COMPETITIVE RULES

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors February 6, 2002

Updated February 11, 2019

 

  1. PURPOSE

 

The purpose of Riverton Youth Soccer Association as set forth in the Bylaws is:

 

To develop and promote the game of soccer among our youth;

To develop and sustain the spirit and character of the players;

To develop youth physically; and

To collectively represent and safeguard the common interests of the participants in youth soccer.

 

The Board of Directors of Riverton Youth Soccer Association shall, in the interpretation and application of these rules and regulations, and in any revisions to these rules and regulations, strive to comply with the purposes of the Association.

 

Further, it is the goal of the Association that all children in this community should be allowed an opportunity to participate in youth soccer whether in the Association’s recreation or competitive programs, and the Board shall endeavor in the application of these Rules and Regulations to assure that both programs be supportive of each other.

 

 

 

 

  1. OBJECTIVES

 

The purpose of the competitive program of the Association is to create an environment for developing the more skillful soccer players at various age levels in the program to their fullest potential. The program provides more challenging levels of soccer to higher caliber players, who with their parents, are willing to make a higher level of commitment to soccer, and emphasizes player development, not winning. Participation is limited to protect the integrity of the recreational program.

 

  1. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

 

The program supports the Rampage, a competition league team for boys and girls, in age groups from 8U through U19. The Board of Directors may permit the formation of a second, lower skill level, “B” team in an age group, after the “A” team in an age group is formed, if sufficient players are available and interest exists. The cornerstone of the program is game play in the Wyoming Soccer Association (WSA) league.

 

The advanced program will be administered by the Board of Directors, the Competitive Program Committee, and the Competitive Program Coordinator. The Board of Directors will establish program policy and guidelines; the Competitive Program Committee will carry out that policy, provide oversight, and be responsible for selecting coaches and the Competitive Program Coordinator will take care of the day-to-day activities of the program, and ensure that the program runs smoothly.

 

  1. Competitive Program Committee

 

The Competitive Program Committee is a standing committee of three members of the Board; the Competitive Program Coordinator, who will be the chair; the Vice President, and an additional director. The President of the Board or his/her appointee (not necessarily from the Board) will temporarily replace any committee member who has a conflict of interest on an issue.

 

  1. Competitive Program Coordinator

 

The Competitive Program Coordinator will take care of the day-to-day activities of the program, ensure that all players are properly registered.

 

  1. PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS

 

Any player and/or parent (or guardian) wishing to address any concerns shall conform to the following protocol:

 

  • First, communicate the concerns directly to and with the coach; and if that meeting does not satisfactorily resolve the concern(s) and/or the player and/or parent feels they cannot address the issue directly with the coach, then,

 

  • Second, communicate the concerns directly with the Competitive Program Coordinator (with the coach present, if appropriate); and if that meeting does not satisfactorily resolve the concern(s) and/or the player and/or parent feels they cannot address the issue directly with the Competitive Program Coordinator, then,

 

  • Third, the matter is referred to the Competitive Program Committee for resolution; and if that meeting does not satisfactorily resolve the concern(s), then,

 

  • Fourth, the matter will be presented to the Association Board for final resolution at a regular or special meeting.

 

No person shall participate in the resolution process if that person has a direct conflict of interest.

 

The ability to resolve concerns expeditiously and satisfactorily requires all concerned to deal in good faith and with dignity and respect toward each other. The Association believes that with such an approach nearly all concerns can be resolved in the best interests of all involved, and to the betterment of the competitive program.

 

  1. TEAM FORMATION

 

Age groupings must be compatible with the WSA age groups for boys and girls. Some years, demographics may dictate combinations of age groups and gender and/or restructuring of age groups for the overall benefit of the program and the players.

 

All team names will be named “Riverton Rampage” followed by the age group and gender. For example, Riverton Rampage 10U, RYSA 10U, Rampage 10U, Riverton10U2009.

 

Shall follow the rules of the Wyoming Soccer Association (WSA).

 

  1. COACH SELECTION

 

Coaches are volunteers, and are selected annually at the beginning at the fall and spring seasons.

 

Those interested in coaching must notify the Competitive Program by completing and returning a competitive coaching interest form no later than July 1 for the fall season and January 1 for the spring season, or at such other times as may be required by the Committee. The criteria for selection of competitive program coaches will include;

 

  • An appropriate philosophy and goals, which promotes player development over winning;

 

  • Appropriate skill level of the applicant coach’s son or daughter, if the son or daughter is going to be on the roster;

 

  • Experience as a coach and/or as a player;

 

  • License level, or equivalent clinic participation; and

 

  • Other qualifications as determined from interviews and/or tests.

 

Coaching in one year does not guarantee selection the next year. Whenever more than one coach volunteers to coach a team, the Competitive Program Committee shall meet to make the selection, and if deemed necessary, conduct an interview with the potential coaches. The Competitive Program Committee may make such arrangements as are agreeable to the coaches to allow two or more coaches to coach the same team.

 

Being the sole applicant for a particular age/gender group does not guarantee selection of that applicant to coach. All coaches shall apply in writing, be selected, and be approved by the Competitive Program Committee before a coaches card may be applied for.

 

The assistant/team manager is to be selected by the head coach and must be approved by the Competitive Program Committee and obtain a coaching card.

  1. PLAYER SELECTION

 

Each coach and any assistant coach(es) will hold tryouts (when player numbers merit tryouts) for their age/gender group each WSA League season, once in the fall and once in the spring at the times and places designated by the Competitive Program Coordinator, that includes at least two tryout periods on two different days.

All effort should be made to evaluate player(s) in a fair and equal manner without preconceived bias or preference. To promote transparency and remove potential bias during tryouts, In the event tryouts are deemed necessary for team selection, every feasible effort will be made to have objective player evaluations conducted by a party other than the head or assistant coach for that team(s). The evaluator can be a head/assistant coach for another team (older/younger), high school coach(es), or any other party deemed acceptable by RYSA board for player evaluation.

The primary objective criterion for player selection will be soccer skill level. Objective

Scoresheets provided by RYSA will be given to the evaluator(s), so all players can be assessed as fairly and equally as possible. To further enhance transparency, in the event that parents/guardians request to see the evaluator scorecard of their child, this scorecard shall be made available to said parents/guardians of that player and discussed with them if needed. The role of those conducting the objective evaluation is to simply evaluate a player’s skill level in an objective manner, not to make or advise team selection decisions (unless explicitly asked to do so by RYSA and/or team coach(es). The coaches will use the objective evaluation form as a tool in team determination.

Criterion for player selection to competitive teams will also have a subjective component based on the coach’s assessment of the individual player’s emotional/physical maturity, attitude, behavior, practice/game attendance frequency, demonstration of sportsmanship, etc. The subjective nature of this assessment does not remove the opportunity for bias, therefore, coaches should be willing and able to discuss these contributing factors with player’s parents/guardians when asked in an effort to promote player improvement.

In the event that tryouts are being held to promote team equality among multiple teams, based on player skill level, and that a team’s composition will be considered “equal skill level” or “balanced” amongst all teams of that age group (ability to compete in same brackets at tournaments), then this needs to be communicated to all RYSA board members,

parents/guardians, and players ahead of tryouts. If player evaluations are being held to distinguish player skill level and separate them accordingly to create a hierarchical structure of skill level (one team possessing an advanced skill level over the other), this also needs to be communicated before tryouts and individual tryout assessments provided to players parents/guardians when requested. This is in an effort to promote inclusion and equal and/or fair playing time among all players of designated skill level as assessed during tryouts.

RYSA coaches/evaluators do not have an obligation to disclose any other specific player’s evaluation documents with anyone other than the specific player(s) parent/guardian. For example, if Player A and Player B have different parents, Player B’s parents have no reason to see Player A’s assessment and vice versa. If a coach wishes to disclose all player evaluation documents to parents/guardians, that is at their own discretion and not one mandated by the RYSA board.

Because mid-season conditions, player behaviors, etc, can change, If player mobility between teams exists, coaches need to communicate this with the board, parents/guardians, and players before tryouts or team selection. In an effort to promote player improvement, coaches should also communicate what instances may promote player mobility. Player parents/guardians are likely to question why players were/are moved between teams, coaches should be able to discuss this with players and parents/guardians of said players. When doing so, decisions should be made, and all efforts aligned, to promote player improvement and prevent player discouragement.

Selection to play in the fall or spring does not guarantee that the same player will be selected the following fall or spring to the same team. As soon as possible after a team’s last tryout, the coach must personally inform each player individually (for example, by telephone) whether he/she has been selected for the team and which team they will be playing for.

Players that fail to try out at the designated times may be selected for a roster spot later upon permission of the committee and coach consent.

 

 

  1. COACH RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Each coach is responsible for providing a safe, challenging, educational, fun soccer experience for all members of his/her team. Coaches are:

 

  • Expected to role model and behave in an appropriate sportsmanlike manner at all times (a coach may be dismissed, at any time in accordance with these rules and regulations, for unsportsmanlike conduct);

 

  • Expected to maintain or increase his/her soccer knowledge and coaching skills by attending workshops or clinics, obtaining progressively higher coaching license levels, and/or playing the game;

 

  • Expected to become familiar with and have a good working knowledge of the FIFA Laws of the Game
  • When necessary communicate any requests for referees and linesmen to the Association’s Referee Assignor not less than five (5) days prior to the scheduled games;

 

  • Required to turn in all Association equipment and an inventory of that equipment to the Association’s Equipment Coordinator within ten (10) days after the end of each season;

 

  • Required to comply at all times with these Rules and Regulations, the Association’s Bylaws and other applicable policies, procedures and rules and regulations, WSA rules and regulations, USYSA rules and regulations, the FIFA Laws of the Game, and RYSA Risk Management Guidelines;

 

  • Required to have a properly equipped first-aid kit supplied by the Association at all practices and games;

 

  • Required to have a current background check on file with, WSA, and must inform WSA immediately if there any changes in the circumstances of the coach that would have required disclosure if the new condition had existed at the time that the last background check was made.

 

Coaches shall not impose any restrictions on, or sanctions for, a player’s participation in other youth activities or sports during the soccer season

 

  1. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Parents are responsible for delivering their children to and picking them up from, practices and games on time, for informing the coach in advance when their children cannot be at a practice or a game, and for volunteering to help the team. Parents are expected to give positive, encouraging comments to their children both on and off the field. Parents are to refrain from making any coaching comments or negative statements of any kind during games to players on or off the field. Verbal abuse by parents of referees, coaches, or players, will not be tolerated. Such behavior can result in the offending parent being asked to leave the field. Repeated offenses may result in barring a parent from attending games and practices. Financial responsibility for a child’s involvement in the program lies with the parent.

 

  1. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Each player is responsible for putting forth his/her best effort, cooperating with coach and teammates, and at all times behaving in a sportsmanlike manner. Each player is expected to be on time for practices and games, and to wear the appropriate equipment. Shin guards are mandatory. If a player cannot attend a practice or a game, the player is expected to inform his/her coach in advance.

 

  1. GAME TIME AND PLAYER POSITIONS

 

Game time in every game is guaranteed for each team member who meets his/her player responsibilities. However, the amount of game time is at the discretion of the coach. Players are expected to play the field positions the coach assigns.

 

  1. EQUIPMENT

 

The Association makes team equipment and uniforms available for team use. All Rampage teams shall wear the uniforms provided in all WSA sanctioned league and tournament play. Shin guards are required, a child shall not participate in practices or games without them.

 

  1. TEAM COLORS

 

The official colors for the Rampage competitive program are red, black, grey, and white. All Rampage teams are required to wear the official colors. Pieces of uniforms not supplied by the Association may be purchased by individuals, players and/or entire teams so long as the items purchased are the official Rampage colors.

 

  1. PUBLICITY

 

Articles in newspapers and posts on social media should emphasize team play and team performance, and should have team members names listed together, or mention no names at all. All publicity must be approved by and routed through the Association’s Publicity Coordinator. Coaches are strongly encouraged to seek publicity for team accomplishments regularly and timely.

 

 

  1. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

The Association will pay the WSA fees for all players on approved rosters for each season, but only after all players on the team roster have paid the registration fees required by the Association. Each team is allowed to travel to such tournaments as may be agreed to by the coach, parents and players, and approved by the Association provided that the proper travel requests are made per WSA requirements in advance of any travel. The Association will approve events for Rampage teams to attend. Some events will be paid for by the association and some will be paid for by the individual teams.  This will be determined on a case by case basis.  Each team is individually responsible for all of its other financial obligations.

 

Fees for individual players will be determined by the Board at the beginning of each season based on actual player costs and expenses.

 

  1. OUTSIDE ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATION

 

Players from Associations other than Riverton Youth Soccer Association will be allowed to play on Rampage teams only if:

 

  • The player is properly registered with an association affiliated with WSA;

 

  • The player has a current player card;

 

  • The player is in good standing with the association with which he/she is registered and with WSA;

 

  • The player pays such fees as may be required by the Board;

 

  • The player has signed an appropriate medical waiver/release such as that required by USYS on its official registration form;

 

  • There is space available on the roster, and there are no other players from the Riverton community that desire to play and have tried out;

 

No non-Riverton teams shall be allowed to register under the Riverton Youth Soccer Association.

 

All Rampage teams shall have at least one Riverton area coach selected and approved by the Competitive Committee, and such coach will have full responsibility for compliance with these Rules and Regulations.

 

  1. AMENDMENTS

 

These Competitive Program Rules and Regulations may be amended at any regular meeting of the board, or at any special meeting of the Board called for that purpose, upon majority vote of the Board of Directors with a quorum present as defined in the RYSA by-laws. All properly adopted amendments shall be committed to writing, signed by the president and secretary, dated on the date of adoption, and filed with the Association’s secretary, and shall be attached to the original set of these Rules and Regulations.

 

ADOPTED FEBRUARY 6, 2002

ADOPTED FEBRUARY 11, 2019