of their team. The match official or the Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Director(s) have the authority to suspend a game as a result of the actions of spectators.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Unless there is lightning, teams must still appear on the field ready to play as scheduled. Failure to appear within 10 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time will result in forfeiture of the match.
Only a Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Director may cancel a match in its entirety. The Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Directors reserve the right to make changes such as relocation or rescheduling of matches, reduce match length time or cancel matches in the event of inclement weather.
In case of severe weather directly before or during play, game officials may postpone match play.
Should a match be terminated due to weather conditions after the first half of play, the match will be considered official and the score at that time will stand as the official match score.
The decision about cancellation will be made by the Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Director(s) as soon as they are able to make a call on the conditions of the fields.
If needed, the tournament reserves the right to finish the tournament on Monday, July 30,2017.
DISCLAIMER
All matches will be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as issued by FIFA except as modified in the Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Rules. The Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Directors reserve the right to use their discretion for resolving conflict or other matters not specifically provided for under these Tournament Rules. The Gate City Growler Cup Tournament Committee, Director(s) or any sponsors of the tournament activities shall not be held responsible for expenses incurred by any person, team, club, league or any other association if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part.
If the tournament is canceled in whole in advance, the teams will be reimbursed their tournament entry fee minus $40 fee to cover website, credit card and processing expenses. If the tournament is canceled in part after games have begun, there will not be a reimbursement of any entry fees.
No refunds after July 15, 2018. No protests are allowed.