1. DEADLINE DATES

ZONE AND INTERZONE PLAY-OFFS The convenor must notify Greg by phone at 925-5642 or email (greg@mhsaa.ca) following the conclusion of the zone championship (or when the zone representative has been declared). You must declare your representative by Monday, Nov. 14

WILDCARD APPLICATIONS are due by the date indicate below at 1:00 pm sharp. Wildcards are open to zone semi-finalists and finalists only. Applications must be include the following:
- Complete season record of all games played (exhibition, league, tournament). Season Record Form available on the MHSAA website.
- Letter of intent to participate signed by the Principle.
- $70.00 cheque made payable to the MHSAA. (If you are faxing or emailing the application please send along a photocopy or scanned copy of the cheque). If your school has multiple teams applying for wildcard spots, please make sure there is a SEPARATE CHEQUE FOR EACH TEAM. If not selected, your cheque will be returned.
If your application does not include ALL of the above, and/or is late, the application will not be considered. See page 118 for an example wildcard application.

Wildcard game date and location will be determined once the teams have been selected. Automatic wildcard spots may be awarded. Wildcard Application Deadlines is Monday, Nov 14 by 1:00 pm

PROVINCIAL ROSTERS must be submitted online on the provincial championship website by the dates indicated below for each category. You will need to have a team picture, school logo and complete roster information ready in order to enter your information. If roster information is not received by the date below you may be subject to a fine. Roster submission dates is Tuesday, Nov 15 by 4:00 pm

SEEDING INFORMATION must be received by the MHSAA, by the date, with complete information, or the team may be subject to a $50.00 fine. Seeding information must include a complete season record of all games played, dates and scores. Please use the seeding/wildcard season record form available on the website. Date seeding information must be submitted by Tuesday, Nov 15 by 1:00 pm

2. FORMATS & RULES

A. FORMATS: (see draw Appendix A on page 114)
"A", "AA", "AAA" Format - Ten (10) girls teams and Ten (10) boys teams. The boys and girls championships will use the same format. There will be two pools, each with five teams. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the Championship side. There is no Consolation side. All matches are a best two out of three. The 1st and 2nd set is won by the first team to score 25 points via rally-point scoring, with a minimum lead of two points. The deciding 3rd set is played to 15 points with a minimum lead of 2 points. (no point cap).

B. RULES: the playing rules of Volleyball Canada shall govern the competition unless specified below. Special playing rules approved by the MHSAA will take precedent over rules in the official rulebook.

Junior Varsity Eligibility Rule: in order to qualify for the junior varsity competition athlete must meet the following requirements:
a) Participating athletes must be under the age of 17 as of midnight of the current school year, August 31.
b) Students are eligible to participate in junior varsity for two years. In determining the two-year clause, member schools must count grade 9 as the first year. The athlete's eligibility begins upon enrolment in grade 9 and is allowed two consecutive years of competition from time of enrolment in grade 9

For “AAA” and “AAAA” schools students may not compete in more than three matches at the varsity level. (league, exhibition or tournament - Tournaments count as two matches). Rural “AAA” Junior Varsity teams are allowed to compete against rural varsity “A” and “AA” teams without these matches being counted as varsity level.

The libero number will be REQUIRED only on the rotation lineup card for each set and not on the player roster.

Teams will be allowed 12 substitutions per set. A player can be substituted unlimited up to the 12 substitutions per set.

Jewelry is not allowed.

The Official Ball is the Mikasa MVA200 (multi-colored)

Interzones are to be determined by the MHSAA. If the zone/interzone championship is won by the host school, then another wildcard spot becomes open. Interzone and wildcard games will be the best 3 out of 5

Teams are to bring their own warm up balls

Net Heights: Varsity Boys – 2.43m Varsity Girls – 2.24m

Uniform Rule: Style and colour of uniform must be consistent throughout the team. If one player wears digger shorts, all players must wear digger shorts. Undergarments or tights cannot exceed past the bottom of their playing shorts. Single colored spandex pants/shorts with team logo are allowed, but, they cannot exceed mid-thigh.

Athletes, team members and coaches are not permitted to wear headwear during competition, opening ceremonies, awards ceremonies, banquets and/or luncheons. Inappropriate bench conduct (i.e.; changing tops, jerseys, uniforms, at the bench or on the playing field) is not acceptable. Any athlete, team member or coach deemed in violation may be subject to a performance bond violation in the amount of $50-$200 assessed to the school.

All uniforms must be numbered 1-99, (whole numbers). (While MHSAA allows 1-99, it is preferred that the appropriate numbers of 1-15 be used).

Coaches should be advised that if the uniform rule is not adhered to, the team may not be allowed to compete and may be fined up to $200.00. The school may also be put on probation (probation being that if the school violates the infraction again, the school may be fined $200.00 and be suspended from all MHSAA activities).

Advertising on uniforms must adhere to guidelines as outlined on pages 119-120

Game Limit - The maximum number of matches are 25 per season. Each tournament counts as 2 matches and the 25 match limit does not include league playoffs, zone playoffs, or provincial playoffs. Exceeding the game limit will result in a fine to the school and possible exclusion from provincials.

ALL VARSITY "AAA" URBAN schools must play a minimum of 4 matches against "AAA" rural schools, and 2 matches must be played outside of Winnipeg. Tournaments count as two matches. As long as the tournament is hosted by an "AAA" school, 2 matches will be awarded, regardless of the classification of participating teams. Failure to fulfill the requirement will result in the team being ineligible for provincials.

It is expected that all teams attend opening ceremonies and related functions. Non-attendance may result in performance bond forfeiture

3. AWARDS

Awards Presentation: All teams that medal are expected to stay for the presentation of the awards. Teams may be fined for not being present for the awards.

In each division, the championship team will receive the Championship banner, first place medals and Championship T-shirts The runner-up team in the championship event will receive a finalist banner and second place medals The third place team in the championship event will receive third place medals (excluding "AAAA")

Six All-stars and one MVP will be awarded. A Players Choice Award will be selected for Varsity only.

4. SUPERVISION

At all MHSAA Provincial Championships, interzone and wildcard games, participants must have a teacher from the school division in attendance as a supervisor, or they will not be allowed to compete. In individual sports where it may be unrealistic for one teacher to accompany one student, the zone may designate teacher/supervisors for athletes. This must be a written request, signed by each principal involved, and approved by the MHSAA, well in advance. The designated teacher/supervisor should have a copy of the letter, with them during the championship.

Teachers employed in the school division where they are coaching a team, may be the supervisor for that team. The responsibility rests with the school to ensure that supervisor(s) are fully acquainted with all MHSAA rules, regulations and consequences. Violation of this rule may result in a bond forfeiture up to a maximum of $200.00.

5. INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE

The MHSAA, in cases of severe weather disruptions, may have to make decisions as to the possible rescheduling of Provincial Championships. MHSAA decisions will be based on Environment Canada Weather reports, the Manitoba Highway reports and weather conditions at the host site. The safety of our student athletes, coaches, managers, is paramount to any weather related decision.

Information on possible schedule changes will be posted on the host website between 6:30 and 7:00 am on the day of the Championship. Schools will also be emailed any changes. In case of inclement weather, schools should refrain from travelling to Provincial Championships until they receive notification from the MHSAA Assistant Executive Director with instructions and updated scheduling. Schools making a decision to travel prior to receiving notification from MHSAA Assistant Executive Director do so at their own risk and will be responsible for their travel and hotel costs, should the event be postponed or changed.

Many schools travel to Provincial Championships on the day prior to the championship beginning. In cases where most schools are already at the host site, the convenor along with MHSAA assistant director will try to modify schedules to accommodate teams that will be arriving later due to weather conditions