Milton Soccer Academy 
821 Main St. East
Milton ON L9T 3Z3
905.878.0209
www.miltonsoccer.com

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Rules and Regulations

Rule 1: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Members are required to abide by the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, and Policies of the Club.

Any member or player, or his\her family or friends, who consistently infringes the By-Laws or
Rules and Regulations, or Policies of the Club or brings the Club into disrepute may be
reprimanded, suspended, or expelled from the Club after a hearing by the Board of Directors in
accordance with the Club’s Discipline Rules.

Rule 2: REGISTRATION

A player shall register on a registration form provided by the Club and pay the required fee prior to participating in any Club program.

To be eligible for registration in the KSA program, a player must have reached 3 years of age before the program starts.

The Board of Directors reserves the right to apply an allocation policy (as published on the MSA website) to allocate spots in any particular program if the club receives too many registrants based on available facilities or coaches.
 
Rule 3: REFUNDS

No refunds will be given after May 1st for the outdoor season, or after October 1 for the indoor season unless sanctioned by the Registrar and the Treasurer. An administration fee of $30.00 per player will be levied for any withdrawal request. Refunds will be given only if the uniform is returned personally to the League Convenor or Registrar. Refunds will only be accepted when the MSA Refund Form, completed and signed, has been received by the Registrar or delegate.

Rule 4: TEAMS

 The Club may not accept more players than it can coach. The number of committed coaches as of April of each year determines the number of teams for the outdoor season. The number of committed coaches as of September of each year determines the number of teams\sessions for the indoor season.

Rule 5: ASSIGNMENT TO TEAMS

A player may play for one team in the Club, other than an All-Star team.

The Director of House League, or in the absence thereof, the Registrar, is delegated the responsibility of determining the players allocated to each team. The Director will attempt to balance team strength and has the option to switch players up to and including the 3rd game of the league schedule, in consultation with each coach.
 
Rule 6: UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

 The Club will provide the following equipment to each player: shirt, shorts and stockings; the club will furnish different coloured uniforms to teams for intra-club play.
 
For games against other clubs, the club uniform consists of red, black and white colours. The club crest will be emblazoned on the left breast of the shirt. The alternate uniform consists of same colours in a reverse pattern.
 
All equipment provided to players and team coaches remains the property of the Club and may be requested returned at any time.
 
Rule 7: COACHES

All coaches will be appointed by the Club Head Coach.

Coaches are appointed to teams for one season and any reappointment, reassignment or non- appointment is at the sole and absolute discretion of the Club.
 
Any coaching appointment may be revoked by the Club at any time following a hearing by the Board of Directors at which the coach is entitled to attend in accordance with the Club’s Discipline Rules.
 
Any Coaches who take appropriate OSA coaching courses will have the fee refunded after completing one season with the Club.
 
Coaches for any level need to be able to demonstrate the skills required for the game of soccer, while close adherence to the Club’s training manual is mandatory. Coaches must show an appreciation and respect for players in their conduct at all times. Coaches are required to present themselves in a respectable manner, wearing the Club’s apparel.
 
Rule 8: MANAGERS

Managers are responsible for the peripheral and financial team duties other than coaching

Rule 9: VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are appointed by a delegate of the Board of Directors. Volunteers will be appointed for the duration of a specified activity / event and the appointment shall cease thereafter.

From time to time, special events are held requiring additional volunteers. All members are encouraged to assist in such special events.

Rule 10: DISCIPLINE

1. Discipline is rendered by the Club in accordance with the Ontario Soccer Association Policies on Discipline.
2. The Club shall manage game-related misconduct by players and team officials under the Discipline By Review (DBR) process to the extent permitted by OSA Discipline Policies (OSA Policies, Section 9.0, Policy 7.0). It is the responsibility of the Discipline Review Chairperson to understand where the DBR system may be applied.
3. Any game-related discipline which cannot be handled by DBR, and all Other Discipline, shall be handled under the Discipline by Hearing (DBH) process (OSA Policies, Section 9.0, Policy 8.0).

1. Failing to uphold the By-laws, Rules and Regulations or Constitution of the Milton Soccer Academy
2. Abusing a member, player or player representative verbally or physically
3. Representing the Milton Soccer Academy while the member’s ability to do so is impaired by any substance
4. Representing the Milton Soccer Academy while the member is in a conflict of interest
5. Giving information about a member or player to a person other that the member or player or his/her authorized representative except with the consent of the member or player or his/her representative or as required or allowed by law
6. Falsifying or fabricating a record
7. Signing or issuing a document containing a statement that the member knows or ought to know contains a false or misleading statement
8. Signing or issuing a certificate, report or similar document without taking reasonable measures to ascertain the accuracy of its contents
9. Engaging in conduct or performing an act that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonorable, or unprofessional
10. Breaching an undertaking provided to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations or Constitution of the Milton Soccer Academy
11. Failing to reply within 30 days to any written communication from the Board of Directors of the Milton Soccer Academy with respect to a complaint
12. Failing to supervise an auxiliary appropriately (ex. assistant or student coaches)
13. Failing to comply with an order of the Board of Directors or the Complaints Committee or Discipline Committee of the Milton Soccer Academy
14. Failing to maintain a standard of practice of the Milton Soccer Academy
15. Breaching an agreement with a member, player or other provider
16. Failing to report incidents of unsafe practice or unethical conduct
17. Contravening a Federal, Provincial, or Territorial law, a municipal bylaw, or a bylaw or rule of a facility where a member practices if:

1. 17.1The purpose of this rule is to protect the members and players of the Milton Soccer Academy,
2. 17.2The contravention is relevant to the member’s suitability to represent the Milton Soccer Academy.

The Board of Directors shall review the particulars to determine the appropriate action which could include:

- an explanation or clarification of Club Rules or Policy
- a written reprimand or letter of warning against future behaviour
- notice of a Discipline Hearing

10.3     Discipline Hearings

Each discipline case will be heard by a three member panel appointed by the Board.

The accused will be given 15 days’ notice of such a hearing (unless all parties agree to an earlier date).

The accused will be required to attend the hearing and will be advised in advance of their right to request a postponement, to bring witnesses and to bring an adviser to the hearing.

Any accused under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult adviser at any discipline hearing.
 
A fee of $75 is levied against those found guilty. Legal guardians are responsible for payment in case of Discipline Hearings involving youth players.
 
Any player or team official reported for Game Official Assault will be immediately suspended from all soccer activities.
 
10.4     Protests

All protests and matters of dispute must be submitted to the Club in writing within forty- eight (48) hours of the game played and accompanied by a fee of $75. All protests and matters of dispute in the jurisdiction of the club shall be dealt with by a disciplinary committee appointed by the Club. The fee of $75 will be refunded in case of a substantiated protest.

10.5     Appeals

Any appeal of a Club decision shall be made to the Peel Halton Soccer Association in accordance with that organizations Rules and Regulations.

Additional Rules and Regulations applicable to Senior Soccer

The name of the league shall be the Milton Soccer Academy (MSA) RECREATIONAL SENIORS SOCCER LEAGUE, hereinafter referred to as the league.
 
Rule II: Teams

1. All teams shall be required to play in their registered colours, except goal keepers, who shall wear a distinguishing sweater from both their own and their opponent’s colours, including the referee.
2. Each ‘team registration’ must have a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 25 players at the beginning of the season. If a registered team only has 16 players, extra players could be assigned by the director of senior soccer to fill the team.
3. Any team using players not registered with Milton Soccer Academy shall forfeit the game in which such players were used. The Team Manager shall be subject to disciplinary action and the team may be subject to expulsion from the League for subsequent offenses.

Rule III: Player Regulations

1. REGISTRATION

   To qualify for registration with the league, a PLAYER must:

   1. Complete the on-line registration process;
   2. Pay the registration fee to the Milton Soccer Academy;
   3. No player shall be eligible to play unless fully registered within 7 days in advance of play.
   4. No player who has been suspended by the league or any other governing organization can register to play.


2. AGE REQUIREMENTS
   
   
   1. Players must meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years of age as of December 31st of the year of play, unless otherwise sanctioned by the club’s registrar.
   2. Players must have a valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) with them at all games to supply proof of age if challenged.

   Rules of challenging a player’s age:

   • A team representative can challenge a player’s age on the opposing team by approaching the referee BEFORE the start of a game.
   • The player in question must then make a self-declaration by showing proof of age with a valid photo ID. If the player in question does not have a valid photo ID with them, they are not permitted to play in the game. In this situation, the referee will report the player to the club director for further follow-up.

3. PLAYER PLACEMENT

The club will be responsible for assigning an individually registered player to a team based on past experience and league objectives. The league will attempt to accommodate any requests from individual applicants to play with a particular player and/or team.


4. EQUIPMENT

1. Players will wear team uniform, soccer shoes and shin pads. Shirt must be of same colour & numbered. Sleeves must be down at all times.
2. No player will be permitted to play wearing footwear other than soccer cleats (Metal/Aluminum studs are not permitted), or indoor turf shoes or indoor soccer gym shoes.
3. Only indoor gym soccer shoes or artificial turf soccer shoes are allowed when playing in the Club's indoor soccer league.
4. It is mandatory for players to remove ALL jewellery before playing (this includes rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches)
5. Under OSA Guidelines regarding FIFA Law 4 ‘Players Equipment’, if, in the opinion of the referee, a player is wearing other items which may cause injury to other players or themselves, they will not be allowed to play.

Rule IV: Managers / Assistant Managers

1. Each team must appoint one team manager before the start of the season. A team assistant manager is optional, but encouraged. The assistant manager is to provide back-up in the absence of the team manager.
2. Managers are responsible for ensuring all players in his/her team are properly registered.
3. Managers are responsible for ensuring all players are aware of the Rules and Regulations.
4. Managers are responsible for all communication within the team and from the club, and must have regular access to e-mail to receive league updates.
5. Managers are responsible for submitting team issues/concerns, in a timely matter, via email to the Director of Senior Soccer.
6. Team managers are accountable for the return of all uniforms to the club at the end of the season in good working order.

Rule V: Playing Rules

1. The game rules for the end of season tournament are different than the regular season league rules. A set of tournament rules and regulations will be made available before the tournament.
2. The league follows the FIFA Laws of the Game, unless stated otherwise.
3. A team will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes after the game starting time to produce seven (7) players on a the field, and if at the end of this time, the team cannot produce 7 players, the game is forfeited, resulting in a 0-3 loss by default.
   1. In the indoor league, a team will be allowed until 10 minutes past the posted start time to produce 4 players. If after 10 minutes past the scheduled start the team does not have a minimum of 4 players, the team will forfeit the game with a 0-3 loss. 
4. If a game is abandoned because a team cannot field enough players, it will default with a 0-3 loss regardless of the actual score.
5. Each Team Captain is required to produce a completed Game Sheet before the start of the game to the referee. Completed game sheets include the full name of each registered player on the team who will be playing in the game, their corresponding uniform number and initials, the date, time, location of the game and the signature of a representative of the team.
6. Home team is responsible for providing a game ball to Official before kick-off.
7. Teams can substitute without limits at:
   1. Any offensive throw-in (defending team can substitute only if offensive team does)
   2. At a goal kick (both teams can change)
   3. Beginning of half
   4. When game has been stopped due to an injured player (at the discretion of the referee and only the injured player can be substituted)
   5. After a goal is scored 
8. There will be two 45 minute halves. A shorter time may be decided upon by the 2 teams and referee prior to the start of the game.
9. No slide tackling is permitted at any time.
10. Summer rules will be in effect for the entire season. Summer rules are as follows: If one team is short players (but not less than 7), the opposing team may play up to 2 more players (but not more than 11).
11. In the absence of a referee the teams may appoint a referee. The score and decisions of the appointed referee will stand. If no referee can be appointed, the game will be re-scheduled.
12. Any game terminated after half time shall be deemed to be a complete game and the present score will prevail.
13. At any time, if a team “walks-off” or withdraws from the field of play without consent of the referee, the team will forfeit the game
14. Spectators / team helpers are seated across the field opposite from the team benches
15. Any foul language that is NOT directed at a player or official will result in an indirect free kick from where the foul language occurred, at the discretion of the referee. (A reminder that foul language directed at another player or referee already has (according to FIFA rules) a penalty of a yellow card.
16. If a team forfeits a game, after seven (7) days of publication of the schedule, or any time during the season or tournament, a fine of $150 will be levied against the team. The fine must be paid before the team can play its next scheduled game.

Rule VI: Game Results

1. Each win 3 points; each tie 1 point
2. Tie breaking Priority for League Championship
   1. Most wins
   2. Goal differential
   3. Most goals
   4. Most wins head to head
   5. Goal differential head to head
   6. Most goals head to head
   7. Drawing of lots 
3. Game scores will be reported by the referee to the club’s Director of Senior Soccer. The score will then be posted on the club’s website. If a referee does not show up to a game, the team managers are responsible for reporting this to the Director of Senior Soccer no later than the following day.

Rule V: Discipline

1. Players or team officials reported for misconduct shall be dealt with through the Club’s discipline process. Please see Rule 10 of the club’s Rules & Regulations. Suspensions will be in accordance with OSA Standard Penalties for Misconduct.
2. Additional discipline rules specific to the league are as follows:

1. Two (2) red cards accumulated during the season (including the end of season tournament) will result in a review of the player's status for the remainder of the season as well as any other future involvement within the league.
2. If a player is issued three (3) or more yellow cards or one (1) red card anytime during the Regular season and/or end of season tournament, she will be required to pay a $50 fine to the club, in addition to serving the standard suspension, prior to returning to a league game (youth players are excepted from paying a fine but are subject to the same Discipline proceedings).

APPROVED by the Board of Directors the 13th day of May 2013.

Uwe Samstag-Schnock, President