MID-SUBURBAN SOCCER LEAGUE BY LAWS & POLICIES A. GOAL STATEMENT The goal of the Mid-Suburban Soccer League (MSSL) is to provide a healthy soccer environment throughout the member communities, with the objective of developing basic soccer skills while providing the opportunity for all players to participate equally in a team atmosphere. It is further the objective of the League to promote an atmosphere of fun, teamwork and good sportsmanship as the players learn basic skills and improve existing skills. B. COMPETITION POLICY The MSSL promotes strong competition for its member teams, while all competitors, coaches and players alike will strive for a strong balance between competition and sportsmanship. The League also recognizes that participants exhibit a vast range of skill level, and the League will do all that it can to accommodate these skill levels, without putting a majority of the participants at a disadvantage. C. MEMBERSHIP IN THE LEAGUE 1. All rules and guidelines included in this document shall apply for all games played between teams representing the specific park districts. There are currently eight member districts: Addison, Bensenville, Glendale Heights, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle, Villa Park, and Wood Dale. 2. To add or subtract an additional park district, a unanimous vote of current member districts must take place. In such case, the newly-accepted member will be considered to be a probationary member for one (1) year. This probationary period must begin with a fall season and include both the fall and the spring season. League meetings will be called as needed, with at least one meeting per season anticipated. A Chairperson Supervisor will be responsible to complete, schedules, contact information for coaches, changes to field locations, and other updated forms. 3. Duties of chairperson supervisor will be rotated in the following order: Villa Park Spring 2015 Addison Fall 2015 Wood Dale Spring 2016 Roselle Fall 2016 Bensenville Spring 2017 Itasca Fall 2017 Medinah Spring 2018 Glendale Heights Fall 2018
D. TEAMS, AGES & FIELDS The Mid-Suburban Soccer League offers CO-ED playing schedules in five age levels: Age Groups Born Calendar # Of Players Field Size Ball Size Goal Size Year On The Field 6U 2011 3 vs. 3 25 x 30 3 4 x 6 (No Goalie) 8U 2009 or 2010 4 vs. 4 25 x 30 4 4 x 6 (No Goalie) 10U 2007 or 2008 6 vs. 6 45 x 70 4 6 x 18 12U 2005 or 2006 8 vs. 8 45 x 70 5 6 x 18 14U 2003 or 2004 11 vs. 11 Regulation* 5 8 x 24 * Recommended regulation field sizes are no smaller than 50 x 100 and no larger than 55 x 110. Age Groups Roster Minimum Roster Recommended Roster Maximum 6U 5 PLAYERS 6 PLAYERS 8 PLAYERS 8U 6 PLAYERS 8 PLAYERS 10 PLAYERS 10U 8 PLAYERS 10 PLAYERS 14 PLAYERS 12U 10 PLAYERS 12 PLAYERS 16 PLAYERS 14U 13 PLAYERS 15 PLAYERS 18 PLAYERS E. CURRENT BOARD League Member Supervisor Cell # Park District # E-mail Address Addison Todd Allen 630-233-7275 x2161 tallen@addisonparks.org Bensenville Rory Joyce 630-200-2128 630-238-4927 rjoyce@bensenvilleparkdistrict.org Glendale Heights Bill DePue 331-202-7283 630-909-5132 bill_depue@glendaleheights.org Itasca Steve Dietz 630-773-2257 steve@itascaparkdistrict.com Medinah Frank Wendling 630-893-2560 frank@medinahparkdistrict.org. Roselle Ed Bjes 630-280-7940 630-894-4200 ebjes@rparks.org Villa Park Sue Earl 630-834-8525 searl@invillapark.com Wood Dale Kelly Nagle 630-310-9000 630-595-9333 knagle@wooddaleparkdistrict.org
F. TEAM INFORMATION 1. Each roster must be submitted to the league chairperson, listing each player s name, address, and date of birth. This information must be in the possession of the league chairperson no later than one (1) month before the start of the season. For example, if the season starts April 1 all rosters must be in by March 1. Failure to comply will result in games not being scheduled for the offending organization. There will be no grace period. 2. Each team s roster is limited to the above minimum/ maximum chart. Member park districts have agreed to the limitation of four travel players per team in order to insure that less-experienced players will always have the opportunity to participate in the game of soccer. Failure to comply would result in games not being scheduled for the offending organization. There is no grace period. G. SEASONS Each calendar year will include two seasons, the first in fall and the second in spring. Each of the seasons will be seven games in length. Majority vote of league members would be required to change this structure. H. PLAYER ROTATION AND POSITIONS Each player must play one-half (1/2) of the game. This ruling would not supersede any case where disciplinary action is needed against a player. The coach may, at his or her discretion, suspend a player or play that player for only one-quarter (1/4) of a game. The coach should notify his or her park district soccer supervisor of this disciplinary action as soon as is practical. I. PARENTS RESPONSIBILITIES 1. It shall be the responsibility of all parents of the youth soccer programs of the various member park districts to support the program by coaching, assistant coaching, scorekeeping, serving on the board, and/or just cheering on the individuals and teams involved. 2. Parents will insure that players are in attendance and on time for all games and practices, and they will notify coaches of any anticipated absences. 3. Parents will insure that players come prepared to participate, including proper attire with T-shirt/ Jersey (tucked in), shorts or flexible pants, shin guards, and gym shoes. Parents will be certain that players also have a positive attitude towards the program. Players are not allowed to wear jeans or jewelry of any kind during game play. 4. Parents should report any unfair policies or misconduct by any coach or referee to the local park district s soccer supervisor. Serious or repeated actions of misconduct will be referred to the board for additional action.
5. All parents are responsible for their own conduct during games. Parental misconduct may result in removal from the field at the referee s discretion. 6. All parents shall resist yelling at or offering coaching instructions to players during practices or games. Please remember that this league is recreational and the main purpose is to provide a fun, safe and learning atmosphere for all participants. 7. Parents should report any injuries to the coach and the local park district soccer supervisor. J. PLAYERS RESPONSIBILITIES 1. It shall be the responsibility of the players to attend practices and games on time and with a positive attitude. Players will dress appropriately for practices and games. 2. It shall be the responsibility of the players to use good sportsmanship, to follow all rules of the game, and to display respect for all coaches, referees, teammates and opposing players. Negative gestures, profanity, and taunting will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with accordingly by the board. 3. Local soccer supervisors are in charge to follow-up on cases of player misconduct. If they are unable to solve any conflicts, such matters will be referred to the board and all other supervisors. K. DISCIPLINARY ACTION POLICY - PLAYERS 1. Any player receiving a soft red card (two yellow cards in the same game) will be automatically suspended one game, which must be served the following scheduled game. Note: During any such suspension, the player will be allowed to practice with his or her team and will be allowed to attend the game as a spectator. 2. Any player receiving a hard card (immediate send-off, disqualification) will be subject to a one- or two-game suspension, which must be served the following scheduled game or games. The exact length of such suspension will be determined by the Mid-Suburban Recreation Soccer League Board and will be based on the circumstances of the ejection. If the soccer coordinator determines that the infraction(s) so warrant, the player might be subject to a longer suspension, up to the remainder of the season. Note: During any such suspension, the player will NOT be allowed to practice with his or her team and will NOT be allowed to attend the game as a spectator. 3. Any player receiving two red cards in a season may be subject to suspension for the remainder of the season. The exact length of such suspension will be determined by the player s park district soccer supervisor. Suspensions may carry over to a following season.
4. The referee is responsible for reporting to the local soccer supervisor in writing to discuss the events and details of each yellow and red card issued. Unsportsmanlike behavior before, during, and after games is included. Suspensions issued as a result of red cards received before, during, and after games are not subject to appeal. L. DISCIPLINARY ACTION POLICY - COACHES 1. Coaches are responsible for following the rules, policies, by-laws, procedures and other guidelines outlined in this handbook. All coaches must communicate all rules, polices, and procedures to their players and guardians. 2. All coaches should train their players to participate in clean, skillful, honest and sportsmanlike soccer. Any violation of these may result in disciplinary action. 3. Each coach is responsible for his/her own actions as well as the conduct of the players and the spectators. Coaches should not tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct by any of these parties. Coaches must be aware of the emotional pitch of the game in order to insure that the conduct of players and coaches does not lead to deterioration of game control. 4. Any coach receiving a soft red card (two yellow cards in the same game) will be automatically suspended one game, which must be served the following scheduled game. Note: During any such suspension, the coach will be allowed to practice with his or her team but will NOT be allowed to attend the game. 5. Any coach receiving a hard card (immediate send-off, disqualification) will be subject to a two-game suspension, which must be served the following scheduled games. The exact length of such suspension will be determined by the Mid-Suburban Recreation Soccer League Board and will be based on the circumstances of the ejection. If the soccer supervisor determines that the infraction(s) so warrant, the coach might be subject to a longer suspension, up to the remainder of the season. Note: During any such suspension, the coach will be allowed to practice with his or her team but will NOT be allowed to attend the game. 6. Coaches who knowingly violate the policies and procedures outlined in this handbook shall be subject to immediate suspension by their local soccer supervisor. 7. The referee is responsible for reporting to the local soccer supervisor in writing to discuss the events and details of a yellow or red card issue, or any problems that may have occurred on the field. Unsportsmanlike behavior from coaches, players and/or parents before, during, and after games is included. Suspensions issued as a result of red cards received before, during, and after games are not subject to appeal. 8. Once a problem is reported, the soccer supervisors of the park districts involved are responsible for communicating the incident and resolving among themselves.
L. OFFICIALS Certified referees are preferred, but not required and is at the discretion of the individual organizations. MID-SUBURBAN SOCCER LEAGUE Standard Operating Procedures 1. Season Dates: a. Spring 2017: March 31 Team numbers submitted by noon April 5 Scheduling Meeting (~ 2:00pm) April 12 Final schedules distributed April 22 Games begin Memorial Day Weekend No games June 10 Final games June 17 Final games for brackets with 'byes'