POLICIES
The Mid State Soccer League was founded in early 1997 by the Durham-Chapel Hill Strikers Soccer Club as a cooperative venture. At that time, the Strikers Board decided not to own or manage the league itself, but to invite all other area soccer clubs and associations who wished to participate to send a representative to administer league play on a cooperative basis.
The purpose of the League was to promote developmental youth soccer in a manner which did not involve as much expense or family scheduling burdens of Classic soccer. Originally, the League was envisioned to be based in the Durham, Orange, and Chatham county area so as to minimize transportation time for matches on Sunday afternoons. However, participation in the League has grown dramatically to include teams from the entire central part of North Carolina.
The following Policies have been adopted by the Mid State Soccer League to address issues of administration and governance while maintaining the original philosophy of developmental youth soccer in a "family friendly" environment.
These "Policies of the Mid
State Soccer League" were approved and adopted by the Representatives
of the Member Associations of the Mid State Soccer League in a duly called
meeting on June 16, 2001 in Sanford, NC. These Policies appear below
as revised at a meeting of the Representatives of the Member Associations
on July 14, 2001 and as revised by the Executive Committee on October 20,
2001, January 13, 2002, January 11, 2003, March 27, 2003, June 5, 2004,
and June 4, 2005.
POLICY 1: Accepting teams for League Play
Any team in the 17-county service area that wishes to play in the Mid State Soccer League will be accepted and scheduled for League play under the following conditions and mutual understandings: (rev. 7/01)
1A. The application to join the league must be accomplished jointly by the team and the local association to which it belongs in a format specified by the League. (If teams are unaffiliated, the League may suggest an appropriate NCYSA member association to join.) By making application to the League, the team and association agree, if accepted, to certify that the team and all of the players are properly registered with the USYSA (through the NCYSA) as Challenge players and will present player cards and an official USYSA roster at games or as required by League policy.
1B. The League must have an appropriate age/gender division in which the applying team may participate.
1C. By making application to the League, the team and association agree, if the team is accepted, to abide by all League rules, bylaws, and policies and also to observe any applicable rules or sanctions of the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA). If such rules are not observed, the League reserves the right not to accept the team for future seasons of play or to take sanctions against the association sponsoring the team as appropriate.
1D. Each team will be asked in the application form to confirm its willingness to travel to distant locations up to 2 hours travel time (within the 17-county service area). Since the League was originally formed with the commitment to minimize the burden of travel time to games, any isolated or distant team applying to join the League should expect the possibility of significant travel to play many of their games until such time that there are additional teams from the same general location which will allow the League to schedule games in that area. As the League grows, the scheduling of games to accommodate distant teams with minimal travel time will be a priority. If a team is unwilling to travel up to 2 hours, then they may not be accepted into the league until more teams that are in closer proximity join the League. (rev. 7/03)
1E. Each application to the League must include the offering of a field to which the local soccer association or team has exclusive legal access for match play on Sunday from 1:00 PM until dark. If a field can be committed any time on Saturday, the League would appreciate knowing this also. Each field offered for match play must be mowed and be of the appropriate size, appropriately marked, and have anchored goals with nets installed, and have corner flags. (Note: If the team(s) applying will be playing small sided games in the League, then an appropriately sized small fields should be committed to the League.) The application package from the association should contain a detailed map or instructions as to how to find the fields. The association registering teams in the league must provide fields in maximum ratio of 4:1 to the registered teams in the appropriate sizes. One appropriately sized field for up to four teams applying using the same size field is required. For example:
1 to 4 teams
- 1 field
5 to 8 teams
- 2 fields, etc.
(rev. 7/01, 11/04)
1F. An applicant acknowledges that while a field may or may not be scheduled, but it must remain available for the entire season as offered by the team or association unless specifically released by the League. If an unscheduled field is to be used for a make-up game or other short-notice scheduling, the association offering the field will be notified 48 hours in advance of the scheduled game if at all possible.
1G. The current League Entry-Scheduling Fee must accompany each application. The Performance Bond must also accompany each application unless it is already on account. These fees do not include the referee assignor's fee which is assessed by the local referee assignor, nor do they include payment for game referees. The performance bond will be in the amount set by the League. The performance bond will be returned pursuant to League Policy 8E.
1H.
Requests of MSSL member association teams to play in another challenge
league will not be routinely granted out of concern for the scheduling
viability of an age group in the MSSL. The Executive Committee shall
review all such requests. (rev. 1/05)
2A. The normal schedule includes fall and spring seasons. The fall season starts the weekend after Labor day and ends in mid November. The spring season starts in late February so that it may be completed in time for teams to participate in state-wide tournaments in late April or May and does not include Easter weekend. Special winter indoor or summer schedules may be authorized by the Members or the Executive Committee.
2B. Each participating team will be scheduled for a minimum of 7games per fall or spring season (10 games optimal) with the exception that a team may request one "open weekend" per season which, if it falls on a weekend normally scheduled for League play, will mean that less games will be scheduled for that team. Out of a concern for fairness, a team that has requested and been granted an "open" date shall not be given any preference in avoiding a bye in its schedule. As such, an "open" date is treated as a playing date for scheduling purposes, and in particular as regards byes. (Byes are a product of an odd number of teams available to play on a given date and are assigned randomly to best accommodate the schedule.) (rev. 1/03)
2C. Most games shall be scheduled on Sunday afternoons (no earlier than 1:00 PM), although some games may be scheduled on Saturdays when the Classic season is over, or on other Saturdays where both teams indicate on their registration forms that they are amenable to such Saturday scheduling and fields have been made available to MSSL for scheduling. Teams will normally be scheduled for only one day per weekend. For special reasons, teams may occasionally be scheduled for two games on a single day. No regular season game will be scheduled such that any participating team will have to depart from its principal domicile before 7:00 AM or arrive home after 8:00 PM.
2D. While approximately two hours of travel should be the maximum travel expectation, reasonable effort will be made so that matches are scheduled (when ever possible) to minimize driving time. A special effort will be made to keep travel times as short as possible for U-10 and U-11 teams. (rev. 7/03)
2E. For each scheduled League game, the schedule shall indicate which team is considered the "home" team.
2F. Reasonable effort should be made so that the schedule in any one season shows that approximately half of each team's games will be played at the team's "home" field. However, isolated distant teams must understand this policy may not be able to be effected in all cases and that "neutral" fields may have to be utilized. (rev 10/01)
2G. In case of a game cancellation for valid reason (other than weather or field conditions), the managers of both teams involved should notify the commissioner within two days that a scheduled game has been canceled. It is assumed that all MSSL teams will honor their schedule and make a good faith effort to not cancel games. Since the integrity of the schedule would be compromised if teams felt free to cancel games, it is assumed that teams will plan for any forseable conflicts including family or school holidays. Games cancelled for other than weather or dire circumstances will be considered forfeits unless both teams involved are agreeable to a make-up game and are able to schedule it per policy 2J.
2H. Season scheduling should be accomplished to include a game each week if possible. The assumption is that games cancelled for weather or field conditions will normally not be "made up" as each weekend is already part of the normal schedule. However, if two teams whose game has been canceled decide to re-schedule that game they are free to do so by mutual agreement. In such cases the managers and/or coaches must make all of the arrangements including making sure a field is available and scheduling referees. If a game has been re-scheduled, the League Commissioner should be notified before the game is played. (rev. 10/01)
2I. If games must be cancelled for weather or field conditions, the home association will either post a voice message on a hotline number or, if no hotline is available, otherwise communicate directly with visiting teams, before 10:00 AM on the game day. In addition to the recommended phone call the evening before, visiting teams are responsible for staying in touch by checking the hotline number or directly contacting the home team or association to ascertain that the game has been cancelled. If no specific message has been posted or communicated canceling game(s), it is to be assumed that the game will be played. Associations controlling the field will make any cancellation decisions regarding field conditions up to the time the game is scheduled. The referee is the final authority for terminating a game after the game has started or may declare the field or conditions unsafe for play at the scheduled game time. Games sometimes must be cancelled at the last minute for weather that occurs near game time and in such cases the presence at the game site by a representative of the home team to explain the situation and good will and understanding by the visiting team is appreciated. (rev. 3/03)
2J. "Make up" games must meet the following conditions:
1. The game can be
played before the State Cup (open) tournament is complete (Spring Season)
and before Thanksgiving weekend (Fall Season).
2. Both teams are
available and agree to a date and time. (May be on any day of the
week.)
3. An acceptable field
and referees are available and are scheduled by the teams or their associations.
2K. Games scheduled by managers or coaches which were not originally on the published schedule are not sanctioned League games and are considered private scrimmages even if they involve certified referees.
2L. Teams may request to "Play Up" in league play. Such requests will be accommodated only if the numbers of teams in an age/gender would reasonably support such a request. In most all cases a team will not be permitted to play more than one year "up".
2M. For schedule changes made by the League after league play has begun, email notification will be sent to each effected manager and coach at addresses listed on the intent to play forms and to effected club presidents and referee assignors. If the change must be made within two weeks of the scheduled game, in addition to email notifications, phone calls will also be made. Teams are responsible for confirming their schedules. (It is highly recommended as a routine "best practice" that traveling teams confirm game details by phone with the home team a day or two before traveling.) (rev. 1/03)
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POLICY 3: Fields, Marking, Field Equipment, and Compliance with FIFA Rules
3A. Fields utilized for League play shall be the following sizes.
For "6v6" Small-Sided Games: U-10 play: min 35 and max 45 yards width,
and min 45 and max 60 yards length. 40 x 50 preferred. (rev.6/05)
For "8v8" Small-sided Games: U-11& U-12 play: min 45 and max 55 width,
and min 60 and max 80 length. 50 x 70 preferred. (rev. 9/04)
All "11v11" Games: min 50 and max 100 yards width, and min 100 and
max 120 yards length. (rev. 6/04)
3B. Goals shall have nets and be anchored. For U-10 (6v6) games, 6' x 18' goals are preferred (7' x 21' OK.) For U-11 and U-12 (8v8) games, goals should be 7' x 21' are preferred (6' x 18' OK). For "11v11" (U-13 and up) games all goals must be regulation 8'x 24'. (rev. 9/04, 6/05)
3C. Markings on for all "11v11" games should be in accordance with FIFA regulation.
3D.
Marking of the field for small-sided games shall allow for proportional
markings to the size of the field:
Goal Area - No Change
Penalty Area - For U-10: 12 yards
from post and 14 yards deep. (30 yards wide.)
For U-11/12: 14 yards from post and 14 yards deep. (35 yards
wide.)
PK mark - 8 yards for 18' goal and 10 yards for 21' goal.
Center Circle and Penalty Arc - 8 yards
(rev. 9/04)
3E. Spectator lines are encouraged, but are not required.
3F. Regulation corner flags should be positioned on the corners of the field. (The game may be played with out corner flags.)
3G. Fields should be mowed to a reasonable height and should not contain hazards which would be dangerous to players.
3H.
All matches will be played in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game as
modified by the NCYSA for use by youth teams in the Challenge division.
(See "Small Sided Game Rules" page on this website.) Team and
spectator placement shall be per local field custom or as directed by the
referee. Coaches should respect their "technical area" as being essentially
limited to where their reserve players are positioned, but in no case beyond
the "18".
POLICY 4: Uniforms, Equipment, Game Supplies, Game Times, & Reports
4A. Each field player on a team playing in a League scheduled or sanctioned game shall wear the same (colored) uniform consisting of the following minimum pieces.
1. Jersey or T-shirt predominantly
of a single color with a number on the back. (The player number
may also be on the front, if desired.) Sleeveless jerseys may be
worn by girls teams (assuming that the entire team is so supplied).
Velcro strips on the sleeves are also permissible.
2. Shorts
3. Stockings, of a predominant
color, fully covering the shin guards
4B. In instances where the two teams' jerseys are so similar as to cause possible confusion (as determined solely by the referee), the home team shall change into an alternate jersey for the match.
4C. Each goal keeper on a team playing in a League scheduled or sanctioned game shall wear a jersey of a distinctively different color from his or her own team jerseys and also distinctive from the opposition team's jerseys. Pennies may be worn to achieve the required distinction.
4D. Each player on a team playing in a League scheduled or sanctioned game shall wear shin guards of appropriate size and providing adequate protection as judged by the referee.
4E. Each player on a team playing in a League scheduled or sanctioned game shall wear shoes which are not dangerous to any player on the field as determined by the referee.
4F. Each player on a team playing in a League schedule or sanctioned game shall not wear any item with may be dangerous to him or her self or to other players. Such items may include casts, braces, prosthetics, or other medical devices; any jewelry, eye glasses, medals, or medical bracelets; or apparel items such as hats or scarves, gloves, or earmuffs. If any such items are worn, they may be required to be padded or otherwise shielded with foam rubber or other acceptable means and must be inspected and approved for play by the referee.
4G. Equipment or apparel which does not represent a safety hazard but which may be confusing regarding uniform color or team identity (such as compression shorts visible below the game shorts or long sleeve undershirts) may be disallowed for play at the discretion of the referee. Apparel items clearly designed to insult or belittle, or which are inflammatory in their message, may be, in the judgment of the referee, contrary to the League's stated purpose of promoting sportsmanship and wholesome community spirit and friendship, and may not be worn on the field during the game.
4H. The home team shall provide a game ball meeting the appropriate regulations as to size and be acceptable to the referee. (Ball size per USYSA regulations.)
4I. Game times shall be per USYSA regulations. U-10 games shall be 25 minute halves. Games times for games played between different age groups are set per the "older" age group. No overtime periods shall be played. A game shall be considered complete if one half has been played and the second half started before the game was terminated.
4J. Each team shall bring player passes ("cards") and official rosters to the game site. The referee will check these documents before the game, and the documents must remain available throughout the match (and immediately afterwards) for presentation to the referee if requested.
4K.
At such time as match reports may be required by the League, the home team
will supply a valid match report to the center referee before the match.
Coaches or managers from each team will be required to sign the match report
when presented by the referee.
POLICY 5: Referees: Qualification, Authority, and Payment
5A. Each scheduled or sanctioned League game shall be played with a referee certified by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) as a Grade 8 or higher designation. If a qualified referee is not available, the game shall not be played as a sanctioned League game. (If the coaches and mangers decide to play with no referee, it is considered a scrimmage with no sanction by the League.)
5B. Referees will officiate games in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game as published by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and as modified for local use by the NCYSA. All decisions by the referee regarding application or interpretation of the Laws of the Game are final and may not be appealed.
5C. The center referee working the match shall have absolute authority to make all decisions on the appropriateness or safety of any uniform or equipment worn by the players. The referee's decision is final for that match. The referees judgment shall apply to any uniform piece, shoes, shin guards, any casts or prosthetic devices, jewelry, eye glasses, hats or scarves, undergarments, warm-ups, gloves or earmuffs.
5D. The center referee working the match shall have absolute authority to remove from the vicinity of the field any spectator, parent, or coach who in the opinion of the referee is disruptive, disrespectful, or who challenges the decisions of the referee. If such person(s) do not leave the vicinity as requested by the referee, the game shall be abandoned by the referees. Requests for the offending party to leave the field may be communicated directly, or, if the offending party is clearly identified with a team, the coach may be asked to speak to the offending party.
5E. The center referee working the match shall have absolute authority to make all decisions on the appropriateness or safety of field conditions, field markings, or the condition of the goal or nets. The referee is the final authority as to a decision not to play or to terminate a match with regard to field conditions or weather. (A decision to play or continue to play is a joint decision by the referee and the coaches.) In general, if the teams have reported on the field, a game will not be canceled for rain only; nearby lightning or other unsafe conditions will determine the termination of a game by the referee.
5F. The referees working the match will be asked to report to the League either on a standard match report or by a written statement only the following items:
1. if a "red card"
was shown to a player or three or more yellow cards were shown to one team
during the course of the game
2. if a parent, spectator,
or coach was asked to leave the field
3. if a game was
terminated for mis-conduct
4. non-payment of
referee fees due
5. if a field was
found unplayable for other than weather reasons
6. any other significant
event of un-sportsmanlike behavior or non-compliance
5G. Each team shall be responsible for paying (one half) of the referees' fees before the start of any League game. Payment typically is in cash, but may be by (three) checks made out to each referee. If the game has begun, the referees are entitled to keep all of the fee. If a team forfeits, it is responsible for all of the referees' fees.
5H. The amount of the referees' fees shall be the standard fees adopted by the NCYSA for Challenge games unless determined otherwise by specific agreement with the local referee's association and the League. Games played between different age groups shall be considered as the "older" age team for game time and referee pay. If either one or two referees work the match, a center and assistant referee's fee will be due, and the referee may ask each team to supply a "club linesman".
5I. The expectation for MSSL-scheduled matches is that three referees will be assigned for all games U-11 and up and one referee will be assigned for U-10 matches. If local associations or assignors schedule referees differently, then all teams involved must agree in advance so that monies due referees may be budgeted and planned for.
5J. Referee scheduling fees, as assessed by the local authorized referee assignor, will be billed to the association to which the team belongs for all games played on the team's "home" field.
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POLICY 6: Team Records and Standings
6A. In general, team records and standings will not be kept by the League.
6B. At such time as the Executive Committee or Representatives shall authorize team standings to be officially kept, and when the teams in an age/gender division of the League agree among themselves to keep team records and standings, a communication should be forwarded to the League Commissioner from the managers of that gender/age division identifying an adult who will be responsible for receiving match reports each week and recording scores and standings. This volunteer (the Age Group Coordinator) will take responsibility for retaining appropriate documentation and for posting standings and statistics each week as agreed upon and approved by the Commissioner or Executive Committee. Completed match reports and/or standings shall be forwarded by the Age Group Coordinator to the Commissioner or his designee in a timely fashion.
6C. Standings and match reports shall be made available to League members and other interested parties as directed by the Executive Committee, or as required by the NCYSA.
6D.
In order to accomodate NCYSA requirments for seeding the State Challenge
Cup, and because the League, as a general policy (6A) does not officially
keep standings, the burden of providing records for seeding purposes will
fall on those teams entering the Cup. A team representative must
submit the team's record as completed 10 days after the due date of the
Challenge Cup application to the Executive Committee designee (the MSSL
Commissioner or another person) who will use the records to determine standings.
Verifying submitted records will be at the discretion of the designee.
Determination of standings by the designee is final. Failure of a
team to comply or the discovery of a pattern of controversial or exaggerated
records could result in a reduced placement. (rev. 6/04)
POLICY 7: Sanctions, Discipline, Reporting, and Protests
7A. "No Shows" and "Late Shows", Forfeit of Games, Payment of Referees
If a team does not arrive for a game which has been scheduled by the League (either published by the league on its web site or officially scheduled as a make-up game with proper notification to the Commissioner) or have the legal minimum number of players on the field ready to start that game by no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled time and has not made satisfactory arrangements with both the commissioner and the manager of the opposing team at least 48 hours before the scheduled start of the game, the game shall be deemed forfeited. If specific information has not been received that the game has been cancelled and the visiting team does not travel to the game site, it is deemed a forfeit by the visiting team. If the home team fails to show up at a game site and there has not been a proper posting of cancellation (by 10:00 AM) or last-minute weather cancellation, the game is considered a forfeit by the home team. If the game has been forfeited, the local association to which the forfeiting team belongs shall be responsible for paying the posted forfeit fine and all of the referees fees for that game and, if not promptly paid, will be paid by the League from that association's performance bond. (The legal minimum players on the field to constitute a valid team are seven [7] players for an "11v11" game, five [5] players for a "8v8" match, and 4 players for a "6v6" match.) (rev. 6/05)
If a game or scrimmage which has been scheduled or properly re-scheduled is cancelled (no teams show up) without adequate notice, the referees' fees are payable by the "home" team. Payment should be made directly by the team to the referees. If the referees appeal to the League for payment, the performance bonds for the home team's association will be used for this purpose.
7B. Mis-Conduct of Parents, Supporters, or Coaches
Adults attending league soccer matches are expected to behave in a manner consistent with good sportsmanship. If the Commissioner becomes aware that a team's parents, supporters, or coach has behaved in such a way as to require a "send off" from the field by the referee, or have behaved in a manner that is violent, assaultive, or clearly contrary to the stated League philosophy of good sportsmanship (bylaw 2.2.2), the Commissioner will ask the member Association whose team is involved to investigate and report back any actions taken. If the incident can not be resolved in this manner, and the member association(s) so request, the Executive Committee shall constitute itself as a Disciplinary Board and consider the facts as reported in written form by the Association(s), coach(s), manager(s), referee(s), and/or Commissioner as available and make a judgment as to what actions should be taken (if any). The judgment of the Disciplinary Board is final with regard to application of internal sanctions. Other sanctions may also be levied by the NCYSA according to its rules. External actions may be recommended such as the involvement of appropriate law enforcement or legal action in extreme cases. If a law suit is recommended, the Members must be notified and agree to bring the suit per bylaw 3.4. (rev. 7/03)
7C. Mis-Conduct of Players
Players, like parents, coaches and supporters, are also expected to behave in a manner consistent with good sportsmanship. Incidents involving poor sportsmanship but not penalized by the referee by a "red card" will be handled as per 7B above. Additionally, if a player is shown a "red card" by a referee before, during, or after a game, the referee's report will be forwarded to the Commissioner who will keep a file of such infractions and make notifications as appropriate. The automatic League sanction for receiving a "red card" is disqualification from playing the next game. If a second "red card" is received in the same season, the player will automatically be disqualified from playing in League scheduled or sanctioned games for six months from the date of the (second) infraction. The six-month disqualification may be appealed to the Disciplinary Board (Executive Committee). The Commissioner will be responsible for notifying the effected player, manager, and coach that a six-month suspension is in effect. NCYSA may also levy sanctions against a player who has committed such infractions according to its rules. (rev. 7/03)
7D. Fields Not Available or in Unplayable Condition
If a game must be cancelled without adequate notice because of a listed field not being available or not being playable for any reason other than weather-related causes, unexpected vandalism, or "acts of God", the association sponsoring the field involved will be charged any referee expenses. If the association does not pay this charge in a reasonable time, all teams of that association playing in the League will have their performance bonds equally charged to cover the expense. If the field is not brought on line (or a substitute field provided) to meet the next week's schedule at least 72 hours in advance of any scheduled games, the association will be required to pay a fine of $50 for each game which must be re-scheduled because of the unavailable field. If such fine is not paid in a timely manner, that association's teams may not be accepted for play in the following season.
7E. Mandatory Reports to the League
NOTE: Issues of field conditions, refereeing, team tardiness, and most issues of behavior should be taken to the Association(s) involved and not reported first to the League. (rev. 7/03)
In addition to reports received from referees, the following events demand a written report mailed to the Commissioner within two days of the event from the manager and/or coach of any League team as indicated.
EVENT REPORTER
Ejection of spectators, parents, or coaches Managers or Coaches of both teams
Termination of Game by Referee for Mis-Conduct Managers or Coaches of both teams
Forfeiture of a game by one team Managers of each team
Cancellation of a game
within 72 hours for
Manager of canceling team or "home"
non-weather related
reasons
team if cancelled on game day
Cancellation of a game before 72 hours Manager of Canceling team
Issue of "Red Card"
to player
Manager of offending player makes a report
and directs referee where to send report
Field in poor or unplayable
condition (other
Manager of visiting team
than for weather)
(rev.7/03)
7F. No Protests
No protests will be entertained
with regard to the results of a specific game. If a coach, team manager,
player, or spectator has a concern about a specific policy or about the
conduct of a game (in addition to the reporting required in Policy 7E above),
he or she should first approach the appropriate officials of the local
Association for resolution. The local Association may decide to bring
the issue to the MSSL Executive Committee for consideration on a policy
basis or as a Disciplinary Board if warranted. (rev. 6/04)
8A. All funds received by the League shall be deposited in accounts opened in the League's name. Disbursement of funds shall be by the League Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and the President or the Commissioner if so authorized by the Executive Committee.
8B. Full accounting of all receipts and disbursements will be maintained. Account balances in the Performance Bond account for each team will be accurate and up-to-date.
8C. An annual report of the League finances will be made by the Treasurer of the League to the Members.
8D. An entry/scheduling fee for each season will be charged to each team accepted into the league. This fee will be tendered with the application of the team to join the League. The amount of this fee will be determined by the Executive Committee on a yearly basis. If a team is not accepted to for League play, this fee will be returned.
8E. A Performance Bond to be paid on behalf of each team by the association to which the team belongs must be tendered with the application, if not already on account in the association's name. The Performance Bonds will be maintained in a separate account from the general operating fund and accounted for by association. Associations must always keep sufficient Performance Bond money on account with the League to cover the cumulative total of their member teams' Bond amounts. The amount of the Performance Bond for each team will be a minimum of the equivalent of the total referees' fees for one game for the age division of the team but may be set higher by action of the Members or Executive Committee to cover rescheduling expense if the team drops out of League play. If not used to pay referees' fees per League Policy 7A, or forfeited when a team drops out of League play before the end of the season, the Bond will be returned to the association at such time as the association indicates in writing that it its excess Bond money should be returned. This deposit may be continued from season to season if association teams remain in the League, but must be incrementally increased if referees' fees for an attained older age group are higher than the previous season or if the amount of the bond is increased for other reasons. If an association's bond has been used to pay referees' fees, the Executive Committee may decide that the team causing such expense should not be scheduled to play additional games until the association's bond with the League has been brought up to the required level.
8F. Each team or association holds no financial interest in the League except its unspent Performance Bond which is fully refundable as detailed in League Policy 8E.
8G.Revenues above expenses for special events, such as tournaments, may be used for league expenses or as directed by the Executive Committee for purposes consistent with the advancement of youth soccer.
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Routine administration
of the League shall be by a Commissioner, an independent contractor whose
work shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Executive Committee.
In addition to items listed below, policies adopted by the Executive Committee
shall define the services to be contracted to the Commissioner and the
authority of the Commissioner to act on behalf of the League.
The Commissioner may be paid a fee for his or her services. The amount of such fee shall be negotiated with the Executive Committee and reviewed at least once per year. The Commissioner shall be an independent contractor to the League for the following services which may be accomplished at the Commissioner's discretion with regards to when and how the work is accomplished (so long as stated deadlines are met) and how much time is spent to accomplish the work. Materials and equipment to accomplish the work are to be provided by the Commissioner, except that duplicating and mailing costs for League mailings and publications and documented telephone charges and other expenses by the Commissioner for League business shall be reimbursed.
The initial services provided by the Commissioner to the League to be performed annually shall include the following:
1. Provide registration forms for fall league play by July 15th. (Hard copy or on the web.)
2. Confirm team participation and fields availability by August 15th and calculate the Performance Bond cumulative totals for each association and check for compliance. Communicate to each association the status of their Performance Bond account and invoice as needed.
3. Publish the fall schedule (8 week minimum) on or about the week of August 25th taking into account policies of the League. Mail or otherwise disseminate (email or via the League website) the schedule to all team managers and to referee schedulers on or about September 1st. NOTE: Also distributed or posted should be a complete listing of all teams with the names and telephone numbers of managers and coaches.
4. On a weekly basis during the season, respond to all messages and inquiries, resolve disputes and scheduling problems according to League policies, and take appropriate action on disciplinary issues according to League policies. If a team contacts the Commissioner to cancel a scheduled game, the Commissioner shall confirm the cancellation and assure that the opposing team and the referees have been notified.
5. Publish a newsletter or other communication (email or hard copy) sent to all associations and/or team managers in the League after the competion of the fall season. The content of the newsletter shall be a review of the season and announcements for the spring season including dates of play.
6. Provide registration forms for spring league play by January 5th. (Hard copy or on the web.)
7. Confirm team participation and fields availability by February 5th and calculate the Performance Bond cumulative totals for each association and check for compliance. Communicate to each association the status of their Performance Bond account and invoice as needed.
8. Publish the spring schedule (8 week minimum, 10 weeks preferred) on or about February 15th taking into account policies of the League with regard to travel and time. Mail or otherwise disseminate the schedule to all team managers and to referee schedulers on or about February 16th. NOTE: Also distributed or posted should be a complete listing of all teams with the names and telephone numbers of managers and coaches.
9. On a weekly basis during the season, respond to all messages and inquiries, resolve disputes and scheduling problems according to League policies, and take appropriate action on disciplinary issues according to League policies. If a team contacts the Commissioner to cancel a scheduled game, the Commissioner shall confirm the cancellation and assure that the opposing team and the referees have been notified.
10. Publish a newsletter or other communication (email or hard copy) sent to all associations and/or team managers in the League after the completion of the spring season. The content of the newsletter shall be a review of the season and announcements for the fall season including dates of play, and an announcement of the annual meeting of the corporation.
11. Keep up-to-date files of all team applications, including current contacts. Such files are the property of the League and may only be utilized as authorized by the League.
12. Keep team standings, match records, and discipline records if required by specific decision of the Executive Committee or by published League policy.
13. Make deposits and disbursements and accounting for all monies received as directed by the Executive Committee. Keep files of other correspondence or records as required of any business. (rev. 6/02)
14. At such time as the Executive Committee decides and upon negotiation of an additional fee, organize and direct soccer tournaments including mailings, registration, scheduling of teams and fields, securing all permits, arranging for referees and lodging, arranging for a trainer or apporpriate medical assistance, and arranging for toilet facilities or other amenities as appropriate.
15. Annually confirm referee fee schedules with NCYSA and the appropriate referee associations and publicize those fee schedules to all teams.
16. Accomplishing other
duties and make statements on behalf of the League as consistent with the
authority delegated by the Executive Committee.
The "Administration of the League..." document was approved and adopted by the Representatives of the Member Associations of the Mid State Soccer League in a duly called meeting on June 16, 2001 in Sanford, NC and was revised by the Executive Committee by policy changes on June 9, 2002.