WWSL By-Laws: REVISED ON 2/13/15 Outlined below are the By-Laws of the WWSL, which contains General Rules of Play for both Indoor and Outdoor seasons as well as current League Policy. Please note that the rules on this website are intended to guide the WWSL on the primary issues likely to affect the league and largely follow FIFA(Fédération Internationale de Football Association). To the extent not inconsistent with these rules, FIFA rules apply to the WWSL. Any modifications to these rules and/or to FIFA supplementary rules will be agreed upon by the WWSL Executive Board in accordance with the governance provisions of these rules. WESTCHESTER WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE BY-LAWS ARTICLE I – NAME ARTICLE II – PURPOSE ARTICLE III – GOVERNING STRUCTURE A. The Executive Board B. Officers C. Elections of Board Members D. Board Meetings E. Terms of Office F. Annual Meeting ARTICLE IV – TEAM REQUIREMENT A. Number of Players B. Age of Players C. Waivers D. New Team Registration E. Team Dues F. Captain’s Responsibilities ARTICLE V – OUTDOOR GAME RULES A. Game Rules B. Team/Player Requirements 1. Players 2. Uniforms 3. Home Team 4. Fields C. Referees D. Postponement and Cancelation of Games E. Managers and Coaches ARTICLE VI – INDOOR GAME RULES A. Game Rules 1. Game Length 2. Substitutions 3. Miscellaneous Rules of Play B. Team/Player Requirements 1. Players 2. Uniforms 3. Home Team 4. Field C. Referees D. Postponement and Cancellation of Games E. Managers and Coaches ARTICLE VII – CODE OF CONDUCT A. Procedures B. Penalties ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS ARTICLE I – NAME The name of this organization shall be the Westchester Women’s Soccer League, herein after referred to as WWSL. ARTICLE II – PURPOSE The purpose of the Westchester Women's Soccer League is to meet the competitive and recreational soccer needs of women with an emphasis on camaraderie and sportsmanship from a diversity of women and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status or disability unrelated in the ability to participate in the sport of soccer. ARTICLE III – GOVERNING STRUCTURE The WWSL Board consists of an Executive Board and a General Board. The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Captain’s Representative. The General Board includes two additional positions to be filled as the league expands. A. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 1. The WWSL Executive Board has the power to make decisions on WWSL matters, which are not covered by these rules. Any such decisions must be reviewed and approved by majority at the general WWSL meetings. 2. The business and affairs of the WWSL shall be managed, and all WWSL powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Executive Board. Without prejudice to these general powers, but subject to the same limitations, it is declared that the Executive Board shall have the following powers. a. To conduct, manage, and control the affairs and business of the WWSL, and to make such rules and regulations as are consistent with law, or with the bylaws. B. OFFICERS 1. President – The President shall preside at all the meetings of the WWSL. In her absence the Vice-President shall succeed to the power of the President. The President shall chair the disciplinary committee. 2. Vice President – The Vice-President shall succeed to the powers of the President in her absence. She shall co-ordinate the indoor season. 3. Secretary – The Secretary shall attend to all correspondence as directed by the President and be responsible for recording the minutes of all meetings. These minutes shall be presented for approval at the following meeting, which if accepted shall be signed by the President. The Secretary is also the WWSL webmaster. 4. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall have charge of WWSL finances. She shall be responsible for keeping accurate financial records and present a detailed report of the financial standing at each of the WWSL Board Meetings. All disbursement from the fund of the league must be approved by the WWSL Board. 5. Player’s Representative – The Player’s Representative shall be the liaison between the WWSL Team Captains, Players, and the Executive Board. She shall host a minimum of 1 meeting per season with the Team Captains. She will be responsible for obtaining all nominations for Board Officers. C. ELECTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS 1. Nominations for Board Officers shall be made at the Team Captains Meeting prior to the WWSL Annual Meeting. 2. Candidates shall be elected by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting. 3. Voting shall occur via written ballot. Should the initial vote result in a tie, a second vote shall take place involving the candidates who tied. 4. The Executive Board, at any time, may fill a vacant Board position with a selected candidate. However, this candidate will not officially hold the position until confirmed by a majority vote of the Team Captains. D. BOARD MEETINGS 1. The General Board shall meet twice annually or as deemed necessary by the President. 2. The Executive Board shall meet prior to the General Board meeting or as deemed necessary by the President. E. TERMS OF OFFICE
The following positions shall be elected for two-year terms during odd-numbered years: *President * Secretary The following positions shall be elected for two-year terms during even-numbered years: *Vice President * Treasurer * Player’s Representative F. ANNUAL MEETING 1. The purpose of the Annual Meeting shall be to amend the bylaws and to elect the Board Members. Other meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the Executive Board. 2. Shall consist of all members of WWSL. 3. Each team must have at least one captain present at the Annual Meeting. 4. The Annual Meeting will be run by the President of the WWSL. 5. Shall be held prior to the beginning of the Fall Season. ARTICLE IV – TEAM REQUIREMENTS A. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1. The minimum amount of players on each outdoor team roster will be 15. 2. The minimum amount of players on each indoor team roster will be 12. 3. If more than two games per season are forfeited, the team’s participation will be reviewed by the Board and the Board will have the discretion to expel the team from the league or invoke other penalties. 4. No player can be registered for two different teams during the outdoor season. 5. A maximum of two (2) players on each indoor team may be registered on another team’s roster. B. AGE OF PLAYERS 1. Each player in the WWSL must be 18 by the date of the first game in which she participates. C. WAIVERS 1. Each player on every team must submit a Waiver of Liability and Indemnity. * THE WWSL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL INSURANCE OR COVERAGE. EACH PLAYER IS EXPECTED TO CARRY THEIR OWN PERSONAL INSURANCE IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY DURING A GAME, PRACTICE, OR ANY OTHER WWSL FUNCTION. D. NEW TEAM REGISTRATION 1. A minimum of fifteen (15) players is needed to establish a new WWSL team. E. TEAM DUES 1. Each team is required to pay seasonal dues for participation in the WWSL. a) Every team must pay $500 before the first game of the season in order to play. If payment is not received, then each weekly game for that team will be canceled until payment is received. Each team is responsible for paying off their balance for the season by the second game. F. CAPTAIN’S RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Captains are responsible for conveying current WWSL rules and by-laws to their teams. 2. Captains are responsible for securing field space and collecting team dues and fees. 3. Captains should assess field safety before each home game. 4. Captains must work with the referee assignor to confirm referees for their home games. 5. Captains are required to attend annual meetings. 6. Captains are required to report players receiving penalty cards to the Referee Coordinator. ARTICLE V - OUTDOOR GAME RULES A. GAME RULES Games shall be played under FIFA laws except as noted in the WWSL Bylaws. B. TEAM/PLAYER REQUIREMENTS 1. Players a. The WWSL requires that each team have a minimum of 15 players on their roster. b. Each team must have a minimum of seven players on the field within fifteen minutes of the scheduled start time. However, if a team consistently shows up to more than 4 games with less than 11 players from their own roster, the board will review that team's continuation in the league. c. Substitutes: Unlimited (in and out) 2. Uniforms a. Each team shall be responsible for its own uniforms. Uniforms to include shoes, socks, shinguards, shorts, and numbered jerseys. b. The designated home team shall have uniform color decision and the visiting team must wear a contrasting color shirt (dark or light)or piney. The visiting team must change if there is a conflict or will forfeit the game. c. Goalkeepers must wear a shirt that is distinct from both teams’ field players’ shirts. d. All jerseys (including alternate jerseys) must have a permanent number on the back of the shirt, except for the goalkeeper. e. All jewelry must be removed. No earrings, bracelets, or necklaces will be worn. Exceptions: 1. Medical ID tags; or 2. based on the referees’ discretion. 3. Home Team a. The designated home team is listed on the official WWSL game schedule. b. The home team is responsible for providing a ball, nets, corner flags, and a lined field. 4. Fields a. WWSL Fields must be no smaller than 100 x 60 yards. All new fields must be approved by the WWSL board. b. All rules posted at the fields must be followed, including no animals, no smoking, and no alcohol. All trash must be picked up before both teams leave the field. The league will assess penalties to the teams who fail to follow these rules. C. REFEREES 1. Referees will be scheduled by the designated Referee Association. 2. Fees for each game shall be paid by the WWSL prior to the start of the season. 3. Referees shall be responsible for maintaining control of the game and enforce all standing rules and bylaws of WWSL. The decisions of the referees are final. 4. Complaints about actions or decisions made by the referee should first be brought to the attention of the Referee Coordinator for resolution. If no resolution is met, it shall be brought to the attention of the Board. D. POSTPONEMENT AND CANCELLATION OF GAMES 1. All games must be played on schedule, weather permitting. If a game is canceled due to weather or field conditions, it shall be made up on a date and location agreed upon by the team captains. a. If a team cancels or forfeits a game for any reason other than weather, they will be charged a $250 fine. 2. Once the referee arrives at the field, the referee and home team captains can decide if a game is to be cancelled or postponed because of weather or field conditions. 3. If a referee fails to appear for a game, both captains may agree to a substitute referee. 4. In the event of bad weather, the home team captain will inspect and determine field conditions. Referees and teams will be given fair cancellation notice. E. MANAGERS AND COACHES 1. Must exhibit sportsmanlike behavior. 2. During a game, they are physically limited to the non-playing side of a touchline. 3. They cannot enter the field of play without the referee’s permission and cannot interfere or interrupt the game in any way. 4. They must show respect towards referees and league officials. 5. The captain’s are responsible for implementing a code of good sportsmanship among their players and spectators. ARTICLE VI – INDOOR GAME RULES A. GAME RULES Games shall be played under FIFA rules except as noted in the WWSL Bylaws. 1. Game Length a. Games are a continuous 58 minutes long with NO half-time. b. The Referee will strictly enforce the start and end times of games. All players should be ready to start their game on the hour. c. There will be no warm up on the field. All warm up should be done before the starting time of the game so as not to take away playing time from following games. d. Teams will not switch sides during the game. 2. Substitutions a. Substitutions can be made at any time without referee approval and do not require game stoppage. b. If there are two or more subs coming in or a goalie substitution they can only be done on your team's possession on a throw-in or kick. c. Goalie substitutions can also be done without game stoppage if desired. 3. Miscellaneous Rules of Play a. The ball may be kicked over the half line on a goal kick or drop kick without penalty. b. NO slide-tackling per Indoor Facility rules. B. TEAM/PLAYER REQUIREMENTS 1. Players a. A registered team must have a minimum of twelve (12) players. b. Substitutes: Unlimited (in and out) c. No outdoor teams that are split into two separate teams for indoor will play each other. d. Teams may not have more than two players who are registered on another Indoor team. Rosters need to be submitted to the Indoor Coordinator prior to the start of the season. e. Payers may fill in for other teams as needed, however, if teams regularly do not have a sufficient roster to field a team they may be denied a spot or have to merge with another team next year. 2. Uniforms a. Each team shall be responsible for its own uniforms. Uniforms to include turf shoes or sneakers, socks, shinguards, shorts, and numbered jerseys. b. The designated home team shall have uniform color decision and the visiting team must wear a contrasting color shirt (dark or light) or piney. The visiting team must change if there is a conflict or will forfeit the game. c. Goalkeepers must wear a shirt that is distinct from both teams’ field players’ shirts. d. All jerseys (including alternate jerseys) must have a permanent number on the back of the shirt, except for the goalkeeper. e. All jewelry must be removed. No earrings, bracelets, or necklaces will be worn. Exceptions: 1. Medical ID tags; or 2. based on the referees’ discretion. f. Per Armonk Indoor Sports Center rules, NO CLEATS are allowed on the turf field. The only acceptable footwear is turf shoes or sneakers. 3. Home Team a. The designated home team is listed on the official WWSL game schedule 4. Field a. All indoor facility rules must be followed. b. All trash must be picked up before both teams leave the field. The league will assess penalties to the teams who fail to follow these rules. C. REFEREES 1. Referees will be scheduled by the designated Referee Association. 2. Fees are included in the indoor facility rental fee and are included in each team’s fee. 3. Referees shall be responsible for maintaining control of the game and enforce all standing rules and bylaws of the WWSL. The decisions of the referees are final. 4. Complaints about actions or decisions made by the referee should be brought to the attention of the Referee Coordinator for resolution. If no resolution is met, it shall be brought to the attention of the Board. D. POSTPONEMENT AND CANCELLATION OF GAMES 1. Cancellation of games due to weather is done by 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. 2. If the indoor facility is closed due to weather or a facility problem, a make-up will be scheduled. 3. If a team makes a decision not to play, there will be no makeup scheduled and is responsible for notifying the opposing team captain by the previous night at 8:00pm. 4. Captains are responsible for notifying their teams of any facility closure. E. MANAGERS AND COACHES 1. Must exhibit sportsmanlike behavior. 2. During a game, they are physically limited to the non-playing side of a touchline. 3. They cannot enter the field of play without the referee’s permission and cannot interfere or interrupt the game in any way. 4. They must show respect towards referees, league officials, and indoor facility employees. ARTICLE VII – CODE OF CONDUCT Every team is responsible to the League for the conduct of its players, officials and spectators. Every team is required to take precautions necessary to prevent threatening or assaulting of referees, officials and players either prior to, during or at the conclusion of games. 1. Every team is required to observe and strictly enforce such rules. 2. It shall be compulsory for any referee, player, or team to report cases of misconduct. Such cases shall be investigated and punished as may be deemed proper by the Board. 3. In the event of any team, player, member or spectator being proven guilty of any violation of FIFA rules or rules and regulations of the WWSL, or of any misconduct, the WWSL shall have the power to remove the offending party or suspend such party for a stated period. Any team or player, who shall play after such removal or during such time of suspension, shall also be dealt with as the WWSL may see fit. A. PROCEDURES 1. Anyone attacking or assaulting a referee, in a game, shall be subject to action by the League. The referee must notify the Referee Coordinator immediately after the game. A written report to Board must follow. 2. Within twenty-four hours of the receipt of the referee’s report, the Board will decide, based upon that referee’s report, all suspensions and all matters relating to the game in which the assault occurred. The Board will notify the team and/or players involved of their decision. 3. The responsible team, players, officials will be automatically suspended until such time as the Board renders a decision. 4. All decisions of the Board may be appealed within seven days. 5. Any suspension will stand until the final Board decision. 6. The decision of the Board will stand as final, without the right of appeal. B. PENALTIES 1. Multiple penalties and cards per player will be reviewed by the Board and a course of action against that player will be determined. 2. It is a requirement of captains to report any yellow and red cards obtained in a game to the Referee Coordinator along with the name of the opposing team, player, and referee. 3. After any penalty, a mandatory substitution and two (2) minute "cooling off" period shall be taken by the player receiving the penalty. 4. A. Yellow Cards i. One yellow card ……………………………………..…….Caution ii. Two yellow cards (in one game)……….…….Automatic Red Card iii. Three yellow cards………..………..One to Three game suspension B. Red Cards i. Rough play……………......……………….One game suspension ii. Professional foul…………......……………One game suspension iii. Insulting an opponent………...……………One game suspension iv. Assaulting an opponent……......….One to Four game suspension v. Insulting a referee…………….....………...Two game suspension vi. Assaulting a referee…………….....Two to Five game suspension 5. Any player receiving either a Yellow or Red card during a game will be sent a copy of the WWSL Code of Conduct to read, sign, and return to the Board. A record will be kept of all carded players in the league. ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS 1. Proposed amendments or revisions to these Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board. 2. The Executive Board shall review all submitted bylaw changes as to content. 3. The Executive Board shall submit proposed changes for review at the Annual League-wide meeting prior to the beginning of the Fall Season. 4. All members of the WWSL in attendance at the Annual Meeting are permitted to vote on proposed changes. 5. Proposed changes must be approved by two-thirds of ballots received. 6. Approved changes shall become effective within 30 days. Click the link below to print and sign a copy of the Code of Conduct. WWSL Code of Conduct.pdf
