25 JAN 08
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Guide for new coed team reps 25 JAN 08 |
Since 1976, HWSA has been promoting women's amateur soccer in the greater Houston area. HWSA added its coed program in 1994, and the league has grown from eight teams to over 40 teams. There is a Monday league (usually 4 divisions) and a Sunday night league (usually 3 divisions). Players may play on both a Monday team and a Sunday team. There are three seasons each year, beginning in February, June and September. Each season is usually made up of eight games. In order to preserve the recreational nature of the coed league, slide tackling is prohibited; and to make the game more interesting, goals by women count as two points. Any number of women may play on the field (up to a full team of 11 players, of course); however, no more than six men may be on the field at any time (goalkeeper included). What Team Reps Do You're expected to:
In order to make sure you and your team are aware of league procedures and policies, attendance at the meetings is mandatory. If you are unable to come, please ask another person on your team or to take your place. Anyone on your team (registered or not) may serve as your proxy. Failure to attend will result in a $10 fine, and missing three meetings in a row may result in automatic forfeiture of your next league game. Registration
Team registration requires submitting a team registration form (available online about a month before the deadline) and a non-refundable $100 deposit. The deposit provides assurance that a team will actually play to justify the effort required to create a schedule for the upcoming season. The deposit will be credited toward player registration fees. There is a $25 late registration fee. Also, a $25 charge is assessed for returned checks. Our state association (Texas State Soccer Association - South) requires formal registration forms to be filled out and signed by each individual player each year. The soccer year runs from 1 September through 31 August. Because of this, the player registration process is most complicated in the fall. Registration forms are available on the forms page. Blank ID cards can be obtained from the registration administrator or at league meetings. When registering a new team, each player must complete a player registration form, fill out an ID card and attach a small photo. New players added later in the year must also complete the same forms. Players registered in the fall who return for the spring and/or summer seasons do not need to complete new forms if they stay with the same team; however, player fees are collected each season. There is a 25-player limit for each team per season. Player registration materials are due at the meeting immediately preceding the start of each season. These materials include the state registration forms and player fees for the fall season (for both new and returning players). A roster of previously registered/returning players, state forms & IDs for new players, and player fees are required for the spring and summer seasons. The hardest part is getting the state forms and ID cards to your players, then getting the forms and photos back. Fortunately that only needs to be done once a year, and the ID cards can last several years. Once the season begins, player registration materials and payment must be submitted to the registration administrator no later than Tuesday noon for a player to be eligible the following Sunday/Monday.No exceptions. Should unregistered people play, we jeopardize our liability insurance coverage and our affiliation with the state organization. Playing an unregistered player will result in automatic forfeiture of the game, and other penalties for repeated occurences. Fees Teams are free to seek sponsors or charge players for fees, uniforms, and other expenses. The league recommends collecting money from the individual players at the start of each season, and paying for registration with one large check. Also, the league recommends only registering players who have paid you already. HWSA strongly discourages paying in cash. There is a $25 charge for returned checks. A typical team budget for one season looks something like this:
Discipline Fines will be assessed for infractions -- $10 for cautions (yellow cards), and $25 minimum for ejections (red cards). Players receiving a red card are suspended for the team's next game; there are stiffer penalties for serious infractions (violent conduct, referee abuse, etc). The league frowns on players who have a history of serious fouls, and will assess longer suspensions when appropriate. Complete information on discipline-related issues may be found in the coed rules and in the HWSA Constitution, Bylaws, and General Rules. Fines should be paid to the HWSA secretary at the league meeting immediately following the infraction. Games and Reporting Teams are allowed 10 minutes grace time after the published start time to field a team (minimum of seven players). A forfeit may be declared after 10 minutes if a team is unable to field at least seven players. Teams playing short of players are subject to the same gender restrictions as full teams -- no more than six men may be on the field at one time. It is possible that a legitimate team may be made up of six men and one woman; or seven women. A one-person referee system is used. Given the recreational nature of the league, this system makes play more affordable. Prior to the start of a game, each team rep will give the referee a completed game report and the $25 referee fee. The game report should be filled out in advance, listing each player's name and jersey number. The game report allows you to list every player on your roster (up to 25). You cannot suit up more than 18 players for a game, so cross off names of players not playing. The referee may also check each player's ID card at any time, but preferably prior to the start of play. All players must have a current player ID card to be eligible to play. The referee does not have to make an exception. The referee is responsible for returning game reports to the league. Each team is also required to report game results to the coed commissioner within 24 hours. This can be done by phone, by e-mail, or by web-based form. Injuries Claims must be submitted within 90 days of injury, and a game card must be submitted too. Contact the coed commissioner to get a copy of a specific game report. Rainouts HWSA maintains a rainout hotline (713-267-1517). When we are notified that fields are closed, we will post a message on the hotline. Please be aware that the Houston metro area is quite large, and that although it may be raining where you live or work, it may not be raining at the field you are scheduled to play on. The opposite is also true. Check the rainout hotline before telling your folks that you think a game is cancelled because it's raining where you are, or before going to the field on a nice day. An old rainout message, or no message, indicates that games will be played as scheduled. Always check the hotline before going to the field. Forfeits Forfeiting a game results in a 1-0 loss. If the forfeit happens at game time, the referee fee must be paid by the forfeiting team. If the fee is not paid at the field, it will be deducted from the team's bond. If you know that your team will forfeit a game before game time, please contact the coed commissioner ASAP and the referee fee may be waived (not a guarantee). This is an act of courtesy, and will save many people an unnecessary trip to the field, often through rush hour traffic. For a no-show forfeit, the entire ref fee ($50) will be paid by the forfeiting team. Awards Protests and Grievances
A grievance may be filed to express dissent for any reason not covered by a protest. Protests must be filed in writing with the coed commissioner within three days of the completion of the game being protested. Grievances must be filed within ten days of the end of the game in question. All protests and grievances must be accompanied by the appropriate fee:
Protests and grievances will be handled promptly by the Disciplinary & Protest Committee (DPC). If the protest or grievance is upheld by the DPC, the fee will be returned. If it is denied, the fee will be forfeited to the treasury of HWSA. All involved parties will be notified of the DPC's decision either at the time of the hearing or in writing. For more information regarding protests and grievances, consult the HWSA Constitution and Bylaws. Other Helpful Tips |