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.

2. 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.

3. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

The program supports the Rampage, a competition league team for boys and girls, in age groups from U10 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 Youth Soccer (WYS) 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.

A. 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 Referee Coordinator (to be selected by the Board annually), and the Risk Management Coordinator. 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.

B. 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, set up a full schedule for each team at the highest reasonable level of competition, represent the RYSA advanced teams both inside and outside Wyoming, coordinate tryouts, administer advanced program tournaments, encourage cooperation and communication between coaches, and periodically report to the Board on the program. The Competitive Program Coordinator will be responsible for scheduling games in the WYS fall and spring leagues and coordinating game schedules with the recreational program.

4. PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS

Any player and/or parent (or guardian) wishing to address any concerns with the application or interpretation of these rules and regulations in the competitive program 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.

5. TEAM FORMATION

Age groupings must be compatible with the WYS 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 Ramage U12 Boys."

Except as may be allowed by WYS, each team is limited to a maximum of 18 players, except U10 which is limited to 14. Girls may play on boys teams. Player roster issues shall follow the rules of the Wyoming Youth Soccer (WYS).

6. COACH SELECTION

Coaches are volunteers, and are selected annually. Coaches for U14 and younger age groups are not required, but are encouraged to make a one-year commitment.
Those interested in coaching must notify the Competitive Program Committee in writing not later than July 1 of each calendar year for the following season, or at such other times as may required by the Committee. The criteria for selection of competitive program coaches will include, but not necessarily in this order, the following:

· 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.

Each team will have at a minimum, a head coach and an assistant coach/team manager. The assistant/team manager must be approved by the Competitive Program Committee.

Player fees are waived for the children of the head coach and assistant coach/team manger.

7. PLAYER SELECTION

Each coach and any assistant coach(es) will hold tryouts for their age/gender group each WYS 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.

The primary criterion for player selection will be soccer skill level. Other criteria include physical and emotional maturity, attitude and behavior. Selection to play in the fall or spring does not guarantee that the same the player will be selected the following fall or spring. As soon as possible after a team's last tryout, the coach must personally inform each player privately (for example, by telephone) whether he/she has been selected for the team.

To maximize player development and to maintain the highest level of play for nearly all players on nearly all teams, all players shall play on their appropriate age group teams. Exceptions may be made by the Committee for individual players (i.e. playing up to a higher age group) but only if these conditions exist:

· There is no team of the same age group and/or gender of the requesting player;

· the coach of the receiving team consents;

· moving up in age group would not cause the requesting player to move up more than one age division;

· the parents of the requesting player consents and signs such acknowledgments and/or waivers as may be deemed appropriate by the Committee; and

· the Board of Directors approve the recommendation of the Committee.

A coach may dismiss players from his/her team for unsportsmanlike conduct or for disciplinary reasons, only after first verbally warning the player and his/her parents of possible dismissal, and informing and discussing the situation with the Competitive Program Coordinator. A PLAYER MAY BE SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY IF, IN THE COACHES OPINION, THE PLAYER ENGAGES IN ACTS OR THREATENS ACTS THAT ARE OR COULD BE DANGEROUS TO OTHER PLAYERS AND/OR COACHES. IF A PLAYER IS SUSPENDED UNDER THIS RULE, THEN NOTICE OF THAT SUSPENSION SHALL BE COMMUNICATED TO THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM COORDINATOR OR OTHER MEMBER OF THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM COMMITTEE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE SUSPENSION, AND THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

In the event of player loss, or other valid reason, a coach may add players mid-season, after approval by the Competitive Program Coordinator.

Before tryouts, the coach must prepare, and submit to the Competitive Program Coordinator, a written statement of the following:

· his/her philosophy on winning and player development,

· his/her policy on game playing time,

· his/her policy on practice time as it relates to playing time in games,

· the anticipated age groups of competitors,

· the expected duration of the soccer season,

· the planned number and length of practices each week,

· the number of games he/she expects to play during each season,

· his/her expectations for tournament participation, and

· the estimated team and individual players costs for the season.

The coach must obtain the approval of his/her coaches statement from the Competitive Program Coordinator before tryouts are scheduled. The approved statement must be provided to all those trying out for his/her team and their parents at the tryouts, but before tryouts commence.

The coach must give a copy of these Rules and Regulations to each player that makes the team.

Players that fail to try out at the designated times may be selected for a roster spot later only upon permission of the Committee upon written application by the player showing why he/she could not participate in the scheduled tryouts, and only if the coach consents.

8. 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, and have a copy of the Laws of the Game with them at all games;

· Required to 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, WYS rules and regulations, USYSA rules and regulations, the FIFA Laws of the Game, and USSA and RYSA Risk Management Guidelines;

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

· Required to have a current Disclosure Statement on file with this Association, WYS, and USYSA, and must update the statement 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 disclosure statement 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

9. 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.

10. 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 game, the player is expected to inform his/her coach in advance.

11. 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.

12. EQUIPMENT

The Association makes team equipment and uniforms available for team use. All Rampage teams shall wear the uniforms provided in all WYS league and all tournament play. Shin guards are required. A child shall not participate in practices or games without them. Soccer shoes are highly recommended.

13. TEAM COLORS

The official colors for the Rampage competitive program are red, black and white. All Rampage teams are required to wear the official colors. Coaches are required to comply with the Association's Uniform Policy which is appended to these rules and Regulations. 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.

14. PUBLICITY

Articles in newspapers 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.

15. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Association will pay the WYS 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 agreed to by the coach, parents and players, and approved by the Association provided that the proper travel requests are made per WYS requirements in advance of any travel. The Association will pay entry fees for two tournaments per year per Rampage team provided that the total for any given team shall not exceed a sum to be set for each season by the Board. Each team is individually responsible for all of its other financial obligations.

Fees for individual players and the maximum amount the Board will apply for tournament entry fees for each team will be established annually by the Board in conjunction with the development of the Association's annual budget.

16. FUND RAISING

Coaches and teams that desire to raise extra funds for tournaments, travel , etc. are required to comply with the Association's policy on fund raising.

17. 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 WYS;

· the player has a current player card;

· the player is in good standing with the association with which he/she is registered and with WYS;

· 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 USYSA on its official registration form;

· the player produces an original or certified copy of valid birth certificate;

· The player's parent/guardian consents in writing;

· 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; and

· the coach has secured permission of the sending association along with the appropriate player loan form or guest player form as the case may be and WYS is properly notified.

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 Committee, and such coach will have full responsibility for compliance with these Rules and Regulations.

18. 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 two-thirds vote of the total Board membership in existence at the time of amendment. 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