Old Bridge Soccer League

League Policy

1. `League Objectives

1.1. Purpose

The purpose of the Old Bridge Soccer League (OBSL) Travel Program is to promote and provide a higher level of soccer competition for the children of Old Bridge other than that which is available in the Recreation League. The Travel Program will also provide all players the opportunity to play travel soccer at their appropriate skill level. The program also endeavors to utilize the best training program that Old Bridge can offer. The OBSL Board of Directors (BOD) determines the selection process. Where possible, a travel team will be formed at the appropriate level when a sufficient number of travel-qualified children have tried out for travel soccer.

1.2. Good Conduct

Players, coaches, officers, and guests are only allowed to participate, attend or observe matches on the condition that they observe the rules, regulations, and by-laws of this league. Any player, coach, parent, or guest who is guilty of violent or serious foul play, or who uses foul or abusive language will be suspended from playing, coaching, managing, or attending games. The BOD will decide upon other appropriate disciplinary actions, if necessary.

In addition to the rules incorporated within this policy, OBSL requires strict adherence to the stated policies of other organizations (including but not limited to MOSA, Mid-New Jersey Soccer, and NJYSA). The BOD will have the final interpretation and order of precedence on any ruling.

1.3. Program Objective

The OBSL program objective is the continuous upgrading of the current program with a major emphasis in funding the training of both the Travel and Recreation programs. This emphasis will provide long-term benefits of the children of Old Bridge as well as encourage coaches to pursue higher levels of licensing. To this end the board has approved the reimbursement of the fees for both F and E license courses to all of the OBSL Travel coaches. We recommend that coaches take advantage of the free clinics for the development of technical and tactical skills that are offered by the league. In an effort to promote an unbiased approach to player selection, the league will pursue (on an annual basis) the independent evaluation and skills rating of all current and prospective travel candidates. The OBSL philosophy is the inclusion of all children in the selection process. Through the pursuits of this policy, the reputation and stature of the OBSL Travel Program will be enhanced within the soccer community. It is the league's objective to increase the participation in the travel program and to ensure that all players are participating out of love of the sport.

1.4. Kid Safe Program

OBSL supports the Kids Safe program. All coaches, trainers, and any other adult who will be in a responsible position at any time during the season is required to submit a Kid Safe Form prior entering into said position. This fully completed form must be in possession of the OBSL. All applications to coach or train must have the Kid Safe Form attached as part of the submittal. Failure to comply will eliminate any and all involvement.

OBSL has adopted the Kid Safe program. In doing so, has adopted the words stated below from the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (NJYSA) Handbook:

To promote health, safety, and protection for our children in the game of soccer, the NJYSA Kid Safe Program has adopted the following objectives:

1. To identify all coaches and program administrators

2. To develop and communicate the Kid Safe guidelines to all coaches and program administrators.

'The Board of Directors of NJYSA has approved the following policy:

"NJYSA will take every reasonable effort within the Kid Safe program to exclude from program responsibilities (not to be confused with parental responsibilities affecting their own child) any adult with a legally documented history of child molestation or other record that would bring unnecessary risk to the health and safety of the program's participants.

"Every person wishing to apply for a position as coach, or program administrator with New Jersey Youth Soccer must complete Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statement. In addition, every employee/volunteer of New Jersey Youth Soccer who at any time could be expected, in the performance of his/her duties, to be alone with any registered player for any length of time must have on file a completed Disclosure Statement. Coaches include head coaches, assistant coaches, substitute coaches, team trainer and team officials.

OBSL has a risk management coordinator( Secretary) who will receive the completed forms from the coaches. The risk management coordinator will maintain these forms in a secure location.

The risk management coordinator will verify that all forms have been returned to the OBSL. The coordinator will then certify to NJYSA that all disclosure forms are on file within the club.

1.5. Player Duration

Each player is carded for the entire travel year, which is currently August 1st through July 31st of the following year. It is required that both the OBSL and the player participate under the rules and regulations stated within this policy.

2. Teams

2.1. Number of Teams

Where possible, the OBSL is committed to support at least one team for each age group up to and including U23. For the (small sided) U10 and under age groups, the OBSL will endeavor to maintain a minimum of two (2) teams, and potentially a third team, if a sufficient number of travel qualified children try-out and sufficient qualified coaches are available.

2.2. Team Classification(s)

All age groups from U8-U17 will have as many teams as needed. Where sufficient number # of travel qualified children exist in a given age group beyond the capacity of a first “1” team a second “2” team will be formed in that age group.

2.3. Number of Players

For small-sided divisions, a team will consist of no fewer than ten (10) players and no more than fourteen (14) players.

For full-sided divisions, a team will consist of no fewer than thirteen (13) players and no more than eighteen (18) players. Teams may be formed with less than the minimum number of players with BOD approval.

2.4. Playing Time

OBSL requires strict adherence to the stated policies of the MOSA and Mid-New Jersey travel leagues, and NJYSA. OBSL requires a minimum playing time for each player a total of 1/3 of the total minutes of the game. The policy with the most playing time will take precedence. This policy includes tournaments, but is limited to players who are carded for that team. Reference Section 9.1 for exceptions.

3. Eligibility

3.1. Determining Eligibility

Children who seek to participate in the Travel Program must participate in the scheduled tryout process. Players who do not participate in the scheduled tryouts will be classified as stated in Section 4.1.

3.2. Players who have previously left the League

Travel players who have left the OBSL Travel Program (for any reason) to play for another travel program will be eligible to return to the OBSL one year after completing an "Application for Reinstatement" with the league secretary. The Director of Travel may petition the BOD to waive the one-year waiting period.

3.3. Non-Resident Players

An Old Bridge resident is defined as any player whose primary residence is within the geographical borders of the Township of Old Bridge, and whose residence is assessed by the Old Bridge tax assessor’s office. This definition pertains to all players who wish to play travel soccer for the OBSL. Residency period is considered at the time of carding. There is no "Grandfather Clause" for former Old Bridge residents.

One more than half the team must be Old Bridge resident players. U9 and up after 1 year they earn the right to be considered an Old Bridge player, not out of town.

The OBSL Board of Directors has the right to interpret, amend and implement all changes and amendments to the Travel Policy on a case-by-case basis.

Out of town player in U7 Travel Development Academy will be considered an Old Bridge player for U8. After 1 year participation in Program will be considered to be an Old Bridge player.

4. Try-Outs

OBSL will make notification of the travel team tryouts via public access television and/or local newspaper(s) and/or distribution of fliers through the schools and township recreation center.

The OBSL has the right to cancel and/or reschedule any tryout.

Tryouts will be held as early as practicable so as to facilitate the formation of teams for the next travel year. If insufficient players tryout for any given age group, the OBSL BOD may choose not to flight a team in that division, or may allow for the selection of qualified, non-resident players, or may call for the holding of additional tryouts for that age group. The Board determines the travel tryout process. Any player who wishes to play must go through the tryout process.

It is the intent of the OBSL to hold unbiased tryouts. There will be one (1) mandatory tryout for each age group, with the option of a second one as required. Players must attend the tryout to be considered for a travel team. It is up to the Director of Travel if additional tryouts are warranted.

4.1. Player Tryouts Exceptions and Procedures

Players who do not participate in the tryout process and wish to be considered for an OBSL team will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Once approved by the Director of Travel, the following process will be followed.

. In the situation of U11 and older age groups, the player will be advised of the number of teams available to choose from.

The Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board will handle all appeals

4.2. The Assessor

Independent assessors will be selected and utilized by OBSL for the purpose of ranking and rating U 8 through and including U16 travel participants. A minimum of two (2) independent assessors will be used. The same independent assessors will be used if more than one tryout for a specific age group is required.

The Director of Training and the Director of Travel, along with the assessors, will develop the methodology that will be used for the ranking and ratings to be used for the tryouts.

The assessors will evaluate and determine those participants who are considered not to have the skills necessary to play travel soccer. These participants will be classified as currently 'under-qualified'. At the discretion of coaches, with the approval of the Director of Travel, these players may be selected to play on a travel team.

Any player wishing to tryout as goalie will still be required to demonstrate their overall field skills as the other participants. This type of participant will receive two scores, one for goalie and one overall ranking.

The assessors will complete their evaluations and present the ranking and rating of all participants the same day as the last tryout for that age group.

4.3. Team Selection Process

In all cases, the coach and one assistant coach may select their child to be on the team. In cases where the coach has no child on the team, a blood relative will be acceptable but must be approved by the Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board.

U8 through U10 – 2 Teams

Team Selection Process- Director of Travel will form the team’s roster by placing the players on teams in an effort to form evenly matched teams.

Single Team in Age Group U8 through U9

Upon completion of the tryouts, the Director of Travel will present the rankings and ratings to the prospective coach. All players who fall into the top ten are guaranteed a spot on the team. The coach will select the players from the list to complete the team.

U10 will be done with input from trainers and Director of Travel.

U11 through U19

The U11 through U19 travel teams will have age-group tryouts using training academy assessors. Rankings will be utilized as a tool in the team selection process. The Coach and one (1) assistant from each team may attend the tryout as observers only. Either the Director of Training or Travel will be present at the tryout for these age groups along with any other Directors. The players will tryout in an area away from parental and any other distractions. The try-out for each age group will be a combined format.

This will be preferably one field away.

Where multiple teams exist in a single age group, players in these age groups will be able to try out for a specific team within the age group or to remain undecided while trying out. The player will designate their preference at the registration table the night of the tryout. The registration table will be in an area to allow for confidential selection by the player. No coaches are to be near or around the registration table or building. The player’s tryout team preference will not be disclosed to any coach.

After the tryout, the higher flighted team within the age group will select players from a list consisting of those travel quality players trying out for this specific team and those players who tried out undecided. The higher flight team will have the first choice among the players who tried out as undecided. The coach will only be supplied the list of players from which they can select.

U14 through U19 (Applies only when there is a single team in a flight)

Teams in these age groups will have tryouts without training academy assessors. The players will sign-up with individual team coaches. The list must be forwarded to the Director of Travel. Players do not have to rank in order to be selected for a team. Teams in these age groups may select up to 5 out-of-town players. If a team can only roster 11 players or less the balance of players to fill out the roster may be out-of-towners.

Non-Residents

U8 Teams

The following only applies to U8 teams. It is the intent to put all players in this age group onto teams. Old Bridge players of the proper age will be placed on a team before any other players are considered. Under aged players will not tryout for this age group, so as to prevent any misunderstanding of their eligibility or guaranteed placement onto a team. The Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board will be the final word on eligibility. The use of non-residents is prohibited without the approval of the Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board. All players who wish to play in this age group will be required to sign up and go through a tryout session so that ranking and ratings can be established. Non-residents will be placed onto a list separate from the Old Bridge residents. The number of teams will be limited to the number of qualified coaches and players available. After completion of the sign-up and rankings and ratings, a count will be taken and the number of teams assessed. If there are more coaches than teams, the coaches will be given a list of registered players to solicit in order to achieve sufficient numbers. If there are more players than coaches, a search will be conducted for additional qualified coaches. With the exception of the coach’s siblings, the teams will be selected in accordance with the policy at stated in Section 4.3 above.

4.4. Exception from Team U11- U15

In exceptional cases, the travel coach shall have the discretion to exclude a player from the team (regardless of the tryout results) if the said coach strongly feels that the player and/or his or her parents will be detrimental to the team. In these cases, the coach must immediately contact the Director of Travel and explain the situation. The Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board will review the coach’s claim. At this meeting the coach must present, in person, a written explanation of his or her recommendation not to card the player in question. Following this meeting, the Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board shall make a decision on the coach's request. If the committee refuses the coaches request, the player shall remain on the roster.

The following is the process for a player to request a team change prior to carding when there is more than one team in that age group. In all instances a player must have participated in the tryout process.

If players do not want to play for a specific coach or team, or require assistance of others in order to meet the requirement of the teams practice and games. The following is the method and process of appeals that must be followed. It must be understood that there is no guarantee that the team will accept the player.

1. The request must be made within two days of coach’s notification of being selected to play on the team.

2. The coach must agree to release the player. The coach will notify the Director of Travel in writing of his decision.

3. The Director of Travel must be notified of the player’s request in writing from the parents.

4. If the Director of Travel deems that the number of players requesting changes is excessive, the Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board will investigate the issues surrounding these requests. At no time is the Director of Travel obligated to accept the request for change.

5. The Director of Travel and the OBSL Executive Board will make the final decision.

4.5. Playing Up

No one will be allowed to play up without the approval of BOD.

Any player whose actual playing age is U8 through U10 cannot play up.

5. Travel Coaches

5.1. Eligibility

U8- To be eligible to coach a travel team, a person is required to obtain a "F' License or higher, or will have one prior to carding, as well as a fully completed Kid Safe form. U11 all head coaches are required to obtain a “E” license.

5.2. Coaches Duration

The coaches serve at the discretion of the BOD. The BOD selects the coach for a one (1) year term following the tryouts.

5.3. Application for Coaches

Prior to the annual player tryouts, the prospective coaches must make an application for consideration by the BOD. The form used is "Application for Travel Team Coach". In addition, all prospective coaches must file a Kid Safe Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statement. Both forms must be completed in order to be considered. No approval of any coach may occur without the coach's application and Kid Safe form submitted. The BOD cannot waive this rule.

5.4. Selection Process

Coaches and assistant coaches are approved and appointed annually by the BOD. The BOD will vote on the appointment of travel coaches and assistant coaches from a list of recommendations provided to the BOD by the Director of Travel.

Coaches and assistant coaches serve at the discretion of the OBSL BOD and as such may be suspended or removed at the OBSL BOD discretion.

Coaches will be finalized prior to team selection.

Coaches for U13 and older will be selected prior to the tryouts.

5.5. License Requirements

All travel coaches must have an "F" license or higher, or be in the process of obtaining an "F' license at the time of the initial vote for approval. In any event, no person may operate at a league game as a travel coach without having an "F' license. At U 11 all travel coaches must obtain an “E” license.

5.6. Coaches Responsibilities

The travel coach and assistants have the responsibility for the safety of all players. No players are to be left unattended at the conclusion of any planned games, practices, or any other functions (see Rutgers Coaches Safety Clinic Manual).

6. Financial

6.1. Registration

All registration, work bond and fundraising fees must be paid for, in full, for the carded season prior to any player being carded by the league. The coach is responsible for collecting the above fees and presenting them, along with the team roster, to the Director of Travel. Uniform payment is the responsibility of the players.

6.2. Training

The travel program promotes the use of trainers to enhance the skills of the players. The following must be adhered to:

A. The Director of Travel shall, at the beginning of each travel year, (August 1) will notify the coaches of each team of the training budget for that year.

B. Only those trainers and/or programs approved by the OBSL will be funded by the OBSL for the travel teams. The Director of Travel will distribute this list. The OBSL will assign the trainer and/or program to each team. Any additional trainers will not be paid with OBSL funds. Any trainers privately paid by the teams must meet the requirements of the OBSL approved trainers and completed Kid Safe form. It is the coach's responsibility to obtain the completed form prior to any training occurring, and submitting it to the Director of Travel. There will be no exceptions.

6.3. Tournaments

Each travel team will be allotted an annual stipend for tournaments, as determined by the OBSL travel budget.

6.4. Team Uniforms

The standard home uniform is navy blue jersey, and navy blue shorts. In conflicts, the white jersey is used.

6.5. Equipment

Prior to the first game of the season, the Director of Procurement will provide a team ball that is to be used for home games only. Two balls may be provided at the beginning of the travel season (August 1) for teams that will be participating in both the fall and spring seasons.

7. Practice

7.1. Fall and Spring Seasons

Practices and/or scrimmages are not allowed at Higgins, Geick, or Veterans Park fields. Teams must practice and/or scrimmage on fields for which the OBSL has standing permits or at public parks where permissible. Scrimmages will be allowed at Ticetown field only when teams participate in full uniforms and utilize a paid referee. These scrimmages will be scheduled on a case-by case basis.

Small-sided teams will train together with the combined funds allotted by the OBSL. This is in preparation for participation on full-sided teams at U11, and to maximize the benefit of the allotted training funds. Practices and additional training paid for by the individual teams may be held separately. The Director of Training will coordinate the joint training times.

7.2. Winter Season

Each team is allowed to practice in the available school gyms during the winter indoor season. Requests for practice time must be made to the Director of Travel no later than November 30th of that year. Practices and additional training paid for by the individual teams may be held separately. The Director of Training will coordinate the joint training times.

8. Procedures and Schedules

8.1. Registration and Carding (per NJYSA)

The following materials must be presented to the Director of Travel for team registration:

8.1.1. Completed Team and Player Registration Form (Roster)

8.1.2. Completed and signed player passes. Coaches must obtain a recent 1-inch x 1-inch photograph of the player and glue it to the appropriate space. Polaroid pictures or photocopies and not acceptable. The picture must be glued, and not stapled or taped.

8.1.3. Completed and signed coach passes. Coaches must obtain a recent 1-inch x 1-inch photograph of the player and glue it to the appropriate space. Polaroid pictures or photocopies and not acceptable. The picture must be glued, and not stapled or taped.

8.1.4. Completed and signed USYS Membership forms for players

8.1.4.1. Proof of age - copy of Birth Certificate, Board of Health records. Alien Registration card, Certificate of Naturalization, or DOD Uniform Services Identification card. Baptismal records are not acceptable.

8.1.5. Proof of Old Bridge Residency via Tax Bill (where required).

8.1.6. Completed and notarized Medical Release Forms for each player.

Attach the player's birth certificate to the USYSA Membership form and arrange your player's information in the same order as listed on the roster. A copy of the birth certificate should be kept for future use. The players should sign their names on the passes prior to entering their names on the roster form. The pass number must agree with the roster position number). Errors on the player cards or rosters will significantly delay the team registration. Additional information can be found in the "New Jersey Youth Soccer Handbook" for that seasonal year.

Work bonds are to be submitted in OBSL specific envelopes, self-addressed with the telephone number listed on the back in the appropriate sections. Failure to submit accordingly may result in the cashing of the work bond.

All fundraising fees are to be submitted with the registration forms.

8.2. Adding Players (as per NJYSA)

Coaches may add additional players per Section 4.1 to their team roster up to the maximum number of players during the season, pending the approval of the Director of Travel. In this case, the Add section of a Player/Team Status form must be completed as well as all of the registration paperwork listed in section 8.1. Coaches may add a travel player who was previously registered as a travel player of another non-OBSL travel team for that year provided a fully signed-off release form has been received and verified by the Director of Travel. This case is considered a transfer and is limited to three (3) per carded year per team.

8.3. Releasing Players

To release a player, the Release section of a Player/Team Status form must be completed and signed by an official of the present team. In the event of a player release during the travel year (currently fall-winter-spring soccer seasons), the player forfeits the entire travel fee.

OBSL Rule: After the carding process, no player may be released from one OBSL travel team and added to another OBSL travel team.

8.4. Player Transfers

In order for players to transfer, they must be released from their present team. The release form (see Section 8.3) and the old player's pass must be provided to the Director of Travel. The new team official must complete the Transfer section of the Player/Team Status form, and present it with a copy of the release form, and the player's new pass to the Director of Travel.

OBSL Rule: After the carding process, no player may be released from one OBSL travel team and added to another OBSL travel team.

8.5. Player Forms

Player forms to be used in the conduct of NJYSA procedures for the purposes of transferring players between teams may not be provided by an OBSL coach to the player or the parents of that player if that player is not currently carded to that coach's team.

8.6. Player Form Approval

Player forms to be used in the conduct of NJYSA procedures for the purpose of adding, releasing and/or transferring players between teams may only be signed by the Director of Travel or the league chairperson.

9. Discipline

9.1. Player

No coach shall cut a carded player off of a travel team unless the child is a discipline problem or does not attend practices or games. Any coach who would like to cut a child must first get the approval of the BOD prior to notifying the parents of the child and the child. Violation of this rule will result in an automatic suspension of the coach by the BOD. The BOD will review the suspension. A coach may discipline a player by not allowing a player to play in a game. If a coach seeks to discipline a player, the coach must first seek and receive the approval of the Director of Travel at least one (1) day prior to game in which the discipline is to occur. The player's parents must be notified at least one (1) day prior to the day of the game. If the player comes to the game dressed to play, the referee and the opposing coach must be notified prior to the game that the player is not being allowed to play.

In the event a coach wants to bench a player for more than one (1) game, he or she must get the approval from the Director of Travel prior to taking such action.

9.2. Coach

Any travel coach who violates these rules or is red-carded, shall be reported to the BOD, who shall review the infraction and determine if any further disciplinary action is to be taken. The BOD may, at their discretion appoint a committee to review the infraction and make a recommendation to the BOD as to what action to take. In any event, the BOD will be responsible for the final judgment.

In cases where the coach has, in the judgment of the BOD, violated the policy to the extent that dismissal is the recommended course of action, the BOD must hold a disciplinary hearing with the coach in attendance. Up to a maximum of two (2) persons may accompany the coach.

In cases where the travel league (e.g. MOSA, Mid-NJ, etc) measures include a fine, the coach may be liable for the payment of the fine (as determined by an OBSL disciplinary hearing). Failure to comply with any and all rulings will result in an immediate suspension of the coach from the OBSL, for a period to be determined by the BOD.

10. Tournament Sanctions - None

10.1. Decisions

From time to time, the BOD may vote to boycott a particular tournament.

10.2. Current Sanctions

None

11. Travel Review Board

The Director of Travel will organize the Travel Review Board. The board will consist of a total of six (6) members, three (3) OBSL BOD members (one being the Director of Travel) and three (3) coaches or assistant coaches. The term of the Director of Travel will be the length of the Director's term. The term of each of the other members will be one travel season as defined. The definition of season for the purposes of this paragraph is as follows: will be either fall or spring. There will be alternates selected as required when there is a conflict of interest, to be decided by the Director of Travel and one BOD member. At no time can the composite of this committee be less than three (3) OBSL BOD members.

This committee's charter is to review issues listed within this document, and make decisions on those issues. If the Travel Review Board cannot resolve the issue by a majority vote, the issue will be forwarded to the OBSL BOD for final disposition.

12. Judgments

12.1. Initial Judgment

Questions will arise that are not covered by the precise language in these rules. The BOD shall at all times accept the responsibility of interpreting these rules and making decisions in accordance with the best interests of the league.

13. Legal Action

No official, league, club, team, referee, coach, or player may invoke the aid of the courts of any state or of the United States without first exhausting all available remedies within the appropriate soccer organization set forth within the constitution of the OBSL, MOSA, or Mid-New Jersey (whichever is appropriate), NJYSA, USYSA, and USSF.

For violation of this rule, the offending parties shall be subject to the sanctions of suspension and fines, and shall be liable to the OBSL for expenses incurred by the OBSL or its affiliates and their officers in defending each court action including, but not limited to the following:

· Court costs

· Attorney's fees

· Reasonable compensation for the time spent by OBSL officials and volunteers in responding to and defending against allegations in the action, including responses to discovery and court appearances.

· Travel expenses

· Expenses for holding special OBSL BOD meetings to discuss the court action

No official, league, club, team, referee, coach, player, or the player representative may be returned in good standing until litigation has ended and all costs, fines, fees, and expenses are paid, unless return to good standing is decided by the OBSL BOD.

Last Revision May 1, 2009

Old Bridge Soccer League

Travel Program Policy 2009