Milton Youth Soccer Club Rules and Regulations A. ADMINISTRATION RULES Rule 1 - General Milton Youth Soccer Club (the Club) reserves the right to amend any policies that may be for the betterment of the Club or to comply with any new Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) rulings that have been implemented. Rule 2 - Registration (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Every player in the Club must be properly registered before he/she can participate in any game within or sanctioned by the Club. Anyone registering after 4:00 p.m. on the final regular registration day for either summer or winter programmes shall be required to pay an additional late fee. Registrations may be made by mail. The player will be deemed registered when the registrar receives the form postmarked no later than the final day of registration (or late fee applies). Each player shall register on the official registration form. Proof of birth date must be produced by new registrants. Records held on previous players shall contain previously verified birth dates. A player may not play on a recreational (house league) team whilst registered to play in a competitive league. Registrations will be assigned to teams by the convenor who will give due regard to proper balancing of leagues. Rule 3 - Refunds (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) Registration fee will be fully refunded until April 30 th of the current year. Between May 1 st and May 31 st of the current year, the registration fee, less a $25.00 Administration Fee, will be refunded upon the return of a complete uniform in good condition. No refunds will be given after May 31 st of the current year. Refund cheques will be issued once, in the month of June. A late fee of $25.00 will be charged for all players registering after the final open registration. This fee will apply until after photo day of the current year. After photo day the late fee of $25.00 will no longer apply, but the full fee will be charged for all registrations. In the event that a player has not paid their Club fees 3 weeks prior to the Club s scheduled season start date, the player will be ineligible to start the season until such time that payment of the outstanding fees has been completed. Refunds to Rep and Select players who pull out from playing with the Club, after their Player Book has been submitted to PHSA, will have the amount of
the Sticker Fee deducted from any refund the player may be entitled to receive. Rule 4 - Age Groups (a) The Club will register players from age 3 (Under 4) to all Adult ages. (b) Any player may be registered in any age division provided he/she has not reached the stipulated age BEFORE January in the current year. For example, a player who reaches the age of 12 on January 1 st may still register in the Under 12 age group. (c) The definition of the following age groups shall be: Age Group Known As 22 nd birthday and older Adult League 18 th birthday through 21 st birthday Under 21 17 th birthday Under 17 16 th birthday Under 16 15 th birthday Under 15 14 th birthday Under 14 13 th birthday Under 13 12 th birthday Under 12 11 th birthday Under 11 10 th birthday Under 10 9 th birthday Under 9 8 th birthday Under 8 7 th birthday Under 7 6 th birthday Under 6 5 th birthday Under 5 4 th birthday Under 4 (d) Because the number of players registered in each age group will vary in each season, the age groups within a league may vary too. For example, the league called Under 12 may include Under 11 s in order to field an appropriate number of teams. Rule 5 - Equalization (a) For the purpose of providing a balanced and competitive house league, the Club reserves the right to transfer any players from one team to any other team before the fourth (4 th ) league game. Any transfer after the fourth game must have approval of the Board of Directors. Hereafter, the transferring of players is referred to as equalization.
(b) It shall be the responsibility of the league convenor to arbitrate should agreement between the coaches on equalization not be reached. During equalization, the names of the sponsor s, coach s, assistant coach s, son(s) or daughter(s) may be omitted. All other team members shall be available for transfer. (c) Movement of more than three (3) players from any team shall not be allowed. (d) In the event that a player has been transferred the preceding year, that player may be excluded from equalization for the current season. It shall be the responsibility of the convenor to inform the Registrar of the names of the players proposed to be transferred. (e) It is the responsibility of the league convenor to inform the player and/or parents immediately that the player has been moved to another team. The convenor shall then inform the player s new coach such that necessary arrangements can be made. B. PLAYING RULES (HOUSE LEAGUE) Rule 6 - Playing Time All house league players within the Club must be given a minimum of 50% of playing time in each house league and playoff game. This is the responsibility of the coaches and the intent of this rule is that house league coaches balance playing time amongst all their players equitably. Rule 7 - Number of Players In house league, during the entire playing season, including Club tournaments, teams will play an equal number of players (e.g. if one team can only field nine players, both teams will field nine players). Rule 8 - Substitutions Substitutes are allowed in house league soccer by request to, and approval of, the referee as follows: (a) Goal kicks; (b) Restarts; (c) Throw-ins when initiated by the team taking the throw-in; and (d) At the discretion of the referee, a team can substitute when a player is injured. Rule 9 - Duration of Games Playing time shall be as follows: U5, U6, U7 - two twenty-five (25) minute halves U8, U9, U10 - two thirty (30) minute halves
Rule 10 - Ball Sizes Ball sizes are as follows: U11, U12 - two thirty-five (35) minute halves U13, U14 - two forty (40) minute halves U15 to U18 - two forty-five (45) minute halves U5, U6, U7 Size 3 U8 to U12 Size 4 U13 to U19 Size 5 Rule 11 - Footwear/Dangerous Apparel All players will wear soccer boots or running shoes. Players must comply with The OSA Guidelines regarding FIFA Law 4 Players Equipment. Players must not wear jewelry and if, in the opinion of the referee, they are wearing dangerous footwear, or other items which may cause injury to other players or themselves, they will not be allowed to play. Rule 12 - Point Scoring In competitive house league, points are awarded as follows: Win 3 points Tie 1 point Loss 0 points There shall be no league standings in mini soccer play. Rule 13 - Forfeit of Game A team will forfeit a game for any of the following reasons: (a) (b) (c) (d) failure of a team to appear for a game; if a team delays the start of the game by fifteen (15) minutes or more; if a team has less than seven (7) players unless caused by injury during the game; or if a team fields a player who is not registered in that team, without the agreement of the opposing coach. and the game will be awarded to the opposing team by a score of 1-0 Rule 14 - Game Sheets The home coach is responsible for supplying the game sheet, which is to be completed and signed by both coaches and the referee and submitted to the league convenor by the home coach.
Rule 15 - Lack of a Referee Should the designated referee not be available, then a neutral referee acceptable to both coaches will referee the game. Failing this option, then each coach (or assistant) is expected to referee one-half of the game. Rule 16 - Abandoned Games If a game is abandoned with less than ten (10) minutes of the second half played, the game will be scored as a 0-0 draw. If ten (10) minutes or more of the second half have been played, the score will stand. No replay of the game will be permitted. Rule 17 - Rescheduling/Postponement (a) There will be no changes to scheduled game dates unless authorized by the league convenor. There will be no postponed games, except when: i. ordered by the referee; or ii. in the absence of a referee, both coaches agree that weather conditions and/or field conditions are unsafe. (b) In the event neither team fields a minimum of seven (7) players, no points shall be awarded and the game shall not be rescheduled. Rule 18 - Tournament/Playoff Tie Breaking (a) Standings In tournaments and end of season playoffs, where it is necessary to establish places for purposes of deciding divisional winners and runners-up or wild card places, positions shall be decided as follows: i. Most points; ii. if tied, Goals for/against difference; iii. if still tied, Goals against; iv. if still tied, Result of game(s) between the tied teams; v. and, if still tied, Board decision (b) Overtime/Penalty Kicks In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time in: i. An end of season playoff game; ii. Tournament games; The winner shall be determined by:
i. Two five (5) minute overtime periods, alternating ends of field, with the first team to score declared the winner ( golden goal ). ii. If still tied at the end of overtime, then: Penalty kicks using a set of five (5) players from each team, who will take one kick each. Players may only be selected from among those on the field at the end of the second overtime period. iii. iv. If still tied after the first set of penalty kicks, then: Penalty kicks, using all the remaining players on the team, who were not part of he first set of five, until every player on the team has taken one kick, then: Penalty kicks continuing in the same sequence as for the first kicks until the game is decided. For (iii) and (iv), the winning team is decided by sudden death the first team to be ahead on goals when both teams have taken an equal number of kicks is the winner. Rule 19 - Practices v. If the game is abandoned while still tied, the game will be replayed. (a) Communal Practice sessions for Coaches and Players in House League will be scheduled by the Club for U16 and above. Coaches of these teams shall have the option of attending the Club scheduled practice or scheduling their own. C. ALL-STAR, SELECT AND REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS Rule 19 - Number of Teams Milton Youth Soccer Club reserves the right to limit the amount of teams in each age group. Rule 20 - Number of Players Teams for under 10 and below will play 7 aside and will be a maximum of 13 players. Teams for under 11 and up will play 11 aside and should have a minimum of 15 players. Rule 21 - Player Selection (a) Teams will be comprised of players that have been selected through an open try-out process sponsored by the Club. (b) All-Star tryouts will be held in the spring, on a predetermined date set by the Club, usually the weekend after the first week of play.
(c) Rep. and Select tryouts will be held in the fall, on a predetermined date set by the Club, and a minimum 11 players must be selected at that time. A preliminary list of players, with signatures indicating commitment to play, is to be handed in no later than November 1st. Coaches must advise the 11 players that they have made the team. Rep. and Select coaches may request another tryout in the spring to fill their roster if necessary. (d) All coaches must conduct open tryouts before making their final player selections. (e) Rep. / Select coaches must submit a list of all players trying out or training inclusive the 11 who have made the team no later than Feb 1. Rep. / Select coaches must release any player who is trying out and has a spot reserved in the Club house league by no later than March 1. Players released after this date may not be guaranteed a place in the house league. (f) All Rep. / Select teams must have a minimum of 15 players selected to the team roster by no later than March 1. Coaches must submit completed player books, registration forms and fees to the Rep. / Select convenor by March 1. Rule 22 - Player Registration (a) Players must be members of the Club as listed with the Club registrar. (b) All selected players are subject to a Rep./ Select/All-Star fee as determined by The Board. (c) It is the responsibility of the team head coach to insure that all players have registered properly, Club registration forms have been filled out, and all monies owed to the Club collected (registration fees, rep. fees). (d) Monies owing and forms must be handed in no later than January 15th, (December 1st for Elite teams only), to ensure that teams will be registered with the appropriate League. Cheques may be post dated to these dates. (e) A full roster of All-Star players complete with birth dates must be handed in to the Registrar before June 15th for approval. (f) For all Rep and Select teams, it is the responsibility of the team to pay Player Registration fees directly to the Club in (2) instalments. Rule 23 - Player Participation All Representative, Select and All-Star players of Club teams within the Club must be given a reasonable amount of playing time during each game. This is the responsibility of the team coaches.
Rule 24 - Under Age Players There may only be a total of 3 under age players in any one age group s Rep/Select/All Star teams, if there is a team in an age group below. If the Representative team has selected 3 under-age players, and where there is a Rep/Select/All Star team in the age division immediately below, a Select and/or All-Star team must request an independent player evaluation by the Club review committee before being eligible to offer a position to any under age player. (See MYSC Policy on Under-Age Players). Rule 25 - Coach Selection and Qualifications (a) All coaches will be selected based on their qualifications, references and philosophy towards coaching. All coaches are expected to comply with all Club rules, guidelines and policies. (b) At under 9 and below, coaches must have minimum of OSA Community coach Level 1 At under 10 to under 12 coaches, must have minimum of OSA Community coach Level 2 At under 13 and up coaches, must have minimum of OSA Community coach Level 3 (c) All Rep. / Select coaches applying for a newly formed Rep team must complete one year of All-Star with the team they are applying for. The performance of the All-Star team and experience of the coach will be reviewed. This does not apply to teams already in existence. (d) Coaching applications for Rep./ Select teams must be submitted to the Board of Directors on or before August 1st. All references will be checked. All coaches are subject to a police check. Applications will then be subject to Board approval. All applicants will be subject to an interview by an Interview Committee that shall be comprised of at least 3 members of the Board of Directors, in addition to the Technical Director, should the position of Technical Director be filled at the time of the interviews. (e) Coaching applications for All-Star teams must be submitted to the Board of Directors on or before April 1st of the upcoming summer soccer season. Applications will then be subject to Board approval. All applicants will be subject to an interview by an Interview Committee that shall be comprised of at least 3 members of the Board of Directors, in addition to the Technical Director, should the position of Technical Director be filled at the time of the interviews. (f) The team head coach must submit a list of team staff by March 1 including the names of all assistant coaches and managers for approval by the Board of Directors. A maximum of 4 staff per team and a minimum of 3 staff per team will be permitted
(including head coach). Additionally, it is recommended that the 2 signing officers of the team are not from the same household. (g) The Board of Directors has the sole authority to select, renew, or revoke any coaching or team administrator appointments within the Club. (h) No person shall be the Head Coach within the Club, of more than 1 Youth Rep, Select or All-Star team in a specific season, or be listed as Youth Coaching Staff of another club. (i) Coaching applicants should include full disclosure as to whether they are a coach of a team within another organization, Club, or League for that current season. (j) Every Rep, Select and All Star team will select an individual from the team to perform the role of Parent Liaison. The role of the Parent Liaison is to act as the central point of contact for any issues, questions or concerns that a parent may have with respect to the coaching or management of the team. In addition, the Parent Liaison may act as the central point of communication between the Coaching Staff and the parents of the team. The Parent Liaison is not required to have coaching certifications, is not carded to the team and is not considered to be a member of the Coaching Staff. Rule 26 - Sponsorship (a) Rep. and Select teams are responsible for obtaining their own sponsor. The sponsorship fee for a Club team is $ 450 per season or as determined by the Board of Directors. (b) All Rep/Select teams will have the option of providing each of their 2 primary sponsors, which are defined as the Blue jersey sponsor and the White jersey sponsor, an opportunity to advertise on the Club website. Advertising will consist of the sponsor(s) name and/or logo, with a hyperlink. (c) Rep and Select teams are permitted to obtain a maximum of (2) Milton Community sponsorships, (1) for their Blue jersey and (1) for their White jersey. Any requests for additional Community sponsorships for the team must be made as a written request to the Board of Directors by January 31 st of the upcoming outdoor season. All requests for additional Community sponsorships must include a detailed explanation as to the purpose of the funds. Rule 27 - Team Responsibilities (a) Teams are responsible for the payment of any fines incurred through out the season due to actions on the field or improper paperwork that is the responsibility of the team.
(b) All requests for such things as equipment, gym time, field bookings, travel permits, player books, referee fees, etc. must be made through either the appropriate convenor or coaching convenor and are subject to Board approval. (c) Teams are responsible for the preparation of a Team Budget that provides details on the financials of each Rep and Select team. The Team Budget is to be prepared at the beginning of the season, following the fall tryouts, updated at the end of the indoor season, and reconciled at the end of the outdoor season. Team Budgets are to be submitted to the Rep Convener. Rule 28 - Tournaments (a) Teams will be allowed to request, from the Board, fees for tournaments. Teams Under 9 and up will be reimbursed up to 600 dollars per season. Under 8 and down will be reimbursed up to 275 dollars. All teams are responsible for raising their own funds beyond this amount. (b) Tournaments fee requests must go through the appropriate convenor. Requests must be accompanied with a copy of the tournament application form. Teams must provide copies of tournament acceptance or will be asked to reimburse the Club any tournament fees not used. (c) It is the responsibility of the team head coach to submit to the Club any or all request for travel permits 3 weeks before needing them. (d) No tournaments are to be schedule on dates that conflict with such events as Picture Day, Mini tournament Day, Skills Day and Finals Day etc. Teams must confirm with the Board what these dates are before planning tournaments. (e) The All-Star Tournament team does not take precedent over the house league team, with the exception of weekend house league practices that can be missed for an All-Star tournament. All house league functions set forth by the Board must be attended, injury, illness and urgent personal matters excepted. (f) All registered teams are property of the Club and must adhere to all policies or face having their application revoked. Rule 29 - Representative/Select Teams (a) New teams must have a minimum 75% of players residing within Milton. Any out of town players for new or existing teams must be submitted to the Board for approval.. (b) House league players may be asked to play on a call up basis when needed. All players who are selected as a house league call up must play in the Club house league.
(c) Rep. / Select coaches are required to attend all Rep. / Select meetings set forth by the Rep. / Select convenor. A team manager designated by the head coach may attend in the coach's place. (d) No Rep. teams younger than Under 11 or Select teams younger than Under 9 will be accepted. (e) No teams may apply for indoor Rep. leagues or any other leagues not sanctioned by the Club. (f) Rep. / Select teams must maintain a team bank account for team finances. Accounts may be audited by the Club. (g) Teams must advise Rep. / Select Convenor of all fundraising strategies. (h) The official Club tracksuit will be the only suit permitted for Rep. teams and is considered an extension of the team uniform. The Club will maintain the same tracksuit for 2 years. (i) Any use of the Milton Magic name/logo or Milton Youth Soccer Club Crest/name is not permitted without approval by the Rep. / Select Convenor or Executive Member of the Club. Rule 30 - Rep. Team Performance Criteria (a) New teams The first season is considered an introduction to the Rep. program. By the 2nd season a team must achieve a minimum of 25% of points available ( 25% of 14 games x 3 points = 10 points) (b) Existing teams must achieve a minimum of 25% of points in any one season over a 2 season period. If 25% of points are not achieved, the Board of Directors will review team and coaching status prior to acceptance of a 3rd year consecutive application. D. DISCIPLINE and APPEALS Rule 31 - Game-Related Discipline (a) Discipline is rendered by the Club in accordance with the Ontario Soccer Association Published Rules. (b) Any player given a red card, or three yellow cards in the same season, or any team official dismissed by the referee, shall be deemed to have contravened the rules of the Club and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
(c) The Club shall manage game-related misconduct by players and team officials under the Discipline By Review (DBR) process to the extent permitted by OSA Discipline Policies (OSA Policies, Section 9.0, Policy 7.0). It is the responsibility of the Discipline Review Chairperson to understand where the DBR system may be applied. (d) Any game-related discipline which cannot be handled by DBR, and all Administrative Discipline, shall be handled under the Discipline by Hearing (DBH) process (OSA Policies, Section 9.0, Policy 8.0). (e) All players under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult adviser (parent, coach or other) at any discipline hearing. (f) Any Player or team official reported for Game Official Assault will be immediately suspended from all soccer activities, until the charge has been dealt with by the Peel Halton Soccer Association. Rule 32 - Other Discipline (a) Other events which may result in discipline include violations of the Rep/Select/All-Star Coaches Code of Conduct; or behavioural incidents or abusive conduct on the part of team officials, game officials, parents or spectators, including incidents involving improper behaviour by parents during or after a game; or the inappropriate behaviour of a Coach towards a player. (b) All Club Members shall treat each other, the players and coaches of opposing teams, and teams from other clubs, with courtesy and respect. There will be no verbal exchanges on or off the field. (c) Any Club Member may submit a written complaint to the league convenor or directly to the Board of Directors. (d) If any Club Member wishes to make a complaint against a referee, such a complaint shall be made in writing to the league convenor. Under no circumstances will any Club Member challenge a decision of or abuse a referee. (e) For any referee s report, or other written complaint, of a behavioural incident or violation of the Rep/Select/All-Star Coaches Code of Conduct, the Board of Directors shall review the particulars to determine the appropriate action which could include - an explanation or clarification of Club Rules or Policy - a written reprimand or letter of warning against future behaviour - notice of a Discipline Hearing (f) A Club Member found guilty after such a Hearing may be suspended for a period of time or a number of games and, in extreme cases or for repeated offenses, may be expelled from Membership in the Club. The Board of Directors shall have the authority in such cases to deregister all Active Players associated with any expelled parent Member.
Rule 33 - Appeals (a) Club decisions may be appealed to PHSA under the OSA procedures (OSA Member Policies, Section 10.0). (b) Under OSA Discipline Policies, a DBR decision cannot be appealed. (c) In accordance with the Constitution, any appointment, non-appointment, reappointment or revocation of an appointment may not be appealed, except where the Rules & Regulations have not been followed. E. STAFF APPOINTMENTS Rule 34 - Hiring Process (a) All full-time and contract positions must have job descriptions approved by the Board before the hiring process begins. (b) All such positions shall be fairly advertised, at a minimum on the Club website, and hiring will be done by a Hiring sub-committee struck by the Board. (c) All full time and contract positions will have contracts approved by the Board. (d) All such staff will have annual performance reviews conducted by a sub-committee of the Board, membership of which shall be appointed by the President. (e) Any performance issues will be communicated in writing and a performance improvement plan will be initiated prior to any consideration of dismissal. Just cause must be shown for any dismissal and approval of the Board is required. (f) Temporary/Occasional staff are exempt from the above rules and may be hired at the discretion of the Board.