Registration & Eligibility Review
Each year varsity student-athletes must register with the varsity office to be eligible to represent the University in athletics competitions. The mandatory multi-step process involves the completion of online registration forms and the verification by the varsity office staff of previous experience and academic record.
IMPORTANT: Failure to complete ALL of the aforementioned steps prior to the deadline established for the team will result in the student-athlete being deemed ineligible to compete. Additionally, failure to complete all steps by the deadline set will put at risk the
teams' permission to practice, meet, train or compete, until such time that all requirements by every team member are completed.
Note: Registering and completing all steps does not deem you eligible to compete. The VAR office team and medical team will analyze all data and make the final determination.
ALL STEPS must be completed by the varsity student-athlete and analyzed by the administrative staff in order to be cleared to participate in practice sessions, training sessions, meetings, or competitions.
The Steps to registration:
- Completion of the On-Line Registration and Biographical Information Questionnaires
- USPORTS Portal Registration and signature of the USPORTS Acknowledgement and Consent Form (Information here)
- Varsity Student-Athlete Registration and signature of the McGill Acknowledgement and Consent Form
- Completion of the 'Pre-Participation Medical Questionnaire' (sport specific – see medical section)
- Complete the online sports information form
- Proof of health insurance coverage (annually) as follows: You must have one or more of the following in the periods indicated:
- For returning student-athletes:
- SSMU September 1-August 31 or,
- MACES September 1-August 31 or,
- PGSS September 1-August 31 or,
- Blue Cross September 1-August 31 or,
- Private Coverage From first practice day until end of last practice or game
- For new student-athletes (first year and transfers):
- Private Coverage August 1-September 1 and,
- SSMU September 1-August 31 or,
- MACES September 1-August 31 or,
- PGSS September 1-August 31 or,
- Blue Cross September 1-August 31 or,
- Attending an annual varsity orientation session: Sch edule here
- Completion of the Anti-Hazing education course: Take the course
- Completion of the 'Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) eLearning course - True Sport 101: Information here
E-Signing forms and/or clicking an acknowledgement box by submission through official McGill email accounts and completing these steps allows the Varsity Office staff to verify the eligibility of student-athletes to compete for the University. It also permits the varsity student-athlete's respective coach(s), the Manager, Varsity Sport as well as the Compliance Office staff to review and monitor academic records.
Additionally, student-athletes must:
- Pose for a head and shoulder photo for the web-site and other promotional purposes
- Pay associated team or department fees (if applicable) by the deadline set out by the head coach
Medical
Varsity student-athletes who's sports have been flagged by our medical team for review must participate in a comprehensive medical screening process and / or complete a physical examination through our sports medicine clinic. All other varsity student-athletes are encouraged to have an annual medical which may be arranged in conjunction with the Sports Medicine Clinic through the staff physiotherapist assigned to your team. Information pertaining to medicals will be sent via email to all recruits and returning student-athletes via their head coach or assigned staff therapist.
First year varsity student-athletes as well as those transferring to a different sport are required to complete and return a medical questionnaire (long form) prior to or at the first team meeting, and, at a later date, undergo a physical examination by their team doctor.
Football and Men's Hockey student-athletes must undergo a pre-season physical each year.
Veterans who have already completed a pre-season physical and are returning to the same sport are only required to complete and return a medical questionnaire (short form) prior to or at the first team meeting. All medical questionnaires must be completed and then reviewed by the McGill Sport Medicine team therapists prior to participation in any try-out activity, including captains' practices.
If necessary, an athlete may be asked to undergo a complete physical before participating in any additional practices and or discuss a medical concern with the team therapist
Personal Medical Insurance (same as requirements captured in the registration section)
- Proof of health insurance coverage (annually) as follows (see page 11), YOU MUST HAVE one or more of the following in the time periods indicated:
- For returning student-athletes:
- SSMU September 1-August 31 or,
- MACES September 1-August 31 or,
- PGSS September 1-August 31 or,
- Blue Cross September 1-August 31 or,
- Private Coverage From 1st practice day until end of last practice or game
- For new student-athletes (first year and transfers):
- Private Coverage August 1-September 1 and,
- SSMU September 1-August 31 or,
- MACES September 1-August 31 or,
- PGSS September 1-August 31 or,
- Blue Cross September 1-August 31 or,
- First year or transfer varsity student-athletes competing in August must be provide proof of private medical insurance.
- As of September 1st full-time McGill students (who have not opted out) are covered by the SSMU insurance plan. In all cases where student-athletes have opted out of the SSMU plan or are not eligible for the SSMU plan, proof of coverage through a private insurance plan for the period of September 1- August 31st is mandatory prior to participation.
- Proof of coverage must be provided in the following situations:
- Minimum 1 day before international travel
- At the medical screening day prior to competing
- As requested by Manager, Varsity Sport as an audit
Comprehensive Pre-Season Medical Screening Evaluation
On the day set for the team pre-season medical screening,
ALL athletes who have made the team must be present to complete the following steps:
Administrative
- Read and sign administrative policy forms
- Present provincial (Canadian students) or Blue Cross card (international students)
- Payment of $100 per player
Physical Examination
- Enhanced baseline testing
- First year and transfer athletes, Football and Men's Hockey undergo a full physical
- Veterans may schedule follow-up injury evaluation as required
Concussion Baseline Testing
- SCAT
- Impact Test (as requested by the team physician)Height and Weight
Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Vision
A list of varsity student-athletes who have completed this procedure will be sent to the head coaches (coaching staff). Only those student-athletes who appear on the list will be considered to have completed the medical process and be deemed cleared to participate.
Athletic Financial Award Requirements for Student-Athletes
Every student-athlete who participates in U SPORTS training or competition is subject to the U SPORTS Regulations relating to athletic financial awards, including U SPORTS' financial review and audit rights set out therein. This means that U SPORTS may request the timely production of financial records (which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, personal banking statements, tax records, residence rental agreements, institutional and workplace pay stubs, etc.) By signing this Acknowledgment and Consent form (the "AAC") you are indicating your understanding of, and agreement to adhere to, the U SPORTS Regulations, and your consent to participate in a financial review or audit for a period of up to eighteen (18) months from the date of signingBasic Rules Governing Eligibility
In order to ensure that you fully understand the eligibility rules that govern a McGill student-athlete you should consult the web-site of the conference to which the team is affiliated.
