League Handbook

Section 3: REGISTRATION, STRUCTURE and MANADATE

Section 6: NECSL SEASON and CONTACT INFORMATION

MISSION STATEMENT

Section 1

The Northeastern Conference Soccer League (NECSL) is designed to be an integral part of the Northeastern Conference Youth Ministries Program. It seeks to give each local Adventist Youth Society another opportunity to fellowship with other societies, demonstrate and foster Christian friendship and to further demonstrate God's gift through physical, social, mental and spiritual capabilities.

This league is also designed to have each youth strive for continuous improvement in the area of soccer, while ensuring that the integrity of the sport is maintain and respect for others are never compromised.

THE COMMISSION

Section 2

The Commission, chosen by the Northeastern Conference Youth Director shall govern the Northeastern Conference Soccer League. This Commission shall consist of:

1. The Northeastern Conference Youth Director and Associate Director..

2. A local Pastor.

3. A professionally trained or educated person in physical education and recreation.

4. The sports coordinator of each federation registered with the NEC Youth Ministries Department or any individual

assign by the federation.

This commission shall represent the last avenue for all appeals and disputes within the NECSL

STRUCTURE/REGISTRATION/MANDATE

Section 3

The Structure of NECSL shall be determined on the basis of number of teams registered. The NECSL Commission however, has the authority to overhaul any structure within the current season if it is deemed necessary.

All teams must be registered between the 2^nd Sunday in February and the 3^rd Sunday in March before the new season begins.
Teams shall be made aware of the registration fee at the annual NEC Youth Department Convention or no later than the 3^rd Monday of January for the upcoming season.
Teams shall be made aware of their approval to participate by the 4^th Sunday March before the new season begins.
Teams will be made aware of their Division/Group by the fourth 1^st Sunday in April of the new season

POINTS SYSTEM:

Points shall be awarded as follows:

3 points for a win

2 points for a score draw

1 point for a goalless draw

This is only applicable during the group/division stage of the season. No points shall be awarded during the playoff stage. Teams will progress only on a winning basis.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Section 4

The NECSL is dedicated in assisting the Northeastern Conference Youth Department in ensuring that the young people in this Conference have an additional sporting activity, which will impact on their total development.

It's our desire that:

The youth participating can develop an attitude of fair play and true sportsmanship;
The youth demonstrates God's love to other youth even when they have lost a game;
Each youth who plays shows the Christian values and strength of character under pressure.

NECSL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Section 5

Each AYS within the Northeastern Conference is permitted to field a team.
Each team must be sponsored by their local AYS Council.
The NECSL Commission reserve the right to invite and /or exclude anu A.Y.S team that's not part of the Northeastern Conference of S.D.A.
All fees must be paid prior to the beginning of each season and shall be paid by the specified date set by the commission. Failure to comply with this or any other registration requirement prohibits the team from participation in the league tournaments.
All forms must be complete and return to the NECSL on the specified date.
A. All players must be members of the Seventh-day Adventist church under one of the following Categories:
- - Baptized Member
  - Pathfinder Club Member
  - Regular member who is an active participant in the meetings/programs sponsored by the church , have a good attendance and behaviour record.
B.Each Player must be approved by their local church board in order to participate in the league. This also includes players who registered by the deadline of the grace period.

C. Teams can add players to their roster no laterthan the grace period. The players added must make no less than two than two (2) regular season appearances in order to be legible for the play - offs. Any player who has been added that does not meet this requirement will not be allowed to play participate in the play - offs/ postseason.
No other forms of jewelry other than a wedding band are accepted by any player registerd in the NECSL. The will also include any other activities sponsored by the NECSL.The referee, however reserves the right to allow or disallow a player waering a wedding ban during a match. the saftey of the players is of utmost importance.
The age for each player is at the discretion of the coach and the local AYS.
Each team shall consist of no less than twelve (12) players and no more than thirty (30) players.
If any church/AYS is unable to field a full team, they are allowed to join with another church/AYS. Each local AYS must agree on this and both local church boards must approve its players.
Each team is required to have on their staff a medical person (nurse, doctor, EMT, etc).
Teams that withdraw from the league without a valid* reason, after they have begun playing, shall be suspended and fined. (*Determined by the Commission)
Any team seeking a postponement of a match must give notice in writing to the NECSL, no less than seventy-two hours (72) before the time for which the fixture is scheduled. Unforeseen circumstances will be examined and dealt with by the NECSL Commission.
Profanity will not be toleration. Christian behavior is expected from all those involved in the NECSL. Violators will be at the mercy of the NECSL Commission. Likewise all other inappropriate, un-Christ like behavior by players, coaches and NECSL staff members shall be punished.
All Protest shall be forwarded to the NEC Youth Department in writing no later than the Tuesday following the discrepancy. A twenty-dollar ($20.00) fee must accompany each written protest. Teams have a right to challenge the judgment given by the NECSL in an orderly and dignified manner.
All games must begin within the first twenty (20) minutes of the scheduled start time. A further ten (10) minutes shall be extended if it is deemed necessary by game official. After a thirty (30) minute delay the games shall be forfeited. The team who is at fault shall forefeit the points and be written by the NECSL.
A .Male tournament: - No player can return to play after being substituted. Suspensions will be handed out to both the player and the coach if this is done. Each team is encouraged playing each player registered and is on the match card. Only (7)seven substitutes are allowed during the play - off stage of any tournament. E.G. quarterfinals, semi - finals and finals. Only names on the match card are allowed to play on any given day. Coaches can't add any player to the match card once the match commencies. Each coach is required to hand in the match card fifteen minutes (15) before the kick - off whistle.
B. Female tournament: - Teams are allowed to make an unlimited number of substitutions. Female players must play a minimum of thirty (30) Minutes. Failure to follow this would result in a fine of (1/3) one third of the official fees. Players can return to play after being substituted.
Prayer is to be offered before the start of each game.
The NECSL appointed officials shall be responsible for all fields, scorekeepers, game referee and shall maintain the records of the NECSL.
Team Uniforms: - All participating teams must wear complete uniform with visible numbers for each game. No unconventional shorts or shirts will be accepted. No player will be allowed to play if their uniform is not consistent with his/her teammates. No will be no exceptions.
All uniform shirts and shorts must be tailored the same (i.e., in regard to length, trim, color and design). Any player found inappropriately attired shall be removed from the game and cannot re-enter until the aforementioned has been corrected.
All players of the NECSL must wear their team uniforms appropriately and as so designed or fashioned.
All teams must be in uniform from the onset of the season.
Each team member must play in each of his/her team games that he/she is present for, registered and is physically able to play in. Non-compliance will result in game forfeiture and fine.
Coaches are allowed to play in the league if they qualify as a member as stated in rule 5.
All Coaches must be certified by the NECSL in the area of coaching.
Any team that allows a suspended player to play in a game he or she is suspended for shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200.00). The player and coach of the team in question shall be banned from the league. The NECSL reserved the right to determine the length of the banned.
Teams or players who intentionally leave the field without the presiding referee's permission shall face the following disciplinary action (S):
(a) Team/player shall be suspended: the team shall forfeit the points for the said match. *(if a coach allows/condones such action he would also be suspended).(b)Montetary fine (not to exceed $100) which will be determined by the NECSL commission.(C) The length of the suspension will be determined by the NECSL Commission.
If a player accumulates a total of four (4) yellow cards in the first round of the tournament (group /division stage) in the current season, he or she shall be suspended for one (1) match, in the second round of the tournament in the current season. Yellow cards will accumulate by rounds.
Once a game has started, the referee is responsible for all decisions relating to the game. An NECSL official/ commissioner on sitemay intervene only upon request by the Main Refree.
The NECSL Commission shall be responsible for determining, sites, etc of the matches and championship games.
All NECSL Commissioners have the option of playing in the league. He or she however cannot be a coach/head coach in the league.
All teams registered with the NECSL must have a minimum of 5 players/representatives attending the annual NEC youth awards. However teams who finish in the top three (3) must have a minimum of ten (10) playears, all of whom must have been a regisered player during the current season. Teams who fail to meet this requirement will be fined and these fines must be paid during the normal registration period of
the next season. Fines will be proportionate to NEC awardsbanquet fees. E.G. if the fee is $45, then a team who has only one (1) player attending shall incur either (a) $45 x 4 = $180.00 or (b) $45 x 9 = $405.00
League play shall be governed by the rules set forth by the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) in addition to the rules and regulation stated above.
All teams must have a copy of the FIFA handbook on the rules of the game and the NECSL handbook . All players must demonstrate their understanding of the rules of the game on the field of play. Failure by any team or player to abide by the rules written herein and that which is set by FIFA and the NECSL will result in suspensions and other disciplinary actions.
All players,coaches and /management staff must sign the code of conduct/ethics. If this document is not sign he or she can't participate in any tournament/activities organized by the NECSL; as aplayer, coach, assistant coach and management staff.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The NECSL season runs from April -September annually. Matches are scheduled on Sundays. However there may be matches on Saturday night's or other nights base on availability of lighting facilities.