The BA Soccer League: recreational, non-profit, volunteer-run… and tons of fun

Mission

The BASL provides adult men with the opportunity to play indoor and outdoor soccer in a safe, pleasant and respectful environment, on quality pitches and under stable, transparent, consultative management.

Values

The BASL exercises zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, violence and disrespect on the field and in its operations, and requires that its members conduct themselves accordingly.

Because of its strict rules on fun, gentlemanly play and its format, where players register individually and are then assigned to teams assembled by an ad hoc committee of senior members, the BASL generates a special camaraderie among all its players and is known as one of Ottawa’s cleanest, safest and most enjoyable leagues to join.

The BASL does not buy equipment produced with child or forced labour, and it contributes to the local community through occasional fundraisers and donations to local charities throughout the Ottawa area. Each season, both the “team spirit of the league” and “the best team name” awardees are allocated $100 each to donate to the charity of their choosing. Additionally, the BASL donates $250 to the Garneau High School via their graduate bursary to grade 12 students that demonstrate the most sportsmanship spirit during the scholastic year.

A few details on our operations:

Indoor league: We run an eight to ten-team, 7v7 indoor league on Thursday evenings in the Garneau Dome (late October to early May).
Outdoor league: We run a four to six-team, 11v11 league in the summer at the Shefford Sports Park (Potvin Fields), from mid May to mid October. We don’t have games on long weekends, hence the later finish. We run an eight-team, 9v9 league in the summer at the Julian de Guzman Park from mid May to mid October. Games are on Thursday nights at 8:30pm and 9:40pm.
The BASL is for men 23 and up, but allows up to six or eight players’ sons (one per team) aged 18 and up, and allows keepers 16 and up.
Our semi-annual general meetings and elections take place usually in February and June, allowing members of both the outdoor and indoor leagues to have their say in league business.
We’re governed internally by a constitution and a series of related Rules and Regulations. Externally, the BASL abides by the rules and regulations of both the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association (EODSA) and Ontario Soccer (OS), and adheres to FIFA’s Laws of the Game, with a few in-house exceptions.
In 2024, the BASL and Gloucester Senior Soccer Club agreed to merge. The BASL is now a committee of the GSSC and the BASL retains full control of decisions and financials.