Tournament Policy: Preliminary Version
Tournament Policy Guidelines for Age Group Coordinators and Coaches
Soccer, Baseball and Softball Agreement
Roster Policy (How players are put on teams.)
Age Group Coordinator Guiding Principles, Roles & Responsibilities, Rules & Guidelines
Dual Rostering (E.g., Town Travel and Maple)
It is the policy of the Winchester Soccer Club that all boys and girls playing on Winchester Soccer Club teams (including tournament participation) be given the opportunity to play 50% of every game.
This policy is in keeping with the Club’s general philosophy of inclusion and the mission to provide an equal opportunity for all players to develop skills to whatever level they are capable and willing.
Editorial note May 2003 by Communications Director (unofficial, for clarification only):
This policy does not state that all
players get equal playing time. It simply requires that each player may play 50% or more of each game. By this
policy, some players may play 100% of the game while others play 50%. In practice, of course, it may be
difficult to guarantee 50% if some players are at 100%, especially with a large team. If you have a complaint
about a coach not complying with this policy, first talk with the coach. If not resolved, then talk with the
Age Group Coordinator, then if necessary the appropriate Commissioner, and finally the Sportsmanship Chair. See the Complaint Procedure.
(3/1998)
Tournament Policy: Preliminary Version
The Winchester Soccer Club encourages and supports the participation of all teams, at all levels in MYSA sanctioned tournaments. It is the policy of the Soccer Club that coaches intending to register a team in a tournament, receive approval from the appropriate age group coordinator; and that rosters for tournaments be approved by the age group coordinator. Age group coordinators should work closely with the appropriate commissioner and all coaches to make certain that as many boys and girls as possible are given an opportunity to participate in tournaments.
Winchester Soccer Club coaches and assistant coaches should observe all Soccer Club rules and policies when participating in tournaments; especially the policy pertaining to 50% playing time.
Tournament Policy - Guidelines for Age Group Coordinators and Coaches:
- A coach wants to place a team in a tournament that is not sanctioned by MYSA
- A coach wants to enter a team in a tournament that is unsuitable for either the age or skill level of the players
- A coach wants to place a team in a tournament at a level that conflicts with the appropriate placement of other Winchester teams
- A coach seeks to include players on his/her tournament roster from other teams, without the approval of the other Winchester coaches
(In the event that a coach and the Age Group Coordinator cannot come to consensus on the placement of a team in a tournament, the appropriate Commissioner should be consulted to resolve the issue.)
(3/1998)
Soccer, Baseball and Softball Agreement:
The Boards of Directors governing the Winchester Soccer Club and the Sachem Youth Baseball/Softball Association have instituted the following priority guidelines in a joint effort to minimize conflict between soccer and baseball/softball commitments:
First: go to regularly scheduled game
Second: go to make up game
Third: go to regularly scheduled practice
Fourth: go to practice organized at last minute
(NOTE: Please keep in mind that when REGULAR versus MAKE-UP games are involved, no teams should have to forfeit for lack of players, while another team has an overabundance of players. Communicating with coaches usually solves this problem.)
One of the earliest lessons in "responsibility" children learn is that when they register for a sport and are assigned to a team, they have an obligation to cooperate with the coach and team members to develop a cohesive team unit.
The guidelines were developed cooperatively by the respective boards to provide guidance for parents and their children involved in these sports, so as to minimize the stresses placed on some children by conflicting time commitments. These guidelines are a mandate for coaches in both organizations. No coach shall encourage or influence the children in their league to attend their league's games or practices contrary to these guidelines. No coach shall penalize any child for selecting one sports commitment over another.
Hopefully, these guidelines will achieve the goal of promoting sports as enjoyable, learning activities for our children.
(3/1998)
I. Original Complaint
Any issue, problem or complaint must first be brought to the appropriate Winchester Soccer Club designee responsible for that section of the program. For example if an issue involving a coach cannot be resolved with that coach, the problem should be presented to the Age Group Coordinator for that team. If not resolvable at that level then the Boys' or Girls' Commissioner should be contacted. Problems involving referees should be brought to the attention of the Referee Coordinator and so forth.
II. Sportsmanship Committee Involvement
If an issue remains unresolved a complaint may be made to the Sportsmanship Committee. Such a complaint must be made as follows:
a) The complaint must be made in writing clearly articulating the sportsmanship matters which are of concern
b) The written complaint must be received by a member of the current Sportsmanship Committee who will forward a copy of said complaint to any individual involved in the alleged offense within 48 hours.
c) A meeting of the Sportsmanship Committee will be convened as soon as practicable but in no case longer than two weeks from receipt of the complaint. A minimum of three committee members must be present to discuss the matter as presented.
d) At this meeting the complainant must be present to put forth the issues of the complaint.
e) if the complaint involves a particular individual that person must also attend the meeting to present any opposing viewpoint.
f) A decision on the matter must be made by the Sportsmanship Committee within two weeks of the original meeting unless subsequent information was necessary and a follow up meeting set. In this case the decision must be issued within two weeks of the follow up meeting.
g) If the Sportsmanship Committee determines that no action is necessary, they will so advise the complainant, any other individual involved in the complaint and the Board of Directors.
h) If the Sportsmanship Committee determines that action is necessary, they will make a recommendation in writing to the Board of Directors of the Winchester Soccer Club and to all parties involved within two weeks of the original meeting unless subsequent information was necessary and a follow up meeting set. In this case the written recommendation must be issued within two weeks of the follow up meeting. Such recommendation will include any recommended sanction the committee deems appropriate.
i) This recommendation will be considered at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. At that meeting both the original complainant and any person(s) against whom sanctions have been recommended will have the right to present their view of the situation for up to 5 minutes provided they have notified the President in advance of their intention to do so.
j) The decision of the Board of Directors will be considered final.
(3/1998)
The Winchester Soccer Club encourages all coaches to respect Sunday mornings
as a family time and to avoid wherever possible having any
soccer-related activity before 12:00 noon on Sundays.
(4/2003 per WSC President Bob Bilicki)
In keeping with the philosophy of the Winchester Soccer Club of providing an equal opportunity for all players to develop skills to whatever level they are capable and willing, the following policy has been established for player rostering:
(Approved 5/7/2003 by WSC Board of Directors. Bob Bilicki, President)