‘Super excited’ teams win battle over ban from soccer playoffs

Two Saanich squads caught in catchment debate

B.C. Soccer has overturned a decision that banned two Saanich girls soccer teams from competing in the playoffs.

The under-15 Saanich Fusion and under-18 Gorge Lakehill girls teams were stripped of their points and disqualified from the provincial cup finals because they had too many players from outside the catchment area.

Lower Island Soccer Association regulations limit the number of out-ofcatchment transfers. The organization had ruled that the teams each had two extra transfers that weren’t allowed.

The teams appealed, and B.C. Soccer ruled that the sanctions should be revoked, said Caelen Bright, head coach of Saanich Fusion.

“We are super excited,” said Bright, who learned of the decision Thursday afternoon. “We’re thrilled with the outcome.” Both teams play in the elite-level Vancouver Island Premier League.

Bright said her team has been practising the whole time, hoping to be able to compete in the playoffs.

Some playoff games took place last Saturday and more are scheduled for this weekend. Bright said the league will have to decide whether to restart the playoffs.

In February, players from both teams held signs in front of the legislature calling for a change to the catchment rules, which they said are outdated and could drive players away from soccer.

Bright said she hopes the decision paves the way for a discussion about whether the catchment rules need to be changed in order to “keep girls in sport.”

The catchment rules apply only to under-18, not men’s or women’s clubs. The aim is to prevent one team from cherry-picking the best players in Greater Victoria.

Clubs can ask for exceptions to the transfer limit if, for example, there is a player who splits their time between two homes or whose family has moved.

Vince Greco, president of the Vancouver Island Soccer League, which oversees men’s soccer, said it will be up to soccer club members to vote on whether to change the rules. “If they vote it down — which they have in the past — it will be the same fight next year,” he said.