All donations collected go towards the creation and donation of the cloth masks to University Hospitals.
The Competition
The Inaugural competition consists of 9 State of Ohio located teams. The teams are vetted for minimum standards to create the ideal venue for hosting competitive non-league matches.
Competition Format
Group Format
The teams will be grouped into three groups of three groupings. The teams will compete in a round robin creating two matches per team with at least one host match in the group stage.
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Traditional points scoring of:
1 point per draw
3 points per win
Tiebreaker: Goals scored
Second Tiebreaker: Goals allowed
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Group Selection
The teams will be grouped into the least likely to compete in league play with the consideration of geographic location to minimize travel expense.
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Tournament Selection
The top six points gatherers will move into the tournament stage. The tournament is a knockout round format. The tournament stage will allow for the top two points recipients of the group stage to receive a bye in the tournament and guaranteed hosting of the second round match. The remaining four teams will be seeded based on points of the group stage. The final two teams will compete for the Heart Cup at a mutually agreeable location.
Corporate Opportunities
The Heart Cup entity has the right to name and allocate sponsorship partners for each match and the tournament. I.E. A final championship partner/provider.
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The Heart Cup entity also has the right to name an industry or theme sponsorship for revenue opportunities.
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The Heart Cup has control over preferred media templates, social media presentation and tracking mechanisms, as well as board member access to press box/area.
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The Heart Cup has right to utilize player/match photos for it’s own media use.
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Each team has its own right to obtain and execute sponsorship partners for their own home matches.
The Rules
Home Team Responsibilities
Scheduling Venue
Marketing Match
Obtaining Referees
Sending opponent venue location and kit colors at least 5 days prior to match
Broadcasting game via video stream, radio, and/or twitter feed
Submitting to League Director and Media the outcome of the match:
Score
Cards
Attendance
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Home Team Minimal Standards
Regulation Pitch size
Locker rooms (preferably showers)
Opponent team bus parking area
Lights for night matches
Providing match ball
Providing trainer
Provide ice and water
Provide team benches
Media designated area
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Player Eligibility
Team rosters can consist of any status player
Team rosters can change per match
Players can not move teams
i.e. Start group stage for one squad and switch squads for tournament round
Exception – a player can switch teams in tournament IF the following is met:
Player must resign from former squad in entirety and be rostered for next league match of new competing team