[Effective for Fall 2024.]
[Note: certain divisions have some requirements that comply with the following but are specific to that division. Those are listed in a separate section below.]
Matches (NCS Qualifying matches and makeups) will be scheduled by the Divisional Coordinators in the Fall and/or Spring seasons, defined seasonally by Divisional Coordinators. Be aware that some Capital/MAC divisional conferences may have their own policies on when NCS Qualifying matches are played (Fall-only or split Fall-Spring).
Given the policies of the various Capital/MAC divisional conferences: when scheduling is done during the May-June period, clubs will tell their coordinators which weekends they must have off or at home with a maximum of two weekends. Examples of needed off dates would include weddings, fundraisers, and tours. Only two special requests (bye and/or home) will be allowed.
A make-up date is different from a bye date. The former is to move a postponed game from its original date due to weather or other extraordinary circumstances; the latter is to have no game on that date. Matches are typically postponed due to weather conditions, national disasters, or national emergencies.
The general make-up process:
- At least two make-up dates will be included in the schedule. Depending on league schedules, they may be in the Fall or may be split in the Fall and Spring.
- If a match must be made-up, the teams have 5 calendar days after the postponed match to agree on a date and report it to their divisional coordinator.
- Clubs should work this out between themselves first.
- Clubs may schedule these make-up matches outside of the given make-up dates, as long as both clubs agree to it.
- Clubs may schedule a make-up match on a division-wide bye date but are not required to.
- If an agreement has not been made by the sixth day, the makeup date will be on the first listed makeup date.
- If one of the teams already has a make-up on that date, then the makeup date will be on the subsequent makeup date (and then subsequent makeup dates in order if those dates exist and further problems cascade in).
- If a club cannot play on the makeup date provided above, the match will be forfeited against that club.
- Clubs must plan to play on the possible make-up dates.
- Clubs will not get exemptions from a makeup date unless they can justify an extraordinary scheduling problem.
- If an exemption is requested, approval or denial will be determined by the appropriate Men’s or Women’s Competition Committee.
Exceptions:
- D1 Men (2024-2025)
- All regular division matches will be played in the Fall.
- No bye requests.
- Only accepting needed dates for home games for a needed event.
- Four games will be played and then a division-wide bye date will be set on that fifth weekend.
- Two make-up dates will be set at the end of the Fall Season. One make-up date will be allocated in the Spring.
- No other divisions with current exceptions.