NORTHWEST OHIO YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Amended April 2017
ARTICLE - 1 NAME
The name of this organization is the “Northwest Ohio Youth Soccer League (NWOYSL). This organization is a non-profit, educational organization as described under the United States Internal Revenue Service Code, which must be maintained. NWOYSL is affiliated with the “Ohio Youth Soccer Association North” (OYSAN), which is affiliated with the “United States Youth Soccer Association” (USYSA). The NWOYSL is a “League”, as defined as: “A team which participates in regularly scheduled league play.”
ARTICLE – 2 OBJECTIVE
The objective of the NWOYSL is to promote youth soccer in Northwest Ohio. In doing so, the NWOYSL coordinates amateur soccer competition among the youth of Ohio. This is accomplished by cooperating with all agencies concerned with the promotion of soccer; by providing information through literature, films, clinics, and other materials to improve the level of soccer among member leagues and teams; by organizing and supervising interstate tournaments; by helping to establish new teams; and by improving the image of soccer throughout the League.
ARTICLE – 3 MEMBERSHIP (revised July 2016)
1. Membership Application:
All clubs must provide a home field for each of their age groups, and must meet the requirements set forth by the League on field specifications. All club membership applications must provide name and directions to their home field location. Prior to a new club being approved for league membership, a field inspection will be completed by one or more of the league officers. Documentation will remain on file in the league office. If a club elects to utilize a new field, not already approved by the league officers, an inspection is required prior to use.
2. Voting Rights:
Each Club, in good standing, shall have voting powers as set forth herein. Current year League fees, fines, Club bond and registration fees must be current. Votes are determined by the greater of the following two: either the prior Spring/Summer season or the current Fall season.
Voting rights are as follows:
1 to 2 teams One (1) Vote
3 to 6 teams Two (2) Votes
7 to 10 teams Three (3) Votes
11 to 14 teams Four (4) Votes
15 to 19 teams Five (5) Votes
20 or more teams Six (6) Votes
Absent designated Club authorized personnel may vote via proxy, in writing. A simple majority vote determines all motions. In the event of a tie, the motion will be referred to the Executive Board, whose decision will be final.
ARTICLE – 4 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Election of officers will be held during the November General League Meeting each year.
Officers will be elected from nominations received from throughout the League. In the event nominations are not received in November for an open position, the League President will appoint a person or persons to fill the vacant position(s).
The offices of President, Vice President of Juniors and Treasurer shall be elected in the even numbered years, while the offices of Vice President of Youth and Secretary shall be elected in the odd numbered years. The Executive Board members elected serve a two (2) year term conforming to the Jan through December calendar year. No board member may hold his/her position for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
A board member must be affiliated with a Club within the NWOYSL. That affiliated Club must recognize that individual board member as a member within their Club. There shall be no more than two (2) officers from any one Club that preside on the Executive Board at any given time.
VOTING MEMBERS:
President:
Vice President of Youth:
Vice President of Juniors:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Advisor:
a. Assists the Executive Board as needed.
NON-VOTING MEMBERS: (Appointed Positions)
Registrar:
Bookkeeper:
a. Appointed paid position by the League Board.
Scheduler:
Referee Assignor:
COMMITTEES:
Discipline Committee for Youth:
Discipline Committee for Juniors:
Protest Committee:
Appeals Committee:
At any time, the Executive Board or President may appoint a subcommittee to review a specific issue or policy, and will consist of League volunteers, which will also be appointed by the Executive Board or President.
Vacancies:
Whenever a vacancy occurs with the NWOYSL Executive Board by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, a majority of the existing NWOYSL Officers, though less than a quorum, may fill the vacancy at any meeting. The new appointment must be confirmed by the NWOYSL Officers. The resignation of an Officer shall be effective upon receipt by the President (or if the President is vacating his/her position, then upon receipt by the Vice President of Youth). An Officer may be removed with or without cause, by a majority vote of the League membership. If an Officer misses three (3) consecutive monthly League meetings, he/she may be removed by a majority vote from the remaining Executive Board members.
Quorum:
A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all NWOYSL business.
ARTICLE -5 CODE OF ETHICS
The NWOYSL requires each coach, player, parent and/or team representative to uphold the USYSA Code of Conduct. A friendly relationship between teams and Clubs is mandatory. Before the onset of each seasonal year, the NWOYSL “Code of Conduct” form must be read and signed by all players, parents, managers, coaches and club representatives. No player or coach passes will be distributed unless all Code of Ethics forms have been filed in the League office.
The structure of NWOYSL is designed to allow tryouts as defined in Article 6.
No coach, player, trainer, sponsor, parent, or any other person from an existing team, new team or Club, may either directly or indirectly approach, contact, induce, or promise consideration for position on a team, a currently rostered player to leave their present team in order to join a different Club within a current seasonal year. Such activity constitutes the illegal recruitment of players and may be subject to disciplinary action. Individuals making an accusation must file a written protest with the League and provide facts of the case at the time of protest.
ARTICLE – 6 DEFINATION OF CLUB TRYOUTS- updated 7/2016
A tryout is any act of a coach observing a player in action, formally or informally, or a player participating individually or in the context of a team or group of players which leads to a mutual decision to roster that player to any team. This definition specifically includes, but may not be limited to such acts as a coach observing the player in a match or practice, or a match with another team, the player participating as a guest player with another team, or the player participating in any indoor activities with a team other than the one to which he/she is initially rostered during the seasonal year.
A. Unrestricted Tryouts
B. Restricted Tryouts
C. Recruiting of Players
No coach, player, trainer, manager, sponsor, parent, or any other person from a team or Club may, either directly or indirectly, ask a currently rostered player to leave their present team in order to join another team. Such activity constitutes the illegal recruitment of players. OYSAN and NWOYSL consider recruitment of currently rostered players to be illegal in any and all circumstances. Any person or organization found to be illegally recruiting rostered players during the same seasonal year shall be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but are not limited to suspension, fines, or limited or revoked travel privileges.
The Executive Board may take disciplinary action against any Club, coach, player, team or team representative who does not adhere to this policy.
ARTICLE – 7 AUDIT
Any member Club, by and through its designated Club contact may submit a written request bearing the signature of said Club contact for an independent audit of the financial records of the NWOYSL. The request for an audit may specify the names of an accounting firm which shall perform the audit.
Upon receipt of the bona fide request, the League Treasurer must provide all financial records, including but not limited to ledgers and banking records within one (1) week of the date of the first Executive Board meeting following the request.
An auditor must present the result of the audit at the next general or annual League meeting. All financial records provided by the Treasurer, for purposes of completion of the audit, shall be returned to the Treasurer within one (1) week of the date of receipt of the same.
All costs and expenses related to the performance of the requested audit will be paid by the requesting Club at the completion of the audit, with the following exception. In the event that it is discovered, upon completion of the audit, that there are irregularities in the keeping of the records or the handling of funds, the cost of the audit shall be absorbed by NWOYSL. For purposes of this section, irregularities shall be defined by the qualified opinion as to the compliance with GAAP, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”.
BY-LAWS
FOR THE NORTHWEST OHIO YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
I. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP (Revised 11/2011)
C. All clubs must provide a home field for each of their age groups, and must meet the requirements set forth by the League on field specifications. All club membership applications must provide name and directions to their home field location. Prior to a new club being approved for league membership, a field inspection will be completed by one or more of the league officers. Documentation will remain on file in the league office.
D. All clubs must complete a “Goal Safety” form for each of their home fields, and must comply with the rules governing the NWOYSL Goal Safety Policy.
II. ENTRANCE BOND, FEES AND DUES (revised July 2016)
III. LEAGUE MEETINGS (revised 9/2014)
IV. REGISTRATION (Revised 4/2017)
Birth Year and Season Matrix - When determining the age group for a season, the year the season ends should be used for determining the birth year. Also not that the format “U followed by the age” really means that age and younger. For example, U9 should read as 9 and younger.
Season
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
2019-2020
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2024-2025
Birth Year
*
2020
2019
2018
U7
2017
U8
2016
U9
2015
U10
2014
U11
2013
U12
2012
U13
2011
U14
2010
U15
2009
U16
2008
U17
2007
U18
2006
U19
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
For Clubs with more than one boys or more than one girls’ team in the U9 age division, players will be rostered to one team. Players can be moved to different divisions within the U9 age group during a season with the following stipulations:
1. Guest player rules still apply. No team may use more than three guest players in any one game.
2. No U9 player may play more than four league games within a 48-hour time period.
3. Maximum roster limits may not be exceeded.
Players with the NWOYSL which are part of the same Club are allowed to play on an older age division team or a higher division within an age group per season. Guest players may not guest play for a team more than two years older. For example a U9 player may not guest play for a U12 team. (See Registration Handbook for further definition of eligibility of players.) Such players must be clearly designated on the Game Report before the game, must provide a current NWOYSL player pass from the currently registered team, and opposing coach must be notified prior to the game.
V. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY (Revised 7/2016)
VI. COACH REGISTRATION/ELIGIBILITY (Revised 4/2017)
H . Coaches Licensure: All coaches registered as of April 1, 2011 must hold a minimum of the US Soccer U-10/12 Module (or US Soccer equivalent) by the beginning of the Fall season, August 1, 2012. Any new coaches within NWOYSL have a 12 month allowance to obtain the minimum of the US Soccer U-10/12 Module (or US Soccer equivalent).
VII. AGE LIMIT DEFINITIONS
VIII. SUBDIVISIONS
IX. LENGTH OF MATCHES (revised 12/2013)
AGE GROUP LENGTH OF MATCHES
U8/9, U9, U10 Two, twenty five minute halves
U11, U12 Two, thirty minute halves
U13, U14, U15 Two, thirty-five minute halves
(Youth – Middle school students - only)
U15 thru U19 (Juniors) Two, forty-five minute halves
Win = 3 Points
Tie = 1 Point
Loss = 0 Points
Total points obtained.
Head to head matches.
*Least goals against.
Head to head matches – greatest goal differential obtained within the head
to head matches.
Coin toss. A representative from each of the tied teams must be present to
witness the coin toss as initiated by one of the two NWOYSL Vice
Presidents.
*A maximum of five “goals for” will be recorded for each game, or a total goal differential of five for any given game in order to eliminate the “running up of scores” in the younger age divisions. All scores reported will only reflect the allowed goal differential.
X. – SESSION SCHEDULES
A. Team schedules will be provided to each team.
XI. – GAME RULES (Revised 7/2016)
Substitutions:
a. A team may make substitution on their own team’s throw-ins.
b. After a goal, period end or half-time, either team may substitute.
c. Either team may substitute on a throw-ins when the team with possession is substituting at the same time.
d. Either team may substitute at a goal kick.
e. Either team may substitute when the game is stopped for injury. Substitution will be one player for one player.
f. Substituted players may return to the game.
g. Players issued a yellow card must be substituted by another player.
Game Ball:
Each team must be accompanied by a NWOYSL carded adult coach to every League game. During a match, coaches and substitute players are restricted to an area behind the same touchline and to one side of the half-way line. No more than three (3) carded coaches may be on one team. Only carded coaches and players are permitted on the team side of the field.
D. Equipment:
The FIFA equipment rules apply to all League matches.
E. Uniforms:
F. Field Conditions:
The home team is responsible for the conditions and marking of the playing field, including nets and corner flags. Painted lines MUST be visible and multi colors must be used in the field shares with another field size. All field playing conditions will be subject to the discretion of the referee at the match time and site. Corner flags must be five (5) feet high and in accordance with FIFA standards.
G. Approved League Rosters:
All teams will furnish League rosters to the referee prior to the start of every League match.
H. Number of Players/Roster Sizes:
The number of Players/Roster Sizes: The number of players on the field (including the goalkeeper) will be as follows: The maximum roster size will be twelve (12) for teams playing 7 v 7; sixteen (16) players for teams playing 8 v 8; and eighteen (18) players for teams playing youth seasons 11 v 11. Junior Season teams (U16, U17, U18, U19) will allow for twenty two (22) for teams playing 11 v11. Game Day rosters will still only allow eighteen (18) to be present for any one game. The minimum roster size will be seven (7) for teams playing 7 v 7; nine (9) for teams playing 9 v 9; eleven (11) for teams playing 11 v 11.
I. Approved Passes:
Every player must give his/her player pass to the referee prior to the start of every League match. Players and/or coaches without authorized NWOYSL passes will not be permitted to play or coach in the match. Failure to play or coach without a validated pass will result in a team forfeit and a penalty with the amount to be determined by the Executive Board.
J. Match Times:
2. Matches called by the Referee: Matches called by the referee before the first half ended, (due to inclement weather) may be rescheduled. If a match is called following the end of the first half, the score will stand as it was at the time the match was suspended.
3. Rescheduling League Matches:
K. Forfeits: The following infringements constitute a forfeit:
XII. GAME PROTESTS AND RULES VIOLTION PROTESTS
A. Only violations of the League’s Articles and By-laws and misapplication of them may be subject to protest.
B. The Protest Committee, will hear all protests. The decision of the Protest Committee is final.
C. All protests must be made in writing and sent with a fee (determined by the Executive Board), made payable to NWOYSL. The protest should be directed to the Protest Committee Advisor and mailed to the League office. All pertinent information must be included with the protest notification.
D. If a protest involves a match, such protests must be made within forty-eight (48) hours of the match date.
E. The Protest Committee will rule on all protests after listening to both parties involved.
F. The fee for the protest will only be returned if the protest is upheld.
G. Protests not heard due to improper application may result in a partial reimbursement of the protest fee.
H. If the protest is based upon the alleged breaking of the By-Laws as they pertain to a match, then the referee’s written game report or subsequent written report will be the basis of all match conduct. All referees decisions/calls, as long as they are contained within the USYSA rules, may not be challenged.
I. If the protest involves non-game situations (i.e., recruiting violations, etc.) the application for protest is the same as in “C” above.
J. If the Protest Committee determines that the protest is to be upheld, then the person, Club or organization what was found to commit the offense will be subject to discipline as determined by the Discipline Committee.
XIII. DISCIPLINE ( revised 08/2010)
XIV. APPEALS
XV. GAME OFFICIALS (July 2016)
A. All game officials will be assigned by the Referee Coordinator for said fields.
B. The game officials have all powers granted to them through FIFA to enforce the laws of the game.
C. Referee fees will be as agreed upon by the NWOYSL and the Referee’s Association for the current season.
D. The game official uniform is as decreed by the USSF.
F. Assigned game officials not in uniform should be reported to the Referee Coordinator for said field location.
G. The game officials are responsible for providing linesmen flags.
H. The game officials must inspect each player’s equipment to determine if it meets FIFA requirements. No player whose equipment is in violation will be permitted to compete until it is corrected and approved by the referee. The start of the match must not be delayed to make equipment changes. Failure to check equipment by the referee should be reported to the League office.
I. The game officials must inspect each individual player pass prior to the start of the match, and keep the passes during the game. All discrepancies must be noted on the Game Report and the opposing team notified. Failure to do this by the game officials should be reported to the League office.
J. The game officials have the power granted to them by FIFA to call a match on account of unsportsmanlike conduct by coaches, players, parents and/or spectators.
K. The game officials have the power to cease a match during it progress or before it starts due to inclement weather conditions.
L. The referee must give the Game Reports to Home Team – no matter the results of the game; to be turned into the league office.
M. The referee must keep player passes of those who were sent off the field, and send them to the League office, along with the Game Report, and all incidents must be clearly stated on the Game Report. Failure to mail these items to the League office will be brought to the attention of the Referee’s Association.
N. If a game official does not show up for a League match, a substitute game official may be appointed by both coaches or they may choose to officiate half of the match each. If the coaches cannot agree, then the match is not played, and the Executive Board will decide what, if any, action should be taken. Unscheduled substituted certified game officials who officiate the game, are entitled to be paid the regular game official fee for duties rendered. Uncertified game officials are not entitled to be paid by either team.
O. It is recommended that all game officials pass the FIFA minimum standards before officiating any League match. Game officials may be rated by the Referee Coordinator or an appointed person by the Executive Board.
P. The FIFA three-man system must be used for all League matches involving U11 and older teams. A one-man system will be used for all League matches involving U9 an U10 teams.
XVI. GAME RESULTS (Revised July 2016)