OCWSL
Bylaws & Standing Rules
(Amended October 2007)
Booklets are distributed to Team Representatives at the beginning of each season and are available upon request.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - NAME
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
ARTICLE III - AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
ARTICLE IV - GOVERNING STRUCTURE
ARTICLE V - TEAM REQUIREMENTS
ARTICLE VI - GAME RULES
ARTICLE VII - LEAGUE FORMATION
STANDING RULES
SECTION I - PURPOSE
SECTION II - AMENDMENTS
SECTION III - TEAM/PLAYER REQUIREMENTS
SECTION IV - GAME RULES
SECTION V - END OF FALL SEASON
SECTION VI - SPRING SEASON
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Orange
County Women’s Soccer League is to develop amateur women’s
soccer in a friendly and recreational sense of competition between women
disregarding race, age, and/or religion.
The name of this organization
shall be the ORANGE COUNTY WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE, herein after referred
to as OCWSL.
The purpose of the
bylaws is to provide a comprehensive overview of OCWSL.
ARTICLE III - AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
1. Proposed amendments or revisions shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board and/or Bylaw Committee by December 1st of each year.
2. The Executive Board and/or Bylaw Committee shall review all submitted bylaw changes as to content.
3. The Executive Board and/or Bylaw Committee shall submit proposed changes to the Team Representatives for review at January Team Representative meeting. Said changes, if any, shall be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
4. Proposed changes must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of all ballots received.
5. Approved changes shall become effective within 30 days.
ARTICLE IV - GOVERNING STRUCTURE
The governing structure of OCWSL shall consist of an Executive Board, Team Representatives, and the General Membership. All members of the governing structure shall be registered members of OCWSL.
1. The Executive Board shall be subject to any limitations in these bylaws relating to actions requiring General Membership or Team Representative approval and subject to the duties of its Executive Board members as prescribed by these bylaws.
2. The business and affairs of OCWSL shall be managed, and all OCWSL powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Executive Board. Without prejudice to these general powers, but subject to the same limitations, it is declared that the Executive Board shall have the following powers:
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To conduct, manage, and control the affairs and business of OCWSL, and to make such rules and regulations as are consistent with law, or with the bylaws.
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To manage all funds and property received, acquired, or earned by the OCWSL, and to distribute or dispense the same in a manner beneficial to OCWSL.
B. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
1. PRESIDENT: Conducts all Executive Board meetings, Team Representative meetings, and Annual Meeting. Votes only in the case of a tie and supervisesaffairs of OCWSL. The President shall chair the Disciplinary Committee in the event that both Vice Presidents are unavailable.
2. VICE PRESIDENT – SCHEDULING: Shall be in charge of game schedules including make-up games, Giannetti Tournament, and the Pot O'Gold Tournament. Shall preside in the President's absence and shall chair the Disciplinary Committee in the absence of the Vice President – Standings and Referees.
3. VICE PRESIDENT - STANDINGS AND REFEREES: Shall be in charge of standings of all of the divisions in the league. Shall be in charge of contracting referee services for all scheduled league games and tournaments and shall ensure referee coverage for said games and tournaments. Shall keep record of all red and yellow cards, preside in the President's absence, and chair the Disciplinary Committee in the absence of the Vice-President of Scheduling.
4. RECORDING SECRETARY: Records minutes of all meetings. Shall track and notify teams and players of all monies due to the league from incurred fines.
5. TREASURER: Handles all monies in the league treasury. Shall make a report of financial status at all OCWSL meetings; is in charge of all reports relating to incorporation, budgets, audits, and taxes.
6. FIELD SUPERVISORS: Shall be in charge of procuring permits for playing fields used during the Fall and Spring seasons and league tournaments. Shall manage field equipment (nets, flags) and field preparation.
7. REGISTRAR: Shall oversee and accept all registrations, enforce all registration procedures, and maintain the league’s player database.
8. PUBLIC RELATIONS/NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR: Shall promote the league to the general public. Shall assemble, print, and distribute a newsletter.
9. NEW PLAYER/INSURANCE COORDINATOR: Shall facilitate communitcation between players looking for teams and teams looking for players. Shall serve as point of contact for the league’s insurance carrier and league members
10. SCHOLARSHIP/OUTREACH COORDINATOR: To organize the annual scholarship program funded by the OCWSL Pot of Gold Tournament. Provide outreach to high schools, junior colleges and colleges to ensure women know about the OCWSL. Make contact with school district coordinators to establish relationship for future field and partnership opportunities.
C. ELECTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS
1. Nominations for Executive Board positions shall be made at the Team Representative Meeting prior to the Annual Meeting.
2. Voting shall occur via written ballot. Should the initial vote result in a tie, a second vote shall take place involving the candidates who tied. If a tie exists after the second vote, the President shall exercise her voting option.
3. Candidates for the Executive Board shall be elected by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting.
4. The Executive Board, at any time, may fill a vacant Executive Board position with a selected candidate. However, this candidate will not officially hold the position until confirmed by a majority vote of the Team Representatives.
D. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS
The Executive Board shall meet prior to each Team Representative meeting and the Annual Meeting or as deemed necessary by the President.
E. TERMS OF OFFICE
The following positions shall be elected for two-year terms during even-numbered years:
- Vice President - Scheduling
- Treasurer
- Field Supervisor
- Registrar –
30s and 40s division
Public Relations and Newsletter Coordinator
The following positions shall be elected for two-year terms during odd-numbered years:
- President
- Vice President - Standings and Referees
- Secretary
- Registrar – 18 and 50 division
- Field Supervisor
- New Player/Insurance Coordinator
- Scholarship/Outreach Coordinator
F. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER FEES
Each Executive Board member shall have one registration fee waived for each season while in office. If an executive member resigns her position, she is responsible for paying any registration fees due for the current season. This registration fee must be paid before the player is eligible to play in her next league game. The league registration fee is pro-rated according to the entire number of games for the season and initial league registration fee.
G. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
1. Shall consist of one (1) voluntary representative from each division and be chaired by a Vice President. No Board Member shall serve as a representative on the Disciplinary Committee. A minimum of five (5) voluntary representatives must be present for a decision to be made. In case of a tie, the committee chair will exercise her voting right.
2. Shall handle complaints including, but not limited to, game procedures, bylaw infractions, and sportsmanship problems.
3. Shall meet as needed and within 30 days of the protested infraction.
1. The purpose of the Team Representatives shall be to assist the Executive Board, to act as coordinators and liasons to each team, and to vote on issues presented for approval.
2. Each team shall have one representative and an optional alternate representative. Voting
shall be limited to one representative per team.3. An Executive Board Member can serve as a Team Representative except as defined in paragarph G.1.
4. Only OCWSL registered players shall serve as a Team Representative.
5. Meetings shall be held one week after an Executive Board meeting or as necessary.
I. ANNUAL MEETING
1. The purpose of the Annual Meeting shall be to amend the bylaws and to elect the Executive Board Members. Other meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.
2. Shall consist of all registered members of OCWSL.
3. Shall be held in March.
A. NUMBER OF PLAYERS
The minimum and maximum number of players on each team will be thirteen (13) and twenty (20), respectively.
B. AGE OF PLAYERS
1. Each player in the over 18 Division must be 18 by the date of the first game in which she participates.
2. Each player in the 30s Division must be at least 30 years of age by the end of the calendar year
3. Each player in the 40s Division must be at least 40 years of age by the end of the calendar year.
4. Each player in the 50s Division must be at least 50 years of age by the end of the calendar year, with the following exception. The 50s division is allowed 3 players between the age of 47-49. Each player must be 47 by the end of the calendar year.
A player must comply with registration requirements for each season in which she participates. Registration requirements are communicated by the Registrars prior to the beginning of each season.
1. All players must have the following on file with the league:
A. A legible copy of a valid ID (e.g. driver’s license or passport)
B. A completed annual Release of Liability Waiver Form
C. Registration fees as required by the league2. Provide all required materials to the appropriate Registrar five (5) days prior to participation in a league game.
3. The last day to register is two weeks prior to the end of the regular playing season.
D.TEAM
REGISTRATION
A minimum of thirteen (13) players is needed to establish a team and a
$100.00 Security Deposit fee (as defined below).
E. TEAM SECURITY
DEPOSIT
The purpose of the security deposit is to provide the league with financial
security in the event that teams may incur fines. Each registered team
shall maintain a $100.00 security deposit balance with the league at all
times. The league will hold this security deposit until the team chooses
to disband from the league. At that time, any remaining balance of the
security deposit will be refunded to the Team.
Penalty fines deducted from the security deposit include:
- $20.00 for not attending a Team Rep. Meeting.
- $10.00 for each missing I.D. card.
Fines assessed from
game forfeitures and/or violent red cards will not be
deducted from a team’s security deposit. These fines must be paid
in full by the next scheduled Team Representative meeting following the
infraction.
F. REFUNDS
OCWSL will refund a player’s individual registration fees only until the deadline stated on the Registration Waiver Form and only after receipt of a completed Resignation/Transfer Form and the withdrawing player’s OCWSL ID card.
G. RETURNING I.D. CARDS
I.D. cards are the
property of OCWSL. At the end of each season, there will be a $10.00 per
card charge to the team for any missing I.D. cards.
A. GAME RULES
Games shall be played under FIFA laws except as noted in the OCWSL Bylaws
and Standing Rules.
B. GAME DURATION
There will be two (2) forty-five (45) minute halves unless a shorter time
is mutually agreed to by representatives of both teams. There will be
a half-time break, the length to be determined by the referee.
C. SUBSTITUTIONS
Teams may substitute only with referees’ permission and only at
the following times:
1. If the team in possession of the ball, prior to a throw-in, elects to (reciprocal).
2. Reciprocal substitution is allowed (i.e. if team in possession of the ball is subsituting, opposing team may substitute players at this time. If team in possession of the ball does not substitute any players, opposing team may not substitute players.
3. Prior to a goal kick by either team.
4. After a goal by either team.
5. An injured player may be substituted if the referee stops play. If a coach must enter the field of play to check or assist the injured player, that player must be replaced and must leave the field of play until the next opportunity to substitute. (Exception: If an injured player is the goalkeeper or the eleventh (11th) player and the team would have to play short, the injured player does not have to leave the field of play.) The substitute for an injured player may enter the field of play at any time after obtaining the permission from the referee.
6. During half time.
7. A cautioned player (yellow card) shall be substituted at the time of the caution. Not reciprocal. . (Exception: If the cautioned player is the goalkeeper or the eleventh (11th) player and the team would have to play short, the cautioned player does not have to leave the field of play.)
ARTICLE VII - LEAGUE FORMATION
A. DIVISIONS
1. Teams within each Division should be as close to equal in skill level as possible.
2. Each age division (18, 30, 40 and 50) shall be further separated into subdivisions, where numbers of teams permit, in order to facilitate a more equitable competition.
3. Prior to each Fall Season, the Executive Board shall organize and moderate one meeting for each age division in order to set its subdivisions. The Team Representatives within each age division shall be invited to attend this meeting to separate their teams into subdivisions for that Fall Season. Decisions will be made by majority vote of Team Representatives in attendance; each team present shall receive one (1) vote. In the event of a tie, the Executive Board shall have final decision in placing the team in question.
STANDING RULES
The standing rules
of OCWSL shall be used to govern the day-to-day operations of the league,
but shall not supersede nor contradict any existing bylaw.
A. Proposed amendments to the Standing Rules must be submitted in writing by the Team Representative by the Team Representative meeting prior to the vote held at the next Team Representative meeting.
B. The proposed amendments shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Team Representatives.
C. Approved changes will become effective within 24 hours of approval.
SECTION III - TEAM/PLAYER REQUIREMENTS
Team Rules
A. Each team shall be able to determine its own membership rules and regulations.
B. Any player not in possession of a valid OCWSL-issued I.D. card will not be allowed to play. NO EXCEPTIONS.
C. If a player is found to be playing without a valid OCWSL-issued I.D. card, the team will immediately forfeit the game that the non-registered player is participating in or has participated in and the team will forfeit its $100.00 security deposit.
D. A player eligible for the 50, 40 or 30 Division may also register on one other team as long as she is age eligible.
Teams Withdrawing from the League
Any team withdrawing
from the league after the Fall Season Team bracketing meeting or Spring
Registration deadline and prior to the completion of the season shall
be assessed a fine equal to the team bond amount. If the withdrawing team’s
bond is depleted or exhausted due to other unpaid fines, the Executive
Board shall make every effort to collect the full amount due from the
withdrawing team through contact with the Team Representative.
If players on the withdrawing team are entitled to refunds of their registration
fees, they must submit the required paperwork (i.e. Withdrawal/Drop Form)
by the refund deadline. Furthermore, no players on the withdrawing team
shall receive any refunds until all team fines are paid in full.
Transferring Teams
There shall be no transferring of players from one team to another during the season without the approval of both teams involved and completion of a Resignation/Transfer form and the appropriate registration fee. The Executive Board must approve any extenuating circumstances.
Resignations
Resignations are to be made on a Resignation/Transfer form provided by the league. Download OCWSL Resignation/Withdrawal/Transfer Form
To drop a player:
- The Team Representative must obtain a signed resignation form or written authorization from the player to be dropped and return it, along with the player's OCWSL-issued I.D. card, to the Registrar.
- The player will not be dropped until the resignation form and OCWSL-issued I.D. card is received.
If the player is not available to complete the Resignation/Transfer form, the Team Representative may complete the Resignation/Transfer form and return it, along with the player’s OCWSL-issued I.D. card, to the Registrar. Upon receipt of the card, the registrar shall mail a drop notice to the player being dropped, allowing two weeks from the postmark date for the player to respond. At the end of two weeks, with no objections heard, the player will officially be dropped.
Uniforms
A. Each team shall be responsible for its own uniforms. Uniforms to include shoes, socks, shinguards, shorts, and numbered jerseys.
B. The designated home team shall have uniform color decision and the visiting team must wear a contrasting color shirt (dark or light) or penny. The visiting team must change if there is a conflict or will forfeit the game.
C. Goalkeepers must wear a shirt that is distinct from both teams’ field players’ shirts.
D. All jerseys (including alternate jerseys) must have a permanent number on the back of the shirt, except for the goalkeeper.
E. Metal orthopedic braces must be completely covered.
F. All jewelry must be removed. No earrings, bracelets, or necklaces will be worn. Exceptions: 1. Medical ID tags; or 2. based on the referees’ discretion.
Fields
All rules posted at
the fields must be followed, including no animals, no smoking, and no
alcohol. All trash must be picked up before both teams leave the field.
The league will assess penalties to the teams who fail to follow these
rules.
A. The designated home team is listed on the official OCWSL game schedule.
B. The home team is responsible for providing a ball, nets, and corner flags. Failure of the home team to perform these responsibilities results in forfeiture by that home team.
C. The home team playing the first game on a field is responsible for getting nets to the field. The home team playing the last game on a field is responsible for returning the nets to their league designated location. Both teams playing the first game on a field will be responsible for putting up the nets and corner flags. Both teams playing the last game on a field will be responsible for taking the nets and corner flags down.
D. If only one game is played on a field then the home team is responsible for getting the nets and corner flags to the field, and the visiting team is responsible for returning. Both teams playing are responsible for putting up and taking down equipment.
A. Referees will be scheduled by the referee association's governing body.
B. Fees for each game shall be paid by OCWSL.
C. Referees shall be responsible for maintaining control of the game and enforce all standing rules and bylaws of OCWSL.
D. The referee has the authority to enforce the laws of the game before, during and after the game until he/she leaves the area.
E. The decisions of the referees are final.F. At least five (5) minutes prior to each game, a representative of each team shall give to the referee a completed OCWSL game card and valid OCWSL-issued I.D. cards for all players participating in that game. Any player not in possession of a valid OCWSL-issued I.D. card will not be allowed to play. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Suspended Game Guidelines
A. Games may be suspended in case of foul weather or other extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the referee or OCWSL Executive Board.
B. If suspended for foul weather before the start of the second half, the game shall be replayed if necessary, depending upon team division standings at the end of the season.
C. If suspended after the start of the second half, the game shall be considered a full game.
D. If suspended because an ejected player, coach, manager, or spectator refuses to leave the field as directed by and to the satisfaction of the referee, the referee shall terminate the game. The Disciplinary Committee must decide upon forfeiture or replay.
Game Ties
League playoff or tournament games that cannot end in a tie will follow the playoff sequence below:
1. Sudden death, two ten (10) minute overtimes.
2. Five penalty kicks, alternating.
3. One penalty, kick alternating.
Cancellations
A. The Executive Board shall cancel all league games if significant rain falls within 14 hours of game time, if persistent rain has soaked the fields, and/or if one or more field owners/authorities has given notice that fields are not to be used due to inclement weather. Call the league’s hotline for updates by 7:15 am on the date the game will be played.
B. If a permitting agency revokes OCWSL’s permit for a field, every attempt will be made to notify the teams affected of resulting changes to their schedule.
C. The referee is the only authority who can cancel a game, unless the league has given notice prior to the start of the game.
D. At the field, the referee is responsible for deciding whether or not games are to be canceled due to rain or poor field conditions.
E. Cancelled games will be rescheduled as deemed necessary by the Executive Board. Make up games for rain days will be played during the first three (3) weeks in January. The games will be played at the same field and time as the game being made up, conditions permitting. The first game missed for rain will be played during the first weekend in January, second missed game during the second weekend and third missed game during the third weekend. Giannetti Cup will start on the last weekend of January. There will be no more than three (3) make up games. If a make up game is rained out, it will not be made up.
F. If either team is unable to play at the rescheduled time, the game will be forfeited and points awarded accordingly.
Forfeitures
A. If a team forfeits a game, without a minimum two (2) week notification to the scheduler, an $95.00 fine will be assessed. If a team forfeits a game after the first half of the scheduled game, a $50.00 fine will be assessed.
B. There will be a ten (10) minute waiting period before a game forfeiture is enforced at the field. This grace period is meant to provide the team that is in the forfeiting position time to correct the reason for forfeiture, e.g., insufficient players, missing game equipment, missing I.D. cards, etc.
C. A team shall field seven (7) eligible players or forfeit the game.
D. If both teams have less than seven (7) players, upon their mutual agreement they can play or cancel the game. If the game is cancelled, it shall not be rescheduled, and no games points shall be awarded to either team.
E. All forfeitures shall result in the opposing team being awarded a win and receive three (3) points.
F. Fines assessed from game forfeitures will not be deducted from a team's security deposit. In accordance with the bylaws these fines must be paid in full by the next scheduled Team Representative Meeting following the infraction. If the offending team fails to pay the fines by that day, the team will be ineligible to play any subsequent games until the fines are paid in full.
G. During the Spring Season, any team incurring three (3) forfeits will be removed from the schedule for the remainder of the season.
A. The accumulation of yellow cards shall cease at the end of each season.
B. Players receiving a yellow card shall leave the field of play and can be substituted by a teammate. (Exception: Bylaw Article VI, C. 7.)
C. The carded player shall stay out until the next available opportunity to be substituted back into the game.
D. In accordance with FIFA laws, two yellow cards issued to the same person in one game is equivalent to one non-violent red card and is subject to the same disciplinary actions.
E. The accumulation of three (3) yellow cards to the same person in one (1) season is equivalent to one non-violent red card and shall be disciplined as such.
Red Cards
A. A red carded coach must leave the grounds.
B. A red carded player must leave the field of play and cannot be substituted.
C. A red carded player or coach shall be excluded from the next played game, be it a game in the current season, a Giannetti tournament game, or the first game of the next season.
D. The accumulation of 2 red cards to the same person in one (1) season shall result in that player’s suspension for the next three (3) played games.
Violent Red Cards
A. A player who receives a violent red card shall be excluded from the next two (2) played games.
B. A player who receives a violent red card shall be placed on probation for the remainder of the season.
C. Players and/or coaches shall be fined $50.00 for each violent red card. The fine shall not be deducted from the team's security deposit and shall be paid in full prior to the next Team Representative Meeting.
D. The accumulation of 2 violent red cards shall result in suspension for the remainder of the current season and the next season.
All Cards
A. Misconduct of any kind may be reviewed and penalized by the Disciplinary Committee.
B. The accumulation of cards shall be penalized as referenced above. It is the team's responsibility to track the accumulation of yellow cards by its players. If the player and/or coach player participates in the next played game, she/he shall be fined $50.00 and their team shall forfeit that game.
C. It is within the referees’ jurisdiction to card a player or coach before, during, and after the game. The areas of jurisdiction include, but are not limited to, the field, adjoining areas, and parking lots.
D. All yellow and/or red cards are final with no protests.
F. Any team accumulating ten (10) cards (i.e., yellow or red) in a season shall be brought before the Disciplinary Committee and subject to a penalty to be determined (i.e., fines, points taken away, suspension, etc.) on a case by case basis.
Game Protesting Procedure
A. The protesting team announces to the other team and the referees to leaving the field of play that it is protesting the game and shall also note protest on the game card.
B. The protesting team’s representative notifies one of the Vice Presidents verbally within twenty-four (24) hours of the game that has been protested. Once notified, the Vice President shall notify the other team of the protest.
C. A $25.00 deposit must be posted with the Disciplinary Chairperson along with a written explanation of the protest within seventy-two (72) hours.
D. The Disciplinary Committee will hear protests within one (1) month of the protested game and all decisions are final.
Slide Tackling
A. Slide tackling is not permitted in the 30, 40 and 50 divisions.
B. Slide tackling is permitted in OCWSL’s 18 divisions, provided that all of the following occur DURING THE COURSE OF THE TACKLE:
- The tackle must begin and end within the peripheral vision of the person tackled.
- The person tackling must have her feet and legs in a downward position.
- The tackler must slide toward the ball. Initial contact must be made with the ball.
C. The penalty for a violation is at the discretion of the referee. Cards for slide tackling are not protestable.
SECTION V - END OF FALL SEASON
A. Each team will receive the following points:
- 3 points for a WIN
- 1 point for a TIE
- 0 points for a LOSS
B. The team with the highest number of points at the conclusion of the season will take first place; second highest - second place, etc.
C. League winners will be determined by total points after the end of the season including rain make up games. If tied, the will be determined as follows:
- head-to-head
- goals against
- goal differential
- split / tie for 1st
Awards
After the end of the Fall season and Giannetti Tournament, the Executive Board shall organize an event to award Fall season and Giannetti Tournament awards. Monies/payment for awards are taken from the league treasury.
A. The Giannetti Tournament is an internally funded league activity open to all teams registered in OCWSL during the preceding Fall season.
B. The Giannetti Tournament will become an end of season finale during a single day. All teams in a division will be seeded and participate in an end of season playoff. Each team in guaranteed at least two (2) games. The winner in each game goes on to play in the Winner’s bracket. The non-winner in each game goes on to play in the Consolation bracket. The playoffs would be completed on one Sunday. The 18’s and 30’s would play on one Sunday and the 40’s would play on the following Sunday.
C. To be eligible to play in the tournament, a player must have been registered two (2) weeks prior to the end of the Fall season.
D. If a tournament game ends in a tie, the following game-ending procedure will be followed:
- Two five (5) minute overtime periods.
- If still tied: Five penalty kicks, alternating.
- If still tied: One penalty kick, alternating (sudden death).
The type of play (tournament, round robin, etc.) shall be determined at the January Team Representative meeting. All rules governing OCWSL shall be in effect for any Spring season.
In addition to OCWSL rules, all games shall be played under FIFA rules. Visit the FIFA web site for more information.
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