Greater Grand Forks
Soccer Club
Policy Manual
(Updated October 2015)
PO Box 14397
Grand Forks ND 58208-4397
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page number
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
II. FOUNDATIONS OF THE PROGRAM
III. GGFSC ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL POLICIES 2
A. PLAYER REGISTRATION PROCESS 2
1. Registration of Player2
2. Fee Schedule/Payment Process 3
3. Refunds 3
4. Age Groups
5. Team Formation
6. Determining Team Rosters
7. Guest Players
8. Uniforms and Personal Equipment5
9. Uniform Distribution5
10. Playing Fields, Gymnasiums and Equipmen6
B. COACHES 6
1. Director of Coaching (DOC)6
2. Coaching Requirements and Qualification
3. Coaching Education8
4. Coach Responsibilities8
5. Disciplinary Policy for Coaches9
C. PLAYERS
1. Players' Rights and Responsibilities
2. Disciplinary Policy
D. PARENTS
1. Involvemenvement11
2. Communication
3. Guidelines for Parents
E.GAME ENVIRONMENT 11
F. TEAM MANAGER EXPECTATIONS 12
G. LEAGUE AND TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION 12
IV.INDOOR SOCCER 13
V.SUNFLAKE RECREATIONAL SOCCER 13
VI.INSURANCE COVERAGE 12
VII.PROMOTIONS AND FUNDRAISING PROJECTS 13
VIII.PLAYER/ADULT PROTECTION PROGRAM 13
IX.BOARD OF DIRECTORS 13
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Greater Grand Forks Soccer Club (GGFSC) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of North Dakota in 1988. The Articles of Incorporation state that the Club is formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and in particular to promote youth and amateur soccer in and around the Greater Grand Forks area and therefore is considered a 501c3 charitable organization.
GGFSC cooperates with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). Our club players are registered through the USYSA and the overseeing state body, which is the North Dakota Soccer Association (NDSA).
II. FOUNDATIONS OF THE PROGRAM
•To teach youth the fundamental skills of soccer and to encourage player development through a competitive team sport environment, appropriate to the age and developmental stage of the player.
•To inspire and encourage youth to practice the ideals of good sportsmanship, physical fitness and teamwork.
•To offer opportunities for all players to develop skills at their respective levels in order to provide a player experience which is positive, motivating and rewarding.
•To provide a reasonably controlled and physically safe playing environment for competitive play.
•To encourage the participation of adults in the community to be role models for youth players in capacities such as volunteers, spectators, supervisors, coaches, board members and officers.
•To promote a strong sense of community and pride of representation among the youth players for the city of Grand Forks and the surrounding area.
•To provide an opportunity for all registered players to practice, and rostered players to participate in games and tournaments.
•To be a conduit for athletes, coaches and referees to improve their skills by providing information about various camps, development programs and clinics or seminars.
III. GGFSC Administration and General Policies
A. PLAYER REGISTRATION PROCESS
1. Registration of Players
To participate in any GGFSC sponsored soccer activity, players must be registered with
GGFSC and loaded in the NDSA database. Player registration shall be according to NDSA rules and by-laws. At a minimum, a registration fee (subject to change annually) must be paid, liability form signed, and GGFSC registration form must be completed online via club website (GGFSC.com) to be eligible to train or play with GGFSC. Open season for registration begins on September 1st of each year, and families are encouraged to register with the club as soon as possible to guarantee a spot on the competitive traveling teamroster, since they are filled on first-come basis. Once a player is registered with the club, they are eligible to participate in any club offering (futsal, indoor clinics, indoor tournaments, camps, summer program) throughout the year, after paying applicable fees for that activity. No unregistered player will be allowed to participate in any practice or game for any reason. Coaches/players found in violation of this policy will be referred to the Director of Coaching and the Board of Directors for possible disciplinary action. The deadline to register for the summerseason is April 15th.
Before official competitions, each athlete must place his or her signature on their player card. Once signed, all player cards will be laminated by the club and held by the team manager or coach. The exception would be when a card has been confiscated by game, tournament or NDSA officials or the GGFSC Board of Directors for disciplinary reasons. At the conclusion of the season, all player cards will be returned to the players.
2. Fee Schedule/Payment Process
Allfees are subject to change annually, to account for increased coach salaries, and increased overhead due to club growth and evolution. Additional fees for special tournaments will be advertised in advance of each season, as required. Any player who owes fees from the previous season will not be loaded into the NDSA database, and hence not allowed to participate in GGFSC activities, until the account is settled.
The GGFSC offers a payment plan for the parents or guardians of all registered athletes. The treasurer of the GGFSC will be responsible for all money received through the registration process. The treasurer will generate statements for the parent or guardian responsible for payment. Parents or guardians will have the option of paying by installments or in lump sum with the goal of the plan to pay all fees prior to the start of the designated activity. All are encouraged to take advantage of this payment opportunity. Statements will be mailed on the following schedule: September 1st, November 1st, January 1st, and February 1st.
The GGFSC does not wish to keep athletes from playing due to financial constraints. Therefore, scholarship funds have been identified to aid those families that may require assistance. Please direct written inquiries to the GGFSC President. All inquiries and awarded scholarships will remain confidential within the Board of Directors. Scholarships are determined by the Club President, Vice President and Treasurer.
3. Refunds
In general, all requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors. Refunds will be considered for season ending injuries, unexpected family relocations, or other such circumstances, on a case-by-case basis. The $50 registration fee is non-refundable.
4. Age Groups
Age groups for the current season are based on the player's age on the last day of the previous July. (Example: A child who is 13 on July 31st of the previous year, is eligible to play Under14 or higher during the current season by USYSA rules. The same child could turn 14 on August 1st and still be eligible to play U-14. If a second child was 14 on July 31st, they must play U-15 or higher.) The goal of GGFSC is to form teams in groups that are "age pure" to the maximum extent possible. No child will be rostered on a higher age group without a parent's written permission (e-mail will suffice).
5. Team Formation for Competitive play
a. The goal of the GGFSC is to fill as many age groups with nominally sized teams for each activity offered. The Director of Coaching with advisement from the Board will make the team determinations based on the following criteria:
1)When possible, single age groups will be filled first. For example, all U-15 eligible boys would be teamed together if there is more than the minimum number of players for that age group. If there are too many, consideration will be given to moving appropriate players to the next higher available age group, based on skill.
2)Age groups will meet minimum number of registered players by 15 May, or there will not be a team for that age (all registered players would move up, if appropriate). Minimum roster size for any age group is enough for two substitute players (example: 13 registered players by 15 May for 11v11 teams, or the team will not be formed.)
3)If enough players sign up in a single age group, there will be two teams, but both rosters must meet the minimum team size. For U-1210 and below, the teams will be divided as fairly as possible by the DOC (i.e. no A and B squads). For teams U11 and up, teams will be as competitive as possible, as determined by DOC and GGFSC Board.
4)Teams will not exceed maximum roster size (10 for U-9/U-10, 14 for U-11/U12, and 18 for U-13 and above). If there are too many players, and no higher age group is available, the last player(s) to sign up will not be rostered, but they will be added to a list of guest players in the order of date signed up. (See guest player rules, this section).
5) No player may be moved to a different age-group during the season without the authorization of the Director of Coaching and Board of Directors.
6. Determining Team Rosters for competitive play
Team rosters will be filled on a "first-come" basis. The order of registrations will be determined by the date of receipt by online registration via club website. an authorized representative of the GGFSC, if received in person, or by the postmark date of the mailed registration form, whichever is earlier. The registration form must have the required registration fee to be considered complete. The dated registration form should be mailed to the Club address or delivered in person to a member of the Board of Directors. Some club offerings, such as indoor futsal will be capped based on gymnasium availability and there will be no wait list or guest players.
The registrar will provide rosters based on the team formations proposed by the DOC and approved by the Board of Directors. Team managers/Coaches may request rosters for ad hoc tournaments if approved by the Board. These rosters can consist of any combination of age appropriate registered players.
After competitive season has started and the team is deemed short players for competitive play (Tournament or game) (minimum threshold), team formation will be created in the following steps:
- Guest player (Will roster according to tournament guidelines or team guidelines)
- Double roster from another GGFSC team based on player selection by DOC and team coaches.
- Team will not compete in tournament or game.
7. Guest Players
When all rosters are full, players not on a roster will be listed as potential guest players for their respective age group (or higher), in preferential order, based on registration date. These potential guest players must pay at least a $50 registration fee or they will not be considered. This allows them to train with their age group, at the discretion of the coach. The listed guest players will have first priority to fill player vacancies that may occur during the season due to vacations, illness, injury or other player absences. Coaches will request additional players through the DOC and the Board as soon as possible once recognizing the need. Vacancies on a roster will be filled in the order of guest player registration (i.e. no specific player requests). Fees will be pro-rated based on the amount of season play remaining. For single games, a fee of $15 will be charged, and $75 will be charged for each tournament, when guest players are needed on a temporary basis. Fees must be paid to the treasurer before competing as a guest player.
Note: Players will not guest play for convenience and they will not be allowed to choose only certain tournaments during the season. The club and the teams require a commitment from all athletes for the entire season. If a coach expresses a need for additional players it will be referred to the Board for consideration. If a player or family is abusing the system, they will not be allowed to guest play.
A team playing an ineligible or an unregistered player will forfeit all games in which that player takes part. The Board President will report all violations to the NDSA or tournament director, as appropriate, so that game results can be corrected. A fine of $25.00 for each ineligible player will be assessed to the coach per violation and violations will be referred to the GGFSC Board of Directors for consideration of disciplinary action.
8. Uniforms and Personal Equipment
a.Uniforms
The GGFSC requires all players to utilize the proper equipment as specified by the USYSA. This includes shin guards, socks over shin guards and proper footwear.
GGFSC requires issued team uniforms to be worn during any official club sponsored competition.
The Equipment Manager shall provide the Board of Directors options for official GGFSC uniform packages as requested. The options shall include at least two styles and vendors and shall adhere to the currentGGFSC logocrest. The Equipment Manager shall bring all new contracts to the Board of Directors for approval.
Each member is required to purchase the standard uniform package which includes home and away jerseys, shorts and socks.
b.Personal Equipment
Each player's equipment includes a jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards and footwear. Visible garments under the shorts must be the same color as the team shorts. All players shall wear the club uniform; goalkeepers will wear a color that distinguishes him/her from the other players and the referee.
Players with eyeglasses require the proper equipment such as bands or goggles.
(Individual tournaments may have specific requirements)
Shin guards are mandatory. No player will be allowed to play without shin guards. NOTE: The socks should be long enough to cover the entire shin guard.
Jewelry is unacceptable at any game or practice (except for medical ID bands which must be taped or wrapped appropriately).
Hard casts must be wrapped and are subject to referee, coach, and medical approval.
9. Uniform Distribution
At the time of registration each year, new members of the club will complete a uniform order form indicating the required items plus any additional items desired. Uniforms will be distributed before the first tournament.
10. Playing Fields, Gymnasiums and Equipment
The GGFSC, in conjunction with the Grand Forks Park District and the Grand Forks Public Schools, is responsible for providing and maintaining sufficient playing fields of the required sizes to support home team scheduling for its teams. The GGFSC is responsible for marking the fields to meet the NDSA field standards. The GGFSC may be required to invest in various equipment and to pay various fees to the Park District for providing fields, maintenance and equipment to support this partnership.
For Indoor soccer activities, the fields/facilities coordinator will be responsible to schedule gymnasiums and coordinate to mark the floors with tape for futsal, and remove the tape at the conclusion of the season.
B. COACHES
1. Director of Coaching (DOC)
a.Goals and Philosophy of Position
This position is established to develop the strategic vision for player and team development and build and develop GGFSC's coaches and players to a more competitive level within the region. The DOC will advise the GGFSC Board of Directors on all matters related to soccer and provide players, coaches, and the Board with soccer expertise which will include an age-appropriate player developmental plan to be used by all club coaches. The DOC will be available to coaches as a resource and be up-to-date on innovations in coaching soccer.
b.Responsibilities of the DOC
1)Develop a centralized age-specific and appropriate coaching plan for all programs.
•Schedule a minimum of three annual meetings with all of the coaches to discuss the overall coaching program, coaching techniques, and individual coaching needs. The initial meeting will be prior to the spring kickoff event, and will cover all coach requirements and expectations covered in this manual.
•Establish age-specific and appropriate technical and tactical goals and share them with club coaches.
•Determine the coaching assignments, subject to Board approval.
•Evaluate training sessions and matches and provide every head coach with a written evaluation at mid- and post-season.
•Be available to attend pre-season team meetings and other team meetings at the head coach's request.
1)Facilitate and encourage GGFSC coaches to obtain advancement in licensing.
2)Develop a budget for coaches that may include an incentive salary structure based upon licensing and performance.
3)Make recommendations to the Board regarding team rosters, player recruitment, tryout, equipment and uniforms and all things related to effective coaching, team and player development.
4)Enforce GGFSC policies for issues related to player movement between squads and/or guest player registrations.
5)Reinforce GGFSC guidelines concerning player, coach, and parent conduct.
6)Work with NDSA State DOC to develop our coaches by helping organize licensing classes, coaching clinics, and seminars.
c.Contract timeline, salary and continuing education
The DOC will serve the GGFSC on a specified contract-defined term length, with each annual period running from October 1st - September 30th. The DOC will attend all GGFSC Board meetings and prepare a written progress report for the September Board meeting including accomplishments of the past year and future goals for the coaching program. The DOC may be asked to present a summary of the coaching program at the Annual General Membership meeting in October. The DOC's performance will be reviewed by the Board each year. Prior to the end of the contract period the Board will consider renewal and the need, if any, for salary adjustments.