Revised April 2015 Madisonville Youth Boosters Competitive Soccer League Policies 2015-2016 The purpose of Madisonville Youth Boosters Competitive Soccer League (MYB-CSL) is to develop high level soccer players at the U-11 thru U-18 age levels. MYB-CSL will organize and direct players in a competitive soccer program and provide the best structure, environment and volunteer coaching staff available in order to enhance the players development. The objective of the Competitive Soccer League level of play within MYB is to provide a competitive and challenging environment for players to develop the skills required to succeed in high school and/or State Competitive Level 1 soccer. Administration Madisonville Youth Boosters Competitive Soccer League adheres to the organizational guidelines of the Madisonville Youth Boosters Association. Those guidelines can be found at: http://www.coquillerecreation.com The administrative hierarchy for MYB-CSL is as follows: Soccer Program Director (SPD) Appointed by the Recreation District 14 Board Competitive Soccer league Commissioner (CSLC) Appointed by the Soccer Director Recreational Soccer League Commissioner (RSLC) Appointed by the Soccer Director The MYB Coaching Committee shall be composed of the following positions: MYB Soccer Program Director, Competitive Soccer League Commissioner and Recreational Soccer League Commissioner. Those interested in serving in one of these listed positions should submit their name to the Soccer Program Director for consideration. Team Formation Team formation must be completed prior to July 15th or open registration for recreational teams whichever comes first. This allows players that are not selected for the Competitive Soccer League program the opportunity to play at the recreational level. MYB-CSL will attempt to form at least one Competitive Soccer League team per age group, U-11 to U-18, players permitting. Separate boys and girls teams will be formed. All players that wish to be considered for placement on a competitive soccer team must complete the MYB on-line registration form and must provide a copy of his/her birth certificate. This includes players that do not attend a club administered tryout. Players attending separate tryouts are still required to complete on-line registration prior to the tryout date. Coaches/Manager will check each player s birth certificate to verify the DOB. Minimum and maximum roster size for competitive soccer teams is set per Louisiana Soccer Association (LSA) Policy 302.10 and varies by age group. All rosters will be approved by the Competitive Soccer league Commissioner. 1
Game and Tournament Participation All competitive teams will use the following min/max limits when planning their season schedules. U11 Teams - - Fall Tournament participation is limited to 2, with no out of state travel. Total number of games that can be played including tournaments and league is 15. - Spring Tournament participation is limited to 4 including State Cup, only 1 of which can be out of state. No back to back tournament dates. Total number of games that can be played including tournaments and league is 15. U12 Teams - Fall Tournament participation is limited to 3, only 1 of which can be out of state. Total number of games that can be played including tournaments and league is 16. - Spring Tournament participation is limited to 4 including State Cup, only 1 of which can be out of state. No back to back tournament dates. Total number of games that can be played including tournaments and league is 20. U13 Teams - Fall Tournament participation is limited to 3, only 1 of which can be out of state. Total number of games that can be played including tournaments, league games and friendlies is 18. - Spring Tournament participation is limited to 4 including State Cup, only 1 of which can be out of state. No back to back tournament dates. Total number of games that can be played including tournaments, league games and friendlies is 20. U14-U18 Teams - Will participate in at least 2 tournaments and 4-7 league games or friendlies. Minimum number of games to play in the Fall season is 12. - Will participate in at least 3 tournaments and 5-9 league games or friendlies. Minimum number of games to play in the Spring season is 18. Teams wishing to exceed the limits set above must submit a written request to the Soccer Program Director for approval. The request must include the reason/s and the benefits of why the team needs to exceed the limits. 2
Tryouts The Madisonville Youth Boosters Competitive Soccer League follows standardized tryouts which have been approved by the Soccer Program Director (SPD) and the Competitive Soccer League Commissioner (CSLC). Any changes to the standard tryout format must be approved by the SPD and CSLC. It is highly recommended that potential players attend all tryout days to allow for maximum evaluation opportunity; however, it is required that potential players attend at least one day of try-outs. Player selection will be based upon performance at tryouts, performance during previous year s play, player evaluations from previous coaches and previous practice/game attendance, attitude, coach-ability and work ethic. Player Selection The head coach for each Competitive Soccer League team will select players for his/her roster. Players for teams that currently have no assigned head coach will be selected by a group of Competitive League coaches designated by the Competitive Soccer League Commissioner. Coaches will have the ability to add players up to their roster maximum throughout the season. LSA freezes all competitive soccer league rosters two weeks prior to the start of the state tournament for each age group in the spring season. There is NO guarantee that every player that attends tryouts will be placed on a Competitive League team. Coaches will not be required to add players as long as their team meets the LSA minimum roster size requirements. Playing Time MYB strongly encourages that playing time be maximized for all players. Coaches will take playing time into consideration when deciding on team roster sizes and will be responsible for developing their players through game situations. There is no minimum playing time enforced in the Competitive Soccer League through LSA or MYB. It is expected that coaches will use their best judgment given particular game situations which will ensure that players are getting regular time over the course of the season. 3
Play-Up Policy The MYB-CSL does not endorse playing up. Players who chose to play-up will find themselves competing against players who are a year older in age, grade, mental maturity and physical size. MYB-CSL strongly encourages parents to keep children in their age group based on the age cut-offs as directed by the Louisiana Soccer Association. There are certain circumstances that MYB-CSL would allow a player to play up: 1. The player s skill and dedication justifies the placement on an older team. 2. Any other circumstances deemed appropriate by the MYB Coaching Committee. 3. Any player currently playing up will be allowed to continue playing with his/her team. For a player to play-up, certain criteria must be met: 1. The MYB Coaching Committee must unanimously approve the request. 2. There is no team in the players proper Age group. 3. A player will NOT be approved to play up if they displace (cause someone to be cut due to roster limitations) a player who is already on the approved roster at the higher age group. 4. Players who previously played up and were moved down to their proper age group will not be allowed to play up again. Under no circumstances will a player under the age of 9 be allowed to play on a Competitive Soccer league team (LSA policy 302.9.2.3). Players 8 years old and younger cannot become a guest player on older team (LSA Policy 305-1(A)(1c). 4
Coaching Staff The Coaching Committee will designate a coach for each Competitive Soccer team. If there are multiple candidates interested in coaching a particular age group, the selection of coach will be based on several factors including but not limited to, coaching history which will include coaching license level, number of years coaching with MYB, total number of years coaching and any past disciplinary actions or complaints. When two teams in the same age group are merging to form one team in the same age group or the next higher age group (i.e. two U11 teams merge to form one U12 team), the Coaching Committee will designate a coach for that team. If there are multiple candidates interested in coaching the merged team, the selection of the coach will be based on several factors including but not limited to, coaching history which will include coaching license level, number of years coaching with MYB, total number of years coaching and any past disciplinary actions or complaints. Per LSA Policy 311(2), all Competitive League Soccer Head coaches and Assistants are required to have at least a USSF E License, NSCAA equivalent, or an LSA E-waiver. Coaches not meeting this requirement will be required to submit a request for an E-Waiver. The coach will complete the E-Waiver Request form and submit it to LSA Office along with a $25 waiver fee. A coach whose waiver request is denied by LSA will not be allowed to coach at the Competitive Level, until such time that he/she meets the minimum certification standards. Annually, all competitive league coaches will complete and sign the MYB coaching application, MYB Competitive Coaches Job Description Form, and MYB Coaches Code of Conduct form. They must also complete the on-line LSA risk management form and CDC Concussion training through their individual GotSoccer Coach account. Coaches will select assistant coaches based on the guidelines for coaching. Each Competitive League team must have a team manager, selected by the coach (see handout for Team Manager Responsibilities). Teams may elect to have a Trainer on the sidelines during competition; however, the trainer is prohibited from any coaching functions. As MYB is an all-volunteer club, Competitive League team coaches and assistants are prohibited from requesting/receiving any monetary salary for their services. Coaches violating the MYB Bylaws, MYB Code of Conduct or LSA Policies 211, 215, 311(6)(d), are subject to removal or suspension. Coaches serve at the pleasure of the Coquille Parks and Recreation and Madisonville Youth Boosters. Coaching is a privilege and coaching rights can be revoked at any time. 5
Uniforms In order to promote club unity and brand recognition for MYB-CSL, all teams will have the same uniforms. Primary uniform colors will be green and white with an alternate color of navy blue. Each player will purchase two (2) jerseys, two (2) pair of shorts, two (2) pairs of socks, and (1) soccer bag. Information on where and how to purchase the uniforms will distributed by the Head Coach or Team Manager. - Teams may elect to purchase a Third Kit/Away uniform, this is strictly optional and it will not replace the standard club issued uniform as the team s primary LCSL game outfit. - Teams will purchase practice shirts and must ensure that they are navy blue or white in color and display the tri-color MYB Club logo on the front. - Teams electing to purchase warm-up pants or jackets must ensure that they are green, black or grey in color. They can display the team or MYB club logo. - Teams participating in the LCSL will wear the all-white uniform for all Home LCSL games. All goal keepers on competitive league teams participating in the U13-U18 State Cup must have a jersey with their printed number while playing in the goal. Mismatching of club socks or other alterations to the approved uniform will not be allowed. It is the head coach s responsibility to ensure that all players adhere to the uniform policy. 6
Parents Competitive Soccer League requires a commitment from both the players and their parents. Parents are responsible for timely paying of fees related to CLS, ensuring that their child arrives at all practices and competitions on time, appropriately fed and well-rested, and assisting when needed. MYB-CSL cannot function effectively without volunteer assistance. Parents are expected to volunteer during the season to assist their teams or the club. Parents are encouraged to assist the club by agreeing to sponsor their team or helping to solicit sponsorships to help off-set expenses. Parents as spectators are expected to comport themselves during games and with respect to their children s coaches and teammates in a manner consistent with the stated mission of MYB-CSL. Negative or belligerent attitudes or comments during or around games will not be tolerated, even if such comments are directed at their own children since they also have an impact upon other players, their parents and the coaches. Parents will also refrain from dissenting with the rulings of the referees and be aware that their behavior may result in sanctions against the team even though the players and/or coaches are personally blameless. Parental coaching of players from the sideline (beyond encouragement or praise) is counterproductive and strongly discouraged by the club. Parents who are unhappy with the coach or coaching methods being used must express themselves to MYB-CSL through proper channels, and will not be permitted to express disparaging remarks to or about coaches in the presence of other players, parents or spectators. Parents should first direct any concerns to the coach. If no resolution is agreed upon then the Competitive League Commissioner should be contacted. Parents or spectators who disregard this policy with respect to their own behavior and demeanor may be banned from attending practices and games as directed by the MYB Board. The failure to respect and abide by such rulings, when imposed, may then result in the suspension or expulsion of their child from the team for the sake of the other team members, parents and spectators. Parents will sign the MYB Parent Code of Conduct form at the beginning of each season. 7
Players MYB-CSL was established to provide the community with the opportunity to participate in highly competitive soccer. Just as MYB-CSL has committed to serving the needs of the players, there must be a reciprocal commitment by the players to their coach and their team. Player Standing The head coach of each team will determine a player s standing. Good Standing the player attends and actively participates in required practices, Competitive League games and tournaments and exhibits behavior consistent with the mission of MYB-CSL and the LSA rules and regulations. Not in Good Standing the player does not actively participate and/or has excessive absences from required practices, Competitive League games and tournaments. The player exhibits any behavior not in keeping with the mission of MYB-CSL and the LSA rules and regulations. Commitment Letter Each Competitive League player will sign a Competitive Soccer League Commitment Letter upon being placed on a team. The letter confirms that the player is committed to that team for one year, that they cannot transfer to another CLS team and that if they chose to withdraw they can only participate on a recreational team. Additionally, if a player wishes to withdraw from a team for the spring season, they must state their intention to leave by 1 December of that year. Guest Player Participation MYB-CSL encourages players to experience higher level soccer by guest playing on other teams. In order to participate as a guest player, the player must be in good standing on his/her regular team and have completed the Guest Player Participation portion of the Competitive Soccer League Commitment Letter; players who request to play-up (on a higher age team) as a guest player must receive the consent of the Competitive Soccer League Commissioner. Player Removal Players may be removed or suspended from a team s roster at the discretion of the Head Coach or Competitive League Commissioner. Players may be removed or suspended for not fulfilling their responsibilities including but not limited to: 1. Engaging in rude or vulgar remarks directed toward an official, coach or team mate 2. Arguing with any official or coach on/off the field of play 3. Using profane or vulgar language on/off the field of play 4. Engaging in a physical confrontation with an opposing player or teammate 5. Using or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any MYB event 6. Engaging in bullying either (physical, verbal, or electronic) 8. Leaving a game, or practice session without permission from a coach 9. Excessive unexcused absence from practice or games 10. Non-payment of fees in a reasonable manner 11. Any behavior not in keeping with MYB-CSL and LSA rules and regulations. 8
Fees Competitive soccer teams will register for the full year (fall and spring) during the fall registration period. Players are considered to have committed the Club once they accept the team invitation. Upon acceptance they are bound to the club for the seasonal year, per LSA Policy 302.6.2. Each player will pay a $185.00 registration fee, which will be paid on-line upon acceptance to team. Players living out of district are required to pay an extra $50.00 fee per family, per sport. Players who did not register to play soccer during the fall season, but register to play for the spring season, will pay a registration fee of $135.00. Players living out of district are required to pay an extra $50.00 fee per family, per sport for the spring season as well. Players who register to play soccer after the spring season has already begun will pay the full spring fee and any out of district fee if applicable. Fees will not be prorated. Registration fees are non-refundable. 9