RULES AND REGULATIONS

OF

GROSSE POINTE SOCCER ASSOCIATION

RULE #1.       FUNCTION OF THE G.P.S.A.

A.        To promote and develop the youth of the Grosse Pointe Community through the game of Soccer, and to protect the rules of the game.

B.        To provide a healthy recreation to the youth of the Grosse Pointe Community as inexpensively as possible.

C.        To affiliate with neighboring leagues when adequate competition is not available in the Grosse Pointe Community.

D.        G.P.S.A. is formed and operated under the jurisdiction of the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association, the United States Youth Soccer Association and the United State Soccer Association (such associations, together with any successor organizations, being called the "Governing Body").  The operation of G.P.S.A., including its By-Laws and these Rules and Regulations, shall be subject and conform to all rules, regulations and directives of the Governing Body.

RULE #2.       ORGANIZATION OF THE G.P.S.A.

A.        Players registered to play with the G.P.S.A. shall be placed in either the house division, metro-travel or the travel division.

            1.         Travel Division. The travel division will be comprised of the most talented players selected by try-outs, coach evaluations, and direct observation as described in Rule #6, Paragraph A.  Teams in the travel division will be affiliated with an appropriate travel league and will be governed by the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of both the travel league and the G.P.S.A.

            2.         House Division. The house division will be comprised of players not in the travel division. Competition in the house division will be confined in the Grosse Pointe area, except for those age groupings where player registrations are determined by the Board to be insufficient for the formation of an adequate number of teams.  In those age groupings, games may be scheduled with non-select teams of other soccer associations in areas proximate to the Grosse Pointe area (sometimes referred to as the "Metro Travel Division").  The house division is governed exclusively by these rules and regulations, except for special rules approved by the applicable House Director for application to the Metro Travel Division.

B.        Teams in the travel division shall be formed in such age and gender based groupings and in such number as shall be approved from time to time by the Travel Director(s) with the advice and consent of the Board (subject to selection criteria described in Rule 6).

C.        Teams in the house division shall be formed in such age and gender based groupings as shall be approved from time to time by the Board and in such maximum numbers as may be accommodated by the availability of fields, coaches and other limitations.

D.        Each house division will have a Director, elected by the Board.  The duties of these House Directors are described in Rule #3, Paragraph K.  A House Director may have responsibility for more than one house division.

RULE #3.       DUTIES OF OFFICERS.

A.        President .

            The President will:

            1.         Preside at all meetings of the Board.

            2.         Appoint all committees except those requiring Board approval.

            3.         Submit an annual report on the operation of the G.P.S.A. at the annual meeting.

            4.         Represent G.P.S.A. before the Governing Body and in its general affairs with government and other community bodies, except as specifically delegated to other officers in these Rules and Regulations.

B.        Vice President .          

            The Vice President will:

            1.         Preside at all Board meetings in the absence of the President.

            2.         Chair or serve on any committee as required.

            3.         Be the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee.

            4.         Review and recommend scholarship applications under Rule #5 and #14.

            5.         Preferably be an attorney.

C.        The Registrar .

            The Registrar will:

            1.         Be in charge of the registration and certification of players in the     house divisions of G.P.S.A. in accordance with Rule #5.

            2.         Maintain a complete file of all registered players, and other information as required.

D.        The Secretary .

            The Secretary will:

            1.         Record the minutes of all meetings and read them at each subsequent  meeting unless waived by parliamentary vote.

            2.         Maintain the attendance record at all meetings.

            3.         Serve on committees as required.

            4.         Maintain other appropriate files on behalf of G.P.S.A., including a roster of Directors and officers.

            5.         Attend to all correspondence regarding G.P.S.A. matters and records with appropriate liaison with the President, the Commissioner and other Board members or officers of G.P.S.A. as required.   

E.         The Treasurer .

            The Treasurer will:

            1.         Collect and deposit all dues and fees and have charge of all money  of the association.

            2.         Pay bills against the association properly approved by the President  and the Board, whether in an individual case or by standing resolution.

            3.         Keep a detailed account of all income and expenditures and submit a report at every Board meeting unless waived by parliamentary vote.

            4.         Submit an annual financial report for the fiscal year at the annual meeting.

            5.         Be authorized to have banking accounts as needed.  All accounts shall  require the Treasurer's signature and may require the signature of another Board Member or officer approved by the Board.

            6.         Be the Chair of the Budget Committee.

            7.         Preferably be an accountant.

            8.         Be bonded, if deemed necessary by the Board.

F.         The Commissioner .

            The Commissioner will:

            1.         Be directly responsible for the orderly progress of soccer competition  at all levels  of the G.P.S.A. and for the rules of the game applicable to the house division.

            2.         Be the liaison between the G.P.S.A. and affiliated leagues and attend  or cause to be attended by the Travel Director or other delegate all  affiliated league meetings and report to the Board the proceedings  of these meetings.

            3.         Make recommendations regarding travel teams when difficult         circumstances exist, and only at the request of a Director.  In the     event of a conflict of interest, the Commissioner shall replace the effected Travel Director until a resolution of the problem is completed.

            4.         Be the liaison between the Board and the coaches and the managers  and as such shall endeavor to attend all coaches meetings.

            5.         Assist the House Directors and the Travel Director as requested  with the selection and training of coaches.

            6.         Assist the Referee Director as requested with the selection and training of referees.

            7.         Be a member of the Disciplinary Board.

G.        The Director of Referees .

            The Director of Referees will:

            1.         Be in charge of recruiting referees for the G.P.S.A.

            2.         Organize referee clinics from time to time for the G.P.S.A. or shall direct  prospective referees of the G.P.S.A. to available referee clinics.

            3.         Be in charge of scheduling referees for all games in the house and  metro-travel division with the help of the respective Directors, schedule referees for games in the U-9, 10 and 11 age group within the travel division and cooperate with the Travel Director and the referee directors of leagues with which teams in the Travel Division are affiliated in the provision of referees.

            4.         Be a member of the Disciplinary Board.

            5.         Review the performances of each referee by instituting an evaluation process (either formally or informally in the following areas:

                        a.         Promptness - the assigned referee should arrive at the game site early enough to start the game on time.

                        b.         Appearance - the assigned referee should dress in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

                        c.         Mobility - the assigned referee should be able to keep up with the flow of play.

                        d.         Knowledge - the assigned referee should have an applied knowledge of the Laws of the Game.

                        e.         Attitude - the assigned referee should be able to interact in a positive and mature manner.

                        f.          Overall - the assigned referee should be evaluated on overall performance.

            The above areas can be ranked on a 5 (highest) to 1 (lowest) basis.

            The referee is evaluated on a per game basis.

            Confidentiality is recommended.

            It is not mandatory to fill out a card, but it is recommended.

H.        The Directors of Fields .

            The Directors of Fields will be two board members who share responsibility for the tasks listed below as they may from time to time agree in a written memorandum provided to the Board:

            1.         Be in charge of procuring fields and field equipment (such as goal posts and nets) for the G.P.S.A.

            2.         Negotiate with the Board of Education, local governments and private schools and other parties for the use of fields.

            3.         Assist the Commissioner, the Travel Directors,  Referee Director and the House Directors in setting up a schedule of games (and practices if deemed necessary).

            4.         Hire the necessary personnel to prepare the fields for the games (setting goal posts, field marking, etc.).

I.          The Director of Equipment .

            The Director of Equipment will:

            1.         Be in charge of the purchase and distribution of uniforms in accordance with Rule #7.

            2.         Be responsible for purchasing and distributing new soccer balls and other equipment authorized by the Board to all coaches.

            3.         Be responsible for issuing uniforms at the beginning of each playing season to each coach unless specifically delegated to a travel director by the Director of Equipment.

J.          The Director of Publicity .

            The Director of Publicity will:

            1.         Be responsible for reporting pertinent information of all activities and games of the G.P.S.A. to the news media.

            2.         Be responsible for public relations with the community.

            3.         Be responsible for advertising events of the G.P.S.A. and any fundraising projects. 

            4.         Be responsible for publishing and mailing News Letters at regular intervals.

K.        The House Directors .

            The House Directors will:

            1.         Be elected by the Board and have jurisdiction over one or more age  groupings established from time to time by the Board in the house division (each, a "league").

            2.         Be responsible for smooth running of the House Director's particular  age based division.

            3.         Be responsible for recruiting coaches for the House Director's  particular age based division.

            4.         Organize coaches clinics or direct prospective coaches to available clinics.

            5.         Schedule and preside over meetings of coaches of the House Director's particular league.

            6.         Provide the Secretary a roster of all coaches in the House Director's  particular league.

            7.         Schedule games in the House Director's particular league, after consultation with the Field Director, and the Director of Referees.

            8.         Help coaches in the House Director's particular league with their problems and monitor games and practices.

            9.         Form teams in the House Director's particular league in accordance with Rule #4 and Rule #6.1.

            10.       Be a member of the disciplinary board when requested by the chairman thereof.

            11.       Order trophies and pictures for distribution to teams in the House Director's particular league each season.

            12.       Cooperate in all respects with the House Directors of other leagues in the house division.

L.         The Travel Directors .

            1.         Boys Travel Director - The Boys Travel Director shall determine all decisions, not already delegated to another Director, regarding all boys travel teams.

            2.         Girls Travel Director - The Girls Travel Director shall determine all decisions, not already delegated to another Director, regarding all girls travel teams.

             3.        Grandfather Team Travel Director - The grandfather Team Travel Director shall be responsible for all decisions regarding former PGSA "grandfathered teams, resulting from the PGSA/GPSA merger of 2001.

             4.        The Travel Directors will:

                        a.         Be responsible for the smooth running of their travel division.

                        b.         Be responsible for recruiting qualified coaches for travel division.

                        c.         Organize coaches clinics or direct prospective coaches to available clinics.

                        d.         Schedule and preside over meetings of coaches and trainers in the travel division.

                        e.         Provide the Secretary, Registrar and Treasurer a roster of all coaches and trainers in the travel division.

                        f.          Assist in scheduling games in the travel division, after consultation with the Field Director, and the Director of Referees.

                        g.         Help coaches in the travel division with their problems and monitor games and practices.

                        h.         Assist teams in the travel division in identifying and tournaments outside of the applicable league.

                        i.          Form teams in the travel division in accordance with Rule #4 and Rule #6.

                        j.          Be a member of the Disciplinary Board when requested by the chairman thereof.

                        k.         Attend all meetings of leagues with which teams in the travel division are affiliated, including affiliation, division setting, game scheduling and pass card distribution meetings of such leagues and report to the Board the proceedings of such meetings.

                        l.          Arrange for seasonal evaluations of coaches and trainers and to insure that the results of these evaluations are forwarded to the Commissioner.

M.        The Director of Special Events/Fundraising .

            The Director of Special Events will be responsible for such special projects and tasks of the G.P.S.A. as may be directed from time to time by the President or the Board.

N.        General .

            1.         The powers and responsibilities set forth above are in addition to powers and  responsibilities of officers set forth in the By-Laws or these Rules and Regulations, specifically delegated by the Board or customarily exercised by such position and any such powers and responsibilities may be further limited or conditioned by action of the Board.

            2.         All officers must be members of the Board.

            3.         Officers may, with the advice and consent of the Board, delegate one or more of the duties and responsibilities of such office to another Director or to a non-Director, non-voting, volunteer, but the officer shall remain responsible to the Board for the performance of such delegated duty or responsibility.

RULE #4.       TEAM ORGANIZATION.

A.        The House Directors shall organize each team in such House Director's particular league.

B.        The Commissioner will assist the House and Travel Directors in selecting coaches and assistant coaches when requested.

C.        A roster of personnel (including players, coaches, trainers and managers) for each  team in the travel division and the house division shall be made available to the Board by   the Travel Directors, in the case of teams in the travel division, and by the applicable House Directors, in the case of teams in the house division.

D.        Teams in the travel division to be affiliated with G.P.S.A. each season shall be approved by the Travel Directors with the advice and consent of the Board. Such consent may be provided on a conditional, provisional or prospective basis if circumstances require (such as in cases where the number of potential players in a particular age grouping may not yet be known or where an appropriate coach has not yet been identified), provided that such circumstances are disclosed to the Board. No team shall be affiliated with any league through or with the sponsorship of G.P.S.A. without compliance with these Rules and Regulations, including without limitation this Rule #4, Rule #6, Rule #6.1 and Rule #8.

E.         Individual teams in the travel division and the house division of G.P.S.A. shall be selected according to Rule #6, Rule #6.1 and this Rule #4.

F.         Guidelines for Organizing a Travel Team.

            1.         The organizing representatives shall make application to the GPSA through the appropriate travel director no later than June 1st.

            2.         The travel director shall review the application and make a decision based upon:

                        a.         Need - the appropriate travel director shall use his/her discretion to limit the number of teams by screening the applications.

                        b.         Support structure:

                                    i.          Coach.

                                    ii.         Manager.

                                    iii.        Trainer (if applicable).

                                    iv.        The number of players available in the age group.

            3.         Upon acceptance, the team recognizes that the coach or that individual designated by the coach as his/her representative is held responsible for all aspects of the organization and administration of the team, unless modified by any Committee of the Board.  These duties are to include the following:

                        a.         Attend all GPSA travel meetings.

                        b.         Attend all divisioning/registration/distribution meetings.

                        c.         Attend all scheduling meetings.

                        d.         Work with the appropriate travel director to organize tryouts and select the team players.

                        e.         Timely registration of players and collection of applicable fees.

                        f.          Timely ordering of uniforms and equipment from the equipment director.

                        g.         Meeting with the field director to arrange times and places for practices and games.

                        h.         Acceptance of risk management criteria. Each member of the support structure must fill out a risk management form and obtain the appropriate Risk Management Card prior to the commencement of the season.

                        i.          In the event it is impossible for the coach to attend the above listed meetings, an alternate attendee may be selected.

RULE #5.       AGE GROUPINGS AND REGISTRATION.

A.        The G.P.S.A. shall provide soccer competition for amateur players eligible to play in youth divisions of the Governing Body (i.e., up to under-19), subject to the availability of sufficient numbers of players for league or team formation.

B.        Birth dates for determining age group participation shall conform at all times to birth dates used for the determination of age groups by the Governing Body, subject to any transitional rules specifically adopted by the Board in the event of a change in such birth dates by the Governing Body.

C.        Age groupings for teams of G.P.S.A. in both the travel division and the house division shall conform to the age groupings of the Governing Body.

D.        All registrants of G.P.S.A. shall play in the age groupings of G.P.S.A. based on the registrant's birth date, unless such registrant is permitted to play in a different age grouping based on the following:

            1.         Registrants for the house program shall be permitted to play in an age grouping older than the age grouping in which the registrant's birth date falls (a "play-up") only with the approval of the House Director with jurisdiction over the age grouping in which the registrant's birth date falls, the House Director with jurisdiction over the age grouping in which it is proposed that the registrant plays and the Commissioner, based upon the determination of such persons that such play-up is in the best interest of registrant based on the registrant's mental and physical maturity and is in the best interest of the other participants in the age grouping in which it is proposed that the registrant plays. Decisions as to play ups by such House Directors and the Commissioner shall be final and not subject to further appeal.

            2.         Registrants for the house program shall not be permitted to play in an age grouping younger than the age grouping in which the registrant's birth date falls (a "play-down").

            3.         Registrants for the travel program shall be permitted to play in an age grouping older than the age grouping in which the registrant's birth date falls (a "play-up") if permitted under Rule #6.

            4.         Comply with the Rules of the Governing Body regarding restrictions or limitations for travel competition.

            5.         Any provision of this Rule #5, paragraph D, to the contrary notwithstanding, no play-up or play-down in either the travel division or the house division shall be permitted if any or all such situations shall result in a loss of coverage or another adverse result under any policy of insurance of G.P.S.A., or which G.P.S.A. is the beneficiary, or if contrary to the policies or directives of the Governing Body or any league with which a travel team shall be affiliated.

E.         Player Registration in the Travel Division . The following shall be applicable to registration in the travel division:

            1.         Registration shall be conducted under the supervision of the Travel Directors, in accordance with all requirements of leagues in which such teams shall be affiliated, and may be conducted by mail, in person or by such other procedures approved from time to time by the Travel Director.

            2.         Deadlines for registration, and penalties for late registration, shall be set by the Travel Directors in order to comply with all requirements of leagues in which such teams shall be affiliated.  It shall be the responsibility of the team to become advised of such deadlines and G.P.S.A. may elect not to permit affiliation in a travel league by any team not complying with such deadlines.

            3.         No player shall be registered unless they have submitted a properly completed registration form, proof of age, the registration fee, pictures and any other information from time to time required by the Travel Directors, G.P.S.A. or the leagues in which such teams shall be affiliated All players shall comply with all rules and regulations of the applicable Governing Body.

            4.         Proof of age in the travel division may include a birth certificate, naturalization records or other evidence authorized by the Travel Directors or the Board and acceptable to the league in which such teams shall be affiliated.  The Travel Directors or the Board may require additional proof of age in the event a registrant's age is challenged.

            5.         The registration fee, which includes fees payable to the Governing Body, G.P.S.A. administrative fees, uniform fees, field usage fees, late charges or other charges to registrants, shall be established by the Board.

            6.         Subject to Rule #5 and Rule #15, G.P.S.A. may provide scholarships or other waivers of registration fees, or any part thereof, from time to time based upon the recommendation of the Vice President and subject to such other criteria or requirements as from time to time established by the Board.

            7.         All registrations submitted to G.P.S.A. are subject to acceptance by G.P.S.A.  Registrations may be rejected by the Travel Directors or the Board based on failure to comply with registration procedures, failure to comply with these Rules and Regulations, disciplinary actions or other cause in good faith deemed reasonable and proper by the Travel Directors or the Board.  Decisions in such respect by the Travel Directors may be appealed to the Board and the decision of the Board shall be final.

F.         Player Registration in the House Division . The following shall be applicable to registration in the house division:

            1.         Registration shall be conducted under the supervision of the Registrar and may be conducted by mail, in person or by such other procedures approved from time to time by the Board.

            2.         The Registrar and the Publicity Director shall prepare and distribute advertisements and notifications of registration deadlines, terms and forms in newspapers, bulletins and other appropriate publications, subject to budgetary limitations and with the advice and consent of the Board.  All reasonable efforts shall be made to distribute registration information as widely as possible for the purpose of obtaining the largest possible number of registrations.

            3.         Deadlines for, including dates after which registrations may be subjected to a late fee or registrants placed on a waiting list, shall be set by the Registrar, with the advice and consent of the Board.

            4.         No player shall be registered unless they have submitted a properly completed registration form, proof of age, the registration fee and any other information from time to time required by G.P.S.A.

            5.         Proof of age in the house division may include parental certification, birth certificate, naturalization records or other evidence authorized by the Registrar of the Board.  The Registrar or the Board may require additional proof of age in the event a registrant's age is challenged.

            6.         The registration fee, which includes fees payable to the Governing Body, G.P.S.A. administrative fees, uniform fees, field usage fees, late charges or other charges to registrants, shall be established by the Board.

            7.         G.P.S.A. may provide scholarships or other waivers of registration fees, or any part thereof, from time to time based upon the recommendation of the Vice President and subject to such other criteria or requirements as from time to time established by the Board.

            8.         All registrations submitted to G.P.S.A. are subject to acceptance by G.P.S.A.  Registrations may be rejected by the Registrar or the Board based on the receipt of excess registrants, failure to comply with registration procedures, failure to comply with these Rules and Regulations, disciplinary actions, safety of the registrant or other participants or other cause in good faith deemed reasonable and proper by the Registrar or the Board whose decision in each case shall be final).

G.        Any willful falsification of registration materials, including without limitation proof of age, shall be grounds for the temporary or permanent termination of registration of a player and for the temporary or permanent prohibition on acting as a coach or manager of any person determined to have assisted to abetted any such falsification. Any such determination shall be made by the Board, whose determination shall be final.

RULE #6.       TRAVEL DIVISION - BOARD GUIDELINES - TEAM INFORMATION - PLAYER SELECTION - DRAFTING.

A.        General Guidelines .

            1.         The teams in the travel division affiliated with G.P.S.A. shall be subject to approval and formation as provided in Rule #4.

            2.         The A team shall be formed of the most able players available in a particular age grouping, identified as provided in this Rule #6.  The B team shall be formed of the next most able players available in a particular age groupings, identified as provided in this Rule #6.  In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, a player should not be placed on a team if such player is not expected to receive meaningful game playing time at the level of play of such team.

            3.         Each travel team affiliated with G.P.S.A. shall include players such that at least one half of all the players placed on the team are from the Grosse Pointe Community (which for such purpose shall be a region including the five Grosse Pointes, the east side of Detroit, Harper Woods and southern St. Clair Shores).

            4.         Each travel team shall contain not more than the number of players permitted by the league with which such team is affiliated and may contain fewer players than permitted by such league.  Players may be dual registered between G.P.S.A. travel teams if permitted by the leagues with which each affected team is affiliated and if approved by the coach of each affected team.  Game or practice conflicts for dual registered players shall be resolved by the coaches of the affected teams, and as provided by the MSYSA rules.

            5.         Travel teams shall be selected as provided under this Rule #6.  Teams shall be selected based on evaluations obtained through tryouts, coach evaluations and such other information as deemed necessary or relevant and as provided under this Rule.  At least one tryout shall be held for each age grouping. Such tryouts shall be open to all participants (subject to the provision of proof of insurance and liability waiver), without regard to location of residence or prior registration with the house or travel divisions of G.P.S.A.  Teams shall be formed with the goal of placing the most able players on the A team, and the next most able on the B team.   The determination of the number of teams shall be made by appropriate Travel Director based on the number of players able to reasonably and successfully compete in the travel league.  No vested right shall accrue to participate on a travel team of G.P.S.A., or to participate on an A team, in a successive season by reason of current registration with such team.  Further, travel team selection shall comply in all respects with the requirements of the Governing Body (including, without limitation, antipoaching rules).

            6.         All problems are to be brought to the appropriate Director in writing.

                        a.         In the event an amenable decision is not rendered, one representative (two representatives, one from each point of view, when an adversarial situation exists) may present their situation to the Travel Committee.  All requests must be in writing and submitted through the appropriate Travel Director.

                        b.         It shall be the duty of each Travel Director to act as an independent resource.

                        c.         Only the appropriate Travel Director is to deal with the concerns of a travel team.  All comments or questions directed to a Board member who is not a Travel Director, shall be redirected to the designed Travel Director.

            7.         According to FIFA, USSF, and MSYSA rules, the coach is responsible for all aspects of the team.  The coach named on the MSYSA registration form shall be the only person contacted by the Travel Director.  It shall be the duty of the travel coach to attend all meetings called by the MYSL, MSPSL, and GPSA Travel Directors. In the event it is impossible for the coach to attend, it is his/her responsibility to arrange for an alternate and appropriate replacement.

            8.         The coach designated on the GPSA travel team application and named on the MSYSA registration shall be primarily responsible for choosing his/her travel team, and in accordance with this Rule #6.

                        a.         When two or more teams exist in the same age bracket, the team designed the "A" team shall have first choice to select  the maximum number of players allowed per team.

                        b.         The team designated as the "B" team shall select the next group of players.

                        c.         The team designated as the “C” team shall select the next group of players.

            9.         In the event a coach is not known, the Travel Director and an evaluating committee may select the team and inform the parents of the coaching situation.

            10.       In the event two coaches request designation as the "A" team coach, the decision shall be at the discretion of the appropriate Travel Director.

            11.       Each team shall be responsible for their own finances.  The GPSA will not hold funds for individual teams, nor will they pay out funds to paid coaches or trainers.

            12.       In the event of a disciplinary fine, the disciplined team must pay the fine directly to GPSA.

            13.       Coaches for travel teams shall be encouraged to hold a D license or higher issued by the Governing Body as required by the applicable Governing Body

            14.       The travel teams in the boys’ division shall be named "Salvo."  The A level team shall be designated "Salvo A."  If there are B and C level teams they shall be designated "Salvo B" and "Salvo C", respectively.  The travel teams in the girls’ division shall be named "Breakers."  The A level team shall be designated "Breakers A."  If there are B and C level teams they shall be designated "Breakers B" and "Breakers C", respectively.

            15.       Minimum playing time per player shall be 1/3 of each game, unless a player is subject to reasonable team discipline or injury.

B.        Travel Team Guidelines .

            1.         Team tryout schedules shall be publicized in the appropriate media locations.  Included shall be date, time, and place.

            2.         Designation of travel tryout dates and times shall be in place by May 1st.

            3.         A mandatory organizational meeting of all travel team coaches shall be held annually.  The topics to be discussed are:

                        a.         Dissemination of all forms.

                        b.         Notification of all fees.

                        c.         Notification of all deadlines.

                        d.         Discussion of travel rules and guidelines.

                        e.         Final notification of travel tryout dates, times, and places.

                        f.          Notification of important league dates (bracketing, scheduling, and registration).

            4.         At the time of the first tryout day, each participant must be provided with the following written information as to the course of conduct of the team: time commitment; league to be affiliated; the identity of the trainer or paid coach; the anticipated cost for participation on the team.

            5.         The player is to bring the following items to the tryout:

                        a.         A copy of his/her birth certificate (or a previous MSYSA registration card).

            6.         On the tryout date, the player (or parent) is requested to fill out all applicable forms for registration.  Upon the outcome of the tryout the registration forms shall either be filed with the appropriate team or destroyed. 

            7.         The responsible coach/coaches/trainers from each age group shall work together to choose their respective teams.

                        a.         Each travel team shall distribute a sheet disclosing the expected costs and commitments expected of each team member.  The disclosure sheet shall be distributed on the first tryout day.

            8.         Each coach must adhere to the following guidelines:

                        a.         The "A" team coach, with the assistance of the "B" team coach, shall choose the best group of players.  The list shall consist of up to sixteen chosen players and four alternate selections.  The "B" team coach, with the assistance of the "A" team coach shall choose the next best group of players.  The list shall consist of eleven chosen players and five alternate players.  If there is a “C” team, it shall select the next sixteen players and so on.

                        b.         In the event not enough travel quality players try out, only one team will be formed.  This shall be left to the discretion of the evaluating coaches and respective Travel Director.

                        c.         Notification of team selection to the "A" team shall be made within three days of the last tryout date.

                        d.         The player may accept or reject the invitation.

                        e.         If a player rejects the invitation, the "A" team coach may choose a replacement from the alternate list.

                        f.          When the "A" team is complete (up to sixteen players), the "B" team coach shall offer invitations in a like manner from the list of chosen  players and alternates or to any player who has rejected the opportunity to join the team.

            9.         In the event of a dual registration, the primary travel team coach must sign all forms prior to registration on the secondary team.  Both teams must exchange schedules, and recognize that the primary team maintains discretion.

            10.       Play-up situations shall be discouraged, however the following guidelines will be observed through U-14:

                        a.         All play-up decisions shall be at the discretion of the appropriate Travel Director.

                        b.         There shall be no play-ups allowed on "B" teams.

                        c.         There shall be a "grandfather clause" for existing play-up situations.

            11.       All questions shall be directed to the appropriate Travel Director.

RULE #6.1.    HOUSE DIVISION - TEAM FORMATION - PLAYER SELECTION - DRAFTING.

A.        The house division teams shall be drafted as evenly as possible for competitive balance by the applicable House Director, unless otherwise directed by the Board.

B.        Geographic proximity and schools attended may be considered unless competitive balance would be adversely affected thereby.  Placement requests by registrants, such as requests to play for particular coaches and requests to play with other registrants may be considered, unless competitive balance would be adversely affected by honoring such requests.

C.        House Directors should use direct observation, tryouts and coach evaluation whenever possible to form balanced teams.

RULE #7.       TEAM UNIFORMS.

A.        Travel Division .

            1.         The G.P.S.A. team colors for Salvo, Hurricanes, Dragons and Vipers will be forest green as the predominant color.  Alternate jerseys, to be used in the event of conflicts, will be gold. 

                        The G.P.S.A. team colors for the Mustangs will be royal blue and gold.  Alternate jerseys, to be used in the event of conflicts with other teams, may be white.

                      The G.P.S.A. team colors for the Breakers will be predominantly green shorts,

                      white jerseys and white socks.  Alternate jerseys, to be used in the event of

                      conflicts with other teams, will be gold.

            2.         These colors will be used UNIFORMLY by all teams in the travel division of G.P.S.A.

            3.         A uniform style conforming to G.P.S.A. colors shall be selected from  time to time by the Equipment Director and the Commissioner, with the advice and consent of the Board.  The uniform style and quality shall be commensurate with uniforms worn by travel teams from other comparable associations.  The uniform style shall not be changed unless discontinued by the manufacturer or otherwise directed by the Board, after taking into account the expense to the participants of a change in uniform style.

            4.         The Equipment Director and the Commissioner, with the advice and consent of the Board, may also select a uniform style of  warm-ups or other items to be used by all teams in the travel division of G.P.S.A.

            5.         All jerseys will carry the G.P.S.A. emblem on the front and be numbered on the back of the jersey.

            6.         No player, team or sponsors name shall appear on the uniforms or any other item of team apparel or equipment.  Except as set forth herein, a player may have his/her last name, no nicknames, in one inch letters on the front of the warm-up.

            7.         Unless otherwise determined by the Board, each player shall be charged  the cost of the uniform.  The uniform will then be the property of the player and the player shall be responsible for replacing any lost, damaged or outgrown uniforms.

B.        House Divisions .

            1.         Uniforms for the house divisions shall be selected by the Equipment Director.

            2.         All jerseys will carry the G.P.S.A. emblem on the front and by numbered on the back of the jersey.

            3.         No player, team or sponsors name shall appear on the uniforms.

            4.         Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the cost of the uniform will be added to the registration fee or the  uniform will be sold separately to the players.  The uniform will be the property of the player to keep at the end of the season.

C.        All players are required to wear the complete team uniform (jersey, shorts, and socks) and shin protectors at all games.

D.        The Equipment Director shall obtain price quotations for all uniforms and equipment used in the travel and house divisions.  The Equipment Director shall order uniforms and other equipment from the supplier offering the lowest net price (taking into account any applicable quantity or other discounts available to G.P.S.A., delivery costs and other items) that is able to meet the style, quantity and delivery requirements of G.P.S.A.  The Equipment Director may, at the discretion of the Equipment Director, use either a single supplier providing the lowest net price for all (or substantially all) uniforms and equipment to be ordered by G.P.S.A. or may select multiple suppliers providing the lowest net price on individual items.

RULE #8.       COACHES AND MANAGERS SELECTION AND MEETINGS.

A.        Coaches and managers for the house program shall be selected by the House Directors for their respective house divisions and for the travel program by the Travel Directors for the appropriate team, based on such criteria deemed appropriate by such persons, including licenses attained, playing and coaching experience, prior service to G.P.S.A., disciplinary history, financial responsibility, personal interviews, evaluations and other qualifications.  The decisions of the House Directors as to coaches and managers in their respective House divisions and the decisions of the Travel Directors as to coaches in the travel program shall be final and not appealable so long as not in conflict with the written policies or procedures or other express directives of the Board relating to the selection of coaches and managers in existence at the time such decisions are made.

B.        The House Directors shall hold an organizational meeting for coaches and managers in the house division at the commencement of each season for the distribution of rosters, schedules and equipment, the review of applicable rules and for such other purposes as deemed necessary or advisable.  The House Directors may hold additional meetings for coaches and managers in the house division for such purposes and at such times as the House Directors from time to time elect.  The Board shall be advised of the organizational meeting and such other meetings and shall be provided an opportunity to attend.

C.        The Travel Directors and Commissioner may hold an organizational meeting for coaches and managers in the travel division at the commencement of each season for the distribution of registration forms and equipment, the review of applicable rules and for such other purposes as deemed necessary or advisable.  The Travel Directors and Commissioner may hold such additional meetings for coaches and managers in the travel division for such purposes and at such times as the Travel Directors and the Commissioner from time to time elect.  The Board shall be advised of the organizational meeting and such other meetings and shall be provided an opportunity to attend.

D.        Coaches and managers in the travel division shall also be responsible for attending affiliation, divisioning, scheduling, packet distribution or other meetings of the leagues with which their respective teams are affiliated as directed from time to time by the Travel Directors.

E.         G.P.S.A. shall not employ compensated coaches or trainers on behalf of any teams. Compensated coaches may be hired by, and at the sole expense of, an individual team, provided that G.P.S.A. is informed of such retention by the team and obtains satisfactory assurances from the parents of the registrants on such team acknowledging financial responsibility for such compensation and indemnifying G.P.S.A. from any responsibility for the payment or reporting of such compensation. 

RULE #9.       RULES OF PLAY.

A.        Teams in the travel division will be subject to the rules of the league with which affiliated.

B.        In the house division, the rules of play shall be the laws of the game for each applicable age grouping as published by the Governing Body, with such modifications as are approved from time to time by the Commissioner and the Referee Director.

RULE# 10.     SOCCER SEASON.

A.        G.P.S.A. shall sponsor and register house and travel teams for fall and spring seasons each year.  The starting and ending dates for such seasons for the house division shall be established by the House Directors, with the advice and consent of the Board, and the starting and ending dates for such seasons for the travel program shall be as established by the governing body of the leagues with which such teams are affiliated.

RULE #11.     DISCIPLINARY BOARD.

A.        The Disciplinary Board shall be composed of the Vice-President of G.P.S.A. (who shall chair the Board), the Commissioner, the Travel Directors (if the matter involves the travel division), the House Director for the respective house division (if the matter involves the house division), and the Director of Referees.

B.        The function of the Disciplinary Board is to listen to appeals, settle disputes, and reinforce by-laws, rules and regulations at all levels of this organization.  The jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Board shall extend to Directors, Officers, coaches, assistant coaches, managers, referees, players, parents, guardians and any other person in any way affiliated with G.P.S.A. (each, an "affiliated person").

C.        Disciplinary rulings may be applied by the Disciplinary Board in any appropriate circumstance to enforce G.P.S.A.'s Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rules and Regulations, for the good of G.P.S.A. or for the good of the game, including but not limited to the following circumstances:

            1.         Any affiliated person guilty of fighting; using abusive or threatening language, profanity (words or gestures); making threatening gestures; pushing or striking any other affiliated person or any player, coach, referee, parent or other person.

            2.         Any player or team official who may be sent off the field by the referee or who may receive three cautions (i.e., yellow cards) within a seasonal year.

            3.         Coaches using ineligible players or guilty of unsportsmanlike practice.

D.        The House Directors, the Travel Directors and the Director of Referees should be responsible for reporting occurrences within the Disciplinary Board jurisdiction to the Chairman thereof.

E.         Any affiliated person who has been suspended shall be suspended from any affiliation with G.P.S.A. during the period of any suspension and shall not be on or in the vicinity of the field during games during any period during which such person is suspended.

F.         Any affiliated person guilty of violating G.P.S.A. rules and regulations or laws of the game may be fined, suspended from affiliation with G.P.S.A., made subject to any other sanctions deemed appropriate by the Disciplinary Board or otherwise dealt with by the Commissioner or the Disciplinary Board.

G.        If a person wants to appeal a ruling of the Disciplinary Board, he shall address a written request to the Disciplinary Board. A hearing will be scheduled by the Disciplinary Board at a suitable time for all parties involved.  Decisions of the Disciplinary Board shall be final and shall not be appealable to the Board of Directors.

H.        Protests shall not be heard from any person relating to referee judgments or otherwise relating to the result of a game in the house division.  Protests in the travel division shall be made in accordance with the rules of the applicable league with which the team is affiliated.

I.          All other issues or disputes involving players and/or coaches shall be heard as follows:

            a.         The issue in dispute shall be brought before the appropriate travel Director for a decision.

            b.         On appeal by either side to the dispute, the Commissioner shall attempt to mediate the dispute.   If this proves unsuccessful, than either side may appeal to the Travel Committee consisting of all Travel Directors, the Commissioner with the Vice President acting as Chairperson. 

            c.         If the matter at issue involves health, safety or if the vote of the travel Committee is tied, than either side to the dispute may bring the issue to the entire Board for a final decision.

RULE #12.     TROPHIES.

A.        G.P.S.A. shall provide individual trophies for each participant in the house program each season of play.

B.        House Directors shall be in charge of ordering such trophies for their respective house Divisions.

C.        Plaques and mementos shall be ordered when deemed necessary by the President or the Board for deserving members of G.P.S.A.

D.        All expenditures for trophies, plaques and mementos under this Rule # 12 shall be within the limits for such items from time to time set forth in G.P.S.A.'s budget or as otherwise approved by the Board.

RULE #13.     INSURANCE AND WAIVERS.

A.        All players registered with G.P.S.A. shall be required to have in effect a medical insurance program and shall be required to file with G.P.S.A. an indemnity and waiver of liability in such form as from time to time required by the Board.

B.        G.P.S.A., either directly or indirectly through Michigan State Youth Soccer Association or other state or national youth soccer governing bodies, shall carry liability insurance, in such amounts and with such deductibles, retentions and other terms as are from time to time available to G.P.S.A. and acceptable to the Board, covering all properly registered players, coaches and managers.