The season begins Saturday, 8 January. 

GENERAL RULES
• Maximum 25 players per roster; 18 players can suit up for each game. Minimum of 10 players 30 or older must be registered with each team; up to 3 players who are 29 may be registered (although they may not be eligible for over 30 State Cup).
• Shinguards must be worn; bicycle/sliding shorts underneath regular shorts must be same color.
• Free substitution on all goal kicks, throw-ins on your possession, and any injuries (all at the discretion of the referee).

TEAM REPS MUST:
• Submit registration materials and fees on time. All teams must register a minimum of 11 players by Wednesday, 5 January. No players may be added after Saturday, January 8. Should unregistered people play, we jeopardize our liability insurance coverage and our affiliation with the state association. Playing an unregistered player will result in automatic forfeiture of your game.

• Attend the January 5 league meeting. Attendance is mandatory. If you are unable to come, please ask someone on your team to take your place. Failure to attend will result in a $10 fine.

• Obey league rules and set an example for their teammates.

BEFORE GAME DAY
• Check the schedule to see if there's a team color conflict. Home team is responsible for changing jerseys if necessary. Make sure all your team jerseys are the same color and have 8" permanent numbers.
• If you know you can't field a team for the game, notify the over 30 commissioner immediately. You still have to pay the referee if you forfeit at the field; if you cancel the game at least 24 hours beforehand, you don't. If your team is a "no-show," you will be fined the entire $40 ref fee.

RAINOUT INFO
• If the game is rained out after the 60th minute, the score stands.
• If the game is rained out before the 60th minute, the game can be rescheduled in its entirety. Contact the women's commissioner immediately.
• Rainout information will be posted on the HWSA hotline: 713.267.1517.

AT THE FIELD
• Give the ref your game report, player ID cards and the $20 referee fee. Complete the game report in advance (available online), listing each player 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 for a game, so cross off names of those not playing. Playing an unregistered player will result in automatic forfeiture of the game.
• Be ready to play by the published start time. 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.

DURING THE GAME
• Only the designated captain of each team should speak to the referee. Abusive and/or threatening behavior toward the referee will not be tolerated.
• Team reps are expected to set an example for their teammates -- displaying sportsmanship and enforcing league rules.

AFTER THE GAME
• Sign the game report after you've reviewed it carefully. Make sure all yellow cards, red cards, goals scored and injuries are correctly noted and accurately detailed. The referee will return the game report to the league.
• Report the score to the over 30 commissioner using the on-line form within 24 hours.
• If one of your players received a red card, that player must (at a minimum) sit out the next league game. Contact the league Vice President for information regarding fines and length of suspensions (see below).
• Pay fines when notified by the HWSA secretary. Red cards incur a (minimum) $25 fine each, and yellow cards are $10 each. There are additional fines for threatening behavior, referee abuse, referee assault and bench-clearing incidents.
• Submit an online referee evaluation to give positive and negative feedback.

FORFEITS/RESCHEDULES/MAKEUPS
Forfeits result if a team is unable to play a scheduled game for any reason (except as noted below), or if an ineligible player plays. Forfeiting a game results in a 1-0 loss. If the forfeit happens at game time, each team pays the ref the usual fee ($20 cash). If the forfeit is the result of a no-show, the no-show team will be charged the entire $40 ref fee.

The only valid reasons for rescheduling are inclement weather (fields closed) or a conflicting sanctioned tournament (with prior permission of over 30 commissioner). Makeup games will be scheduled by the commissioner as needed.

DISCIPLINE
The over 30 women's league is intended to be a recreational sports environment that promotes fun and sportsmanship for players 30 and older. Please insist that your players play under control at all times. Referees have been instructed to have no tolerance for misbehavior. Verbal abuse of players or referees will not be tolerated.

Again, each yellow card costs your team $10. Red cards are (minimum) $25 each, plus, at a minimum, that player is ineligible for the team's next league game. There are additional fines for more serious infractions. HWSA frowns on players who have a history of serious fouls, and will assess longer suspensions and even banishment when appropriate. More information on discipline-related issues may be found in in the HWSA Constitution, Bylaws, and/or General Rules.

PROTESTS & GRIEVANCES
A game may only be protested for the following reasons:

1. a referee's breaking a Law of the Game

2. a team playing an ineligible or suspended player; or

3. a suspended coach being present and coaching the team.

A grievance may be filed to express dissent for any reason not covered by a protest. Protests must be filed in writing with the women's commissioner within 48 hours of the completion of the game being protested. Grievances must be filed within four weeks of the end of the season. All protests and grievances must be accompanied by the appropriate fee: protests - $25, grievances - $10.

INJURIES
If one of your players is injured, notify the Vice President as soon as possible. HWSA maintains very limited supplemental health insurance through the state association. Insurance claim forms are available from the Vice President only an as-needed basis. Claims must be submitted within 90 days of the incident. Coverage is not guaranteed.