NERFU Fall Season Updates

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Mark Johnson

unread,

Mar 24, 2026, 10:54:37 AMMar 24

to South Shore Anchors

Gentlemen,

Last night representatives from the D3 sides met to iron out division alignment, scheduling, substitution changes and playoff format for the upcoming Fall season. There are a number of important updates, so please read.

Division Alignment

The addition of New London and Charles River into D3 sets the total number of teams to 11. A full season with 2 byes and playoffs would have us starting the season mid-August, including Labor Day weekend. The collective group agreed to split the division into 2 pools, setup as follows.

Pool 1

6 teams

The 1^st and 3^rd (or 2^nd and 4^th) place teams from last Fall. The remaining 4 teams would be randomly selected.

Pool 2

5 teams

The 2^nd and 4^th(or 1^st and 3^rd) place teams from last Fall. The remaining 3 teams would be randomly selected. In order to get an even number of games, we’ll get a repeat opponent.

Scheduling

Start Date: 9/12

NERFU threw out 2 start dates, 9/5 (Labor Day Weekend) or 9/12. The group voted to start the season on 9/12, as there was concern teams wouldn’t be able to field full sides on Labor Day weekend. That is shaping up to a 5 game schedule with 2 bye weeks.

Substitutions

There are a number of unions adopting a “12-team” substitution rule. This would eliminate the traditional 8-man rule and adopt a “rolling” 12 man substitution, enabling teams to re-introduce a player that was substituted for earlier in the match, not to exceed 12 substitutions. Rosters would still be capped at 23 players. We were all in agreement to adopt the new rule, but NERFU is going to give us a few weeks to think it over before a final vote is taken.

Playoff Format

Semi-final: 10/31 (Yes, Halloween)

Final: 11/7

Following the backlash from last Fall, D3 will have semi-final playoff matches this year. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals. There was a motion to move the semi-final match from a neutral NERFU site to the home(s) of the higher seeded teams, potentially giving Albany or Burlington a semi-final home match. We were deadlocked on a decision, so a vote will go out to clubs later this Spring. The final will be hosted at a neutral NERFU site.

With 3 fewer matches from last year, each game is significantly more important. Please try and clear your schedules this Fall so you’re able to make every game.