Constitution
1. Name
The Organization shall be called the New England Premiership, herein referred to as NEP. NEP will affiliate with Massachusetts Youth Soccer (MASS. YOUTH SOCCER), and may or may not also affiliate with US Club Soccer.
2. Objectives and Philosophy
The NEP’s philosophy is that a league should exist to complement the player development that is happening at the club level. The NEP will be designed to provide the most appropriate environment for game play to assist the elite clubs in New England provide the optimal development environment for their players.
3. Membership
Participation shall be limited only to clubs who can demonstrate that they can compete in every age group in one of the four league sections;
· U10-U14 Boys
· U10-U14Girls
· U15-U18 Boys
· U15-U18 Girls
Participation will also be limited to clubs who fulfill a set of criteria demonstrating player development capabilities which will include one or more of the following;
- Minimum of “B” Licensed Director Of Coaching (DOC) – centralized Technical authority;
- Boys or Girls teams in every age group of one of the four league sections; U10-U14 Boys, U10-U14Girls, U15-U18 Boys and U15-U18 Girls;
- Web page – capability to edit within 24 hours;
- Dedicated business phone and e-mail – ability to communicate within 24 hours via phone or e-mail;
- Facility – clubs must have an appropriate dedicated training/game facility or facilities which meet a minimum standard;
- Full time administrator(s);
- Coaches may only be a head coach of two teams;
- All Head Coaches must have a minimum of a USSF C license or its equivalent - there will be a 2 year grace period from the start of the league to when this requirement must be fulfilled. The NEP will consider the USSF National Youth License equivalent to a USSF C license;
- Clubs to provide appropriate game facilities for all home games with the appropriate size for each age group;
- Clubs must have codes of conduct for club officials, coaches and parents;
- Clubs must ensure all players have uniforms (shirts, shorts and socks) that match and that the coaching staff who manage gameday are in professional coaching attire, e.g. polo and tracksuit bottoms.
All Criteria above will be reviewed and finalized by the Board of Directors at the first General Meeting.
The NEP reserves the right to accept a club who is deficient in one or more areas assuming an agreed grace period is agreed within which to correct the deficiency. For example, if a club is missing (or has a weaker group) one age group in a section, this club will be granted a set grace period to fulfill full participation of teams.
We also plan on offering two tiers of play, the Premiership and the Championship, to ensure appropriate competition for all. Membership of the organization or person shall become effective when the application is accepted by the NEP Board of Directors.
4. Government
The governing body of NEP shall be the Board of Directors (referred to as the Board hereafter) and shall consist of a minimum of the following positions:
President
Secretary / Registrar
Treasurer
Referee Coordinator
League Manager
Director of Education
Each club participating in the NEP, regardless of how many sections your club has entered, shall be entitled to one vote. No proxy voting shall be allowed and only one vote per Club is allowed.
The League Manager will be a compensated position and a non-voting member of the Board.
All Board positions shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. They shall be elected for a one-year term and are eligible for reelection on an annual basis.
The number of Directors on the NEP Board of Directors will be dictated by the number of participating clubs. The Directors shall assume their offices and duties immediately upon their election at the General Meeting or following their appointment, and shall continue in office until the conclusion of the calendar year (September 1 to August 31), or until replaced. The Treasurer shall use the conclusion of the calendar year as the time for closing of the books for the fiscal year. By mutual agreement, the President and/or any of the Directors may assume each other’s duties and responsibilities during temporary absence of one of these Directors.
The duties and responsibilities of the members of the Board are as follows:
The President (Director) shall officially preside at all general meetings and board meetings; be the official representative of NEP; will be one of those authorized to sign checks.
The Secretary / Registrar shall keep detailed minutes of all board and general meetings and attend to record keeping and communications of the Board of Directors. The Secretary / Registrar in conjunction with the League Manager, shall also assist participating organizations with any required affiliations, process roster forms and passcards requiring specific approval; and submit all required affiliation paperwork and information on a timely basis.
The Treasurer shall have charge of the finances of NEP and shall report on the condition of the same at all Board and general meetings; submit a written report at the annual general meeting, covering the prior year’s activities; be one of those authorized to sign checks. The League Manager will assist with any and all operations related to financial management of the league under the guidance of the Treasurer.
The Referee Coordinator shall be the official contact between the NEP Board and the Massachusetts State Referee Committee. In conjunction with the League Manager, the Referee Coordinator will communicate with all NEP referees and assign referees for all NEP games.
The League Manager shall draw up the official league schedule.
At the end of each playing season, each participating club will fill out a self-analysis and a peer review. The League will also look to appoint an external body (to be agreed by the Board of Directors) to evaluate clubs once a season. The Board in conjunction with the external body (potentially Tom Goodman from the state association) will make recommendations for improvement, have the ability to place clubs on probation and expel clubs if necessary. Input will be collected from referees as to coach and parent behavior on game day.
Director of Education shall be responsible for working with clubs on the continuing education of their staff. The DOE will also work with referees, referee assignors and evaluators on referee performance. This will be a non-voting position on the board of Directors.
Each club participating in the NEP, regardless of how many sections your club has entered, shall be entitled to one vote. No proxy voting shall be allowed and only one vote per Club is allowed.
5. Board of Directors Meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet not fewer than once during the year.
All matters of policy shall be decided by simple majority of those Board members present and voting, three (3) members constituting a quorum for a Board meeting.
Appropriations (of an amount greater than $10,000) and other subjects specified in this Constitution as requiring a two-thirds vote, shall require a two-thirds majority of Board members present.
Special or emergency meetings shall be called by the President as required, or in response to a written request of three (3) Board members. The Secretary shall notify all Board members at least 48 hours before the scheduled time of the emergency meeting.
6. Acceptance of Teams
Teams from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and adjoining states may join NEP through the following procedure:
- Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline date, together with the full registration fee.
- All Applications must show the capability to meet NEP criteria including plans to meet minimum standards for items that have a grace period.
- Teams and participating organizations shall be responsible for complying with all player registration requirements.
All applications so submitted shall be voted upon at the first Board meeting following the application deadline.
7. Protest Board
The purpose of a Protest Board shall be to settle any disputes that arise in the actual playing of games and in any other areas as may, from time to time, be specified in the by-laws.
The President shall appoint, with the approval of the Board of Directors, a chairperson for the NEP Protest Board, receive all protests, submit all protests to the chairman of the Protest Board, and maintain an overview of the activities of the Protest Board to insure the timely resolution of all protests.
The chairperson for the NEP Protest Board shall establish a group of people knowledgeable about the game of soccer who agree to serve on the Protest Board. A quorum shall consist of any three members of such a Protest Board. At least one of the members must be a USSF referee. The Protest Board will inform all parties of its decision(s).
8. Discipline Review Committee
PURPOSE: The Discipline Review Committee (DRC) will review all issues of sportsmanship, violation of the NEP Constitution, by-laws, or rules that arise before, during, or after any NEP games.
MEMBERSHIP: The Committee will be chaired by the President and will include at least three other members nominated by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. A quorum will consist of three members.
The DRC may request as a non-voting advisor a certified USSF referee designated by the Referees Coordinator.
PROCEDURE: The DRC will review the issue with representatives of the teams and clubs as well as other involved individuals such as the referee, parents, bystanders, etc. When the DRC takes jurisdiction over a matter, its Chairman will set a time and date for the matter to be reviewed and will request those involved to be present. After an open discussion of the matter with all interested parties present given an opportunity to be heard, the committee will meet privately to reach a determination. The committee will inform the parties once a decision has been reached.
PENALTIES: In addition to the penalties specified by the NEP Constitution, by-laws, or rules, the DRC may approve additional penalties as judged to be appropriate to the severity of the action. They may include:
a. Suspension of participation for up to the remainder of a season as well as participation in future seasons.
b. Awarding of forfeits.
c. The requirement that a game be replayed.
d. The elimination of a game from a team’s schedule.
e. Reduction in a team’s points.
f. The suspension of a team for consideration in state play.
g. Assessment of monetary fines.
Decisions of the DRC will take effect immediately upon notification of the parties involved.
APPEALS: Decisions of the DRC may be appealed only to the NEP Board of Directors. Such appeals may be considered at a regular board meeting, or by a special board meeting called by the President or at the request of three NEP Directors. The President may delay the imposition of penalties until a board meeting has been held. Otherwise the penalties are in effect until the appeal is held.
9. Fiscal Policy
Each team shall pay the stipulated seasonal registration fee to NEP to cover insurance, printing, postage, trophies and other administrative expenses. The amount of this fee shall be recommended by the Treasurer and the League Manager, taking into account the cash balance and budgeted expenditures. It must then be approved by two-thirds of the Directors present at a Board meeting.
The teams are responsible for all other costs of actually playing games, including paying referees, provision of a properly marked field and balls for home games.
10. NEP Fees
The NEP League fees will be decided upon before the first General Meeting. However, for a Club to secure a place in the league a deposit of $1,000.00 must be made. Any fines or forfeits will be deducted from this deposit.
11. Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of NEP, the funds remaining shall be divided among the teams that are members of NEP, each team getting an equal amount.
12. By-laws and Playing Rules
The Board of Directors may from time to time approve and publish by-laws and playing rules which, provided they do not contravene this Constitution, shall be binding upon all NEP Members and Teams until voted upon at the next General Meeting.
Any new by-laws or changes to existing ones, whether proposed by a Board member or any other member of NEP, shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary. At the next Board meeting, after receipt of such by-law recommendation, the Board shall vote on the proposal. The proposals shall be discussed and voted upon, a simple majority of those present being necessary for acceptance of the change.
13. Amendments to the Constitution
No variation of the Constitution by addition, omission or amendment shall be adopted without the approval of a Board Meeting. Notice of such meeting and the details of the proposed amendment shall be emailed to all organizations at least one week before the meeting. The amendment shall be carried by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting.
By-laws
Bylaws on League Organization
1. Participants
A. All those eligible under the membership criteria imposed by the NEP constitution or agreed and accepted by the NEP Board of Directors.
B. Exclusions -- The NEP league shall not accept, nor allow participation by, any player, team, or person responsible for a team, who is under suspension by MASS. YOUTH SOCCER or by any other Massachusetts soccer league or organization affiliated with MASS. YOUTH SOCCER or US YOUTH SOCCER.
C. All Clubs participating must insure all players, coaches and managers through their own USYS State Association.
2. Residency
The primary intent of the NEP league is to provide competition for the purpose of player development. As such there are no residency requirements although all players must follow interstate player transfer rules
3. League Makeup
We plan on offering two tiers of play, the Premiership and the Championship, to ensure appropriate competition for all. We will also split the league into two age group sections U10-U14 and U15-U18. Clubs may compete in either the U10-U14 section or the U15-U18 section or both.
If you are in the U10-U14 Premiership then all your teams will play in the Premiership but being in the Premiership at U-10-U14 does not have any impact on being placed in the Premiership or Championship in the U-15–U18 section.
U10 – U14 Club League - Fall 2009 and the Spring 2010 & beyond
U15 – U18 Club League - Spring 2010 & beyond
Final placements will be voted on by the NEP Board of Directors using a number of criteria including the league criteria, the club peer review, self analysis and the external analysis.
Clubs that commit to play in the NEP agree and recognize that their most elite teams may apply to play in the Region 1 Premier League for the correct competition level.
4. Age Groups
The NEP age groups shall be as follows, such that all players on a roster shall be under the specified age on July 31st preceding the start of the season:
U-10 through U18
No exceptions will be approved to permit players older than the specified age to play in any age group.
The NEP accepts the clubs may have more than one team at each age group.
Assuming all applicants have “B” teams, the NEP will provide a “B” section of the league to cater for those clubs. Provision for “C” teams is also possible if all clubs are on board.
The NEP Board of Directors will vote on the inclusion or exclusion of second and/or third tiered league structure to cater for “B” and “C” teams once the number of teams per club is known.
5. Registration
A. The following applies to all NEP teams:
1. Affiliation: All players and all persons who may be designated as responsible for a team, including coaches and anyone substituting for them, must be currently affiliated with MASS. YOUTH SOCCER, or their own State Association. This complete affiliation must be done before a team may play in NEP. By no later than the Monday before the season begins, the NEP League Manager will determine from all YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATIONS which, if any, NEP clubs are not affiliated and will immediately so notify the club(s) that have not affiliated. That notification will be by email and will include an explicit warning that no team of that club may play until the club is affiliated, and all scheduled games of that club will be deemed forfeited until the club is affiliated. NEP will impose on the club a $200.00 fine for each game so forfeited. Sponsoring organizations must have copies of forms for all of their players with signatures confirming liability waiver and permission for medical treatment. Coaches should have copies of these forms for their players with them at games. Clubs are responsible for all fees associated with their player, coach and manager affiliation with their state association.
2. Roster forms: Whenever a NEP roster/game form is required, it must be complete with required signatures and all other required information or the roster will not be considered valid for league play. The NEP roster/game form must be an approved Mass Youth Soccer roster form. A different (computerized form) may be substituted so long as all of the required information, game and referee reporting blanks, statements with signatures, and so forth are provided in a format similar to the NEP roster/game form.
Note: Coach’s signature and uniform numbers are not required on the form until game time.
The coaches’ signature on the NEP roster/game form certifies that the coach has read and agrees to follow the NEP policy guidelines. The club registrar’s signature (or that of another officer designated by the club) signifies that the club, through birth certificates or other such documentation, has determined that those players are eligible. (Eligibility includes: age, residency, and affiliation issues.) A complete and accurate NEP roster form, signed by a club official, must be in the possession of the NEP League Manager before the first game. By no later than the Monday before the season begins, the NEP League Manager will review all rosters in his/her possession, and will identify any team for which he/she does not have a roster, or whose roster is incomplete or defective (for example, not properly signed by a club official or having an overage or otherwise ineligible player) and immediately so notify the coach of any such team of the absence of a roster or any other roster problem.
The notification will be by email and will include an explicit warning that the team may not play until the NEP League Manager has a complete and accurate roster for that team, and that all scheduled games of that team will be deemed forfeited until the proper roster is in the registrar’s possession. NEP will impose on the club a $200 fine for each game so forfeited. A player may not play in a game unless he/she is on the roster. A team which plays with a player who is not on the roster in the possession of the NEP League Manager will be subject to forfeiting all such games played and NEP will impose a fine of $200 on the club for each such forfeit.
B.
1. Rosters:
A. All teams are limited to the following roster sizes:
11v11 – League roster for all State Cup qualifying teams:
U13-U15 teams- maximum of 18 players
U16-U19 teams- maximum team roster of 22 and maximum game roster of 18
8v8 - 14 players
6v6 - 12 players
B. Coaches Passcards: any person who will be responsible for the team at a game, including the coach, or other person acting as a substitute in charge of the team, must have a US Youth Soccer coach’s passcard with a current photograph and a validation sticker for the current year.
C. Player passcards
US Youth Soccer player passcards are required for each player on all teams. Passcards must have a current photograph and a validation sticker for the current year. Passcards shall be issued and validated by the club registrar or other authorized club official in accordance with procedures published by the NEP League Manager. State Cup qualifying teams must have a new passcard created annually.
D. Players’ rights with respect to roster changes. Once a player has been listed on a roster filed with a NEP League Manager, the player is entitled to remain on that roster for the remainder of the current playing season. Clubs may make involuntary transfers or drops only in cases involving poor attendance, disciplinary problems, or safety issues. Players may appeal such actions to the NEP protest board, which shall review whether the club had a reasonable basis for its decision. All teams must follow their State Association’s player transfer and player drop rules/procedures.
6. Registration Fees
The NEP Board of Directors shall establish for each season a schedule of registration fees, which shall cover, general administration, booklets, trophies, etc. A deposit will also be due upon commitment to the league. These fees will not include referee payments which will be the responsibility of participating clubs.
By-laws on Scheduling of Games
7. Game Days & Times
The NEP Board of Directors will establish annually the playing times for each age group and will provide this information in the registration materials for the upcoming season. Will receive no special priority within the state priority list
8. Playing the Schedule
The NEP Calendar will be voted on at the first general meeting by the Board of Directors. The NEP seasons will play through the Fall and Spring with a vote on Winter and Summer season play if necessary for increased contact time. These dates will include start and finish dates of play per season, non-play dates, festival and regional play dates and college event dates for the U16 and U17 teams.
All teams must play each game as scheduled or properly rescheduled; or else the team responsible for the match not being timely played will be assessed a forfeit by the League Manager.
Any rescheduling of games requires written notification to the League Manager. Such written notification may be made by email, by fax, or by regular mail. No games may be rescheduled without the express written approval of the League Manager.
9. Rescheduled (Makeup) Games
Once rescheduled with the agreement of the scheduling manager, a makeup game becomes a scheduled game and must be played as rescheduled. Failure to play a makeup game as rescheduled (except for unplayable field) will be cause for declaration of forfeit by the League Manager.
10. Reporting Scores
It is the responsibility of both home and visiting team coaches to call in or e-mail the results of a game to the NEP Administration within 48 hours after the game.
By-laws on Conduct and Discipline
11. Honor System
In all dealings among players, coaches, referees, and administrators, NEP relies on the honesty and integrity of each participant. The Sportsmanship Review Committee, at its discretion, will review reported breaches of this honor system and is empowered to take appropriate corrective measures.
In particular, the honor system is used in establishing the eligibility of players. It is the final responsibility of the coach or person responsible for the team at a game to insure that all players are qualified according to the NEP constitution, by-laws, and rules.
The NEP League will establish a Code of Conduct agreed upon by the Board of Directors which each Club will agree to before acceptance and participation in the league. This code of conduct will address recruiting of players from other clubs.
12. Responsibility for Teams
At each game, each team must have a qualified responsible person present who can be a coach, or someone designated to substitute for them, and whose responsibilities shall include maintaining control and discipline over the team and its spectators. The responsible person must present his/her passcard to the referee before the game commences.
If at any time during the game the team does not have a person with a valid coach’s passcard able to be responsible for the team, the game shall be abandoned and the team shall forfeit the game. In all cases the person responsible for the team must be older than the qualifying age for the team.
It shall be the sponsoring soccer organization’s responsibility to insure that it selects coaches who are not only qualified to coach, but who are also able to promote the highest levels of good sportsmanship and are able to maintain proper control and discipline of the team and its spectators.
Teams will be responsible for paying the referee fees before the game begins on their Home games only. Failure to pay the referees on game day will result in a $50.00 fine per game.
13. Support for Referees (Zero Tolerance Policy)
It is expected that every person responsible for a team and each and every spectator and player will support the referee. This support is essential to the proper play of the game and to the development of our players. Failure to support the referees, especially by the person (s) responsible for the team, undermines the authority of the referee, sets a bad example for everyone else, especially the players, and can rapidly lead into a hostile, negative game environment which is entirely inconsistent with the sportsmanship goals NEP is trying to promote. Therefore, the basic rule is that spectators will not address the referee at all during the play of the game. This prohibition, its exceptions, and the penalties for violating it, are described below.
A. Persons Responsible for a Team
With the exceptions of responding to a communication initiated by the referee, making a substitution, or pointing out an emergency safety issue, during the play of the game the persons responsible for the team should not say anything to the referee, nor should they do anything which in any way conveys any criticism of the referee. Coaches may ask questions before the start of the game. Coaches may not approach the referee at half time or at the end of the game. Coaches who have concerns about a referee’s officiating may express those concerns orally or in writing to the referee assignor and/or the NEP Referees Representative. They may not express those concerns directly to the referee.
NEP mandates that all coaching staff be designated by wearing club uniform/attire. The Coaching staff are the only person(s) allowed on the side line with the team - All other parents and spectators must watch from the opposite side of the field.
NEP recommends that the referee deal with infractions of this rule in the following manner:
As to the first infraction, the referee should determine if the conduct involves serious misconduct under the ordinary FIFA rules. If it does, a caution (optionally showing a yellow card) or a dismissal (optionally showing a red card) should be awarded, depending on the nature of the conduct. (For example, a threat of bodily harm or an obscenity directed at the referee should result in a dismissal. A prolonged, significant outburst of dissent should result in a caution.) On the other hand, the first instance of a short, reasonably low-keyed referee criticism by a person responsible for the team should be ignored.
The second instance should result in a warning, the third in a caution, and the fourth in an ejection. In giving the warning, the referee should make clear the next instance of dissent of any sort will result in a caution. Similarly, after a caution, the referee should make clear that the next instance of dissent of any kind will result in an ejection.
B. Spectators
With the exception of responding to a communication initiated by the referee or pointing out an emergency safety issue, spectators should not say anything to the referee, nor should they do anything which in any way conveys any criticism of the referee.
NEP recommends that the referee deal with infractions of this rule in the following manner: As to the first infraction, the referee should stop the game and ask the person responsible for the team to quiet the offending spectator. As to the second infraction, the referee should stop the game and ask the person responsible for the team to warn the spectator that the next infraction will result in the spectator leaving the game; otherwise the referee will abandon the game, and file a report with the club and NEP. NEP policy will be to generally impose a forfeit on the team with which the spectator is affiliated, and the referee should so inform the person responsible for that team. As to the third infraction, the referee should instruct the person responsible for the team to direct the spectator to leave the field. If the spectator does not leave, the referee should abandon the game, and file his/her report.
The referee may need the assistance of the responsible persons from both teams if the spectator is not affiliated with either team.
14. Consequences of Unbecoming Conduct
If a member or members of a team, any person responsible for the team, or a team’s spectators engage in unbecoming conduct before, during, or after a game, the offenders will be subject to discipline by the League.
15. Consequences of Ejection
A. If the referee ejects a person from any game between two NEP teams, that person will be automatically suspended from participating in the next NEP game that his/her team actually plays. If the ejection is received during a NEP playoff game, the person is suspended from the next NEP playoff game. If the ejection was for violent conduct, fighting, or certain forms of serious foul play, the suspension will automatically be for two NEP games. The Club receiving the Red Card in any NEP game at any age/section will be fined $25 per player sent off. The ejection report and passcard (when required) shall be sent immediately to the secretary; the passcard MUST be retained by the referee at the game in all circumstances. If a suspended person does participate in a game for which the suspension applies, the team will forfeit the game and this violation will be referred to the Board of Directors.
B. If a person receives a second ejection during a season, the matter will be referred to the Board of Directors, which may subject the offender to additional discipline.
C. If the secretary considers an ejection offense to be serious, or if there are more than two ejections in a game, the ejection secretary shall refer the situation to the Board of Directors.
D. To have a passcard returned, you must contact the League Manager immediately after all games for which the suspension applies have been completed to indicate where to mail the passcards that are to be returned. The League Manager will not mail any passcard until notified. A person who needs his/her passcard for activities outside the NEP league during the period of suspension from NEP games may make arrangements with the League Manager to obtain the passcard, after providing the League Manager with an appropriate contact for the outside activity. The League Manager will notify that contact of the suspension in effect in the NEP league. It is the responsibility of the person to return the passcard to the League Manager immediately after the outside activity.
16. Consequences of Fracas
If a player leaves the bench area to take part in a fracas and is ejected by the referee, he shall be subject to additional discipline, by action of the Sportsmanship Review Committee.
17. Sportsmanship Review
The President and League Manager will receive all referrals on sportsmanship issues, other violations of the constitution, bylaws, or rules that arise before, during, or after any NEP games, and abandoned games requiring disposition. The President will decide if a particular issue will be reviewed; referrals will also receive a review if requested by three NEP board members. A quorum to review a particular issue shall consist of any three members of the Board of Directors. The Board may request as an advisor a certified USSF referee to be designated by the referees representative. The Board will inform all parties involved of its decisions.
In addition to penalties specified in the constitution, bylaws, or rules, the Board may impose such additional penalties as are judged to be appropriate to the severity of the issue, including suspension of participation, determination of forfeits, and decisions to replay games. Decisions and penalties imposed by the Board will take effect immediately upon notification of the parties involved.
18. Protests
All protests shall be sent to the NEP President and League Manager, and must be postmarked or accepted within 48 hours of the game in question. Each protest must be accompanied by a protest fee of $50. The protest will be forwarded to the chairperson of the protest board.
The opposing coach and the referee must be notified at the field of the intention to protest. Failure to give this notification could lead to disallowing the protest. The chairperson for the NEP protest board shall establish a group of people knowledgeable about the game of soccer who will agree to be available to participate on the protest board. For a particular protest, a quorum will consist of at least three people from the protest board who are assigned by the chairperson. At least one of the assigned members must be a USSF referee. None of the people assigned for a particular protest shall have any direct interest in that protest. The chairperson shall contact all parties involved to solicit information and written materials concerning the protest, notify all parties of the protest board meeting when it is set, and see that a written decision concerning the protest is provided to all parties.
Disposition of all protests will be given within 14 days after the receipt of all required written materials.
All actions of the protest board may be appealed to the MASS. YOUTH SOCCER appeals board by following their procedure. The protest board chairperson will provide information on the appeal procedure to all parties in the written decision.
The NEP will have the ability to suspend players, coaches and parents based upon referee reports and “external body” reports.
By-laws on Playing the Game
19. Sources for Rules
Current FIFA, USSF, rules of play shall be in effect.
20. Special Rules for NEP 8v8 and 6v6 Matches
In addition to (or in modification of) the regular playing rules of soccer, the following special rules for NEP 8v8 and 6v6 boys’ and girls’ divisions shall apply:
A. Roster
There is a limit of 14 players on an 8v8 roster and 12 on a 6v6 roster.
B. Number of Players on the Field
8v8 - (U11-U12): Instead of the regulation eleven players on the field, there shall be eight players including the goalkeeper. A minimum of six players must be present to start a game, and a minimum of five qualified players must be available to continue a game.
6v6 - (U10 only): Instead of the regulation eleven players on the field, there shall be six players including the goalkeeper. A minimum of four players must be present to start a game, and a minimum of three qualified players must be available to continue a game.
C. NEP Substitution Rules:
6v6 and 8v8 NEP games: It is the NEP's recommendation that all players at U10 - U12 level play approximately 15 minutes before being subbed out of the game or approximately 50% of every game to ensure all players can perform and develop over a greater period in game play.
U13 - U14 NEP games: It is strongly recommended that players get even playing time to develop in game play. The league highly recommends that once a player is substituted from the field of play, they should not return during that same half.
U15 - U18 NEP games: It is mandatory that once a player is substiuted out from game play, they are not allowed to re-enter during that same half. Players can play in both halves of the game but once removed are not able to re-enter.
D. Rules Modifications for 6v6/8v8 fields
1. Goal kicks shall be taken from within six yards of the goal line. Opposition players to retreat into their own half of the playing field - U10 ONLY - 6v6
2. Indirect kicks awarded to the attacking team within the penalty area will be placed at the spot of the infraction, but no closer than six yards from the goal / goal line.
3. Penalty kicks will be taken from eight yards directly in front of the midpoint of the goal. All other players must stand outside the goal area or beyond the midfield line if there is no clear marking of a goal area.
E. Field Dimensions
8v8: The ideal field size for 8-vs-8 is fifty yards wide by seventy yards long. This will not be a rigid requirement, as some organizations will, because of limited space, have to play their games across the width of regulation fields. An acceptable range for field size is forty to fifty-five yards wide and sixty to eighty yards long.
The penalty area should be a minimum of 12 yards deep and extend across the width of the field in use. A separate goal area may, but need not be marked. Clearly visible dots or dotted lines may be used to mark the penalty areas to avoid excessive lining and confusion on regulation fields. Downsized goals will be used which should be minimally twelve feet wide by six feet high, or the next adjustable size larger up to twenty one feet wide by seven feet high. They must be anchored securely to the ground.
6v6: The ideal field size for 6-vs-6 is forty yards wide by sixty yards long. This will not be a rigid requirement. An acceptable range for field size is forty to forty-five yards wide and fifty-five to sixty-five yards long.
The penalty area should be 10 yards deep and extend across the width of the field in use. A separate goal area may, but need not be marked. Clearly visible dots or dotted lines may be used to mark the penalty areas to avoid excessive lining and confusion on regulation fields. Downsized goals will be used which should be minimally twelve feet wide by six feet high. They must be anchored securely to the ground.
F. All 8v8 and 6v6 games will be played with a size 4 soccer ball.
G. Game Length for both 6v6 and 8v8 will be decided upon by the Board of Directors
