Athlete Requirements

2026 Updates

A team will have at most 64 athletes for the 2026 season. As of 2026 the CTFL has removed its utility and core athlete designations. Therefore, all athletes will operate as a "Core" athlete would have during the 2022-2025 seasons.

Athlete Requirements

Athletes must meet the following requirements:

Competition Requirements

1. Athletes must be able to participate in at least one preliminary meet and the CTFL Finals
2. Being able to participate in at least three meets in total throughout the season (a minimum of one CTFL Prelim, the CTFL Final and another meet whether it be a prelim or non prelim meet)

Core Athletes are required to participate in at least one of the five designated preliminary meets as well as the championship meet to be held in Ottawa on June 27th. In addition, the athlete must compete in at least three meets throughout their season (1 CTFL prelim, a free meet and the CTFL championship) in their chosen event prior to the championship meet on June 27th. An example of the minimum requirement is; an athlete competes in one designated CTFL preliminary meet and then competes in one other meet recognized by their provincial athletics organization, and then participates the championship. If an athlete is unable to meet these requirements, we ask that they do not enter the CTFL's prospect pool as a core athlete. 

Failure To Meet Requirements

Should an athlete hold a roster spot on a CTFL team roster and later fails to meet the requirements as listed above; that athlete will be prohibited from competing within the league. 

Exceptions to this ban include: If the athlete must drop out of the CTFL due to extenuating circumstances such as injury, partaking in a national team event coinciding with the championship date, or any other CTFL meet. Non-valid reasons include scheduling conflicts, lack of funds or need to travel as this should have been considered prior to registration. These requirements are in place to ensure that when athlete decide to compete in the CTFL they are committed and will not take another athlete's roster spot nor diminish the leagues ability to put on meaningful meets.

In the case of an athlete needing to drop out during the season for whatever reason, the CTFL will keep a pool of 4 reserve athletes for each event. The reserve athletes will be formed from those who go undrafted once the entry draft is complete. If replaced, reserve athletes will earn points just as those who they are replacing would, with their points being counted towards their assigned teams total.