MAD RIVER VALLEY SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Policies and Procedures

The Mad River Valley Soccer Association (MRVSA) is a volunteer, non-profit organization created for and committed to promoting youth soccer. The Association serves the Vermont towns of Fayston, Moretown, Waitsfield, and Warren. MRVSA Travel Leagues are inclusive of all towns within the Harwood Unified Union School District. The MRVSA program emphasizes fitness, sportsmanship, teamwork, and skills development. The Association is committed to providing educational opportunities to further develop soccer players, coaches, referees, and administrators.

Policies and Procedures

The following are the policies adopted by the Mad River Valley Soccer Association governing the MRVSA soccer program. 

1.0 Levels of Play: MRVSA offers two levels of play

1.1 Recreational League. The primary purpose of the Recreational Team is to offer instruction-based soccer. Recreational teams participate in intra- and inter-league play on a regularly scheduled seasonal basis. Matches are instructional and promote equal playing time for all participants. Recreational teams focus on skills development in a non-competitive environment. 

1.2 Travel League. The primary purpose of the Travel Team is to participate in a league against other town travel teams consisting of the better-skilled, more motivated, and more team-oriented players of the recreational teams. Selection is inclusive of players from the entire Harwood Unified Union School District. Teams shall be selected by coaches’ assessment and/or skills assessments.

2.0 Eligibility

2.1 Recreational League. All youth in grades Pre-K thru 6 living within the Association’s geographic area are eligible to participate in the Fall program. Players from outside MRVSA’s geographic area may register as long as no special treatment for team placement or practice day and time is requested and if space allows. Recreational league is based on the player’s grade. 

2.2. Travel League. Players from U10 through U16 age levels living within the Harwood Unified Union School District are eligible to participate in the Travel League, which participates in the league managed by the Vermont Soccer Association (VSA). 

  1. Players participating in the Travel League at levels U10 and above must adhere to the cut-off birth date of December 31 (birth year). If multiple teams in an age group exist, coaches will decide on rosters and division play. 
  2. U19 teams may be offered depending on the numbers of players and coaches.

3.0 Registration, Fees, and Refunds

3.1 MRVSA collects one fee for registration, insurance, clinics, and equipment. Limited scholarship money is available to those who qualify.

3.2 The registration fee for each participant shall be decided by the Board seasonally. Any refund may be refunded prior to the first scheduled practice if the participant:

  1. is injured and unable to play in league games and submits a doctor’s statement to this effect when requested
  2. has an exceptional reason as determined by the Executive Committee for not being able to play the season, such as death in the family

No refunds will be made for problems concerning transportation, childcare, conflict in schedules, fields, coaches, and other similar circumstances.

3.3 All registration forms must be received by the registrar prior to a player attending the first practice. 

3.4 Travel League registration follows USYS registration guidelines.

3.5 Addition of players onto the official team roster is allowed only after acceptance by the MRVSA registrar.

3.6 Registration is limited depending upon such factors as field availability and volunteer support. When the registration limit has been met, additional players wishing to register will be placed on a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis. Late registrants will only be taken if there is space on a team roster. They may also be subject to a waiting list.

4.0 Team Assignment and Balancing

4.1 Recreational League. 

  1. Team assignments shall be made by those persons designated by the Board based on relevant considerations. The coach shall be entitled to have their child, on the team they are coaching. Except as aforesaid, there shall be no retention of players from the previous season.
  1. Every attempt will be made to balance the skill level of teams within each team.
  1. Special requests for team assignment shall not be honored except under the most extenuating of circumstances, and then only if team balance is not compromised. Special requests must be made in writing and received before the registration deadline with a complete explanation of the extenuating circumstances. Said written request shall not be considered a guarantee of placement. The Board will review each request and make a decision based upon what is best for all involved.
  1. Each player will be assigned:
  1. A grade 1-4 reflecting his or her coaches’ evaluation of his or her playing ability the previous season (players of unknown ability shall be assigned a grade based upon verbal information regarding experience and ability obtained from a parent or guardian);
  2. A school grade level;
  3. A town of residence;
  4. Special notations include goalie (position), coach’s child, sibling, and a player opting to play for a boy or girl team.
  1. Each team will be assured of a coach and goalie (should enough be available). Swaps may be made only for players of equal age and ability. Each team should have at least two players from every member town on each roster.
  1. No changes to rosters shall be made after team balancing is accomplished without the approval of the Executive Committee.

4.2 Travel League. Players participating in the Travel League compete against other town travel teams under the guidelines of the Vermont Soccer Association (VSA). 

  1. U10, U12 and U14 teams participate in a try out process that includes a comprehensive skills evaluation and practice game. Team formation is based on the tryout process and previous coaches’ input.
  1. U16 and U19 teams are dependent on the numbers of players and coaches.

5.0 Eligibility

5.1 Teams at the Pre-K and 1/2 levels shall be strictly coed.

5.2 Girls and boys teams will be offered. A player can chose to play on either a boys or girls team. VSA shall guide rules regarding players playing on other rosters. 

6.0 Team and Field Size

6.1 Recreational League. Teams at the Pre-K/K, 1/2, and 3/4 grade levels shall play 7v7 on a field approximately 30×40 yards. Field and goal specifications are subject to field availability and may, therefore, vary. Teams at the 5/6 grade level shall play 7v7 on a field approximately 40×60 yards, again subject to field availability.

6.2 Travel League. Field sizes and the number of players on the field during competitive play are determined by USYS and FIFA rules.  

7.0 Length of Season and Cancellation of Games

The Board shall determine the duration of the season as outlined in the Association calendar. Inclement weather or poor field conditions may necessitate the cancellation of games from time to time. Any cancellation will be made at the discretion of the involved coaches as early as practicable before game time. Spring VSL weather cancellations are made by the referee assigned to the game. 

8.0 Attendance and Participation

Every participant on a Recreational Team shall be entitled to play at least one-half of every game. At the Travel Team level, playing time is at the coach’s discretion; however, every effort shaII be made to play participants as equally as possible.

9.0 Officiating

All matches in the Recreational Program shall be officiated by youth referees. A one-referee or two-referee system may be employed.

9.1 Matches held during the more competitive Travel season for levels U10 and up shall be officiated by referees certified by a recognized referee organization and will be scheduled by VSA.

9.2 Any ejection of a player from a game must be reported to the MRVSA Board. A red card will result in a one-game suspension, and a second red card within a playing season will result in suspension from MRVSA for the remainder of the season. An assault on a referee by a player or coach at any level will result in a one-year suspension.

9.3 FIFA rules as modified by MRVSA will apply for the Recreational League. The Travel League will abide by VSA rules.

10.0 Protests

No protests by coaches or spectators of a judgment call shall be permitted. Protest on a breach of the law that affected the outcome of the game will be allowed. All protests must be filed within a 48-hour period to the Association President. All protests will be decided by the Executive Committee.

11.0 Conduct During Games

The highest standards of conduct must be maintained at all times. Abusive or foul language is prohibited. All participants must dress in a neat, clean manner. The use of shin guards is mandatory for all age groups. All Players, Parents, and Coaches must agree to and abide by the MRVSA Code of Conduct.

11.1 Coaches are expected to be positive and set the best possible example for the participants. Excessive coaching from the sidelines will not be permitted. The function of the coach should be to provide encouragement and a positive direction. The Coach may only enter the field of play with the referee’s consent and may only coach within the coaching box (10 yards either side of the halfway line). All coaches must abide by the MRVSA Code of Ethics.

11.2 Spectators must remain 5 yards behind the touchline, their vocal efforts limited to positive comments to all participants. Under no circumstances should they attempt to coach or address derogatory comments to the referee or players. Discipline shall be up to the referee at each game and they shall have the power and authority to eject players or coaches from the playing area if their conduct violates these guidelines or otherwise interferes with the course of play. No appeal of disciplinary action taken by a referee shall be allowed.

See the MRVSA Codes of Conduct for Players, Parents, and Coaches

12.0 Volunteer Participation

Volunteer positions include but are not limited to coach, assistant coach, field worker, program coordinator, publicity personnel. All volunteers working with the players must complete a background check, Safe Sport, and Heads-up Concussion, and any other training mandated through Vermont Soccer Association on a yearly basis.

13.0 Facilities

13.1 Trash/Equipment: No trash or equipment shall be left on the fields. It is up to the last home team to play on a field to pick up. 

13.2 Gear Shed: All gear must be returned to the shed and organized after use. Shed must be locked up by coaches.

13.3 Parking: Parking shall be limited to those areas designated at the fields, and are subject to Mad River Park Fields Committee rules. 

14.0 Equipment

The Association shall supply each participant with a shirt, as well as playing fields, goal posts, and nets. Each participant is expected to provide soccer shoes and/or sneakers, shin guards, ball, water bottle, and a jacket. No player shall be allowed to participate in either a practice or a game without shin guards.

15.0 Grievance Process

Grievances will be heard only when the following grievance process is adhered to:

15.1 Process:

  1. Approach the player’s coach and discuss the matter at a mutually agreed upon time and place.
  1. If the matter is not cleared up at the coaching level, the parent or player may then approach the age group coordinator, who shall attempt to resolve the problem.
  1. The age group coordinator may choose to bring the matter to the Executive Committee for consideration and action, if they cannot solve the problem to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

15.2 Decisions made by the Executive Committee shall be considered final.

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