ARTICLE I-NAME

1. This organization shall be known as Nacogdoches Youth Soccer Association (NYSA)

ARTICLE II-OBJECTIVE

1. The objective of the Nacogdoches Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) is to promote and organize the game of soccer for the youth of the Nacogdoches area in order to provide the players with recreation, healthy exercise, and the opportunity to improve their skills.
   
   
2. The NYSA will affiliate with soccer associations and will organize a soccer league, which conforms to the rules of the associations with which it is affiliated.

ARTICLE III-MEMBERSHIP

1. A youth becomes a “player” in the NYSA by registration with the NYSA and paying the appropriate fee. A youth is a member until the registration period ends for the season immediately following the season for which he/she is registered.
   
   
2. All parents and legal guardians of players, registered coaches and Board Members are eligible to vote at a general meeting.

ARTICLE IV-GENERAL MEETINGS

1. There will be a general meeting of the NYSA during the fall season and one during the spring season, at a date, time and place announced by the Board at least 30 days in advance.
   
   
2. The President (or Vice President in the President’s absence and successively the Secretary, Treasure, Registar, Director of Coaches, and the Director of Referees) will preside over the general meeting. The meeting will be conducted informally, unless one-third of the members present asks, by show of hands, to have Robert’s Rule of Order followed.
   
   
3. The Treasurer will present in writing at each general meeting a detailed accounting of the association finances since the last meeting.
   
   
4. In addition to other business, the general meeting will be an opportunity for those present to make suggestions for the good of soccer to the directors and for general communication.
   
   
5. The general meeting in the fall will elect the directors of the NYSA for the next 2 years The odd year directors will consist of: Vice President, Treasure, Director of Referees, and registar. Even year directors will be President, Secretary, , Director of Coaches,. Candidates for these offices will be nominated at the meeting with their permission. The candidate receiving a plurality by show of hands will be elected.
   
   
6. The President will appoint a Boys Commissioner and a Girls Commissioner and an Adult Commissioner.
   
   
7. The voters at a general meeting will have the authority to amend these by-laws. Proposed amendments to the by-laws may be adopted at a general meeting by vote of two-thirds in favor provided that either:
   
   
   1. they were posted by the Board at the soccer fields for at least 30 days prior to the meeting, or
      
      
   2. they were proposed in writing at the prior general meeting.

ARTICLE V-BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The directors of the NYSA will form the Board of Directors and be collectively responsible for the direction of the association in conformance with these by-laws. In cases where the by-laws or standing rules are unclear, the Board will have the authority to make such decisions as deemed necessary. The term of office is for two years, beginning January 1 following the election.
   
   
2. The Board will meet at least monthly. The date, time, and place of next meeting will be set at each meeting and posted at the fields or sent out via email to coaches for them to notify parents. Four directors must be present to for a quorum. Meetings will be open, but only directors will vote.
   
   
3. The President (or Vice President in the President’s absence and successively the Secretary, Treasure, Registar, Director of Coaches, and Director of Referees).) will preside over the board meetings. The meetings will be conducted informally unless two of the members present ask to have Robert’s Rules of Order followed. Decisions of the Board will be determined by a majority of the directors present.
   
   
4. The Board will have the authority to set fees, commit and disburse funds, dispose of assets, and direct the Treasurer in safeguarding the financial assets of the association. The Board will set rules for accepting donations by the NYSA or by any NYSA teams.
   
   
5. The Board will affiliate NYSA with soccer associations and will establish rules of competition, team and division formation, grievances, and discipline conforming to the rules of those associations.
   
   
6. The Board may allow teams from outside NYSA to play in the NYSA league and may enter NYSA teams in other leagues.
   
   
7. The Board will have the authority to select, suspend or remove coaches and referees and other officials. The Board may delegate some or all of these responsibilities to specific directors or to other officials.
   
   
8. The directors will conduct business delegated to them by the Board. In general, responsibilities will be as follows:
   
   
   1. President: preside at meetings, schedule special Board meetings as necessary and appoint A & D boards as necessary.
      
      
   2. Vice President: assume duties of President in his absence and be the chairman of all A & D boards.
      
      
   3. Secretary: publish and maintain records of all decisions by the Board and by general meetings, maintain correspondence, post notices at the fields as outlined in the by-laws and standing rules and keep records of scores and standings in age divisions to be represented in post season play by NYSA.
      
      
   4. Treasurer: maintain oversight of all funds and publish financial statements. Maintain records concerning the non-profit status of NYSA. Maintain the concession stand and workers.
      
      
   5. Director of Coaches: find coaches and provide for their training, establish practice schedule. Director of Referees: find referees and provide for their training and provide for scheduling of referees for league games.
      
      
   6. Director of Referees: find referees and provide for thier training and provide for scheduling of refrees for league games.
      
      
   7. Registrar: conduct registration, submit data to affiliated associations.
      
      
   8. Boys Commissioner: Be contact for coaches of boys teams, work with them on rescheduling needs and work with the other Commissioners on season schedules.
      
      
   9. Girls Commissioner: Be contact for coaches of girls teams, work with them on rescheduling needs and work with the other Commissioners on season schedules.
      
      One of these should be the one in charge of contacts for outside of Nacogdoches games for older teams as needed.
      
      
   10. Adult Commissioner: Be contact for coaches of adult teams, work with them on rescheduling needs and work with the other Commissioners on season schedules after youth schedules are determined.
       
       
9. The Board may meet in executive session when:
   
   1. acting as a disciplinary board in conformance with its rules,
      
      
   2. discussing the selection, suspension, or removal of coaches, referees, or other officials. However, all such decisions must be reported in the minutes.
      
      
10. Any director not attending six (6) regular meetings of this association from January 1 to December 31 shall have the offices declared vacant unless such absences are excused by the presiding officer. If unable to attend, notification must be made to any board member before meeting time. The office shall then be filled by the President after approval by the board.

SPECIAL MEETING

Special meetings of the association for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the President or a petition from 20% of the registered teams in good standing. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the purpose stated in the notice of the meeting. A quorum is not required for this meeting so long as notices of this meeting is posted at the soccer complex and thru e-mail.

EMERGENCY ACTIONS

Any three (3) voting members of the board of directors (which may include the President) may take emergency action on matters demanding immediate attention when it is impractical or impossible to call a meeting and shall report their actions to all board of director members in writing or e-mail within three (3) days.

ARTICLE VI-LEAGUE, AGE, DIVISION, SEASONS, GAMES, TEAMS, AND PLAYERS

1. The Board will set rules and guidelines for all aspects of NYSA league play including age divisions, number and duration of seasons, games, team structure, and players in accordance with affiliated associations and will document such in the Standing Rules. Rules and guidelines for recreational teams, recreational all-star teams, and competitive teams may vary.
   
   
2. The NYSA recognizes that a system of placement of players on recreational teams should provide an optimal experience for the players and benefit the advancement of soccer and growth of the NYSA. Therefore, selection of players will be by blind draw at the direction of the Registrar.

ARTICLE VII-GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

1. In the event a parent, guardian, player, coach, or any other concerned individual has a complaint to register against a coach and/or management or Board Official, the parties having the complaint will first bring the complaint to the attention of their own coach which in turn should do his/her best to resolve the problem or grievance. If he/she is unable or unwilling to resolve the situation, the complaining party will notify the President or the highest Board Official available of the situation. At no time shall a player, parent, or guardian contact the NYSA Board Officials directly before he/she has attempted to resolve the problem at the Coach level.

2. The threatening or striking of a coach and/or manager, referee, or Board Official of NYSA will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board Officials or the Trial Board. All parties involved will be required to attend a closed Trial Board meeting or Board meeting as may be called.

3. Refer to Code of Conduct for more specifics.

ARTICLE VIII-PROTEST AND APPEAL PROCEDURE

1. TIME LIMIT AND FEE

1. All protests and appeals must be filed in writing with the appropriate commissioner within 72 hours of the incident, excluding Sunday. The written protest should clearly state the incident involved and the actions of each coach, team, referee, or spectator to the extent they are involved in the protest.
   
   
2. All appeals must be accompanied by a fee of $25.00 . If the appeal is upheld by the A & D Committee, the fee will be returned. If it is denied the fee will be forfeited to the Association Treasure.

2. TIME LIMIT WAVIER FOR APPEALS

The A & D Committee, at its discretion, may when requested in writing to do so, extend the time limit for filing appeals for up to ten days. In case of question as to time or receipt, the postmark shall determine the date; postage meter is not acceptable.

3. A & D COMMITTEE REVIEW

The A & D appeals committee will meet to hear the protest as soon as practicable following its receipt of the protest. All involved parties shall be notified by the Appeals Committee Chairman and shall be requested to be present.

4. APPEALS COMMITTEE

The Appeals Committee shall be constituted by coaches representing three different age groups which are not all of the same gender.

ARTICLE IX-REVIEW OF BOOKS

There shall be an annual review of the books by an accountant/bookkeeper after the conclusdion of the spring season that will be appointed by the president and reviewed by the board.

ARTICLE X-STANDING RULES / CODE OF CONDUCT

1. By-laws are intended as a structure under which NYSA operates and not intended to outline all rules and guidelines. Therefore, Standing Rules and Code of Conduct have been defined to document some of the details of NYSA league play.
   
   
2. Standing Rules and Code of Conduct may be changed by vote of the Board at regular board meetings.

NACOGDOCHES YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION

STANDING RULES

ARTICLE 1- LEAGUE/AGE DIVISIONS/SEASONS

1. NYSA league play will consist of the following age divisions:
   
   U-6 players at least 4 but not yet 6 on August 1
   
   U-8 players at least 6 but not yet 8 on August 1
   
   U-10 players at least 8 but not yet 10 on August 1
   
   U-12 players at least 10 but not yet 12 on August 1**
   
   U-14 players at least 12 but not yet 14 on August 1**
   
   U-16 players at least 14 but not yet 16 on August 1**
   
   U-19 players at least 16 but not yet 19 on August 1**
   
   **NYSA believes the best interest of the players is served by not allowing players to register in an age division older than they are eligible for.
   
   However, once a player has completed one season of play in their correct age division the following option exists:
   
   if a player wishes to move to the next age division with the team he is on, and if the coach of the team feels he is capable of competing favorably in the higher division, the coach (if he will also be the coach at the higher age level) may appeal to the NYSA Board.
   
   
2. In the spring of each year, a player who was 3 by the previous July 31 st, can participate in a U-4 division.
   
   
3. For TOC, NYSA will use a 3 pt system, with 3 pts for a win, 0 points for a loss and 1 pt for a tie. Single game playoff if two teams tie at end of regular season. For three or more teams a round robin will be played. If still tied, a shoot out will determine the winner.
   
   
4. The NYSA will not sanction any post season award ceremony where any award is given to any team based on its standing in the league
   
   
5. There will be a fall and a spring season in a soccer year with duration to be determined by the Board prior to registration for the season.

ARTICLE II-GAMES

1. Unless otherwise determined by the NYSA Board, games will be played in accordance with NTSSA, USSF, and FIFA guidelines for the individual age divisions, with regard to:
   
   A. number of players per side
   B. length and division of playing time
   C. size of fields and goals
   D. substitutions
   E. minimum players at start of game and forfeit time limits
   
   
2. Players will play a minimum of one half the game, with the exception of non-attendence or non-participation at practices. Coaches must notify parents of the player, the opposing coach, and the referee.
   
   
3. Players and team officials will abide by the referee’s decisions.
   
   
4. Complaints about a referee’s actions will be made in writing to the Director of Referees and to the President.
   
   
5. The NYSA will follow NTSSA Appeals and Disciplinary Manual.
   
   
6. The NYSA will recognize suspensions and like rulings on its members by co-equal bodies providing the Board is officially notified of the ruling and the circumstances surrounding it.
   
   
7. In the event that a team disbands without completing its schedule of games, the games played shall be removed from the league record and will not be counted in league standings. The Board will make an effort to see that players wanting to play are allowed to do so.
   
   
8. In the event of inclement weather, teams will report for games as scheduled, unless notified to the contrary by an appropriate NYSA official.
   
   
9. Coaches will be responsible for controlling the behavior of their team and make a serious effort to control the behavior of the team’s supporters.
   
   
10. There will be no paid coaches for recreational teams unless prior approval from the Board.

ARTICLE III-GAME POSTPONEMENT , SUSPENSION, OR ABANDONMENT

1. Teams must report to the field ready to play regardless of the weather, unless a commissioner has notified their coach prior to game time.
   
   
2. It is the responsibility of the commissioners, with the consultation of the vice-president, to determine playability of the fields. They may cancel games on a half day basis or for the entire day, as deemed necessary.
   
   
3. All teams shall play in any weather that does not conststiute a hazard to health.
   
   
4. If a game is abandoned due to weather after the second half has begun, it shall be considered a complete game.
   
   
5. Once a game has begun the referee has the final authority postpone, suspend, or abandon a game due to foul weather or other circumstances he deems necessary.

ARTICLE IV-RESCHEDULING OF GAMES

The rescheduling of any game must be done one week (seven days) prior to the scheduled game date. The following procedure must be made to reschedule a game.

1. Both coaches must agree to reschedule.
   
   
2. Both coaches desiring to reschedule a game must call the appropriate commissioner with the rescheduled time and date. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit.
   
   
3. The commissioner will communicate with the Referee assignor and reschedule the game.
   
   
4. Only two games per season will be allowed.

ARTICLE V-GAME AND FIELD SPECIFICATIONS

ARTICLE VI-TEAM/PLAYERS

1. All players will be registered (during the established registration period) with NYSA and will be assigned to teams according to age as outlined in LEAGUE/AGE/DIVISIONS/SEASONS.
   
   
2. Transfer of a player from one team to another team during the season will not be allowed. If extraordinary circumstances exist, a petition may be made in writing to the Board for consideration.
   
   
3. Each team will have one team official (coach, manager, etc…) who is responsible for the team organization, games, conduct, and training.
   
   
4. In the event there is a lack of teams in an age division, the Board may contact other associations in an effort to enter the league play in that association for purpose of providing useful competition for NYSA teams.
   
   
5. Conversely, if other associations request entry in NYSA league play for the same reasons, and they agree to abide the by-laws and standing rules of NYSA, the Board may approve such entry.
   
   
6. The following rules apply to teams newly formed for a season:
   
   A. a child of the coach may be assigned to the team automatically.
   
   B. the balance of the team will be determined by the selection process outlined above.
   
   
7. Team sizes will be based on the number of players registered. The Registrar will set number of teams after the registration deadline. If a team needs to be dissolved due to lack of returning players, the team with the smallest number of returning players will be dissolved. All players of a dissolved team will be placed back into the blind draw. NYSA will not allow the combination of any teams.
   
   
8. Due to the numbers in the upper age groups and for the continued growth of the Nacogdoches Youth Soccer recreational program, there will not be any competitive teams below U-10.
   
   
9. All players will be required to wear their official NYSA uniforms for regularly scheduled league games.

ARTICLE VII-DRAFTING

1. The draft will be held no sooner than one week after the registration deadline with an additional five to seven day delay from draft to the first official practice day.
   
   
2. The method of draft chosen by NYSA will be blind draw where the coach drawing knows immediately the name of the player drawn. This could be accomplished by a numerical listing of all registered players, or the use of a computer software program. The method of blind draw is at the discretion of the NYSA Registrar.
   
   
3. There will be no trading of players during or after the draw.
   
   
4. Redrawing of players in U-12 and above every two years will not be allowed.
   
   
5. Players will be drawn age specific (if at all possible).