Constitution & By-Laws

A. Election: The officers for the Board of Directors shall be elected at the Summer General Meeting in June. Those officers shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Arbitrator, and seven Coordinators.

The immediate Past President shall be a member of the Board with all voting rights. Those elected will assume office upon adjournment of the meeting. All Officers shall be elected in the Summer General Meeting and shall serve two year terms.

The President, Second Vice President, Registrar, Treasurer and three Coordinators shall be elected in even years and the First Vice President, Secretary, Arbitrator, and remaining Four Coordinators elected in odd years.

B. Eligibility for League Office: No individual club shall control, at any time, more than 25 percent of the voting strength of the Board of Directors. A candidate or Board member's affiliation shall be determined by the Nominating Committee according to the following sequential criteria:

a. The candidate or Board member holds a position on a club's Board of Directors or governing body.

b. The candidate or Board member is a coach of a club team.

c. The child or spouse of a candidate or Board member is a member of a club.

d. The candidate or Board member's last affiliation or long standing affiliation with a club.

e. The Nominating Committee has sole discretion in determining Board affiliations with clubs. Appeals of their decisions must be submitted to the Appeals Committee according to League policy and by laws.

If a club exceeds the 25 percent representation on the Board, the Club will indicate to the League which Board member(s) is to be withdrawn from the Board to be in compliance with the 25 percent rule. The club must notify the League in writing within ten days of the election, or all Board members from the club will be temporarily suspended from the Board until the club complies. The club has sole discretion in determining which Board member will resign.

C. Removal & Resignation from Office: Any member of the Board of Directors absenting himself/herself from 3 successive meetings without adequate reason, who fails to discharge his/her duties or who resigns may have his/her office declared vacant by two-thirds vote of the Board. In the event of any vacancy, a majority of the remaining Directors may fill such vacancy until the next regular general meeting.

A. Standing Committees:

a. Rules Committee shall consider and propose amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws. It shall have all matters of rules referred to it and meet whenever necessary.

b. Registration Committee shall have charge of all matters concerning club and player registration and be chaired by the Registrar. This committee is composed of the President, Registrar and Secretary.

c. Publicity Committee shall handle all matters pertaining to League publicity and be chaired by the Second Vice-President.

d. Arbitration Committee shall handle all matters pertaining to League arbitration and be chaired by the Arbitrator.

e. Screening Committee shall review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to applications for Full, Travel Only, Guest, or Temporary club membership in the League. The application must be presented to the Delegates for a motion to accept. Notice of a membership application must be sent to all member clubs 14 days in advance of the Delegates' meeting at which the acceptance vote is to be held.

f. Tournament Committee shall be in charge of running tournaments sponsored by the League.

g. Coordinator Committee shall have charge of all matters concerning games sponsored by the League and of all championship tournaments and shall be chaired by the Games Chairman. 

h. Registrar Committee shall review and rule on all player transfer requests and shall consist of the Registrar (as chair) and at least two other members. 

i. Supervisory Committee shall review and rule on all non-game related issues of behavior detrimental to HVYSL and shall set penalties where appropriate. It shall consist of at least three appointees chosen by the President with the assistance and approval of the Board of Directors.

Additional standing committees may be created by the Board of Directors as necessary.

B. Special Committees: 

1. Special committees shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.
2. Auditing Committee shall be annually appointed by the Delegates of the League to inspect the books of the Treasurer and to certify his/her financial reports.
3. Appeals Committee shall handle all appeals to the League.
4. Nominating Committee will be announced at the March delegates meeting each year. Nominations will be accepted (in writing, or electronically) by any member of the Committee or the league office by 2:00 PM on the day three weeks prior to the Summer General Meeting in June. Within a week, the Chairman will publish a slate candidates, nominated by position and name, and advise the League office, for timely transmission to the Clubs, no later than two weeks before the Summer General Meeting in June. 

All Nominees being nominated must be present at the June meeting or inform the Committee in writing of their intention to run for office and their inability to attend the meeting.

A. Rules of Order: Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by the Constitution and By-Laws of the League.

B. Order of Business: The order of business for all meetings shall be:

a. Roll Call of Officers

b. Submission of, and amendments to, minutes of previous meeting(s), including Club attendance

c. Treasurer's Report

d. Correspondence

e. Reports of Officers

f. Reports of Standing Committees

g. Reports of Special Committees

h. Reports of Delegates (Delegate Meeting only)

i. Old Business

j. Amendments and Additions to the Constitution and By-Laws (Summer and Winter General Meetings only)

k. Election of Officers (Summer General Meeting only)

l. New Business Installation of new Board by Past President (Summer General Meeting only)

m. New President calls for other business (Summer General Meeting only)

n. Adjournment

C. Notification of Meetings: Member clubs shall be given at least 14 days prior notice in writing, or electronically, of all general, Board of Directors and delegate meetings.

D. Penalty for Delegate Meeting: Absence Full Member clubs are to be fined $10 per meeting for failure to attend the delegate meeting and $50 per meeting for failure to attend either of the two general meetings. In addition full member clubs absenting themselves for 2 successive mandatory meetings shall forfeit their vote at the next Annual General Meeting. These sanctions will be imposed automatically by the evidence of the amended minutes submitted by the Secretary. The Board of Directors, by two-thirds vote can exempt clubs from fines if extenuating circumstances exist, in response to an appeal by the club, in writing, supplying any pertinent details.

E. Minutes: Minutes of general, Board of Directors and delegates meetings shall be provided to each member club president within fourteen (14) days of said meeting. The only information which may be redacted from the minutes distributed would be any discussion/vote of a personnel issue pertaining to an employee who receives a W-2 form for tax purposes and for matters discussed in executive session provided that a majority of board members present agree to go into executive session. 

A. Admission Procedures: Any organization wishing to become a member of the League for the purpose of entering a team, must petition the Board of Directors through its Screening Committee. This request for membership must be received by the committee on or before June 1st, for the Fall Season, and November 1st for the Spring Season. The Board of Directors, after reviewing the findings of the Screening Committee, will decide whether to recommend admission of the petitioning organization to the Club Delegates. Each club, upon being accepted as a member of the HVYSL shall receive a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws.

B. Club Obligations: Each new club shall pay an initiation fee of $100.00. (Revised 12/2012) Member clubs must be registered and known by the name of the town or community they represent and players be deferentially representative of these subdivisions. Each club shall be responsible for insuring the proper registration of its players and teams, proper accounting of fiscal transactions and accurate reporting of all information required by the League.

C. Registration Payment & Late Penalty: A team or club renewing membership shall submit to the League office all club registration forms, electronically or by tradition method, all club teams, players and full payment of all dues and fees as set forth. If a club can not meet the deadline for registration, a late fee of $50.00 per team will be charged, however fees could be waived by the registration committee, depending on the circumstances. Considerations to how late teams and players were submitted should be taken into account. Invoices for team registration fees must be paid by seeding. Invoices for player registration fees will be issued to clubs once a month and must be paid in 30 days. A 10% late fee will be automatically applied to late invoices.

D. Seasonal Year: Clubs must renew membership each seasonal year which will extent from September 1 to August 31of the following year. 

A. Procedures: The League office will prepare and publish annually to member clubs a written set of procedures pertaining to team and player registration. Specific methodology will be included relating to team formation and dissolution, player registration by club registrars, and other pertinent information which the clubs should know in order to process new applicants and transfer existing players. A MINIMUM OF 11 PLAYERS IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER A TEAM. Each team must submit to the League Registrar the appropriate Club registration forms, submit electronically players and teams thru the registration system to the league office, or written, and comply with By-Law IV Club Registration. The procedures for such registration shall (with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors) be issued by the League Registrar.

B. Team Name: All clubs' teams must be identified by a separate "team" or "mascot" name. Team names and shirt colors shall be included in the standard information submitted by clubs prior to each season.

C. Withdrawal: A team may withdraw without penalty or forfeiture of fees prior to player registration date. A team may withdraw prior to the seeding meeting however all fees paid will be forfeited. A team withdrawing after the start of the respective season Fall or Spring will forfeit all fees paid. A team may withdraw from participation by requesting permission to do so from the League office and approved by the games chairman. The request must be in writing. 

A. Player Residence: Players should reside in the club's community to the maximum extent possible and within the flexibility provided by the By-Law for Player Transfer and Release. This is intended to prevent the formation of select teams and vying for players.

B. Registration: Procedures For the U.S.S.F. annual registration period, players will be registered with their own member clubs using the team registration process approved and issued by the League office prior to the publicized registration deadline. Movement of players from that moment until the end of the playing season will be governed by all applicable rules and procedures stated elsewhere in the Constitution and By-Laws.

C. Restriction on Participation Outside League: Players must be registered at least 14 days or have participated in at least 2 League games prior to taking part in any competition outside the League sponsored by the U.S.Y.S.A.

D. Restrictions on Participation on Hudson Valley Academy Teams: A player must be registered on a HVYSL club team before being eligible to try-out for a academy team. Exceptions may be made by the Academy Director for other U.S.S.F. affiliated clubs or teams, and players returning from college to play U19 Hudson Valley Academy program. All Hudson Valley Academy team players must try out for their own age group first and if recommended by the Coach within that age group, may, with the approval of the Academy Director of the League, try out for the next age group. 

A. Player Registration & Binding to Team: A travel player’s registration binds him/her to their travel team for the soccer playing year from League's Registration date until the end of the playing year (the following August 31st) and any releases to transfer to another travel team will be allowed in limited circumstances.

B. Transfers: A written request for a release for the purpose of being allowed to transfer to another travel team and the Player Transfer Form must be filed with the E.H.Y.S.L. office to be decided upon by the Registrar's Committee. The player/parent making the request is required to attend the committee hearing. Any appeal of the decision must be made within the guidelines of By Law XIX; Appeals. A player may leave a travel team to go into his/her home clubs recreational player pool at any time during the soccer year. Any recreational player who has not been previously registered to a travel team in the current season and is currently rostered to a recreational team and wishing to be released to join a travel team may do so at any time during the season, with the written approval of his/her current club. A travel registration form must be completed prior to the player's transfer to that travel team.

C. Player Transfer Fee: The club is required to pay a fee as established annually by the League when a player is transferred from one team to another, even within the same club. The player will have to be re-registered and issued a new pass. Travel team player transfer requests between clubs must be accompanied by a $50.00 fee which may be refundable at the discretion of the committee.

D. Restrictions on Transfers Between Clubs: A Club shall be limited to a total of three players per age group from any and all other clubs per seasonal year unless otherwise permitted by the Board of Directors.

E. Poaching: Any coach, who by his/her actions, or any club which, through its responsible officers or representatives, attempts to recruit or induce a registered player of any team of this League to leave his/her team, without prior consent of the players present club, shall be deemed to have committed an offense of poaching and shall be dealt with by the Board of Directors of the League. This shall also apply to the borrowing of players for tournament play without the appropriate permission of the present club.

F. Guest Players: Guest Players are not allowed for HVYSL Travel game. Coaches using guest players must secure the written approval of the coach of the team with whom that player is registered prior to that player's participation. This written approval must be attached to any Permission to Travel request for out of state play prior to submission for approval. It must also be presented at all sanctioned events within the state association.

G. Solicitation of Players: Players are free to move to any organization at the start of the year, however, no club may solicit a player registered to another team/club or induce them to participate in a tryout either directly or indirectly through intermediaries. This includes invitations to "camps", "tournament teams", "training programs", etc. Such conduct will be considered "poaching" and may be punishable by the action of the Board of Directors or appropriate disciplinary committee. 

A. Primary Objective: An important purpose of the League is to encourage and achieve clean competition and good sportsmanship with gentlemanly behavior. Conduct which is consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of this League is required by all who are involved in League competition. This includes club officials, coaches, players and spectators. The following will not be tolerated:

a. Foul language Interference with play

b. Unsportsmanlike conduct

c. Encouraging unsportsmanlike conduct

d. Causing a disturbance during or after a game

e. Entering the field without the direction of the referee

B. Coaching Conduct: A coach is also responsible for the behavior of spectators supporting his/her team. Moreover, a coach may receive a caution (yellow card) or ejection (red card) from the grounds by the referee based on his/her inability to control these spectators.

C. Player Conduct: Player conduct is subject to the F.I.F.A. Laws of the Game.

A. Arbitrator Responsibility for Game Misconduct: Based on the submitted referee report the League Arbitrator shall take the following actions against a player or coach:

a. If a player or coach is carded (red or yellow) in three games in one playing year it will result in suspension of one game plus any other suspensions incurred.

b. Every carded game thereafter will result in a suspension of one game plus any other suspensions incurred.

c. Ejection (red card) from a game will result in a minimum of a one game suspension. If the misconduct is fighting, the minimum suspension is two games.

d. A player ejected (red carded) twice within one playing year will receive a minimum of a two game suspension.

e. Ejection (red card) of a coach once within the playing year will result in a minimum of a two game suspension. In addition, the club will be notified of such action in writing.

B. Procedures For Misconduct Against Referees: Any player, spectator or coach who was found to have attacked or threatened to attack a referee at any E.H.Y.S.L. match will be dealt with according to the State-designated procedure.

C. Board of Directors Authority: The Board of Directors has the right and authority to suspend, or otherwise discipline any member club, team, its representatives or players if their actions have been contrary to the Constitution and By-Laws of the League. The League may ban a person from attending all League games. If a person disregards the League decision, the child or children may be suspended from participation in the League.

The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, suspend from membership, or expel, any individual, team or club that: Willfully refuses or violates any of the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws of the League Commits any act which is inconsistent with the principles and standards of good sportsmanship and fair play. Such action shall require a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. A member shall have an opportunity to show cause why such action shall not be taken. 

D. Reinstatement After League Suspension: The Board of Directors may, by a two-thirds vote, reinstate a member, team or club that has been suspended from the League.

E. Termination of Game: If the referee terminates a game prematurely for reasons other than weather or field conditions, the arbitrator may declare a forfeit with a score of 3-0, based upon his analysis and the referee's report. Upon a coach removing his/her team from the field of play during or prior to the conclusion of a match, the referee will hold the coach's pass and forward it to the HVYSL Office, whereupon the Arbitrator may impose a suspension. 

A. Primary Responsibility: The referee shall at all times put great emphasis on the welfare of players and officiate the game in a manner inducing clean competition and good sportsmanship.

B. Match Cards: The referee shall require that both teams provide match cards with player photos. No write-ins are permitted and only players with photos on the match card will be allowed to play.

C. Player Passes: The referee shall verify that all passes (physical or electronic) are for the same team and verify the identity of each player with the picture on the player pass. 

D. Referee Report: The referee shall complete his report form to the League office within 48 hours (holidays excluded). The player pass or adult supervisor card of anyone ejected from the game shall be included with the referee report for all divisions.

E. Linesmen: The referee must offer both teams the opportunity to provide a linesman unless the League arranges to have neutral linesmen assigned.

F. Adverse Game Conditions: The decision whether to postpone all games at a given field due to weather conditions, or poor field conditions rests solely with the president of the club providing the field. However, each referee still has the responsibility to terminate or temporarily suspend play if weather or field conditions change before or during the course of play. UNDER NO CONDITIONS IS A GAME TO BE PLAYED IN A THUNDERSTORM, LIGHTNING STORM, OR THREAT THEREOF.

G. Referee Assignment: Referees for games not assigned by the designated League Referee Assignor(s) will be assigned by the Head Referee of the club supplying the field or by the appropriate referee organization when directed by the League. A coach may not referee a game in his own division. The assigned referee in any division may not be a relative of a player or coach on either team. If any coach knowingly allows such a referee to officiate a League game (excepting circumstances detailed in Section X), that team and coach are subject to penalties including fines, suspensions, and game forfeiture, in any combination. Additionally, the referee will be reported to the State for their action. All travel referees, regardless of division, are required to be USSF certified, and currently registered, Grade 8 or better. Clubs will be responsible for assigning such referees to League travel games, in club-assigned divisions (excepting circumstances detailed in Section X), with penalties for failure to comply including fines, forfeiture, and bad standing, in any combination.

H. Referee No-show: If an assigned referee fails to show, the two teams may agree on a substitute who must officiate the complete game (no splitting the job). If the agreed upon substitute is a relative of a player or coach of either team, both coaches must agree in writing to waive the prohibition of a relative refereeing the game. Neither coach has the right to protest the arrangement. Once the substitute referee starts the game, he/she cannot be replaced, even if the assigned referee shows up late.

I. Extremely High Temperature: The referee has the discretion to allow breaks as appropriate during extreme weather conditions to insure player safety.

A. Adult Supervisor ID Card: A coach must be in possession of an adult supervisor card and displayed at all times in the technical area. Non-players in the technical area must have a valid HVYSL pass on a lanyard show. If a coach/asst coach does not posses a valid pass they will not be able to coach the game.  The coach's adult supervision card must be sent by the referee to the League Arbitrator in care of the League Office in instances where a coach has been ejected from a game. If there is no registered coach with his card, the game will not be played. If due to a Coach's send off there is no remaining viable carded coach, the game will be terminated at that point. A fine of $15 will be imposed for a lost card.

B. Player Passes: Player passes electronic, physical or phot printed on the match card must be presented to the referee prior to each League game. Any player missing a pass shall not be allowed to play in the game.

C. Match Cards: Three match cards with photos must be submitted to the referee and opposing coach 5 minutes before game time. Each coach is responsible for accurate entry of all requested information on the line-up card for both played and forfeited games. The coach's name should be that of the person who performed that function at that game. Only players who actually participate in the game should be listed. In the case of a forfeit, it is not necessary to list player information.  Each line-up card for a played game should have the printed name of both the coach(es), managers and players (with photos).  In the case of a forfeit, each coach completes the line- up card (with the exception of player and referee information), enters the 3-0 score, denotes that it was a forfeiture and submits the scores in GotSport. In the case of a team "no show" where one or both coaches are present, the score must be entered into GotSport (3-0). A team showing without a match card with photos will not be allowed to play and will be a forfeit.

D. Score: The home team club is responsible for insuring that the scores of all its games, both played or forfeited are entered into Gotsport within 24 hours of the match. For weekend games, the results must be reported on Monday (or the first non-holiday). A $15 fine is assessable for failure to report the score promptly.

E. Injury & Damage Reports: Any injury to, or damages caused by an E.H.Y.S.L. participant shall be reported to the appropriate club official, who in turn shall report the incident to the League President or assigned League official.

A. F.I.F.A - Laws of the Game: The Rules of Play, for all contests sanctioned by this League, shall be the Laws of the Game as published by the F.I.F.A. with those modifications published in these By- Laws and/or special rules and regulations for Cup or Championship Competition.

B. There shall be no overtime periods in regular League competition.

C. Half-time Periods: Half-time periods shall be a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes as designated by the referee.

D. Orthopedic Cast: A player wearing an orthopedic cast shall not be eligible to participate in any League sponsored game.

E. Charging the Goalkeeper: Charging the goalkeeper shall not be permitted in the penalty-area. However, no attempt shall be made by the opposing team to gain control of the ball once a goalkeeper has possession of the ball. (Possession is a finger, arm or leg on a stationary ball brought under control by the goalkeeper.) No attempt to harass or interfere with the kick shall be permitted when the goalkeeper is attempting to put the ball in play. These rules are designed to protect the goalkeeper without giving the goalkeeper any advantage. However, in the judgment of the referee, any question as to the safety of the goalkeeper shall favor the goalkeeper. Any goalkeeper, who in the opinion of the referee, is abusing these rules in order to move the ball down field shall be warned and an indirect kick awarded the opposing team if the warning is not complied with.

F. Playing Time: All registered players in attendance at non-Division 1 League games must participate and play at least one-half game. No period of play time is required for Division 1 players.

A. Communication of Shirt Color: Each club is responsible for accurately reporting to the League office the predominant shirt color each of its teams will wear when they play as a visitor. This will be done at the time of team registration each season. The League office shall inform the clubs in writing of the predominant shirt color of visiting teams. This information will be distributed with the schedules and updated as needed. The clubs are responsible for promptly communicating this information to the appropriate coaches within their clubs.

B. Shirt Color & Number Requirements: Except where dictated by "C" (below) all players on a team are required to wear shirts of the same color except the goalkeeper. Goalkeepers must wear a shirt color which is distinct from the shirt colors of both teams. The shirts of each team must be the predominant color listed by the club; must contain the official club logo; and must be numbered on the back with unique numbers which are a minimum of 6 inches in height. Alternate colored shirts, when used, must also contain the official club logo and must be numbered on the back as noted above. Failure to comply by any team members in League games, or games entered as a duly registered EHYSL team (State Cup, Premier, etc.) may result in disciplinary action including fines, suspensions of the responsible coaching personnel, and forfeiture of the game(s) involved, in combination decided upon by the disciplinary committee.

C. Conflict of Shirt Colors: Where the predominant shirt colors of the teams are similar, the home team must effect a shirt change. The alternate color must be the same for all players on the team yet distinct from the opposing team. This may be accomplished by T-shirts, bibs, or "pinnies" which effectively cover both the front and back of the original shirt. Moreover, the team making this change is not subject to the above mentioned penalty if numbers are not present on the alternate shirts. The time taken to effect the shirt color change will count toward delay of game start and, therefore, possible forfeiture.

D. Clothing Under Uniforms: Visible undergarments such as cycling shorts are allowed, provided that they are the same color as the player's soccer shorts and do not extend further than the top of the knee. The wearing of track suits or similar trousers, also long-sleeved shirts, is permitted only when adverse F). Final decision as to weather or playing conditions exist (Below 40 weather conditions rest solely with the referee. 

A. Obligation to Provide Field: Each team must have a home field. If, for any reason, a team temporarily finds its field unavailable for a scheduled game, it may attempt to arrange to use the visiting team field for the game. The visiting team is under no obligation to make its field available in such a situation. See the By-Law for Schedule and Schedule Changes for the game change procedure.

B. Field Condition Responsibility: The home team will be responsible for the condition of the grounds, the proper field markings, and proper equipment. Nets and 5 foot corner flags are required. All fields should be properly marked as dictated by F.I.F.A. rules. Failure to comply with these rules could result in a forfeiture by the home team. The referee reports the field conditions in his report, which is sent to the League. The League arbitrator will then decide the action to be taken. In addition to the regulation sidelines all fields shall have another line drawn outside the playing area at a distance sufficient to allow enough space for the coach, linesmen and substitutes to stand. All spectators shall stand behind this line. Failure to comply with these rules could result in a forfeit and/or fine by the home team.

C. Fields for Non-Division 1 (Younger Players): Field sizes for all age groups will be consistent with the U.S.Y.S.A. guidance for that age group. 

A. Delay in Start of Game: If one or both teams delay the start of a scheduled game by more than 15 minutes without approval of the Age Group Coordinator, the team or teams shall forfeit the game 3-0. This rule is waived if the game is delayed by a preceding game on the same field that is a HVYSL travel team League game.

B. Team No-Show: Any team which fails to dress at least 7 players for a regularly scheduled match shall, unless excused by the Age Group Coordinator, be charged with a 3-0 forfeit once a 15 minute waiting period has elapsed. The penalty for a No-Show is the referee's normal fee for that age group.

C. False Registration: Every game that a falsely registered player participates in will result in an automatic loss, with the score being 3-0. 

D. Notification of Forfeiture: It is imperative that the forfeiting team notify the opposing team as early as possible. The forfeiting team must immediately notify the appropriate AGC. In those cases where the assigned referee must be reimbursed because of late notification, the forfeiting team will pay the referee fee. The reporting of the results for forfeitures is covered under the By-Law for Identification and Games Reports.

E. Forfeit Withdrawal: If, after a team forfeits a game (with sufficient advanced warning), the weather forces the home team club to postpone all games for the field involved, the forfeiting team can withdraw its forfeit by notifying the opposing coach and the Age Group Coordinator within 48 hours following the scheduled game. Sufficient advanced warning will consist of notifying the opposing coach, the referee assignor, and the Age Group Coordinator at least 24 hours before the scheduled game.

F. Involuntary Forfeit Notification & Appeal: If the case of an involuntary forfeit, the coach of the team requesting the forfeit must notify the appropriate A.G.C, electronically within 24 hours. The AGC will investigate, and submit his findings and recommendations to the Games Chairman within one week of the first request. The Games Chairman may convene a hearing if he/she so chooses, but in any event must issue his decision electronically to the coaches and club Presidents involved, within one week. If the forfeiting team fees that extenuating circumstances existed and were not properly weighed, it may appeal the decision by submitting a written or electronic appeal to the Appeals Committee within 48 hours after receiving notification from the Games Chairman.

G. Multiple Forfeitures: Any team that forfeits more than one game in a given season may be subject to disciplinary action and or a fine, except in the case where a team disbands or folds. 

A. Minimum Number of Games: All teams which compete in both the Fall and Spring season and whose season is scheduled to start before the third weekend in September will be scheduled for no less than eight games. If the schedule will not be balanced, the imbalance will be accomplished by a random draw of the teams involved.

B. Individual Game: No scheduled game may be postponed or changes made to date, time or field without the approval of the Age Group Coordinator. The Referee Assignor will accept changes only from the Age Group Coordinator or in his absence, the League Games Chairman. All changes must be communicated to the Referee Assignor by the A.G.C, or L.G.C, electronically, no later than 6 P.M. on the Wednesday before the game is to be played. In the event of a last minute, emergency change of field, the home team must provide a person at the original site to escort the referee to the new location. 

C. Club-Wide Postponement: In the event of extremely bad weather or field conditions, a club may decide to postpone all scheduled home games on one or more fields for a particular day. In this case, the club president (or their designee) must notify the appropriate referee assignor, Age Group Coordinators and all visiting team club presidents (or their designee). This must all be done before 10 A.M. (unless the first effected game is before 12 P.M. in which case a minimum of two hours is required). The club presidents (or their designee) are responsible for notifying the individual coaches and club-assigned referees within their own club. 

All make-up games must be scheduled so that they are within two weeks of the original date. It is the home team's responsibility to arrange the make up. Failure to do so within the required time period, without the Age Group Coordinator's approval, will result in a forfeit by the home team. Designated club representatives must notify their Age Group Coordinator of the agreed upon date and time within eight days of the originally scheduled game. If the two teams fail to agree on the make up date and time, the Age Group Coordinator  will choose the date and time. The home team must notify the Age Group Coordinator of this need within three days of the original date. Coaches are not to contact the AGC or Referee assignor - only the Club Designated Representative. Any requests for rescheduling from a coach will be sent back to the club.

A. Field Condition: Field protest must be made verbally to the referee before the start of the game and in writing, signed by the protesting coach before the second half begins with a copy going to opposing coach and referee. A formal protest of said conditions must be mailed to the League Arbitrator with a payment (check/venmo/paypal) for $50 within 48 hours of the game with copies to the opposing coach and officiating referee. If the protest is denied, the League will keep the fee. The League Arbitrator shall judge the merits of the petition and notify the appropriate parties of the decision. Failure to follow the above procedure voids the protest.

B. All Other Protest: A written notice must be handed to the referee and opposing coach at the field and signed by the protesting coach at the completion of the game or at half time. A formal protest must be (e)mailed to the League Arbitrator, within 48 hours after game with copies to opposing coach and referee and signed by the protesting coach. All protests to the League must be accompanied by a payment (check/venmo/paypal) for $50.

A. Line of Authority: For Appeals, the line of authority, should the club designated representative who wish to appeal any decision, shall be: From Arbitrator or Supervisory Committee to Appeals Committee of the League. From the Appeals Committee of the League to the Appeals Committee of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.

B. Appeals Procedures: Appeals may be made on decision of the Arbitrator, Supervisory Committee or Board of Directors, following the line of authority as listed above. Appeals are to emailed by the club designated representative and sent to the Chairman of the Appeals Board within three days of the of date on the previous protest or appeal decision. Appeals to the Board of Directors are to submitted by the Club Designated Representative to the Secretary of the League, within three days of the of the date of the previous protest or appeal. A fee of $75 must accompany all appeals to the Appeals Board or Board of Directors. All fees will be returned if appeal is successful in total.

Upon receipt of a properly filed appeal and the fee, the Chairman of Appeals Board will convene the appropriate body and invite, not later than five days before the meeting, the involved clubs and individuals to a hearing of the case. An individual or club, having been invited to a meeting and failing to appear, shall forfeit any right of further appeal. The available evidence shall be reviewed and a verdict, based upon such evidence, shall be rendered. 

A detailed report will be sent to both coaches and the club on the verdict of the Board. Referees who disregard the invitation shall be reported to the New York State Soccer Referee Association and the Hudson Valley Soccer Referee Association. All parties to a case shall be notified in writing (email) within five days of an appeals hearing of the decision made by the convening body. Appeals to the ENYYSA are made directly to them, with the appropriate fee within three days. The appeal must include all details and charges. An additional copy must be sent to the opposing club.

Payment (check, venmo, paypal) must accompany the protest. Failure to follow the above procedure voids an appeal. 

A. Types of Divisions: There will be divisions 1, 2, 3 and so on in both boys and girls from Under 12 through Under 19. Under 11 boys and girls and younger age groups will be divisions 2, 3, 4 and so on, but will not include division 1.

B. Divisional Shifts: At the end of each season, the Games Chairman, with the help of the respective AG will review the relative competitiveness of each team, and sort the teams into tentative age-division groups for the following season. Final determination of seeding will be done at the Fall seeding meeting. Interim changes will be possible for developmental teams, at the specific request of clubs, at the Spring seeding meeting.

A. Primary Means of Ranking: Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss. The total points accumulated through scheduled games during the regular season of the League will be the primary means of ranking within a division.

B. Tie Breaking Procedures: If, at the end of the regularly scheduled playing season, 2 or more teams are tied in points, the following tie-breaking procedure will apply.The first means of tie-breaking will be the accumulated points as a result of head to head competition between the tied teams, including forfeits. If more than two teams are tied in points or if there are tied teams from the above step, then: If the tie position involves a League trophy award or a possible League imposed team shift between divisions, the following criteria will be issued:

a. Average goal difference - a maximum of three goals difference per game played will be used to compute the average. If a tie still exists, then…

b. Lowest average of goals allowed in games played. 

If the tie position does not involve a League trophy award or a possible League imposed team shift between divisions, the teams involved will be considered tied in the final standings.

C. League Awards: League awards are to be given to the clubs by the first week of September. A sportsmanship award is to be presented to the team in each division that best represents the goals and ideals of sportsmanship. Publicity of this award is to be commensurate with that accorded to divisional championships.