WWSL Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations

Constitution | By-Laws | Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations

Rule 1 – Game Preparation

1.1 All players should arrive approximately thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled Kick-Off time.

1.2 Each team is required to set up a net if required, and provide a proper Game Ball.

The Home team is required to provide the following:

• Corner Flags

• Game Sheet

• Second set of uniforms/pinnies (The Home team must change uniforms in the event colours are duplicated.)

If any of the above criteria are not met, the Team may be subject to a fine for continuous infractions of the rule, to be applied against the Team Performance Bond.

1.3 Teams should be ready for the referee 15 minutes prior to the scheduled Kick-Off time.

1.4 Players who do not present a valid MSA Player Card at the field will be prohibited from playing in a game. A team fielding less than eight (8) players for outdoor shall receive a default. Teams may be granted a 15 minute grace period from the scheduled Kick-Off time to provide eight players with player cards. Teams fielding eight (8) players at Kick-Off for outdoor may finish the game with as few as seven (7) players. Teams fielding less than four (4) players for indoor shall receive a default. Teams fielding four (4) players at Kick-Off for indoor must finish the game with at least four (4) players.

1.5 The full name of each player, coach, manager, and/or trainer must be marked on the game sheet prior to the Kick-Off. Please ensure that the correct uniform numbers are identified.

1.6 No player may enter the Red River Soccer Complex if all of the gates are locked. Any player found entering the locked facility or abusing the facility in any way will be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00).

1.7 Only one vehicle with the WWSL Parking Pass per team will be allowed into John Blumberg Soccer Complex. Other vehicles with permits for disabled persons, and vehicles used for emergency purposes may enter the facility. All other individuals with vehicles parked in the facility will be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00). For all other facilities, vehicles are not permitted at the field.

Rule 2 – The Players' Equipment

2.1 The Referee has the right to check equipment/footwear and Player Cards of all Players before the start of play.

2.2 Shin-guards are mandatory for all players.

2.3 All members of the Teams shall have matching shirts (colours) with clearly visible numbers on the back.

Rule 3 – Referee

3.1 Referee Evaluation forms will be made available to Teams at the beginning of each season. Please use these forms to inform the Disciplinarian and/or Executive immediately of any problems with Referees encountered during League play.

3.2 If the referee is not present at the scheduled Kick-Off time, the teams are responsible to find an appropriate substitute referee. If a substitute referee is not agreed upon by both teams, the game will be suspended and rescheduled. It is in the best interest of the League for the Teams to find an appropriate substitute referee so the game can continue as scheduled. The substitute referee should include his or her address on the Game Sheet in order to be paid for officiating the game.

3.3 If Assistant Referees are not supplied, each team must put forward one representative each to assist the on Field Referee with out of touch calls only. The representatives must switch sides at half time.

Rule 4 – The Game

4.1 An equal ratio as possible of home and away games will be scheduled for each team.

4.2 There may be unlimited substitutions in all League Games, with a maximum of three substitutions at any one time. Substitutions may only be made with the consent of the Referee during a stoppage of play, with the exception of indoor, in which substitutions can be made at any time.

4.3 Youth Call-up Procedure

Three Youth players may be brought up to play for a team per game. Teams are restricted to a maximum of eight-teen (18) Youth call-ups per season.

Teams in Division Three or lower are not permitted to call up youth players from Premier/Regional Clubs or from Provincial/National Programs.

The Youth player must have permission from her Youth Coach, a properly signed "Youth to Senior Permit" form available from the youth district office, and a Youth Player ID Card. The youth player must be indicated with a (Y) on the game sheet.

4.4 Three Affiliate club players may be brought up to play for a higher division Affiliated team per game on an unlimited basis throughout the season. The affiliate club player must be indicated with an (A) on the Game Sheet, and the player’s team must be indicated.

4.5 No Youth player or affiliate club call-up player shall be permitted to play in WWSL playoffs or Provincial Championship Qualifying games.

4.6 Teams may register 20 players per season, and can dress 20 players per game. Teams in the Masters Division may register 25 players, and may dress 20 players per game.

4.7 All teams are responsible for their spectators, and must ensure that they do not verbally or physically abuse or intimidate the Referee, players, or team officers in any way. All teams must comply with a referee's request to the coach to help control the players, fans, etc. Failure to do so will result in severe disciplinary action by the WWSL.

4.8 If a Player, Coach, Manager or Spectator is asked to leave the field, the Team is responsible to ensure that they leave promptly and without incident.

4.9 Spectators, at the discretion of the teams, may sit on the same side of the field as the bench.

4.10 All WWSL outdoor games shall consist of two forty-five minute halves, and all indoor games shall consist of two twenty-five minute halves. The referee may shorten the halves with the agreement of both teams.

4.11 Three points will be awarded for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 for a loss.

4.12 For Indoor play, the WWSL will follow the MSA Rules for Indoor Soccer (6 v. 6 Competitions). Please refer to Appendix A for the MSA Rules for Indoor Soccer.

4.13 The tie breaking procedure for teams with the same amount of points in the standings will be as follows: Overall wins, total season series points, total season series +/- goal differential, overall ties, overall +/- goal differential, fewer default losses, season series goal ratio (GF-GA/GF), overall goal ratio (GF-GA/GF), playoff game.

4.14 Requests for rescheduling of games during the season will not be accepted. At the discretion of the Convenor and/or Executive, games may be rescheduled for dire circumstances.

4.15 Prior to each season, Teams will be allowed to present, to the convenor, a Scheduling Consideration Form with a maximum of six (6) dates in which the team cannot play. These dates may include, but are not limited to, events or circumstances in which the team is unable to provide the minimum number of players due to tournaments, fund-raisers, special events, etc. Additional requests may be reviewed by the Executive. The scheduling consideration form must be received by April 15th for Outdoor and September 15th for Indoor. The decision to accept or deny the consideration(s) will be at the discretion of the Convenor and/or Executive.

4.16 The League must give teams a minimum of ten (10) days notice to add a rescheduled game. With the consent of both teams, the League may add a game without ten (10) days notice.

4.17 Game Cancellation Procedure

In the event of inclement weather, teams should take the following actions to determine the status of games.

1. Check the WWSL Phone Line @ 284-9582 after 4:30 pm.
2. The web site will be updated after 4:30 pm.
3. CJOB will be contacted with cancellation notice after 4:30 pm.
4. Teams may also be e-mailed about cancellations after 4:30 pm.
5. If game cancellations or changes only affect a minimal number of teams, the WWSL may contact those teams directly rather than post the information on the phone line or web site.

Rule 5 – Post Game Procedure

5.1 After a game during the outdoor season, each Team will be given a copy of the Game Sheet. Keep the copy with your Team records, in the event of a dispute over game scores, goal scorers, or discipline.

5.2 For the outdoor season, the Winning Team (home team in the event of a tie) is responsible to communicate the score and goal scorers for both teams to the League Convenor. The Referee must mail their copy of the Game Sheet to the League Disciplinarian or payment will be denied.

Rule 6 - Discipline Committee

All Rules and Regulations set out by FIFA, MSA and the WWSL shall be adhered to.

a) A Disciplinarian shall be appointed by the League.

b) A disciplinary hearing may be called at any time upon request of the League Disciplinarian, President, or Team Representative.

Disciplinary Mandatory Minimums

Rule 7 - Appeals Committee

Purpose

a) To Review appeal requests and decide if an appellant should be granted a hearing. If not, reasons should be provided to the appellant for the Committee's decision(s).

b) To conduct appeal hearings and decide if an original decision of the WWSL Discipline Committee should be upheld, overturned and/or amended. Reasons should be provided to the appellant for the Committee's decision(s).

c) To continuously review and evaluate Appeals Committee administrative document and policies to ensure compatibility with the WWSL, MSA, and CSA Rules and Regulations and By-Laws.

Procedure

d) Submit an appeal within five (5) days of receiving in writing the decision you wish to appeal to the WWSL Vice-President by registered mail, certified mail or personal service. In the absence of the Vice-President, the appeal may be directed to the President.

e) Submit the appeal deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in cash, money order or certified cheque with your written appeal. This deposit will only be refunded if the WWSL's original disciplinary decision is overturned.

f) Submit a copy of the written decision being appealed or your understanding of the decision if you have not received the decision in writing.

g) State your reasons (grounds) for appealing the decision:

- Errors alleged to have been made by the Member/WWSL Disciplinarian Committee in procedures followed to arrive at the decision and/or;

- New facts that were not available when the decision was made by the Member or Disciplinarian and/or;

- Alleged incorrect interpretation made by the Member or Disciplinarian of the relevant published rule(s) or the Member or Disciplinary rules.

h) If these steps are not followed, the appeal will be denied.

i) The WWSL Executive or appointed appeals committee may deny an appeal if they do not find valid reasons for an appeal.

j) While the decision of the Member or the WWSL Disciplinarian is under appeal (as in submitted to the league), the decision remains in effect. Therefore suspensions must be served, fines paid and other sanctions adhered to.

k) All protests or appeals submitted to the Executive Committee, or Appeals Committee shall be decided within ten (10) days of being properly notified in writing of the protest or appeal.

l) A protest or appeal may be abandoned with leave of the Executive Committee or Appeals Committee on such terms and conditions as said Committee deems appropriate.

m) The decision of the Executive Committee or delegated committee shall be final and binding, except that the appellant may further appeal the decision to the Manitoba Soccer Association.

Rule 8 – Amendments to Rules and Regulations

8.1 The Rules and Regulations may be amended at anytime by a simple majority of those present at a duly constituted meeting of the WWSL or by the Executive.