BC Premier to Drop Import Restrictions; Rolling Subs for Div 1 and Lower; McKechnie Cup to Return
The BCRU announced some significant changes to the Rules of Competition for next season. One of the major changes to impact the Premier league is the dropping of the “Import” rule that limited the number of players who are not “a citizen or permanent resident”. That’s a major change in policy direction that will no doubt spark some discussion. On the positive side it will raise the level of play in the Premier league and help cement its reputation as the top amateur league in North America. On the negative side it will create a gap between the have and have-not clubs, clubs that can afford to bring in high quality imports will raise their level faster than those clubs who cannot afford it. It may result in some blowouts in the first season before some clubs decide to drop to Division One in the following season, creating a more elite, reduced Premier league in the long run.