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Parent Handbook

            The Harrison Youth Soccer Club, Inc. ("HYSC" or the "Club") is a non-profit corporation organized and administered by Harrison parents.  The Club selects, organizes and regulates boys and girls soccer teams to play in youth soccer leagues and tournaments.  The HYSC operates in coordination with the Harrison Recreation Department and the Athletic Department at Harrison High School.  The Club does not have oversight responsibility for the Harrison Junior Soccer League, which is separately managed by the Harrison Recreation Department.

            The Club typically fields around 21 youth soccer teams, which are evenly divided between girls’ teams and boys’ teams.  There are over 275 children and young adults participating in programs run by the HYSC each year.  Travel teams are registered in the Westchester Youth Soccer League ("WYSL"), a regional component of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (“ENYYSA”) and the United States Youth Soccer Association (“USYSA”).  The USYSA is a youth affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation, an organization designated by an Act of Congress as the governing body for soccer in the United States. 

            The Club publishes this Handbook to provide each family with a detailed summary of all of the Club’s activities.  Copies of the Handbook are available to returning players on the Club website at www.HarrisonTravelSoccer.org.  Questions about the Club and its programs should be initially directed to the player’s coach, although if he or she is unable to answer the question they can be directed to the relevant member of the Board of Directors.

OBJECTIVES AND PHILOSOPHY

            The Club’s objectives are to provide children and young adults with the opportunity to participate in a soccer experience where they can develop positive self-esteem and build character by learning the virtues of hard work, respect, honesty, self-control, teamwork and sportsmanship.  To achieve these objectives, the Club encourages its coaches and team parents to adopt a philosophy that seeks to achieve the following for the players:

1.   To have fun;

2.   To develop an appreciation of Sportsmanship and the fundamentals of team play;

3.   To respect teammates, coaches, opponents, the referee and the laws of the game;

4.   To learn the meaning of dedication and commitment and to experience the relationship between effort and results;

5.   To learn soccer – individual skills, small group tactics and team tactics, so that each player and his or her team can become the best that they can be; and

6.      To engage in healthy competition.

HFC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

        The HYSC is committed to ensuring that all interested soccer players who live in our community have an opportunity to participate in our program. The Club has a formalized Scholarship Program for players who would like to participate on an HYSC team but find the registration fees too prohibitive. The HYSC Scholarship Fund provides support for players requesting financial assistance to cover annual registration fees. Requests for assistance should be made directly to the Club President before the registration deadlines for the upcoming season. All such requests will be handled confidentially by the HYSC Board of Directors.

        In order to support the HYSC Scholarship Fund, the Club offers for sale certain official HYSC merchandise, including t-shirts, underarmors, fleece jackets, fleece blankets, pajama pants, water bottles and car magnets with the HYSC logo.  This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in our Harrison soccer community to help our neighbors and friends. The profits, after expenses, will go directly toward players who need our help. Excess funds may be used for Club-related programs and events. This is also an easy and fun way for parents and others to support the HYSC by bringing these blankets and wearing the merchandise to games.  Instructions how to purchase this merchandise is available on the Club website at www.HarrisonTravelSoccer.org.  Up to date information about club policies, activities and events can be obtained from the Club’s website.

ADMINISTRATION

            Club activities are directed by the members of the Board of Directors, all of whom are unpaid volunteers, as well as over 30 parents who serve as volunteer coaches and assistant coaches.  The Club also hires trainers and other soccer professionals to assist in the development of our programs.  The current members of the HYSC Board of Directors are:

         The HYSC is run by parents who volunteer to serve as Board members, coaches and team managers.  Non-coaching parents have made major contributions to the Club’s activities by assisting in many administrative and supporting functions such as Registrar, referees, assisting with field maintenance and assisting at tournaments.  Parents who have an interest in volunteering to serve in a non-coaching capacity should contact the Club President or any member of the Board.

TRAVEL TEAM SELECTION

            Eligibility.  Children are eligible to play on an HYSC team if they are between 8 and 18 years of age and reside in Harrison or Purchase, go to school or are eligible to go to school in Harrison or have previously played on an HYSC team. 

            National youth sports organizations report that over 70% of all children drop out of organized youth sports by the age of 13.  Locally we experience this trend in Recreation soccer, HYSC soccer and other youth sports.  During recent years, several HYSC U-13 and U-14 teams disbanded or forfeited their remaining games due to a shortage of Harrison children at this age level who were committed to travel soccer, leaving Harrison children who wanted to continue playing without that opportunity.  The Club’s Board has adopted a policy of allowing each team playing in the U-13 and older age groups to have non-resident players comprise up to 50% of the roster so Harrison children can continue to play travel soccer on Harrison teams and our teams can remain competitive and viable.  In recent years, a number of teams have added a limited number of non-resident players to supplement rosters where necessary.  Such non-resident recruiting requires advance approval of the Board.   

            Player Selection and Tryouts.  Tryouts are held once a year in May or June before the Fall season for the U-8, U-9 and U-10 teams which will play in the following school year.  Tryouts for older age groups are held as directed by the Board in its discretion or upon the request of an HYSC coach in that age group.  Tryouts are publicized on the Club website and scheduled in accordance with WYSL rules.  The tryouts are open to all eligible children, and are publicized through the Club’s website and correspondence with all children who participate in the Harrison Junior Soccer League as second-graders.  All such tryouts are held on a no-name basis by unbiased, objective professional trainers hired by the Club, with the assistance of coaches who do not have players in the affected age and gender group as appropriate.  The results of the tryouts are expected to be kept confidential by the coaches of each age group.

            It is the objective of the Club to group players and to organize teams based on ability level.  In age groups where there are a sufficient number of players to form more than one team, players are grouped and assigned teams once a year prior to the Fall season based on the factors listed below.  The U-8 development teams (for the purposes of U-9 play) are generally be divided into two equal teams based on tryouts before the Fall season.  All other age groups are divided into A and B teams.  If there are enough players and coaches for three teams within any age group (including U-8), the players are typically divided into an A team (or team with a concentration of strong players) and two equal B teams.   

When grouping players and assigning them to a team, the following factors are considered:

• If the player is an active player, her/his performance during the past season in league and tournament play;

• The player’s commitment to the program as reflected by practice and game attendance;

• The relative ranking or grade the player receives during the tryouts; and
• Other relevant factors such as a player’s effort and attitude.

Players should be evaluated, among other criteria, based on their ball control, speed of play and decision making, use and creation of space with and without the ball, transition and mobility.

The coaches for the U-9 age groups and above (for purposes of U-10 play and above) are jointly responsible for helping to group players for team placement based on the above-listed factors.  As appropriate to facilitate the tryouts, at least ten (10) days prior to the tryouts, the head coaches in each age group rate each of the players on their teams by applying the factors set forth above.  Ratings are expected to be exchanged between the coaches in each age group, and the coaches jointly prepare a preliminary rating and team assignment list in an effort to focus the tryouts on specific players who are relatively close in ability level and “on the cusp” as to team assignment.  Any of the coaches on the affected grade level may request the Board to assign a coach of a different age group from the Club to observe the tryouts and assist in the final rankings and team assignments in the event of a disagreement.  Any disagreement between the coaches will be resolved by the Board who may rely on the observations of the professional trainers conducting the tryout and any disinterested coach, if any, appointed by the Board to witness the tryouts.  While the input of coaches is considered in the above-described ways, the Board has the ultimate authority to make team placement decisions to ensure the fairness and objectivity of the process. 

Ranking and grouping players among the U-8 age group (for U-9 play and above) is made by the Board and is primarily based upon the evaluation of the professional trainers hired by the Club following the Spring development play program and the tryouts.   Each parent who may want to coach during the U-9 play season is required to prepare and submit an application for consideration by the Board in the form designated by the Board, which is available on the Club website.  Such coaching applications must be filed by a date designated by the Board prior to the tryouts.  The Board will review the applications and appoint coaches after the players have been ranked at the tryouts and teams have been designated. 

Whenever possible and practical, the vision of the Club is to approach each gender within an age group as one larger team rather than distinct smaller teams.  This approach is intended to enhance the development of players and promote a sense of unity and friendship among the players and among the coaches.  The Club’s Board believes that this approach will also enable each age group to take full advantage of scarce coaching resources and facilities.  Where practical, the Club encourages joint practice sessions among the different teams in each age group, the participation of children as guest players to other teams in tournaments and winter league play, and will permit, subject to Board approval, the transfer of players between Club teams within an age group as appropriate when permissible under WYSL rules.  To this end, coaches are expected to cooperate and communicate with each other on a regular basis and to advise each other about players that may benefit from playing on a different team within the age group.  In doing so, the Club hopes to minimize any stigma that may be perceived by the players or their parents as a result of a lower than expected team grouping or player ranking.  

The use of the grievance process (which is described in this Handbook) to contest team designation of individual players is generally discouraged, although it is available for that purpose in appropriate circumstances.  Relief for such grievances will only be granted at the discretion of the Board based upon a showing of bias, abuse of discretion or the existence of special circumstances. 

Age Divisions.   The WYSL and ENYYSA conform to the age categories established by the United States Youth Soccer Association, which operate under an August 1 to July 31 “soccer year.”  For example, children eligible to play in the Under 9 (U-9) division should be turning 9 years old between August 1 and July 31 on their birthdays during the “soccer year.”  Players should generally play within their age group.  Because the Club’s teams generally involve players who have participated in the Harrison Junior Soccer League run by the Harrison Recreation Department, some children prefer to tryout with their grade rather than by conforming to the USYSA national standards.  Requests to move up to a higher age group will be addressed by the Board on a case-by-case basis.  Permission may be provided by the Board at its discretion upon a showing of good cause by the player’s parents or relevant coaches.  Consideration may be given to, among other factors, what is in the best interest of the player, the player’s physical size, ability and skill level, the desire to play with other kids in the player’s grade level, the lack of a sufficient number of players within the player’s age group, etc.  These guidelines do not apply to players who have already played up during the prior season.

            Travel teams play in divisions designated by age and ability.  HYSC teams in the WYSL play in divisions of one-year increments (i.e., U-9, U-10, etc.).  In each age category the WYSL will generally attempt to seed the strongest teams in Division 1, the next strongest in Division 2, and so on.  In high school age brackets of U-15 and above, teams are seeded primarily by ability rather than by age in divisions that may include more than one “soccer year.”

            Team Size.  HYSC teams playing in U-9 and U-10 divisions play in a 8 v 8 format where the maximum roster size permitted by the ENYYSA is 14 players.  All HYSC teams playing in U-11 divisions play in a 9 v 9 format where the maximum roster size is 16 players.  HYSC teams in U-12 and older divisions play in an 11 v 11 format where the maximum roster size permitted by the ENYYSA is 18 players.  The Board recommends a minimum roster size of 14-15 players for these teams, balancing the interests of playing time and safety. 

            High school age teams of U-15 and older can have up to 22 players, but teams with rosters of more than 18 players are ineligible to play in the State Cup tournament, which is run by the ENYYSA separately from the WYSL.  Because the Club has historically been compelled to disband teams in the oldest age groups based on insufficient player participation, the Board encourages the coaches in those age groups to confer with opposing coaches within their divisions and combine rosters if necessary to field a team at those levels.  As previously noted, the HYSC will allow a high school team to participate in the Club if at least 50% of its players are eligible Harrison residents.

            Number of Teams.  WYSL rules permit the HYSC and other member clubs to enter two boys and girls’ teams for each age category with 11 v 11 play, and three boys and girls teams in the  U-9 and U-10 age categories which engage in small sided play.  The HYSC may apply to the WYSL for permission to enter additional teams.  Such application will be subject to the HYSC providing additional fields, additional certified referees and an annual review of those teams’ competitiveness in the WYSL.  

REGISTRATION AND FEES

           The Club is administratively responsible for registering each of its teams.  Each player on an HYSC travel team is simultaneously registered with the WYSL, ENYYSA and the United States Youth Soccer Association, which registration is evidenced by a picture ID card retained by the coach and required to be shown to the referee before each game.  Registration fees for each team are paid by the players on the team to the Club through an online registration process, which allows parents to pay such fees by credit card.  Alternatively, parents may register their children online and separately provide to the Club Registrar checks made payable to the “Harrison Youth Soccer Club.”  The Club is responsible for forwarding the team registration fees to the WYSL.

            Instructions for completing the online registration process are available on the HYSC website at www.HarrisonTravelSoccer.org.  Questions about registration may be directed to the Club Registrar.  In addition to completing the online registration process each year and paying the annual registration and membership fee, all players must complete and provide to the Club Registrar a Medical Release Form that includes customary consents for medical treatment and legal disclaimers.  Coaches should forward the original Medical Release Forms to the Club Registrar and maintain copies in the event of an injury during a game or practice session.  In addition to the Medical Release Form, new players must provide to the Club Registrar a copy of a birth certificate or passport and a passport-size photo.  By signing these forms, parents agree to abide by the rules of the soccer organizations that they are joining, including rules governing parental behavior at games.  Each parent should review the HYSC Code of Conduct for Coaches and the WYSL Parental Guidelines, which are included in this Handbook.

            Fees.  Each player on a travel team pays registration fees to the Club that cover Club-related expenses including team registration fees, equipment, WYSL insurance and, in the case of U-9 players, the weekly mandatory training program.  On alternative years where the Club must purchase new uniforms, players are required to pay an enhanced fee to cover the cost of their uniforms.  Players are separately responsible for paying their share of their team’s expenses including professional trainers (apart from the U-9 players whose weekly professional training costs are built into the U-9 registration fee), field rentals and tournament entry fees.  The Board reviews the Club’s budget on an annual basis to ensure that the registration fee structure reflects the expenses anticipated to be incurred by the Club for player participation and operational expenses.  As noted previously, financial aid is available through the HYSC Scholarship in cases where a family might otherwise have difficulty paying for travel team cost.

CLUB PROGRAMS FOR PLAYERS

            WYSL Games.  WYSL games are scheduled on Sundays in the Fall and Spring, with generally nine or ten games each season.  During the Fall, games are scheduled beginning after Labor Day and ending the Sunday before Thanksgiving (except Columbus Day weekend), and during the Spring, beginning in early April and continuing through Father's Day (except Easter Sunday and Memorial Day weekend).   

           Practices.  Travel soccer is intended to be a lot of fun, but it is competitive, with an emphasis on each player becoming the best player that he or she can be and each team reaching its collective potential.  This requires a significant time commitment from the players, coaches and parents.  During the Fall and Spring seasons, teams generally practice two days a week, for 60-75 minutes per practice.  Team members are expected to attend these practices regularly.  Travel teams also participate from time to time in scrimmages with other teams, either informally as part of a practice or on a more formal basis.  During the winter, some HYSC teams may elect to practice in indoor facilities or compete in indoor leagues paid for by the individual teams, generally no more than once per week.  The Club does not oversee the winter activities but may consult with participating teams upon request.  

            Parent volunteers coach Club teams and handle the administrative responsibilities relating to the teams.  Teams often use professional coaches or trainers to assist the parent coaches in teaching soccer skills and may use such trainers to coach at games.  Apart from the U-9 training program, teams are responsible for the payment of professional coaches and trainers used by HYSC teams.  All HYSC teams are required to retain a professional trainer to conduct weekly practices during the Fall and Spring seasons at the team’s expense.  Any exceptions to this requirement are subject to Board approval.  The Board will consult with coaches regarding their teams’ training requirements and make available a list of potential trainers upon request. 

         Tournaments.  Although teams are encouraged to play in tournaments, each team makes its own decisions to play or not to play in tournaments.  As there are no league games scheduled for Labor Day, Columbus Day and Memorial Day weekends, they tend to be popular weekends for outdoor tournaments, which can be one, two or three day competitions.  Club teams have played in outdoor tournaments at Iona College, SUNY Purchase (NY) and numerous other locations within and outside Westchester County.

            Club teams also participate in indoor tournaments during the winter.  These tournaments are usually one-day tournaments held in college or high school gymnasiums or other indoor athletic facilities.  Club teams have participated in indoor tournaments at the Sports Underdome in Mount Vernon, the Sports Center in Armonk and other locations. 

            Tournament registration fees are paid by the team directly to the tournament sponsor.  Coaches may encourage their players to be available for tournament play, but participation is not mandatory.  Club patches are routinely exchanged between teams at tournaments and may be obtained from the Club Equipment Coordinator for that purpose.

            State Cup Tournament.  The New York State Championship (the “State Cup Tournament”) is held during each Spring season for ENYYSA teams, including HYCC teams.  Teams in the ENYYSA region, which spans from Albany south to New York City and east to Long Island, can play throughout the region in major (“Open”) or minor (“Challenge”) divisions in a single elimination tournament.  These tournaments are separate from and in addition to regular WYSL play, and it is the decision of individual teams whether to participate.  Because of the increasing popularity of soccer and the growth in the number of teams entering the State Cup Tournament, as well as a growing field shortage situation, the tournament organizers schedule the initial rounds of play for the U-11 and U-12 divisions during the Fall season.  Play for these age groups carries over with the semi-finals and finals in the Spring season.  Older divisions’ State Cup games are scheduled entirely in the Spring season.

            WYSL and Olympic Development Program (ODP) Teams.  Each summer the WYSL forms league-wide Select Teams to play in summer tournaments.   Tryouts are held during the Fall season, and players selected practice together once a week, generally on Mondays, from April through June to prepare for summer tournaments.  WYSL ODP Select players must continue to play on their club teams.

            Players from the Club have also tried out for and been selected to participate on the ENYYSA ODP team.  Players selected to be on these teams practice together once a week, also generally on Mondays, and participate in ODP summer camps and tournaments.  State ODP players must continue to play on their club teams, but cannot play on a WYSL ODP Team as those schedules are mutually exclusive.

            High School Age Teams.  While the Club has historically fielded a limited number of high school age teams, there is also a “mini-season” in November for high school age teams that is available to HYSC teams after the end of the Interscholastic Season.

         Cooperation with the Harrison Recreation Department.  The Club has extensive interaction with the Recreation Department over issues concerning field usage and player development.  The HYSC has an ongoing policy of supporting the Recreation soccer program.  Many HYSC players also play in the Harrison Junior Soccer League, and many HYSC coaches also coach Recreation soccer teams.  

 SPORTSMANSHIP

           The Club believes good sportsmanship is of the utmost importance.  Very few, if any, Club players will become professional soccer players, but all will take with them the lessons from the playing field.  The Club defines sportsmanship as showing respect for coaches, teammates, opponents, the referee and the laws of the game.  The Club believes HYSC players should strive to become the best soccer players they can be, and also to become ambassadors for the Club, our community and the game.

            WYSL Sporting Conduct Program.  Starting in the 2000 Spring season, the WYSL adopted a league-wide sporting conduct program.  At each league game, the referee rates the “sporting conduct” of the players, parents and coaches of each team.  The team in each Division with the highest average sporting conduct points per game will receive Sporting Conduct Award patches at the end of the season, and will be entitled to wear these patches on their uniform jerseys. 

          Sportsmanlike conduct and athletic achievement are compatible and not mutually exclusive.  The HYSC Board expects that all coaches, parents and players will conduct themselves appropriately at all of their games, and hopes that each HYSC team will strive to win the Sporting Conduct Awards in league and tournament play.

            Code of Conduct for Coaches.   It is the responsibility of each HYSC coach and assistant coach to do the following:

• Realize that the purpose of youth soccer is to promote the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of the individual players;
• Emphasize the proper ideals and lead by example in demonstrating sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play;
• Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and should never be ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game;
• Educate yourself on positive coaching principles and be generous with your praise;
• Show courtesy to visiting teams and referees;
• Treat each player as an individual, remembering that there may be a large spread of physical and emotional development of members of the same team;
• Follow the advice of a physician or parent when determining when an injured player is ready to play again; and
• Remember that a contest is only a game, and that the game is for children and not adults.

           Silent Sunday.  During 2001, the WYSL introduced the concept of having one game designated as “Silent Sunday.”  On Silent Sunday, spectators were asked to refrain from shouting directions to their children, and the spirit of the day was to be to “just let the kids play.”  Based on positive feedback received from the players from many clubs, the WYSL holds a Silent Sunday each season, and the HYSC asks all parents to observe the policies and spirit of Silent Sunday.

            WYSL Parent Guidelines.   The WYSL has published “Guidelines on How to be a Great Soccer Parent.”  While the WYSL believes that the game of soccer can be a wonderful experience for everyone involved, on occasions League officials have observed behavior by some parents that does not support the goals of the WYSL.  The sportsmanship ratings of Club teams are based in part on the parents’ conduct.  Accordingly, the Club reserves the right to require unruly parents to leave the game area. 

Parents must remember to:

• Support the Kids.   All kids.  Make positive comments to players, not negative ones.  Don’t groan when someone misses the ball.  After a loss or a mistake, don’t malign the players on the other team.  Comments should be unfailingly positive and supportive.  Kids take even the mildest criticism as a sign you don’t support them.  Your job on the sidelines is to cheer positively for all players and to offer a shoulder or hug when everything doesn’t go positively. 
• Support the Coach, even though your kid’s coach isn’t perfect.  Don’t yell instructions to the players; that’s the coach’s job and players don’t like to hear instructions from multiple, often conflicting, sources.  Don’t complain during the game.  If you have an issue, take it up with the coach the next day after the game (after reflection), out of earshot of your child and other players and parents.  Let the coach do the coaching; parents do the cheering.
• Support the Referee, even though referees make mistakes.  If you want your child to learn sportsmanship, learn to respect authority and have fun, never criticize the referee.  How many parents truly understand the offside rule and have read FIFA’s 20 pages of interpretations?  How many understand that a legal charge that knocks a player to the ground is part of the game?  Do you know it is not a penalty for a larger player to out-physical a smaller player to win the ball?  Referees will make mistakes (and many of the WYSL referees are children themselves), but they usually even out over the course of the game.  Mistakes are part of the game, and these are, after all, games - games as in fun and play.  If parents accept this they can relax and enjoy the game more, and their kids will too.

 If you follow these three tenets of support: support the kids, support the coach and support the referee, you will better enjoy watching your child grow into a young adult enjoying the wonderful game of soccer. 

Minimum Playing Time.    The WYSL does not have a rule requiring a minimum playing time.  The Club has adopted a minimum playing time policy for travel teams.  Every child who regularly attends practice will be permitted to play an average of 30% of the game time over the course of the season (some games could be more, some games could be less).  This is a minimum, and we encourage our coaches to strive for closer to 50% playing time for children, especially in the younger age groups.  For example, the Club recommends that weaker players should receive significantly greater playing time in one-sided games so that cumulative playing time will be more even over the course of the season.  Each child who regularly attends practice will be permitted to play at least some portion of each half of each game. Within these guidelines, coaches will be free to manage an individual player's time in accordance with the player's attendance at practice, skill and the status of the game.  Within our Club, compliance with these guidelines is essential to support player development and maintain a sufficient number of children in the program to continue to field teams at the older age levels. 

 COACH SELECTION AND TRAINING

            Coach Selection.  Coaches for new U-9 travel teams are selected after the selection of the teams.  All new coaching candidates are required to submit to the Club a Coaching Application (a copy of which is available on the Club’s website) and, if requested by the Board, to submit to interviews.  Coaches will be assigned to a team after their child is placed on the appropriate team based on the tryouts and player selection process.  All coaches serve at the pleasure of, and can be removed at any time by, the Board.   

            Coaching Education.  All coaches of travel teams must also be registered with, and have a valid picture ID card from the WYSL.  All coaches of travel teams must receive WYSL coaching certification or the New York State equivalent “F” license.  The WYSL offers two-hour Coach Orientation Courses and eight-hour Coach Certification Courses each year.  New coaches of Fall travel teams are issued a temporary coaching pass which is good only for the Fall season.  All HYSC coaches are encouraged to attend more advanced coaching courses and to achieve more advanced coaching certifications.  Coaches are responsible to ensure that a WYSL certified coach is present at all games, and that parents and others who do not have active WYSL coaches passes remain on the spectator side of the playing field and do not coach during games.  Parents selected to manage the flag during games are not permitted to coach while performing those duties.

     Coach Evaluations.  To receive direct feedback from parents and players, the Club will distribute to each registered player a Coach Evaluation Form, a copy of which is available on the Club’s website.  Coaches are evaluated on a number of items including, but not limited to, their ability to teach skills effectively, employ positive coaching principles and treat each child fairly.

COMPLIANCE     

            Grievance Procedures.   It is the Board’s strong preference that conflicts be managed informally among the parties involved.  Parents are encouraged to talk over their problems directly with the coach in the first instance.  

            The Board will hear any grievances, appeals and protests relating to the administration of the Club.  These grievance procedures will address allegations of misconduct and/or abuse of discretion by HYSC coaches, players and parents of players within the Club, as well as complaints against referees, WYSL officials and/or coaches, players and parents of players in other WYSL clubs.  These grievance procedures may not be utilized to address inequities in playing time on particular HYSC teams. 

To be considered by the Board, a grievance must be submitted to the Board in writing (via email to the Club President) and must include a concise statement of the facts, participants and basis for the grievance.  Within a reasonable period after receipt of a grievance, in its discretion and in a manner it deems appropriate, the Board will receive additional information from the grievant and other relevant parties.  Where requested by the grievant and to the extent practicable under the circumstances, a grievance may be handled by the Board without disclosing the identity of the grievant.  On the basis of the information received, the Board will direct appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action.  The determination of the Board shall be made a by a majority vote of the members of the Board who do not have a child on the affected team or teams.  This decision will be communicated to the grievant and all relevant parties in writing.  All determinations by the Board shall be final.   

Forfeits.          The WYSL imposes a $100 fine for each forfeited game (and a reduced fine if substantial advance notice is provided).  The Board will, in its discretion, cover the fine for each team once during the course of a soccer year if advance notice is provided to the Board and the WYSL.  Absent prior written notice (via email) from the HYSC coach to both the Club President and the League in compliance with the WYSL’s forfeiture notice policy, the fine will be assessed by the Board in its discretion to the forfeiting coach/team.  The Board retains the discretion to assess the $100 WYSL fine to the coach even if advance notice of the forfeit is provided.  In the event a team forfeits three or more games during a season, the Board has the discretion not to register that team for subsequent seasons.   

            Fines, Suspension and Expulsion.   While it is the Club’s philosophy to encourage sportsmanship and respect among its volunteer coaches, players and parents, the Board reserves the power to fine, suspend or expel or, if deemed appropriate, reinstate any player or coach who violates the rules of the Club or League.  While the Board prefers to exercise such disciplinary measures sparingly, these guidelines provide notice of the expectations for compliance with WYSL and Club rules.   

            Fines, in an amount to be determined by the Board, may be imposed on Club Teams and/or HFC coaches for any of the following violations:

• Violation of the 6-goal rule;
• Failure to call in the results and scores of games in a timely fashion;
• Loss of Club equipment;
• Forfeits of scheduled games;
• Failure to leave playing field and/or surrounding area in a clean condition (pick up litter, etc.);
• Failure to have an authorized Team representative present at any Club general meeting;
• Violation of other Club by-laws or rules of the WYSL; or
• Any other conduct detrimental to the interests of the Club, as determined by the Board. 

Should a coach fail to pay a fine levied by the Club or the League based on forfeiture or other reason, the Board has the discretion to revoke the coach’s pass and/or not register the coach for subsequent seasons.   

Suspension, for a number of games or period of time to be determined by the Board, may be imposed on HYSC coaches, parents of players and/or players for any of the following violations: 

• Unsportsmanlike conduct;
• Intentional violation of the 6-goal rule directed by the HFC coach;
• Violation of other Club by-laws or rules of the WYSL; or
• Any other conduct detrimental to the interests of the Club, as determined by the Board. 

Given the Club’s commitment to sportsmanlike behavior, an intentional violation of the 6-goal rule at a coach’s direction will result in suspension of the coach for the next game.  A second offense will result in suspension of the HYSC coach for the rest of the season.  In extreme circumstances, the Board has the discretion to expel any individual, including a player or coach, for one or more seasons for violating the rules of the Club or WYSL. 

 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Field Availability.  Home games are played on fields supplied by the Town of Harrison and the Harrison Board of Education, and at times other fields rented by the Club in nearby locations.  In the Fall season, soccer fields are generally available on Sundays because the Recreation Department sponsors its soccer program on Saturdays.  In the Spring season, however, the Recreation Department generally devotes Town and School fields to the Little League baseball, Recreation softball and lacrosse programs, and only a limited number of fields are lined as soccer fields for WYSL play.  In some cases, fields which are used Mondays through Saturdays for baseball, softball and lacrosse may be used on Sundays for soccer if the Club commits that its team parents will move the goals on and off the field each week.  During the year, the Club explores and facilitates arrangements for HYSC teams to rent field space for practice sessions at SUNY Purchase and other locations in the community.  Based on the Club’s substantial fundraising for the turf field at Harrison High School, the Club has been fortunate to secure use of that field for home games on Sundays for several of its teams.

The WYSL requires that Sunday field time be provided for each HYSC team registered.  The Club uses fields of different sizes, so that children in the various age divisions can be scheduled on an appropriate size field (i.e., smaller fields for younger teams playing 8 v 8 and 9 v 9).  If the Club's access to Town or School fields is restricted, the number of teams it registers may have to be reduced. 

            While there may appear to be plenty of field space in our community, there are numerous requests for field use from Harrison High School teams, Recreation soccer, softball, lacrosse, football and other sports, Little League baseball, adult groups and other activities, and we find there is a “field shortage” which is most acute on weekends.  Under these circumstances, it is imperative that every coach, parent and player takes action to maintain and preserve all of our fields.  For example, it is the responsibility of coaches to avoid wet and soft areas when practicing after a rainfall.  Players, drills and cones should be moved to firmer soil.  Warm-ups and practices should be conducted along the sidelines away from heavily worn areas such as the goalmouths and center circle.

            After each game and practice, coaches and parents should ask the players to pick up water bottles and other litter.  If each member of the Club makes just a modest effort, we will collectively leave the fields and our reputation in mint condition and ensure continued access to the fields from the Recreation Department and the Athletic Department at Harrison High School.  The Recreation Department has been extremely supportive in providing top quality playing fields to our Club for use at practices and games.

Field Pulls.   During the Fall and Spring seasons after any substantial rainfall, each Harrison field for which the Club has authorization is inspected for its safety and playability.  In certain cases, if field conditions dictate, the Club voluntarily "pulls" fields and cancels games.  WYSL rules require that any such decision be made by the Club before 8:00 a.m. on the Sunday morning of the game day.  Information with respect to field closures can be obtained from the team’s coach and will also be available on the Club website.

            Indoor Gym Time.  The Club may schedule indoor gym time with the Recreation Department during the winter, enabling gym time to be available to each requesting HYSC team on a sign-up basis. 

            Uniforms.  All HYSC teams are required to purchase their uniforms through the Club.  All HYSC teams will wear the same uniforms as this allows the Club to make bulk purchases at favorable prices and to obtain identical replacement uniforms and uniforms for new players.  The Club anticipates that all teams will replace their uniforms approximately every two to three years. 

Safety.  The Club provides all teams with first aid kits and promotes sportsmanlike behavior to ensure the safety of its players.  All players are required to wear shinguards and proper footwear to participate in practices, games and tournaments.  Under WYSL rules, no player may wear jewelry or watches during games.