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GREEN COUNTRY SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC |
BYLAWS
STANDING RULES
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 471435
Tulsa, OK 74147
Office:
9410-B E. 51st St.
Tulsa, OK 74145
(918) 481-3322
FAX (918) 512-4378
E-mail – gcsareg@tulsacoxmail.com
Web Site – www.gcsoccer.com
Affiliated with:
Oklahoma Soccer Association
United States Youth Soccer Association
United States Soccer Federation
Federation Internationale de Football Association
Effective January 2011
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GREEN COUNTRY SOCCER ASSOCIATION |
BYLAWS
STANDING RULES
Table of Contents
Bylaws
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Article I. |
Name |
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Article II. |
Purpose |
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Article III. |
Members |
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Article IV. |
Officers |
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Article V. |
Membership Meetings |
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Article VI. |
Board of Directors |
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Article VII. |
Committees |
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Article VIII. |
Affiliation |
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Article IX. |
Right of Appeal |
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Article X. |
Parliamentary Authority |
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Article XI. |
Amendment of Bylaws |
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Article XII. |
Fiscal Year |
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Article XIII. |
Nonprofit Status-Dissolution |
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Section I. |
Club Boundaries |
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Section II. |
Registration |
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A. |
Requirement |
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B. |
Players |
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C. |
Teams |
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D. |
Coaches |
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Section III. |
Teams |
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A. |
Size |
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B. |
Formation |
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C. |
Sponsorship |
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D. |
Consolidation |
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E. |
Dissolution |
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Section IV. |
Coaches |
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A. |
Selection |
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B. |
Responsibilities and Duties |
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Section V. |
Rules of Competition |
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A. |
The Ball |
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B. |
Substitutions |
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C. |
Players Equipment |
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D. |
Referees - Assistant Referees |
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E. |
Duration of Game |
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F. |
U10 Soccer |
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G. |
U8 Soccer |
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Section VI. |
Games |
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A. |
Players Right to Play |
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B. |
Official Game |
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C. |
Schedules |
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D. |
U8 League Standings |
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E. |
League Commissioners |
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F. |
Cancellation, Postponement, Rescheduling |
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G. |
Forfeiture |
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H. |
Cautions, Send-Offs and Discipline |
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I. |
Disciplinary Point System |
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J. |
Protests |
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K. |
Terminations |
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L. |
Disciplinary Hearing Procedures |
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Section VII. |
Appeals |
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A. |
Shall Hear |
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B. |
Filing Procedure - Committee |
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C. |
Decisions |
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D. |
Filing Procedure to GCSA Membership |
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E. |
Exhaustion of Remedies |
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Section VIII. |
Competitive League |
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A. |
Objectives |
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B. |
Governing Body |
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C. |
Officers |
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D. |
Meetings |
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E. |
Competitive League Rules & Regulations |
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Competitive Rules & Regulations as approved by Commission |
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A. |
Registration |
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B. |
Teams |
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C. |
Coaches |
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D. |
Rules of Competition |
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E. |
Games |
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F. |
Appeals |
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G. |
Definitions |
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Effective January 2011
BYLAWS OF GREEN COUNTRY SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC. (GCSA)
The name of this
Corporation shall be Green Country Soccer Association, Inc. (hereinafter referred
to as GCSA).
The purpose for which this
Corporation is formed is to further and promote the progressive development of
the sport of youth amateur soccer through organization, training and education;
to organize a soccer team or teams to compete and participate in youth soccer;
to promote the progressive development of the sport of soccer through the
establishment and development of programs for minors; to secure sponsors; to
receive gifts, legacies, and donations from any source whatsoever to be used
solely to promote the health, welfare and recreation of the general public
through the organization of this Corporation for the development of the sport
of soccer.
Section 1. A soccer team or a club of soccer teams shall be admitted
to membership in GCSA upon written application to and acceptance by the Board
of Directors.
a. A
soccer team shall submit the school boundary(ies) of their team's formation and
the name of a coach or team representative.
b. A
club of soccer teams shall submit the school boundary(ies) of their teams'
formation and a list of Officers, Bylaws and Team Formation Guidelines.
Section 2. The organization admitted to membership may be clubs which
are formed by GCSA, or they may be independently formed clubs.
Section 3. In order to maintain good standing, Members shall:
a.
Pay dues, fees
and all legal debts on time.
b. Assure
that Member Bylaws, Standing Rules and Team Formation Guidelines are in
conformance with those of GCSA.
c. Assure that a current copy of Member Bylaws, Standing Rules,
Team Formation Guidelines and a list of officers are on file with GCSA. These copies shall be submitted on a yearly
basis (due July 1 and January 1 depending on season).
d. Comply
with and uphold the Bylaws and Standing Rules set forth herein.
Section 4. Members
in bad standing shall be subject to any or all of the following sanctions as
deemed appropriate by the GCSA Board of Directors:
a. Loss of voting privileges.
b. Prohibition
of Member’s teams from participation in any GCSA sanctioned tournament(s).
c. Withholding of GCSA provided awards, patches, trophies,
medallions, etc.
d. Prohibition
from all Inter-Club play.
e. Recommendation
for termination of membership.
Section 5. The
membership of any Member may be terminated at a special meeting called for that
purpose by the concurrence of two-thirds of the eligible votes of GCSA.
Section 1. The
officers of GCSA shall be as follows:
a. President
b. First
Vice President
c. Second
Vice President
d. Third
Vice President
e. Secretary
- Treasurer
Section 2. All
officers shall be elected by ballot unless unchallenged. (01/22/2004)
All officers shall serve until their successors are elected. All terms of office shall be one (1) year and
shall begin at the close of the Membership meeting at which they are elected.
Section 3. No
officer shall hold more than one GCSA office at a time and no officer shall be
eligible to serve concurrently as Member President and/or OSA officer.
Section 4. No
more than two officers shall be members of the same Member. To be eligible for the position of President,
the nominee must have served at least one full term as an officer of GCSA or
served as a Member President.
Section 5. The
President shall preside at all meetings of GCSA and shall be the general
manager of GCSA. He shall appoint the
Chairmen of all committees except the Nominating Committee, Games and
Disciplinary Committee, and Competitive League Commission; subject to the
advice and consent of the Board of Directors.
(10/27/2010)
Section 6. The
First Vice President shall serve as Chairman of the Games and Disciplinary
Committee and shall act in the absence of the President with the same power and
authority and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the
President.
Section 7. The
Second Vice President shall serve as Chairman of the Competitive League
Commission and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the
President.
Section 8. The
Third Vice President shall serve as Chairman of the Tournament Committee and
have administrative oversight of all GCSA sponsored tournaments. In addition, this officer shall coordinate
all GCSA promotional and advertising activities and shall perform such other
duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 9. The Secretary - Treasurer shall keep the records and
minutes of all meetings of GCSA (notices of all meetings shall be sent out by
GCSA Office Manager), and have general custody of the records of GCSA. In addition, the Secretary - Treasurer shall
have oversight for the receipt and disbursement of, and accounting for, all
funds of GCSA, which shall be kept in a bank (or banks) designated by the Board
of Directors. The Secretary - Treasurer
shall prepare for presentation at each Annual Meeting a financial statement of
GCSA for the preceding year. The
Secretary - Treasurer shall also be responsible for filing all GCSA tax forms
pertaining to his term of office and shall be bonded. (10/27/2010)
Section 10. At the regular meeting held in April and October, a
Nominating Committee of three (3) members shall be elected by the Membership. It shall be the duty of this committee to
nominate candidates for the offices of GCSA and the respective office each
shall hold for the next term. The
Nominating Committee Chairman shall notify the Membership of its
recommendations not less than seven (7) days prior to the January and the
August Membership Meetings. The offices
of President, Registrar and Secretary - Treasurer shall be elected at the
January Meeting. The offices of First
Vice President, Second Vice President and Third Vice President shall be elected
at the August Membership Meeting. Before
an election, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted. (10/27/2010)
Section 11. An officer of GCSA may be suspended from office and
membership on the Board by a unanimous vote of the remaining members of the
Board of Directors at a regular or specially called Board meeting. Grounds for suspension include failure or
inability to perform the duties of one’s office - including regular attendance
at Board meetings, violation of the GCSA Bylaws and Standing Rules, criminal
misconduct or other conduct harmful to GCSA.
The suspended officer shall be removed from office by a two-thirds vote
of all eligible votes present at a special meeting of the General Membership
called for that purpose or at the next General Membership meeting. Provisions of Article V of the Bylaws shall
govern as to the conduct of the meeting, including notice of the meeting and
quorum requirements. Any officer of GCSA
may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to any
other officer. The acceptance of any
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 12. In the event of the suspension of an officer, the other
officers shall select an interim or acting officer to fulfill the duties of the
suspended officer until the General Membership meeting at which time a vote is
taken to remove the suspended officer. In
the event of a vacancy occurring in any office of GCSA, the officers shall
elect a successor to the office by majority vote at a special meeting called
for that purpose, within 30 days, or at the next scheduled Board of Directors’
meeting.
Section 1. There shall be a meeting of Members at 7:00 p.m. during the
last full week of the months of January, April, August and October. (10/27/2010)
Section 2. The meeting in August shall be known as the Annual Meeting
and shall be for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and committees
and for any other business that shall arise.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or shall be
called upon request of the members of the Board of Directors or upon request of
two Members of GCSA. The purpose of the
meeting shall be stated in the call. At
least seven (7) days notice shall be given.
Section 4. Each Member shall be entitled to one vote for every ten
(10) players registered by the Member with Green Country Soccer Association. All fractional votes shall be dropped.
Section 5. Each Member shall designate a spokesman who shall speak and
cast all votes for the Member at the meetings.
A spokesman shall be an officer of the Member or have, in his
possession, written authorization from an officer of the Member to act as
spokesman for that specific meeting. No
absentee ballots shall be accepted. Each
member may also name up to four additional persons as part of the delegation. These additional persons may speak, but shall
not vote except when acting for the delegation spokesman.
Section 6. The presence of delegations holding fifty-one (51) percent
of the total eligible votes shall constitute a quorum and a majority vote shall
govern.
Section 7. The agenda for meetings shall be provided to the Members at
least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
Section 8. An item of new business shall be brought for a vote before
any meeting by having been placed on the agenda in advance of the meeting by
the Board of Directors on its own initiative or by a written request to the
Board of Directors made at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
Section 9. If an item of new business is brought for a vote before any
meeting without having been placed on the agenda in advance of the meeting, a
two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting shall be required for
consideration, with a simple majority required for passage.
Section 10. Any appeal shall be placed on the agenda only in accordance
with Article V., Section 8. Article V.,
Section 9. is not applicable.
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of:
a. The
Officers of GCSA as voting members.
b. All
standing committee chairmen as non-voting members.
c. The
Advisor who shall be the most immediate past President and shall serve in a
non-voting advisory position.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of
the affairs of GCSA between its business meetings, make recommendations to the Membership,
discipline Members and perform such other duties as are specified in these
Bylaws and Standing Rules and otherwise perform the duties of directors of
Oklahoma corporations. The Board of
Directors shall be subject to the orders of the Membership and none of its acts
shall conflict the action taken by the Membership.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall appoint an Attorney, and an
Auditor to advise GCSA.
Section 4. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, regular
meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held during the first week of each
month unless agreed to by majority of the Board of Directors. (10/27/2010)
Section 5. Special meetings of the Board of Directors can be called by
the President or two members of the Board of Directors. Seven (7) days notice of a special meeting
shall be given, unless waived by three voting members of the Board of
Directors.
Section 6. Three (3) voting members of the Board of Directors shall
constitute a quorum. No vote shall be
cast by proxy. Majority vote of the
members present shall govern.
Section 1. Appeals Committee
a. Shall
consist of a Chairman and members as appointed by the Chairman, subject to
approval by the Board of Directors.
b. Shall
hear appeals of decisions rendered by a lower body.
Section 2. Games
and Disciplinary Committee
a. Shall
consist of the Chairman (1st VP GCSA) and not less than three (3)
and not more than seven (7) members. (01/22/2004) Members shall be appointed by the Chairman,
subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
b. Shall
discipline coaches, players and spectators for misconduct and/or violations of
GCSA Bylaws and Standing Rules.
c. Shall
assure that all games are played in accordance with the GCSA Standing Rules.
d. Shall
review misconduct reports, game terminations, forfeit requests and game protests
involving Inter-Club leagues and shall take disciplinary action when
necessary. (01/22/2004)
e. Shall
review misconduct reports, game terminations, forfeit requests and game
protests involving an Intra-Club league only if that Member refuses to render a
decision or waives its rights in the matter, and shall take disciplinary action
when necessary. (01/22/2004)
Section 3. Competitive
Commission
a. Shall consist of the Chairman (2nd VP GCSA) and
members of the Competitive Commission.
b. Shall
administrate all teams participating in the Competitive League.
Section 4. Scheduling and Statistics Committee
a. Shall consist of a Chairman and members as appointed by the
Chairman, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
b. Shall
establish leagues and assign teams thereto.
c. Shall monitor and approve scheduling of all games.
d. Shall
select League Commissioners.
Section 5. Rules
Committee
a. Shall consist of a Chairman and members as appointed by the
Chairman, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
b. Shall
interpret Bylaws and Standing Rules.
c. Shall recommend revisions of the Bylaws and Standing Rules.
d. Shall
assure conformance with FIFA, USSF, USYSA and OSA.
Section 6. Scholarship
Committee
a. Shall consist of a Chairman and members as appointed by the
Chairman, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
b. Shall
promote the scholarship program.
c. Shall identify and present candidates to the Board of
Directors for its selection(s).
Section 7. Tournament
Committee
a. Shall consist of a Chairman (3rd VP GCSA) and
members as appointed by the Chairman, subject to approval by the Board of
Directors. (01/22/2004)
b. Shall
be responsible for organizing and directing the GCSA Spring Recreational Scholarship
Tournament.
c. Shall submit a budget for the Tournament to the Board of
Directors for approval.
Section 8. The
GCSA Board of Directors shall have the right, at any time, to remove any
appointed committee chairman or committee member for just cause.
Section 9. Such
other committees shall be appointed by the President as the Membership or Board
of Directors so directs.
Section 10. All
minutes, reports and/or decisions issued by GCSA committees shall be submitted
in writing to the GCSA Secretary within ten (10) days.
The Green Country Soccer
Association is a member of the Oklahoma Soccer Association, and is affiliated
with the United States Youth Soccer Association and the United States Soccer
Association and agrees to abide by the rules, policies and procedures established
by these organizations as they pertain to youth soccer; unless otherwise
amended by Standing Rules passed by a majority vote of the Membership of GCSA.
Decisions of GCSA
may be appealed to the Oklahoma Soccer Association (OSA), then the United
States Soccer Federation (USSF) or the United States Youth Soccer Association
(USYSA), as appropriate following their procedures and policies as outlined in
the USSF Official Administrative Rulebook and the USYSA Official Administrative
Rulebook.
The rules
contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
govern GCSA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order GCSA may adopt.
These Bylaws can
be amended at any regular meeting by a majority vote of all eligible votes,
provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous
regular meeting or at a special meeting called not less than two weeks prior to
the regular meeting.
The fiscal year of
GCSA shall be from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.
This corporation
is not organized for pecuniary profit, nor shall it have any power to issue
certificates of stock or declare dividends, and no part of its net earnings
shall inure to the benefit of any member, director, trustee or individual. The balance, if any, of all money received by
the corporation from its operation, after payment in full of all debts and
obligations of the corporation of whatsoever kind and nature, shall be used and
distributed exclusively for carrying out the purpose or purposes of the
corporation, as more particularly set forth herein above. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the
Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all
the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the
corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized
and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes as shall at the
time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)
(3) of the Internal Revenue Law, as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any of such assets not so disposed of shall
be disposed of by the District Court of the County in which the principal
office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to
such organization or organizations as said court shall determine, which are
organized and operated exclusively for such purposes provided further that in
no event shall any of the corporation's assets or property in the event of its
dissolution go or be distributed to any director, member or individual, either
for the reimbursement of any sums subscribed, donated or contributed by such
director, member or individual or for any other purpose.
Effective January
2011
GREEN COUNTRY SOCCER ASSOCIATION, INC.
A. Member
Clubs' boundaries are defined by school boundaries. The GCSA Board of Directors
shall resolve all boundary disputes. The
current list of Club boundaries shall be on file with the GCSA Office and available
for inspection.
B. If a
school boundary is modified, then the affected Club(s) boundaries shall be
modified prior to player registration for the next Fall season.
C. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Paragraph B above, if a player is registered with GCSA at the
time a school boundary is modified, the player:
1. Shall
be permitted to continue playing soccer for the same Club for which the player
was registered at the time of such modification.
2. Shall
be permitted to play for that same Club as long as the player continues to
register with that same Club without missing any season for recreational
players or seasonal year for Competitive players.
3. Once a
player fails to register for any season (or seasonal year), the player shall
register with the Club in which he or she resides or attends school. (03/02/2006)
It is the intent
of GCSA that a player should play in his own Club area and on a team in the
appropriate age division.
A. Requirement: Clubs shall register with GCSA every soccer
player and every soccer team that is sponsored by, financed by, coached or
administrated by such Club. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
1. Procedure
a. Individual players shall be registered by their Club using a
registration form prescribed by GCSA. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
b. A
player shall not be registered on more than one youth team at any given time. Exceptions may be granted by the GCSA Board
of Directors for special teams (e.g., Olympic Development). [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
c. Individual
registration fees shall be paid at the time of registration. The player is registered from the moment the
player or the player’s agent signs the Registration form and pays the appropriate
fees. [Also applies to the GCSA
Competitive League.]
d. Upon
acceptance of the player application by GCSA (or Club appointee), a player may
participate in practices and any non-game activities. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
e. A
new or transferred GCSA player shall not participate in any games sanctioned by
GCSA, the Oklahoma Soccer Association or U.S. Youth Soccer, or their
affiliates, until a player registration has been received and approved by GCSA. Upon approval by GCSA, the player must be
added to the Official Team Roster/Game Form before becoming eligible to
participate in sanctioned play. (Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.)
f. A
recreational player who is refused registration under Section II., B., 1., a. may
register with the next nearest geographic Club, if it will accept such a
player. A player may be refused
registration if there is no available team in the proper age division.
2. Eligibility
a. Definitions
[Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
(1) Youth
Player - a youth player is one who has not reached the age of nineteen (19)
years prior to August 1 immediately preceding the start of any seasonal year. A player who reaches his nineteenth (19th)
birthday between August 1 of the preceding seasonal year and December 1 of the
current seasonal year, shall be allowed to complete the seasonal year.
(2) Senior
Team - a team registered with the United States Soccer Federation as an adult
team.
b. A
youth player will be permitted to play an unlimited number of senior games
without losing his/her youth eligibility.
The youth player must obtain permission from his/her youth coach or
other authorized team official. The
youth coach or other authorized team official shall, in writing or by form,
request eligibility clearance from OSA. When
the above clearance and permissions have been granted, the State Senior
Association shall have sole discretion in permitting a youth player to play
senior games and will be responsible for establishing the procedures under
which this will be implemented. In the
event of a conflict between a senior trial game and a youth game, the youth
game shall take precedence. A youth
player, who is required to sign a senior form, shall retain youth eligibility. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
c. Age
divisions shall comprise players who are, before the first day of August of the
immediately preceding seasonal year:
(1) Under 19 years of age (4) Under 12 years of age
(2) Under 16 years of age (5) Under 10 years of age
(3) Under 14 years of age
[(1) - (4) also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
d. Under
8 (U8) GCSA players shall have attained the age of 6 years before August 1 of
the immediately preceding seasonal year.
(1) Player
registration shall be in compliance with Section II., B., 1., b., c., and d.
(2) Clubs
offering U8 soccer shall comply with the Official US Youth Soccer 4v4 Program,
except as follows:
(i.) Law
VIII – The Start and Restart of Play – A goal may not be scored directly from
the kick off.
(ii.) Law
XII – Free Kicks – No kicks are to be taken by the attacking team within the
defending team’s goal box.
(iii.) Law
XVI – Goal Kick – A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.
(3) There
shall be no protest or appeals. All
other administration shall be the sole responsibility of the Club.
((1) through (3) added 01/22/2004.)
e. Under
6 (U6) soccer shall be a Club option. The
following rules shall apply:
(1) Players
shall have attained the age of 4 years before August 1 of the immediately preceding
seasonal year. A child, who attains the
age of 4 years prior to February 1 of the current seasonal year, shall be
permitted to play in the Spring season. (11/02/2006)
(2) Player
registration shall be in compliance with Section II., B., 1., b., c., and d.
(3) Clubs
offering U6 soccer shall comply with the Official US Youth Soccer 3 v 3
Program, except as follows:
(i.) Law
VIII - The Start and Restart of Play - A goal may not be scored directly from
the kick off.
(ii.) Law
XII – Fouls and Misconduct – No cautious or send-offs shall be issued except by
an independent neutral referee.
(iii.) Law
XIII – Free Kicks – A goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or
touched by a second player of either team.
((ii.) through (iii.) added 01/22/2004.)
(iv.) Law XVI
– The Goal Kick – A goal may not be scored directly from a goal kick.
(4) There
shall be no protests or appeals. All
other administration shall be the sole responsibility of the Club.
f. Any
player may be required to prove his legal age or legal residence to GCSA.
(1) Proof
of age shall consist of a birth certificate or birth registration issued by the
appropriate government agency, driver’s license (08/26/2004), passport, alien
registration card issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service
attesting to age, or a certification of an American citizen born abroad issued
by the appropriate government agency. Hospital,
baptismal or religious certificates shall not be accepted. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
(2) Legal
residence is the true domicile of the player and his or her family/legal
guardian. This is the place where the player
and his or her family/legal guardian have their permanent residence to which,
if absent, they have the intention of returning.
3. Transfers
a. A
transfer shall be defined as adding a currently USYSA registered player to a
roster or a player who returns to the same roster.
b. Any
recreational player registered to a team is bound to that team for the entire
seasonal year unless he requests a transfer.
All requests for transfer shall be submitted in writing, on the
appropriate form, stating the reason for the request to the GCSA Office for
approval.
4. "Playing
Up"
a. "Playing
Up" refers to playing in an older age division than the player’s age is
assigned (Section II., B., 2., c.).
b. "Playing
Up" in the U6 age division shall be managed and allowed by the individual
club, using their own discretion, when they deem necessary. (05/24/2007)
c. No
recreational player shall be allowed to play up unless failure to do so
provides a hardship on the player, his family or his Club.
d. A
recreational player shall not play up more than one seasonal year in age and
that player shall remain in that older age division for that entire seasonal
year with the exception of players whose age places them in the U16 age
division. A recreational player "Playing
Up" in the Competitive League shall remain in that age division, if they
return to the recreational division.
e. "Playing
Up" shall not be allowed merely for the purpose of keeping a pre-existing
recreational team together.
f. At the
Clubs discretion, when there is no team in a player’s proper age division
during the Fall season and the player must play up in order to play soccer,
that player may be allowed to return to his proper age division if the Club can
field a team in that age division in the Spring.
g. Requests
for "Playing Up" shall be submitted in writing, on the appropriate
form, by the parent or legal guardian, for approval by the Club and GCSA. A bona-fide case shall be made in the
request.
5. "Playing
Down"
"Playing
Down" refers to playing in a younger division than the player’s age as assigned (Section II., B., 2., c.). No player shall be allowed to play down.
"Playing Down" is not sanctioned by USYSA. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
6. Drops
Once
a team has been registered with and approved by GCSA, no player shall be
dropped until a written request, stating the reason for such drop, is received
and recorded by GCSA.
1. The
seasonal year shall begin September 1 and end August 31 of the following year. During this seasonal year, GCSA has two
playing seasons, Fall and Spring. All
recreational teams shall be registered with GCSA prior to each season. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
2. All
teams shall be registered during the registration periods set by the GCSA
Registration Committee. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.] No new teams shall be added after the initial
registration with GCSA with the exception of Intra-Club leagues.
3. It is
the responsibility of each Club to submit player and coach registration forms;
Team Roster/Game Forms; registration fees; and where required, player passes,
drops and playing up forms to GCSA. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.] (08/28/2008)
4. An
“Official” roster shall be the "GCSA Roster/Game Form/Game Card",
approved by GCSA through GotSoccer. Once
roster is frozen, GCSA’s stamp appears when printed. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.] (10/27/2010)
5. For
Intra-Club leagues only, new teams may be registered up to seven (7) days prior
to GCSA play. “New teams” are defined as
teams additional to those registered during the registration periods described
in paragraph 2 above, and are composed of players not already registered to
another team.
1. All
coaches shall be registered with GCSA prior to the first scheduled date of GCSA
play on the approved OSA Volunteer Disclosure Form. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
2. GCSA
can refuse to register a coach selected by a Club for just cause. Any coach who has been suspended by GCSA, a
Club or any other USSF affiliated organization shall not be registered by GCSA
during his period of suspension. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
3. All
Clubs shall notify GCSA, in writing, of the suspension of any coach within
seven (7) days. [Also applies to
the GCSA Competitive League.]
4. The GCSA
Office Manager shall notify the GCSA Board of
Directors of any coach suspension at the next Board meeting. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
In order to assure
fair and equal competition and the maximum opportunity for each individual to
play, recreational teams shall be limited as follows:
1. U10
(6v6) teams shall be formed with a minimum of six (6) players and a maximum of ten
(10).
2. (a) Recreational teams (U11-U12) shall be
formed with a minimum of eight (8) players and a maximum of fourteen (14).
(b) Recreational teams (U13 - U14) shall be
formed with a minimum of eleven (11) players and a normal maximum of eighteen (18)
players per team. (10/27/2010)
(c) U16 -
U19 recreational teams shall be formed with a minimum of eleven (11) players
and up to a maximum of twenty-two (22) with a maximum of eighteen (18) players
participating/suiting up at any one game. (10/27/2010)
1. All
recreational teams shall start each season approximately equal in terms of
ability, numbers and age.
2. The
placement of players on teams shall be the responsibility of the Club.
a. A
team’s head coach shall be allowed to have his child (children) placed onto his
team if age appropriate. (10/27/2010)
b. Each
team shall be allowed to have one child (children) of one assistant coach
placed on his team per seasonal year if age appropriate. (10/27/2010)
c. Except
as set forth in subparagraphs a. and b. above, requests, schemes or devices
designed to effect placement of a recreational player on a specific team or
with a specific coach shall not be honored.
3. Team
Formation Guidelines shall be submitted by July 1 of each year to GCSA for
approval prior to registration of teams.
4. Each
Club shall formulate guidelines based on the needs of that Club for forming
teams from one or more of the following methods:
a. School attendance d. Player draft
b. Geographic e. Random draw
c. Neighborhood concept
5. Efforts
by coaches or others to recruit players onto recreational teams on the sole
basis of players' ability shall be prohibited.
6. Recreational
Plus teams are formed by clubs as friendship teams or if coach requests to move
team up to Recreational Plus from Recreational using the same age requirements
as recreational teams. (11/02/2006)
7. It is
the individual club’s responsibility to inform GCSA at team check-in whether
the team is a Recreational or a Recreational Plus team. (11/02/2006)
8. Recreational
teams shall be reorganized at least as often as players move from one age
division to another in order to assure competitive balance. Recreational teams shall not be construed as
moving from one age division to another.
As players move to another age division or any time they fail to
register for one or more seasons, they shall automatically be considered
unaffiliated.
9. Any
team which is not formed in conformance with its own Club’s recreational Team
Formation Guidelines and GCSA Standing Rules, shall be subject to
reorganization by GCSA.
10. Recreational
teams that were formed as pure age teams or have proved to dominate play in
their league shall be disbanded and reorganized between the Spring and Fall
seasons only. This shall not apply if
that recreational team is the only Club team available in that age group.
a. A pure
age team is defined as a team having a predominant number of players of one
birth year (August 1 through July 31).
b. A
dominant team is defined as a team who wins every game in their league by an
average margin of four or more goals per game.
No
recreational team shall have outside sponsorship for regular team activities. However, permission shall be obtained from the
Home Club for sponsorship for the specific and stated purpose of traveling
expenses for out of GCSA competitions and tournament entry fees for in or out
of GCSA competitions. Caution and common
sense should be exercised in the selection of such a sponsor to maintain the
character, spirit and intent of GCSA and its ideals of sportsmanship, character
building, participation and teamwork. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Board of Directors is empowered to consider and, in its
discretion, grant exceptions to the no sponsor rule for charitable
organizations approved by USYSA.
D. Consolidation
1. Consolidation
of two or more recreational teams during a playing season, because of a lack of
player participation, requires approval of the GCSA Games Committee for
Inter-Club leagues or the Club Games Committee for Intra-Club leagues.
2. The
surviving team of a consolidation shall complete the schedule of one of the
original teams, as determined by the appropriate Games Committee.
3. The
consolidated teams may be reorganized on the original team basis between
seasons if registration of players makes it possible.
Dissolution
of a team after GCSA Scheduling shall be reported by the Club to GCSA within
24 hours.
1. Each Club shall be responsible for selecting coaches for all
its team.
2. Methods of selecting coaches shall be determined by the
individual Club.
3. All
Clubs should encourage the coaches to seek instruction in The Laws of the Game
and coaching techniques.
B. Responsibilities and Duties
1. Each
coach shall be responsible for being familiar with the GCSA Bylaws and Standing
Rules.
2. Each
coach shall be responsible for ensuring that GCSA Rules of Competition are complied
with by players and spectators, and for maintaining order and respect by
players and spectators for referees, players, and others involved with the
game.
3. Each
coach shall assure that all his players are properly registered with the Home
Club prior to participation in scheduled games.
4. Each
coach shall be responsible for training and conditioning his players and for
conducting practices.
5. All
team meetings shall be considered team activities. This includes games, practices, scrimmages
and instructional meetings in which seven (7) or more players from the same
team participate under the supervision of a coach or adult.
6. Recreational
team activities shall be limited to three (3) during any calendar week except
in the U16 and U19 age divisions. The
calendar week shall begin on Saturday.
7. No
recreational team practice, scrimmage or instructional meeting shall exceed ninety
(90) minutes in duration.
8. All
coaches shall have an Official GCSA Roster/Game Form at each game.
9. Recreational
team coaches shall correctly record each player’s playing time (U6 - U10 only)
and jersey number on the Official GCSA Roster/Game Form/Game Card at each game.
10. All
coaches of U16 and U19 recreational teams shall have approved individual player
passes (with current picture affixed and player’s signature) at each game.
11. Each
coach shall sign his Official GCSA Team Roster/Game Form/Game Card and that of
the opposing coach following each game.
12. The
winning coach (or home team coach in case of a tie) shall collect both Official
GCSA Roster/Game Form/Game Card following each game, and provide the Official
GCSA Roster/Game Form/Game Card to the League Commissioner within 72 hours. In the case of a game termination or an
ejection, see Section V., D., 3.
13. The home
coach shall contact the opposing coach to reschedule any postponed game
(Section VI., F.). Mutual agreement
shall be reached as to the time of any rescheduled game. The home coach shall notify the League
Commissioner of the rescheduled game time and place.
14. All
coaches shall have copies of the players’ registration forms at all team
activities.
15. It is
the responsibility of the home coach or Home Club to provide a suitably marked
field which, in the opinion of the referee, complies with requirements stated
in FIFA and GCSA rules.
16. In the
event that no referee appears for a game, it is the responsibility of the home
team coach to select a referee suitable to both coaches.
17. Each
coach shall provide a linesman agreeable to the referee, when requested.
18. While
the League Commissioner has the responsibility for maintaining records, it is
the coach’s responsibility to maintain a record and discipline players or
themselves as required by the cautions/ejections received. Additionally, the coach shall send the
Player/Coach Sit-Out Verification form to the GCSA office when appropriate. (01/22/2004)
19. Failure
of a coach to uphold GCSA Bylaws and Standing Rules shall result in
disciplinary action by the appropriate Games Committee.
SECTION V. RULES OF COMPETITION
All GCSA
Competition shall be in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, except as
noted below.
U10
- U12 Divisions shall use a size 4 ball, which shall be 25 inches to 26 inches
in circumference and shall weigh 11 ounces to 13 ounces.
1. In the U14, U16 and U19 recreational divisions,
substitutions shall be unlimited. (01/26/11) Substitutions shall be permitted at the
following times:
a. Prior
to a throw-in, in your favor
b. Prior
to a goal kick, by either team.
c. After
a goal, by either team
d. After
an injury, by either team, when the referee stops the play
e. Also
Section V., B., 1., a., b., c., d., and e.
2. In the
U10 and U12 recreational divisions, substitutions shall be unlimited. Substitutions shall be permitted at any
stoppage of play. (01/26/11)
3. A
player who is bleeding or has an open wound, or has any amount of blood on his
or her uniform, shall be directed by the referee to leave the game and a
substitute shall be permitted. In the
referee’s discretion, the player shall be allowed to return at the next
stoppage of play, following correction of the problem.
1. No player shall wear anything that is
dangerous to himself or to any other player, including but not limited to earrings,
watches, heavy rings, medallions, medical casts, splints or stitches. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
2. All
players shall wear shin guards. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
3. The home team shall be responsible for differentiating
jersey color.
4. All
players on a team, except the goalkeeper, shall wear jerseys of the same basic
color. [Also applies to the GCSA
Competitive League.]
5. Each player’s jersey, except the goalkeeper, shall carry a
unique number and correspond with player’s name on the game form. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
D. Referees - Assistant Referees
1. It
shall be the responsibility of the home team’s Club to provide a referee for
officially scheduled games.
2. It
shall be the responsibility of the referee to record on the Official GCSA
Roster/Game Form the game result, date and duration of the match, cautions
and/or send-offs, and LEGIBLY PRINT his name in the appropriate space. The referee shall allow a coach the
opportunity to note his intent to protest prior to the referee completing the
game form. [Also applies to the
GCSA Competitive League.]
3. For any send-off or game termination, the referee shall
submit the Official GCSA Roster/Game Form/ Game Card and misconduct report(s)
to OSA within 48 hours. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.] (01/22/2004)
4. When requested, each team shall provide one linesman who
shall have the duties as outlined by the referee.
E. Duration of Game [U12 - U19 also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
1. The
duration of the game shall be two equal periods as shown below in minutes:
Division Length of Half
U19 45
U16 40
U14 35
U12 30
U10 25
2. The
half time interval shall be a maximum of ten (10) minutes. (For U10, see F.,
1., Law VII, below) [Also applies
to the GCSA Competitive League.]
1. U10
soccer shall comply with the Official US Youth Soccer 6 v 6 Program except as
noted:
Law
I - The Field - C. Goals - Recommended Size
Maximum
- seven (7) feet high and seven (7) yards wide.
Law
III - Number of players
A. Maximum
number of players on the field at any one time shall be six (6), one of whom
shall be a goalkeeper. The match may not
start if either team consists of fewer than five (5) players.
B. Number
of Players on Roster - Standing Rules III., A., 1. shall apply.
C. Substitutions: Standing Rules V., B., 1. shall apply.
Law
VII - Duration of Game – (10/28/2005 – Effective Fall 2006 Season)
A. The
game shall be divided into two (2) 25-minute halves.
B. There
shall be a break of five (5) minutes between halves.
USYSA
RECOMMENDATIONS: Delete paragraph two.
U8 Soccer shall
comply with Official U.S. Youth Soccer 4 v 4 Program except as amended by GCSA.
GCSA
believes that the sport of soccer is best promoted by maximum participation.
1. A registered player on a recreational team shall be entitled
to play at least one-half of each game scheduled for his team.
2. The coach of a team may restrict for one game a player’s
right to play when, during the preceding week, the player failed to appear for
the scheduled team practices or was guilty of unsportsmanlike or violent
conduct. Such restriction may, in the
coach’s discretion, deny completely the player’s right to play in one game,
provided that the coach had an established written policy setting forth
disciplinary standards, which differentiate between discipline for failure to
practice and discipline for unsportsmanlike or violent conduct. Such policy to have been published to the
players and approved by the Home Club prior to the commencement of the season. However, such disciplinary action shall be
noted on the Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card prior to the game.
3. A
parent may for medical reasons place limitations on the time his child shall
play in a game provided written notice is given to the coach. This restriction shall be noted on the
Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card.
B. Official Game [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
1. GCSA scheduled league games
2. Rescheduled GCSA league games
3. League
play-off games
4. USYSA/OSA/GCSA sanctioned tournament games
1. Schedules
for GCSA recreational leagues will meet the following minimum requirements:
a. Ensure
that all teams are provided with a schedule consisting
of not less than six (6) games.
b. Assure
that all teams are leagued in order to provide equitable playing opportunity.
c. Form
leagues with no less than five (5) nor more than ten (10) teams, wherever
possible.
d. Use
the standard GCSA Recreational template provided electronically by GotSoccer. (10/27/2010)
2. The
GCSA Scheduler shall:
a. Take special requests into consideration. Special requests will only be considered if
they are presented in writing to GCSA prior to 48 hours before the GCSA league
formation meeting. All requests should
be sent to the GCSA office. Requests
must be legitimate with the reason for the request clearly stated.
b. Form Inter-Club leagues (a league that has teams from more
than one Club), when requirements dictate using the following procedure:
(1) Whenever
possible, Clubs with adjacent geographical boundaries shall be selected for
combining leagues.
(2) Each
team shall play approximately one-half of its games on its own home field, if
such a field is available.
(3) The
teams making up a league shall be of approximately equal ability, insofar as
possible.
c. Provide
all Clubs with prescribed scheduling forms.
d. Decide
the dates for beginning and ending each soccer season.
e. Notify
Clubs in writing/e-mail of those leagues which are not in compliance with GCSA
Standing Rules.
3. The
Club shall be responsible for:
a. Scheduling of its Intra-Club leagues (a league which has
teams from just one Club) on the forms provided by GCSA.
b. Providing a copy of all Intra-Club league schedules to the
GCSA Office no less than seven (7) days prior to the first scheduled date of
GCSA play.
c. Ensuring that all official games are played within seven (7)
days following the last scheduled date of GCSA play.
In
order to maintain and support an atmosphere of fun and education, GCSA shall
not recognize game results or league standings in the U8 divisions. GCSA shall recognize each individual player
in the U8 division with an award each season.
A
League Commissioner shall not have any relation to any team member or coach
within their league. The
responsibilities and duties of a League Commissioner shall be:
1. Recordkeeping [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
a. Record
all game results.
b. Compile
league standings (except in U8) in GotSoccer.
[Points to be awarded as follows:
win = 3 points, tie = 1 point, loss = 0 points].
c. Collect
all game forms.
d. Keep a
record of all cautions and ejections (yellow and red cards) issued to players
and coaches on the form provided by the GCSA Games & Disciplinary
Committee.
e. Monitor
compliance with Section VI., A.
2. Notify
the appropriate Games Committee within twenty-four (24) hours of [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]:
a. Failure
of a team:
(1) To
appear;
(2) To
field a team of the minimum number for their age division;
(3) To
produce Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card and/or player passes, where
required.
b. Team
playing an ineligible player.
c. An
accumulation of three cautions (yellow cards) issued to players and coaches.
d. Failure
of a coach to comply with Section IV., B., 12. or CLR C., 2., g.
3. Game
Cancellation, Postponement and Rescheduling [Also applies to the GCSA
Competitive League.]
a. Grant
permission for a game cancellation or postponement.
b. Assure
that postponed games are rescheduled within seven (7) days of the postponement
and played within seven (7) days following the end of the season.
c. Reschedule
games upon failure of coaches to agree to a reschedule date. This includes locating a field and referees
at home team’s field. (01/22/2004)
4. Post
Season [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
Within
fourteen (14) days following the end of the season:
a. Notify
the Club President of the team that place 1st, 2nd, 3rd
the league (clubs by trophies).
b. Finalize
all information in GotSoccer of final league standings. (10/27/2010)
c. Provide
all Official Rosters/Game Forms/Game Cards,
GotSoccer summary sheets, team discipline correspondence to the GCSA Games &
Disciplinary Committee.
F. Cancellation, Postponement and
Rescheduling
1. Games
may be postponed and/or rescheduled with the mutual consent of both coaches and
with the notification of the League Commissioner provided a minimum of 72 hours
notice is given to the Referee Unit. (01/22/2004)
2. Games
may be postponed and/or rescheduled by a visiting coach, and with the
notification of the League Commissioner, if the visiting team must leave their
homes before 7:00 a.m., provided that seven (7) days notice is given to the
home team. (01/22/2004) A notice of seventy-two (72) hours is permissible during the first week of the season.
3. In the
event of a conflict between a league game and a USYS/OSA/GCSA sanctioned
tournament game, every effort shall be made by both coaches involved to
reschedule the league game. Upon failure
of coaches to agree, see Section VI., E., 3., c.
4. All
postponed games shall be rescheduled within seven (7) days and played within
seven (7) days following the end of the season.
1. If a
team fails to appear or field a team of at least five (5) players U9-U10; six
(6) players U11-U12 or seven (7) players U13-U19 and produce an Official
Roster/Game Form/Game Card and player passes (where required) within fifteen
(15) minutes of the scheduled game time, the referee shall note this failure on
the Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card(s).
The Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card(s) shall be sent to the GCSA
office by the referee within forty-eight (48) hours. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.] (01/22/2004)
2. The
right to declare a game forfeit shall be vested in the governing Games
Committee. The score of a forfeited game
shall be recorded as 1 - 0. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
H. Cautions, Send-offs and Discipline
1. Both
coaches and players shall be subject to cautions and send-offs by the referee
for misconduct. [Also applies to
the GCSA Competitive League.]
2. An
accumulation by a player or a coach of three (3) cautions (yellow cards) during
one playing season (either Fall or Spring) shall result in an automatic
suspension of such player or coach from the next official game. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.] (01/22/2004)
3. A
coach or player who receives a send-off shall leave the immediate area of the
playing field before recommencement of the game. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
4. A
coach or player who receives a send-off shall be suspended from participation
in at least the next official game. Additional
punishment may be imposed by the governing Games Committee. When a player or coach is serving a
suspension, the coach or his appointee shall complete a “Player/Coach Sit-Out
Verification” form, obtain the signature of the referee substantiating the
sit-out from the next game and send the form per the directions on the form. The sit-out shall also be noted on the
Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
5. A
coach or spectator who is serving a suspension shall be prohibited from the
immediate area of his team’s playing field.
[Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
6. All
assaults upon a referee (verbal or physical) and all assaults by a referee are
solely within the jurisdiction of OSA. Any
individual cited for assault upon a referee shall be suspended from
participation in all GCSA soccer activities once notification is received from
OSA. [Also applies to the GCSA
Competitive League.] (02/24/2005)
7. It is
the policy of GCSA to uphold the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of
entities, clubs and other organizational bodies, including city and county park
and recreation departments, concerning the scheduling, use, protection and
enjoyment of fields and park lands within their jurisdiction and control. Any Club, team, coach or player violating
such rules or policies as to the use of soccer fields shall be subject to
discipline by the Games & Disciplinary Committee. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
8. Game
Forms will be delivered to the League Commissioner who will have the
responsibility of recordkeeping of game results, cautions/ejections received by
players/coaches/teams. While the League
Commissioner has the responsibility for maintaining records, it is the coach’s responsibility
to maintain a record and discipline players as required by the
cautions/ejections received. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
I. Disciplinary Point System [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
The
Disciplinary Point System (DPS) shall be applicable to all U15 - U19 teams
registered with GCSA. The purpose of DPS
is to identify those players and coaches responsible for receiving repeated
yellow and red cards during the seasonal year (Fall and Spring season). All suspensions under DPS shall be in
addition to any suspension earned under GCSA Standing Rules VI., H., or any
additional suspension awarded by the GCSA Games & Disciplinary Committee.
1. Players
and coaches shall receive disciplinary points as follows:
a. Cautions: 1 point
b. Ejections: 4 points
c. Examples:
(1) 1
yellow = 1 point
(2) 1 red =
4 points
(3) 2
yellows (received in 1 game) = 1 red = 4 points
(4) 1
yellow and 1 red (received in 1 game) = 5 points
2. The
referee of the match shall have the responsibility of recording infraction(s)
on the GCSA Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card under FIFA guidelines of Law
XII.
3. Game
Forms will be delivered to the League Commissioner who will have the
responsibility of keeping a record of the DPS points earned by each player,
coach and team. While the League
Commissioner has responsibility for maintaining a record of DPS points, it is
the coach's responsibility to maintain a record and suspend players as required
under DPS.
4. Player
points:
a. 7
points: suspension from the next
official game.
b. 11
points: suspension from the next two
official games.
c. 15
points: suspension from all official
games until the player has appeared before the GCSA Games & Disciplinary
Committee at which time further sanctions could be imposed.
5. Coach
points: In order to encourage coaches to
set a positive example for their fans and players, coaches will be held to a
higher standard than players.
a. 5
points: suspension from the next
official game.
b. 9
points: suspension from all official
games until the coach has appeared before the GCSA Games & Disciplinary
Committee at which time further sanctions could be imposed. (01/22/2004)
6. Team
points: Team points are the aggregate of
points earned by its players and coaches during a seasonal year.
a. 32
points: forfeiture of the next official
game.
b. 39
points: forfeiture of the next two
official games.
c. 45
points: suspension from all official
games until the coach has appeared before the GCSA Games & Disciplinary
Committee at which time sanctions could be imposed. Sanctions could include, but are not limited
to, additional forfeits, suspension of traveling papers or suspension of the
team from all official games for the balance of the seasonal year.
1. A game
protest shall be upheld if both of the following are proven:
a. FIFA
Law, GCSA Standing Resolution, or Competitive League Rules and Regulations must
have been violated. [Also applies
to the GCSA Competitive League.]
b. The
outcome of the game (win/tie/loss) must have been affected. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
2. Protests
concerning the dimensions of the field of play shall be noted on the game form
before the start of the game in order to be considered. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]
3. The
procedure for filing a game protest is as follows:
a. The
protesting coach shall note his intention to protest on his Official
Roster/Game Form/Game Card before the referee signs it. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
b. The
protesting coach shall deliver his Official Roster/Game Form/Game Card (or
written protest in lieu of no place to document protest on form after making
referee aware of intentions) and a protest fee of $50.00 (in cash, money order
or certified check made payable to GCSA – no personal or team checks accepted)
to the GCSA office by 2 p.m. of the next business day following the date of the
game. If the protest is upheld, the
protest fee will be returned. [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League]
(10/27/2010)
4. The
governing Games Committee decision shall be made within fourteen (14) days of
the receipt of the written protest and fee based on [Also applies to the
GCSA Competitive League.]:
a. A
hearing to which all parties shall be invited;
b. Written
reports submitted by the parties involved.
5. The
governing Games Committee shall have the following options [Also applies
to the GCSA Competitive League.]:
a. Uphold
the game result;
b. Alter
a game result by declaring a forfeit;
c. Cause
the game to be replayed or declared a no game. (01/22/2004)
6. A
verbal decision may be given after the hearing or committee meeting and shall
be followed by written confirmation within seven (7) days. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
The
governing Games Committee shall have the following options in deciding the
disposition of a terminated game [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]:
1. Uphold
the game result;
2. Alter
a game result by declaring a forfeit (recorded as 1-0);
3. Require
the game to be replayed (01/22/2004); or
4. Declare
game to be a no game (no points awarded). (01/22/2004)
L. Disciplinary Hearing Procedures
1. All
parties are entitled to a hearing with proper notification.
2. Once a
complaint has been properly filed, the Chairman of the Games & Disciplinary
Committee shall notify all involved parties within five (5) days of receipt of
the complaint, the nature of the complaint, the names of all parties, a copy of
the complaint and the date, time and place of the hearing.
3. The
conduct of the hearing shall be as determined by the rules of GCSA, except
where noted herein.
4. Any
party subject to disciplinary procedures shall have the right to:
a. present
witnesses on their behalf.
b. be
accompanied by one individual of their choice to assist in their defense. However, legal counsel shall not be permitted
during disciplinary hearings.
c. challenge
any witness against them.
5. Exceptions
to Rule 4.c. may be allowed in the event the witness is a minor child and
participation in the hearing is deemed harmful to the welfare of the child by
the Committee.
6. A
written record (called the official record) shall be kept of the proceedings.
7. A
written notification of the decision shall be sent to all involved parties
within seven (7) days of the hearing. This
notice shall be sent by certified mail.
8. All
hearings shall be scheduled to be held within thirty (30) days.
A. The GCSA Appeals Committee shall hear [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]:
1. An
appeal of a protest of an Intra-Club game ruling by a Club Games Committee.
2. An
appeal of any decision by a GCSA Club.
3. An
appeal of a decision by any other GCSA Committee.
4. An
appeal or protest if a lower body refuses to render a decision on the matter
within the timeframe specified or waives its rights in the matter.
B. The procedure for filing an appeal with
the GCSA Appeals Committee is as follows
[Also applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]:
1. The appellant shall submit a written appeal and a fee of
$50.00 (in cash, money order or certified check payable to GCSA – no personal
or team checks accepted) to the GCSA office.
If the appeal is upheld in its entirety, the fee will be returned. (01/22/2004)
2. An
appeal shall be filed within fourteen (14) days of the previous decision,
unless waived by the Chairman.
3. GCSA Appeals Committee’s decision shall be made within
fourteen (14) days of receipt of the written appeal and payment of fee based
upon a hearing to which all parties shall be invited and/or written reports
submitted by the parties involved.
4. Notice
of an appeal shall be given to all involved parties when letter is sent to
appellant by the Chairman, Appeals Committee, at least seventy-two (72) hours
in advance of the meeting. (02/24/2005)
5. A
verbal decision may be given after the hearing and shall be followed by written
confirmation within seven (7) days.
C. All decisions of the GCSA Appeals
Committee are appealable to the GCSA Membership at a regularly scheduled
meeting or to OSA. [Also applies to the GCSA Competitive
League.]
D. The procedure for filing an appeal with
the GCSA Membership is as follows [Also
applies to the GCSA Competitive League.]:
1. The
appellant shall submit a written appeal and a fee of $50.00 (cash, money order
or certified check payable to GCSA – no personal or team checks accepted) to
the GCSA office. If the appeal is upheld
in its entirety, the fee will be returned.
(01/22/2004)
2. An
appeal shall be filed within fourteen (14) days of the previous decision.
3. An
appeal shall be placed on the agenda. (Article
V. Section 10.)
4. Notice
of an appeal shall be given to all involved parties when letter is sent to
appellant by the President of GCSA, at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance
of the meeting. (02/24/2005)
E. In
keeping with Oklahoma Soccer Association Bylaw 602: EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES, GCSA will adopt the
following:
1. No
official, club, team, referee, coach, league, organization, player, or parent
may invoke the aid of the courts of any state of the United States without
first exhausting all available remedies with the appropriate organizations.
2. If a
person violates #1, above, of this Bylaw, the offending party is subject to
suspension and shall be liable to GCSA for all expenses, including attorney
fees, incurred by the Association and its officers in defending each court
action.
(10/27/2010)
The Competitive
League is designed to provide competition for those players who possess the
desire and demonstrate advanced capabilities to achieve their utmost in soccer
skills and experience. The Competitive
League shall be comprised of all "coach-select" teams from Member
Clubs.
The
Competitive League shall provide a highly competitive style of soccer, with
adequate restrictions, to assure the continued growth and enjoyment of soccer
by the youth of GCSA in the U11 through U19 age divisions.
The
governing body of the Competitive League shall be the Competitive Commission
(the Commission).
1.
The Commission
shall be composed of the Chairman and not less than seven (7) members, one
member from each Club with a participating competitive team(s).
2. Each
member shall have the following votes:
a. 50
votes, plus
b. 1
additional vote for each recreational team they have registered, plus
c. 10
additional votes for each competitive team they have registered.
3. The
Chairman shall vote in case of a tie.
1. The
Commission shall be composed of the following described offices: (Feb 2010)
a. Chairman b. Vice Chairman c. Secretary
(02/24/2010)
2. All
the officers of the Commission, except that of the Chairman, shall be elected
from the membership of the Commission at each September meeting. In the event no member(s) run for a vacant
office, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Chairman and not be
required to be a current member of the Commission. The appointed officer(s) shall serve the full
term of office or until: (01/22/2004)
a. A
member of the Commission announces their intent to serve as the officer;
b. The
Commission votes, by a majority, to replace the appointee with a current
Commission member.
(a. and b. added 01/22/2004.)
3. The
Chairman shall serve as liaison between the Commission and GCSA, chair all
meetings, establish committees at the direction of the Commission, appoint
Chairmen of such committees and serve as general representative of the
Commission in all matters. The Chairman
shall set the dates for all meetings and provide a written agenda to the
Secretary for distribution to all members as provided below.
4. The Vice Chairman shall assist the Chairman, as necessary,
and act in the absence of the Chairman with the same power and authority, and
be a member of the GCSA Games & Disciplinary Committee.
5. The
Secretary shall record and publish all meeting minutes, give notice of and
publish the agenda for all Commission Meetings, at least seven (7) days in
advance, and carry out other administrative tasks, as required. The Secretary shall mail/e-mail the minutes
of all Commission meetings to all Commission members, Club Presidents and the
GCSA Board of Directors within fourteen (14) days of the meeting.
1. Commission meetings shall be held on a periodic basis with a
minimum of four (4) meetings per year, one of which shall be in September. The September meeting agenda will include
election of officers. Fifty-one percent
(51%) of the eligible votes shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote shall govern. (02/24/2010)
2. Special
meetings may be called by the Chairman or shall be called upon the request of
members of the GCSA Board of Directors or upon the request of two (2) members
of the Commission. The purpose of the
meeting shall be stated in the request. At
least seven (7) days notice shall be given.
E. Competitive League Rules and Regulations
1. All Competitive League Rules and Regulations not directly
affecting the recreational program shall be formulated and voted upon by the
Commission. No Competitive League Rules
and Regulations passed by the Commission, nor any action of the Commission
requiring GCSA Board approval, shall be effective until they are approved by
the GCSA Board of Directors. Such
actions approved by the Board shall also require publication to all Club
Presidents before they shall take effect and rule changes shall also be
published to competitive coaches. Any
rules or regulations directly affecting the recreational program shall be
submitted to the General Membership of GCSA for approval.
2. The Commission may appeal any decision of the GCSA Board of
Directors, concerning Competitive League Rules and Regulations, to the GCSA Membership.
3. Any
decision of a Commission’s committee may be appealed by any member to the
Commission as a whole.
COMPETITIVE LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS (CLR)
(As voted by the GCSA Competitive Commission)
1. Players
a. Procedure
i. The provisions of GCSA Standing Rules (S.R.), Section II.,
B., 1., b., c., d., and e., shall also apply to the Competitive League.
ii. All
Competitive League players and teams shall be registered with the GCSA
Competitive League for the seasonal year.
iii. All
players shall register with the Club for whose team they are playing.
iv. Proof
of age (GCSA S.R. Section II., B., 2., f., 1.) shall be required.
b. Eligibility
i. The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section II., B., 2., a., b., and c. shall also apply to
the Competitive League.
ii. By
submitting an approved, completed registration form or electronic form for
processing by the Club’s Competitive League Registrar, each player agrees and
commits to the financial obligations set forth by the team/club to which the
registration form was submitted.
iii. No
player may be registered to any Competitive Team/Club who has an outstanding
commitment or obligation to another Competitive Team/Club.
iv. It is
the responsibility of the team/club to notify the GCSA Office Manager, in
writing, of a player’s failure to fulfill their obligation to said team/club.
This
notice must be post marked no later than thirty (30) days from the close of
league play. All notices received after
thirty (30) days will not be acknowledged.
v. The GCSA
Office Manager will notify, in writing, each
player for which a team/club has filed notice of an outstanding commitment or
obligation.
vi. Each
player shall have the right to file an appeal.
The appeal process will be in accordance with GCSA. S.R. Section VII,
A., B., C., and D.
c. "Playing
Down"
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section II. B. 5. shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
d. Player
Transfers and Releases
i. A
transfer shall be defined as adding a currently USYS registered player to a
roster or a player who returns to the same roster.
ii. Any
player registered with a Competitive League team is obligated to that team for
the entire seasonal year (fall/spring) unless dropped or transferred.
iii. Requests
for player transfers, after team registration, are to be discouraged and will
only be permitted in selected circumstances as provided hereafter.
iv. (a) Players desiring to be released from
their obligation before the end of the seasonal year (September 1 through
August 31), and permission to transfer to another competitive team, must
complete a written request on the official form provided by GCSA for such
purpose. This form shall be submitted to
the GCSA Office Manager and include payment of the required $50 transfer fee,
which shall be credited to the GCSA Scholarship Fund. (Although the circumstances are expected to
be rare, the transfer fee may be waived or refunded upon the unanimous approval
of the Commission if they deem special circumstances warrant such action.) No fee shall be required for a release which
does not request approval of a transfer.
Such requests shall be dated and time stamped when received by the GCSA Office
Manager.
(b) Transfer
Forms may be submitted at any time but must be filed by January 15 to be
considered for the following Spring season.
Requests for release and transfer will be determined by the Commission
and they will advise applicants of their decision in writing, before February 1
whenever possible. The Commission may,
at its discretion, request a meeting with the player and parent/guardian
requesting transfer.
(c) No
player will be permitted to transfer if the number of players on the original
team’s Official Team roster is reduced to less than the minimum numbers of
players required to form the team in the respective age group. (If there is more than one transfer request
from a given team, such that this rule may come into effect, the requests will
be considered in the order they were date and time stamped by the GCSA Office
Manager.) A transfer may be
provisionally approved to permit a future transfer in the event that the
original team’s Official Roster, which has been reduced to less than the
minimum number of players required to form the team in the respective age
group, is thereafter increased to the minimum number of players required to
form the team in the respective age group through the addition of players to
the Official Roster. (2004)
(d) If a
player is released from his competitive team, but is unable to transfer to
another team because the original team’s Official Roster is reduced to less
than the minimum number of players required to form the team in the respective
age group, the player is not prohibited by these rules from returning to the
original team. If such player has been
released from the Official Roster and is; therefore, added to the same Official
Roster, the addition shall constitute a transfer in accordance with Section A.,
d., i. (2004)
(e) A
player is under no time constraint to select and join another competitive team
once a transfer has been approved.
(f) A
player released for the purpose of returning to a recreational team during the
fall or spring recreational seasons may not return to competitive soccer until
the annual tryout period established by the Commission each summer for the
purpose of annual team formation. A
player may return to their original competitive team if approved by the
Commission. If such player is approved
to return to their original team and therefore added to the same Official
Roster, the addition shall constitute a transfer in accordance with Section A.,
d., i. (02/24/2010)
(g) No
player will be allowed to transfer to another Competitive League team on which
he has participated as a guest player in any tournament requiring a Guest
Player Form (or similar form) from OSA during the current seasonal year if the
player was a Guest Player while rostered on his original Competitive League team. (2004)
(h) Nothing
in this rule shall prohibit a player from participating in team tryouts during
the annual tryout period established by the Commission each
summer for the purpose of annual team formation. If a player has been accepted onto another
team during such annual tryout period, he is automatically released to register
with that new team.
(i) In the
event that a registered competitive team dissolved as set forth in Section B.
3., players become free agents and no longer need transfer/release forms to
register with another team.
e. Involuntary
Release of Player
i. A coach shall obtain the written approval of their Home
Club prior to involuntarily releasing a player from a Competitive team. If a player is involuntarily released from a
Competitive team after the team has been registered, the player may transfer to
another Competitive team or the player may be placed on a recreational team in
their geographical Home club.
ii. A
player may be involuntarily released from a team only if:
(a) The
player has violated rules of USSF, USYS, OSA or GCSA and is in bad standing as
a result of that violation.
(b) The
player has moved beyond a reasonable travel distance from the team's practice
fields. In this case reasonable shall be
determined by the ability of the player to fulfill the coach's requirements for
attending practices and meeting scheduled game times.
(c) The
player is injured in such a manner that the player will not be able to
participate for the remainder of the season.
iii. A
coach may request a player be involuntarily released from a team for
disciplinary cause for the following reasons:
(a) A player is declared in bad standing by GCSA for the remainder
of the playing year.
(b) A player demonstrates consistent and/or frequent failure to
attend practice sessions and/or scheduled games.
(i) If a
player frequently fails to attend scheduled practices or league games, the
coach must notify the player, in writing, of the practice requirements and
league game schedule and of his/her intention to release the player if the
situation is not corrected.
(ii) The
player must be given an opportunity to justify the missed practice sessions
and/or games and given a reasonable opportunity to show a change in behavior by
meeting team schedules.
(iii) Should
a player fail to meet these conditions, the coach may then request the player
be released from the team roster.
(c) A player is found to be in violation of team, club and/or
district association conduct rules involving:
(i) Public
behavior of an illegal or violent nature.
(ii) Consistently
unsupportive and disruptive behavior resulting in substantial impact on the
stability and/or reputation of the team.
(iii) Allegations
of the behavior described above must be documented with specific details and
substantiated.
iv. In
order that an involuntary player release from a team roster can be made
effective, the following conditions must be met:
(a) The
coach must submit a request for player release to the Club organization (in
accordance with Club directives).
(i) The
request must be accompanied by written justification of the action.
(ii) A copy
of the request must be likewise sent to player via registered mail.
(b) Said
request must be approved by the Club registration committee and/or board (as
determined by Club regulations). Consideration
of all requests for involuntary release will be on a case-by-case basis and
each request will be evaluated on its individual merit and circumstances.
(c) An
involuntary release from a team roster shall not be effective until the player
has had reasonable opportunity to exercise his/her appeal rights as defined by
GCSA, OSA, and USYS.
Notification
by a player of his/her intent to appeal must be presented to the next appeal
authority within two working days of player receipt of notice of release request.
f. Recruitment
i. Recruitment,
or recruiting, is defined as any action initiated by a “Team Official” (coach,
assistant coach, team manager, trainer or person representing a team or Club)
who seeks to enlist the services of a player.
ii. Illegal
recruitment is defined as the employment of any prohibited practice by a Team
Official. These prohibited practices
include:
(a) Offering
any inducement of material or monetary value to a player or player's family.
(b) Initiating
contact with any player currently registered and rostered with another GCSA
team except during the annual tryout “free agency” period (as defined in
the CLR, Section B., l., a.vii.). This
includes contact of currently rostered players
by a coach/team manager/team official of a team/club of which current coach
does not anticipate coaching for the next seasonal year. (01/19/2011)
(c) Allowing
or promoting the use of a competitive Club logo or name by teams other than
properly registered competitive Club teams.
(d) Interference
with a competitive player once the player has completed a USYS registration
form and paid the fee to register with a team or club for the next seasonal
year.
iii. Illegal
recruitment does not include the following permitted practices:
(a) Waiver
of Club/Team fees and expenses upon proof of financial hardship.
(b) Contact
with a player during the annual tryout “free agency” period.
(c) Contact
with a player for the limited purpose of participating as a guest player for
any USYS sanctioned tournament with prior notice to the player’s Club coach.
(d) Contact
initiated by the player, the player's parents or legal guardians.
(e) Advertising
or public relations of a general, indirect nature.
(f) Non-sanctioned
soccer activities, including indoor soccer teams or formation and coaching of
special tournament teams (i.e., 3v3, etc.).
(g) Club
sponsored soccer training sessions, open to players without geographic
restriction, provided that a copy of the clinic particulars shall be delivered
to the GCSA office at least five (5) days prior to the event.
iv. Illegal
recruitment or the employment of any prohibited practice may result in a Team
Official being suspended from all GCSA soccer activities for a period as
determined by the GCSA Games and Disciplinary Committee or Commission if so
authorized. (01/19/2011) Complainant will file a complaint with the
GCSA Games and Disciplinary Committee, who shall render a decision. Either party may appeal that decision as
stated in GCSA S.R. Section VII.
v. Any
decision of the GCSA Games & Disciplinary Committee or Appeals Committee
shall be in writing.
2. Teams
a. The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section II., C., 1., 2., 3., 4., and 7. shall also
apply to the Competitive League.
b. All
Competitive League teams shall use the GCSA Competitive League Official Roster/Game
Form/Game Card.
c. Competitive
teams may add players to their rosters at any time during the seasonal year,
providing all GCSA and Competitive League Rules and Regulations are followed.
d. A
player on a recreational team shall obtain permission from his Home Club to
transfer to a Competitive team, in any age division, subject to the provisions
of CLR, Section B., 1., p.
3. Coaches
a. The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section II., D., shall also apply to the Competitive
League coaches.
b. Once a
Recruiting Agreement (available on website) has been reached between a Club and
an individual for that individual to serve as the coach for one of the Club’s
competitive teams, the coach must request and receive a Coach’s Release
(available on website) if said coach wishes to go to another club for the
seasonal year. However, once a Recruiting
Agreement has been reached between a Club and an individual for that individual
to serve as the coach for one of the Club’s competitive teams, AND (b) the GCSA
Electronic Competitive Tryout Circular has been published, that individual may
not serve, during the seasonal year covered by the circular, as a coach,
assistant coach, manager or team trainer for another competitive team in the
same age and sex category without the prior consent of the Club for which he or
she had originally agreed to coach. (01/19/2011)
1. a. U11 through U18 Competitive Team
Formation
i. Formation
of U11 through U18 teams shall be done through an annual tryout, which shall be
open to all eligible players in the proper age division. Such open tryouts must be included in the
annual GCSA Electronic Tryout Circular described below, except as provided in b.,
below.
ii. Each
Club wishing to host a Competitive team in the U11 through U18 age division
must do so by submitting electronically an approved "Tryout Information
Form" to the Commission Chair by the dates approved by the Commission. The form must include the name of the coach
approved by the Club for that team. No
"to be announced" coaches will be accepted. It is generally understood, however, that
occasionally there may be a change in the announced coach due to an unexpected
circumstance. If this is the case, the
Club must notify GCSA immediately regarding the change.
iii. No
U11 through U18 team will be allowed to register that was not included in the
annual GCSA Electronic Tryout Circular (unless it can be clearly shown that
such omission was an oversight on the part of GCSA -
and that such omission was not the fault of the team or Club). Registration deadline will be decided
annually by the Competitive Commission and no team will be allowed to form
after that date.
iv. No
team will be permitted to change Club affiliation after the publication of the
GCSA Electronic Tryout Circular (i.e., a team may not be selected in one Club
and then register with another), without the original sponsoring Club's
approval prior to registration. No team
will be permitted to change club affiliation after registration.
v. All
Clubs/teams must use the same Tryout Information Form, as approved by the
Commission, and must include information as the dates, time and places for open
tryouts. Any and all fees and/or
expenses expected to be paid by players or their parents must be included on
the form. It is generally understood
that normal team operating expenses for uniforms, tournament fees, referees and
supplies can be listed on the form as such without an exact dollar amount
noted; however, the need to pay such costs must still be noted on the form. Extraordinary fees and expenses such as club
fees, coaching fees, training fees, etc., must be separately listed with exact
dollar amounts noted.
vi. The GCSA
Electronic Tryout Circular shall be published by
GCSA, who shall attempt to publish such Circular approximately thirty (30) days
before the "annual tryout period".
Publication of the Circular will be to all eligible players as shown in
the GCSA registration records.
vii. All
players are deemed free agents for the purpose of recruiting and tryouts during
the "annual tryout period", dates of which shall be set by the
Commission, subject to GCSA Board approval.
The Commission shall present proposed dates to the GCSA Board no later
than January of each year. It is
recognized that the "annual tryout period" may end before the date
established by the Commission for the registration of Competitive teams under
CLR, Section A., 2. herein. Any attempt
to "recruit" players committed to another Competitive team during the
time between the end of the annual tryout period and the registration of
Competitive teams by GCSA will be considered illegal recruiting.
viii. Prior
to the "annual tryout period", no players shall be directly contacted
by any coach, trainer or Club/team representative regarding tryouts for initial
team formation except as provided in ix., below. Direct contact may include contacts in person
or by telephone, fax, e-mail or mail. (This
provision in not intended to prohibit a head coach from discussing tryouts with
players currently registered with his own team if that coach is continuing to
coach with that club.) (01/19/2011)
ix. Beginning
one month prior to the "annual tryout period", public notices
regarding tryouts may be posted by teams, Clubs or organizations. Such
notices must be in an open public forum such as a public bulletin board,
newsletter, newspaper, etc. They may not
take the form of personal, direct contact as described above nor individually
handed out/mailed/e-mailed flyers. (01/19/2011)
x. No
player shall be selected by the coach prior to tryouts.
xi. GCSA
Clubs that form U11 Competitive teams may, with written permission from the
clubs Director of Coaching and/or Club President, roster two (2) U10 players on
a U11 competitive team. Once the players
have been rostered on a GCSA Competitive Roster they will not be allowed to
play back down on an Academy, Recreational, or Recreational Plus team for that
year (fall/spring). These players will
maintain the benefits of any other competitive player in GCSA. This means they would be eligible for travel,
with their rostered team, both in and out of state, and be eligible to
participate in any OSA Sanctioned League or State Cup. 03/25/2009 and 06/11/2009
xii. Players
may tryout for a team in any Club in GCSA.
xiii. Competitive
League (U11) teams shall be formed with a minimum of eleven (11) players and a
maximum of fourteen (14). (2004) Competitive League U12-U19 teams shall be
formed with a minimum of fourteen (14) players and a maximum of eighteen (18). Competitive League U16-U19 teams shall be
formed with a minimum of fourteen (14) players and a maximum of twenty-two (22). (08/28/2008)
xiv. Any
player who is not selected to a Competitive team shall be assigned to a
recreational team in their Home Club.
xv. After
initial team registration, tryouts for replacements or additions to a team
shall be approved by the Club with which the team is registered and do not need
to be advertised or posted.
xvi. Recreational
players selected, after recreational team registration, for a Competitive team
can be transferred to a Competitive team providing it does not drop the
recreational team to eleven (11) players in the U11 age division, thirteen (13)
or less players in the U12 and U14 age divisions or sixteen (16) players or
less in the U16 and U19 age divisions. (2004)
b. Under
19 Competitive Team Formation
i. Competitive teams may be formed by tryouts consistent with
the procedures set forth in CLR, B., 1., a., i., and ii.
ii. Recognizing the special needs and challenges of forming U19
teams (often primarily comprised of players attending college and not able to
participate in the Fall Competitive League), Clubs also may form U19 teams for
the Spring Competitive League, without conducting tryouts, during the period
commencing January 1 through February 15 of each seasonal year. Clubs may form U19 teams comprised of U19 (or
younger) players not registered on a GCSA Competitive team as of the date of
such player’s registration with the U19 team.
iii. The provisions of CLR, B., 1., a. shall not apply to U19
Competitive teams. Contact with a U19
player by a coach or a Club prior to or during the Spring U19 Registration
period shall not be considered illegal recruitment. The coach or Club representative of a U19
team may contact unaffiliated U18 and younger players for purposes of
recruiting the player for a U19 team formed or to be formed for the Spring
Competitive season. As used in the
preceding sentence, a player is “unaffiliated” if that player is not registered
on a GCSA Competitive team as of the date of the contact with that player. No player may transfer to a U19 team except
in accordance with the terms of CLR, A., 1., d.
iv. U19 Competitive League teams shall be formed with a minimum
of 14 players and a maximum of 18.
v. U19 Competitive League teams do not have to be advertised in
the annual GCSA Tryout Circular to form.
2 Sponsorship
a. Any Competitive team may secure a sponsor or sponsors to aid
them with expenses.
b. Caution and common sense shall be exercised in the selection
of a team sponsor to maintain the character, spirit and intent of GCSA and its
ideal of sportsmanship, character building, participation and teamwork. Sponsor approval by the Club with which the
team is registered shall be required.
c. Sponsor
insignia may appear on player uniforms, warm-up suits, jackets, equipment bags,
etc., without size restriction.
d. Sponsors shall not be permitted any authority or control of
player selection, game participation or coach selection.
e. Any
team and/or club found guilty of impropriety in regard to team sponsorship may
be suspended or otherwise dealt with by the GCSA Games & Disciplinary
Committee.
3. Dissolution
a. Dissolution of a team by the registering Club shall be
reported, in writing, to the Commission Chairman and GCSA Office Manager within
24 hours of the Club’s decision.
b. If the matter of dissolution cannot be handled by the
registering Club, then dissolution of a team by the GCSA Office Manager shall
be based upon a written recommendation by the Competitive Commission who will
determine the viability of the registering Club to continue to field a team as
registered.
c. Upon dissolution of a team, players become free agents and
no longer need transfer/release forms to register with another team. (2004)
1. Selection
and Limitation
a. A
coach shall be selected or approved by the sponsoring Club and shall remain as
coach at the discretion of that Club.
b. A
coach, once selected or approved by the sponsoring Club, and listed on the
roster of a particular team submitted to GCSA, shall be prohibited from serving
during the following seasonal year with another Club as a coach, assistant
coach, trainer or team official of a team of the same gender and birth year,
unless the sponsoring Club consents in writing.
2. Responsibilities
and Duties
a. A coach shall have the final right of selection of players
subject to the rules set forth for players’ tryouts and selection.
b. Each coach shall assure that all his players are properly
registered prior to participation in scheduled games.
c. A
coach shall secure approval of their Club to drop a registered player from
their team roster.
d. Each coach shall be responsible for ensuring the GCSA Rules
of Competition are complied with by players and spectators and for maintaining
order and respect by players and spectators for referees, players and others
involved with the game. Failure to
adhere to this requirement may result in forfeiture, suspension, or both.
e. Each
coach shall assure that each player's jersey number is correctly recorded on
the Official GCSA Competitive League Roster/Game Form/Game Card prior to each
game.
f. All coaches shall have approved individual player passes
(with current picture affixed and player's signature) at each game.
g. The
winning coach (or home coach in the case of a tie) shall collect both Official
GCSA Competitive League Roster/Game Form/Game Card following each game and
shall provide the Official GCSA Competitive League Roster/Game Form/Game Card
to the League Commission within seventy-two (72) hours of the completion of the
game. In the case of a game termination
or an ejection, see GCSA S.R. Section V., D., 3.
h. Each coach shall be responsible for the training and
conditioning of their players.
i. Except as otherwise provided in the Competitive League
Rules and Regulations, all Competitive League coaches shall be responsible for
adhering to all applicable GCSA Standing Rules and Competitive League Rules and
Regulations.
j. All coaches shall have copies of the players’ registration
forms at all team activities.
k. It
is the responsibility of the home coach to provide a suitably marked field
which, in the opinion of the referee, complies with the requirements stated in
the FIFA and GCSA rules.
l. Each coach shall sign their Official GCSA Team Roster/Game
Form/Game Card and that of the opposing coach following each game.
m. Failure
of a coach to uphold GCSA Bylaws and Standing Rules and GCSA Competitive League
Rules and Regulations shall result in disciplinary action by the GCSA Games &
Disciplinary Committee.
1. Except
as provided herein, the FIFA "Laws of the Game" shall apply to all
Competitive League competition.
a. All
players shall be required to have an approved player pass (with current picture
affixed and players signature) and to produce their approved pass prior to the
start of each game.
b. The
U11-U12 age divisions shall use a size 4 ball which shall be 25 inches to 26
inches in circumstance and shall weigh 11 ounces to 13 ounces.
c. Substitutions
shall be unlimited and shall be permitted in accordance with GCSA Standing
Resolution Section V., B., 2, which shall apply to all age divisions.
d. Players
equipment
i. Competitive
teams shall have two contrasting jerseys. Home teams shall wear their "Light"
color uniform and the Away teams shall wear their "Dark" color
uniform, teams in error will be responsible for change of jersey. Socks shall be different for each team and
match their "Light" or "Dark" uniform set. (02/24/2010)
ii. Each
player shall carry a unique number, which corresponds with player’s name on the
Official GCSA Competitive League Roster/Game Form/Game Card.
iii. The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section V., C., shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
e. Duration
of Game
All
games shall be played in accordance with GCSA S.R. Section V., E.
2. Game
Officials
a. It
shall be the responsibility of the Home Club to assure that a registered
referee and assistant referees are provided for Competitive League games. If the proper number of game officials is not
provided, the game may be rescheduled at the request of either coach.
b. Unless
both coaches agree prior to the start of the game, an official may not work a
game in which a relative is participating.
c. The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section V., D., 2. and 3. shall also apply to the
Competitive League.
1. Official
game
An
official game shall be determined in accordance with GCSA S.R. Section VI., B.
2. League
Formation and Scheduling
a. The Commission
shall have responsibility for the formation of all leagues-of-competition.
b. All
teams in the Competitive League shall be placed in leagues-of-competition by
the Commission according to ability.
i. Factors
which the Commission should consider in determining placement of teams in
leagues-of-competition include, but are not limited to, the following (listed
in no particular order):
(a) last
season's record,
(b) last
year's State Cup results,
(c) other
tournament results,
(d) number
of returning players,
(e) age mix
of team between younger and older players, and
(f) coach
requests.
Note
that if accurate information is not provided by team/club when due, it is no
reason to fault the scheduling done by the Commission and their placement
decision stands. (01/19/2011)
ii. Requests
by teams to play-up (i.e., be included in a league-of-competition with an older
age division) must be submitted in writing, on the approved form, to the Commission
prior to the date established by the Commission each season. It shall be the responsibility of the Commission
to approve or deny such requests, subject to appeal to the Competitive
Commission as a whole.
c. The GCSA
Scheduler shall:
i. Ensure that all teams are provided with a schedule
consisting of not less than six (6) games.
ii. Form
leagues-of-competition with no less than four (4) teams of an approximately
equal ability level, whenever possible.
iii. Make
all decisions regarding the approval of requests for closing of
leagues-of-competition (i.e., forming a league with all teams from the same
Club).
(a) Leagues-of-competition shall be considered
"open". (01/19/2011)
iv. Provide
that each team shall play approximately one-half of its games on its home
field.
v. Consider out-of-town travel demands in its leaguing
decisions, whenever possible.
d. League
Commissioners shall be members of the Commission. (See GCSA S.R. Section VI., E.). No League Commissioner shall be either a
coach or a parent on a team in that league.
e. The Commission shall decide the dates for the beginning and
ending of each Competitive League season.
All games played to determine leagues-of-competition standings shall be
played within the allotted time span.
3. Game
cancellation, postponement and rescheduling
a. Games
can only be postponed in accordance with the following:
i. Both coaches must agree with the postponement.
ii. The
League Commissioner must be notified by both coaches no later than seventy-two
(72) hours prior to the scheduled game time and the Referee Unit for the Home
Club must also be notified by the home coach no later than seventy-two (72)
hours prior to the scheduled game time.
iii. A
mutually agreed upon reschedule date must be provided to the League
Commissioner at the time the postponement is requested.
iv. If
the coaches cannot agree on the postponement, the League Commissioner shall
determine if the request is reasonable. If
the League Commissioner determines the request is reasonable, or if the coaches
cannot otherwise agree on the time and place of a reschedule, the League
Commissioner may set the time and place for the rescheduled game. Multiple reschedule requests by a team or
club are discouraged.
b. If the
reason for the requested postponement is participation in a USYS sanctioned
tournament, agreement of the coaches will not be required. However, items ii. and iii. in Section a.
above must still be adhered to or the postponement will not be granted.
c. In the
case of inclement weather, a game can be postponed if:
i. The
Home Club closes its field, or
ii. Both
coaches agree, prior to arriving at the field, that the game should be
postponed. Otherwise, both teams are
required to show up at the field. The
decision as to whether of not to play the game will then be made by the referee
assigned to the game.
iii. If a
game is postponed due to inclement weather, an agreed upon reschedule date must
be provided to the League Commissioner within seven (7) days. If the coaches are unable to agree upon a
reschedule date, it can then be the responsibility of the League Commissioner
to set the time and place for the rescheduled game.
d. With
any postponement, it is the responsibility of the Home team to provide the
appropriate notification to the Referee Unit for the Home Club.
e. Failure
to play a game on the original scheduled date or on the agreed upon rescheduled
date will result in a request for a forfeit being sent to the GCSA Games &
Disciplinary Committee.
f. All
postponed games shall be rescheduled through the League Commissioner within
seven (7) days and played within seven (7) days following the end of the
season.
4. Forfeiture
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section VI. G., shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
5. Cautions,
ejections and discipline
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section VI. H. shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
6. Disciplinary
Point System
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section VI. I. shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
7. Protests
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section VI. J. shall apply to the Competitive League.
8. Termination
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section VI. K. shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
The
provisions of GCSA S.R. Section VII. shall also apply to the Competitive
League.
1. U10
Player - A player that has turned 9 years old by July 31st of the tryout year
and is eligible for U10 soccer.
2. U9
Player - A player that is still eligible for U9 soccer (has not turned 9 yrs
old by July 31st of the tryout year)
3. U11
Competitive Team - A team that has been formed following all Country, State,
and USYS team formation guidelines.
4. Director
of Coaching - A person in charge of overseeing the Competitive Program for a
club.
5. Club
President - The active President of a club that is in good standing with their
Country and State Association.
[1] Approved: Officially stamped through GotSoccer by the
GCSA Office Manager.