League Info

Constitution - April 2008

Name

The name of the league shall be Metro Woman’s Soccer League, hereinafter called the League

The Head Office shall be located in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia

The purpose of the League is to develop, promote, extend and foster the game of soccer in all its branches and to safeguard the interest of clubs comprising the League.

By Laws

Article One Affiliation and Membership

The Metro Women’s Soccer League (League) shall be affiliated with and under the jurisdiction of the B.C. Soccer Association and shall be subject to the rules and regulations of that body and also the Canadian Soccer Association.
The Members of the League are:
1. those persons who are the applicants for incorporation of the Society;
2. The League Directors as elected by the membership
3. Teams made up of women (players) which may or may not be part of a larger organization (Club)
- and who have not in any case ceased to be members.
To establish the League, the directors of the League, may by resolution, grant membership in the League to the members, at the time of such resolution, in that a certain unicorporated association known as the “Metro Women’s Soccer League” and such members shall be deemed to be members in good standing of the League as at the date of such resolution.
Membership in the league shall be open to:
1. teams fielded by clubs, individuals or other organizations playing women’s soccer according to the laws of the game, and having an organization sufficiently sound, in the opinion of the Directors, to ensure the fulfillment of commitments demanded by membership in the League; or
2. individuals or organizations who have formed a team and applied to the League for membership and accepted by the Directors.
Applicants for membership may apply to the Directors to become a member of the League by completing both an application for membership in such form as may be approved by the Directors from time to time and a declaration commiting to respect the conditions of admission in such form as may approved from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
An applicant for membership shall be a member of the Society when his, hers or its application has been accepted by the Board of Directors and the League has received all applicable membership fees.
To cover specific cases not contemplated by these By-Laws and to ensure the objects of the League are carried out, the League may, from time to time, establish temporary rules, guidelines or regulations governing applications for membership to assist the Directors in their consideration of applications for membership.
A member of the League shall cease to be a member if expelled according to the provisions of these Bylaws.
A member, if suspended from a playing season, according to the provisions of these bylaws, shall not be considered to be a member in good standing of the League.
Membership in the League may not be bought, sold, transferred or traded for cash or kind by any member.
The League may accept entries in its playing seasons from members up to a closing date set by the Executive, following which the League will establish divisions based upon geographical location and competitive level or at the discretion of the Executive(Article 5 Section 1).
Each member fielding a team in a playing season shall ensure that all players are registered with the League in such form as determined by the Directors. Players must be registered before they can participate in a League or Cup game. In addition, the League requires that all non-playing individuals associated with a team, shall provide the League with their names and phone numbers prior to the start of the season. They shall also have a current MWSL ID card.
To be in good standing within the League, all members participating in playing seasons shall post a "Performance and Behaviour Bond" in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00), such bond to be maintained at all times. The posting of a “Performance and Behaviour Bond” shall not apply to League Directors.
The annual membership fee shall initially be one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125.00), covering a twelve month period from April 1st to March 31st of the following year. In ensuing years, the annual membership fee shall be set by the Executive.
A program service fee for members participating in playing leagues shall be set each year by the Executive.
Fees stated in Sections 13 and 14 shall be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting of the League.

Article Two Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of theLeague shall be held on or before the first day of May in each year, at a place and date to be determined by the Board of Directors.
A minimum of twenty one ( 21) days written notice of the Annual General Meeting to each member, at his/her/its last known address or email address, shall be given to each member of the League in good standing.
The Treasurer shall forward to each member in good standing a copy of an interim financial report at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Additional or Extraordinary General Meetings may be held at the discretion of the President, all members having been duly notified at least seven (7) days in advance.
Additional, Special or Extraordinary General Meetings shall be convened by the President at the written request of a majority of the members in good standing in the League. Within seven (7) days after receipt of such written request (which will include any proposed amendments to the constitution), the League Secretary shall give fourteen (14) days notice of such meeting to each member in good standing. Such notice shall be given by sending it by ordinary mail to each member at his/her/its last known address or email address.
A quorum shall be a simple majority of the League membership.
Robert’s Rule of Order shall be used as the standard reference for all procedural purposes by the League.
Voting:
1. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote.
2. Voting shall be by a show of hands except by the specific request of one of the members and with the approval of the President.
3. Voting by proxy is permitted by a representative from a Club as recognized by the Executive
4. In case of a tie vote, the President shall cast the deciding vote.
5. On a matter concerning only one division within the League and where no other division is affected, only the members playing in that division may vote
6. The League Executive shall have a vote at all meetings.
The order of business at all League meetings shall be:
1. Roll call
2. Acceptance of previous minutes
3. Reports of the Executive
4. Reports
5. Correspondence
6. Unfinished business
7. Amendment consideration
8. General Busines
9. Elections
10. Adjournment
Persons nominated for election to the Board of Directors, if not present at the meeting, must signify in writing prior to their nomination they are willing to stand for election if nominated.

Article Three Executive

The Board of Directors (Executive) shall consist of no more than eight (8) members.
The Board of Directors shall elect from among themselves the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and four (4) members at large.
The Board of Directors shall be elected for alternating two year terms.
The Board of Directors shall be elected by majority vote of those teams, in good membership standing, in attendance at the Annual General Meeting.
A club executive may be eligible to hold office as a member of the League Executive.
A member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office on a motion supported by two thirds of the League membership in good standing.
Any member of the Executive absenting him/herself without cause from three consecutive meetings or willfully neglecting his/her duties on the Board shall be deemed to have forfeited his/her office as a director of the League.
Any elected vacancies which may occur on the Board of Directors by reason of resignation or other shall remain vacant until the next appropriate League meeting.

Article Four Duties of League Executive

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the League and shall exercise supervision over the affairs of the League. The President shall preside at all meetings of the League and of the Executive. In the event of a tie vote, the President shall have a casting vote only. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees. The President shall sign all official documents of the League.
The Vice President shall assist the President to carry out his/her duties and in the event of the President's absence the Vice President shall perform all the functions of the President.
The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings to persons entitled thereto. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, shall handle all general correspondence and prepare annual reports.
The Treasurer shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the League. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in a Chartered bank, Trust company or Credit Union as designated by the Executive. No monies shall be withdrawn from the bank or trust company without the signature of two (2) designated signing officer. The Treasurer shall render a financial statement to the Executive at the end of each quarter of the calendar year and also at the Annual General Meeting.
If it is considered desirable, the offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.
Seven (7) days prior to the Annual General Meeting a copy of the Annual Financial Statement shall be forwarded to each member of the Executive and to each member in good standing.
The Executive may appoint representatives in certain areas as required or deemed advisable to act on its behalf and in its stead. Such representatives may attend League and Executive meetings but shall not have a vote.
The Executive shall meet whenever the President deems it necessary, or if directed to do so by a majority vote of the Executive. The Executive shall meet at least once in every two months during its term in office.
At all meetings of the Executive, three members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.
The Executive shall be reimbursed from League funds for out of pocket expenses incurred while on League business.

Article Five Powers of the League Executive

The League Executive shall decide the size and membership of each division in playing seasons as they deem in the best interests of the League.
The Executive shall set and recommend to the League for payment honorarium commensurate with the services rendered and according to the League’s ability to pay
Approved traveling expenses incurred by the Executive or League delegate(s) shall be paid by the League.
By resolution, the Executive shall have the power to suspend or expel any active member or team who neglect to pay their fees at the due date, or any member or team who will not respect the By Laws and General Rules of the League. The decision of the Executive shall be final, subject to the right of Appeal and the Executive are authorized to adopt and follow in the matter the procedure that it will from time to time determine.
The Executive may, from time to time, institute temporary rules and regulations covering specific cases not covered in the Constitution. However, a review and decision must be made at the next Annual General Meeting on the future use of these temporary rules and regulations.

Article Six Custody and Use of Seal

The common seal of the League shall be under the control of the Executive and the responsibility for its custody and use from time to time shall be determined by the Executive.

Article Seven Schedule

The League Executive shall appoint a Scheduler who will be responsible for developing a schedule for all divisions subject to approval by the Directors.
Game points shall be: Win = 3 points, Tie = 1 point.
The Executive shall appoint all game officials whose decision(s) shall be final.
The Executive shall have discretionary powers to decide where unfinished games or game schedules are to be played, replayed or the result declared official.
Any team responsible for defaulting a game shall be charged with a fine as provided in the League’s Operating Rules. The defaulting team shall forfeit the game. The non-defaulting team will be awarded the three (3) points.
Teams having defaulted two (2) games in a season without proper reason may be expelled immediately from the League.
Any team wishing postponement of a League game must apply in writing to the League not less than ten (10) days prior to the schedule date of the game. It will be up to the Board of Directors on whether the game will be postponed or not.
The standing of teams resigning or removed from the League before completion of the schedule will be expunged from the records as follows:
1. With all original teams completing first round of schedule, results shall stand and be included in years standing.
2. Resignation or removal before completion of second round of schedule will cause the results to be expunged from second round of schedule only.
3. The same shall apply for any subsequent round(s).
In the event of inclement weather, and unless notified previously by the Scheduler through the League’s web site or via email, teams must attend the grounds and await the decision of the referee as to the fitness of the playing pitch.

Article Eight Division Section Championship

At the completion of the schedule, the team with the most points arrived at on the basis of three points for a win and one point for a tie, shall be declared the Division Section Winner.
Where two or more teams have the same number of points, then the division winner will be determined as follows:
1. the record of the teams against each other, this will include goal difference (if
  necessary), if still tied then,
2. the team with the best goal difference will be the winner (goals for minus goals against), if still tied then;
3. the team with the most goals for, if still tied then;
4. a playoff game.

Article Nine Protests

All protests must be in writing and must contain the particulars of the grounds on which they are founded.
All protests must be filed in triplicate, if mailed or by email or to the Leagues email address info2008@metrowomenssoccer.com within forty eight hours (2 days) from the day of the game. Date of mailing or date on email will be proof for the purposes of time period.
All protests must be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) payable by certified cheque, cash or money order.
One copy of the protest shall be sent by the League to the team against who the protest was lodged.
No protest fee shall be withdrawn except by leave of the Executive.
The protest fee shall be refunded if the protest is upheld but forfeited if the protest is denied.
In dealing with any protest the Executive may take into account the possession by the protesting team of any prior knowledge which, if properly used, might have obviated the protest.
Any team proven to have used an ineligible player shall forfeit the game concerned and the opposing team shall be awarded the three (3) points. At the discretion of the league executive a team may be fined up to the full amount of the bond, but not less than the amount set for a game forfeiture as per the operating rules.
The decisions of the Executive shall be binding but may be subject to appeal to the B.C.S.A.

Article Ten Appeals

Appeals from a decision of the League shall be made in triplicate and shall state the grounds upon which the appeal is based.
Triplicate copies of the appeal, together with an appeal fee as set by B.C.S.A., shall be sent to the Secretary of the B.C.S.A. within forty eight hours from the time the decision is given. The operation of such decision shall not be suspended pending the hearing of an appeal unless so ordered by the B.C.S.A..
Appeals shall not be withdrawn except by consent of the B.C.S.A. which shall decide by whom the expenses of an appeal shall be borne.

Article Eleven Players

All senior amateur players shall be registered annually with the B.C.S.A.
Every team shall have its entire team membership registered using the Leagues Online Registration process. Only Premier teams will be considered as eligible to compete for the Senior Provincial Cup as determined by B.C.S.A.

Only U-21 teams can compete for Provincial U-21 Cup as determined by B.C.S.A.

Only teams registered in 30+Classics can compete for Provincial Cup in the Classics group as determined by B.C.S.A.

Both U-21 and Classics competitions are subject to age restrictions as determined by B.C.S.A.
All registration and transfer forms must be processed by the the League and B.C.S.A. before a player is eligible to play. A player may only be registered with one team at any given time in the Fall / Winter season
Players turning seventeen (17) years of age by December 31 of the current playing season are eligible to sign with no restrictions.
All players must have a validated Identification Card, as issued by the League, in order to play in any League scheduled game or as prescribed in the League Operating Rules.
A player who fails to produce a League issued Identification Card, properly validated, shall be deemed an ineligible player.
Players must be registered or transferred seven (7) days before taking part in Cup competition. A player may compete in League games in which her team is entered providing the registration or transfer is made at least one (1) day prior to the respective game.
No player shall play for more than one team in any cup playdown.
A player can transfer her service to another team up to the transfer deadline as set out by the B.C.S.A. The player wishing to transfer must complete a B.C.S.A. Transfer form. It must be signed by the team she is transferring from and accepted by the team she is transferring to. The persons signing the Transfer form must be persons recognized by the League as a representative of the teams. The transfer fee, as determined by B.C.S.A. must be paid at time of transfer.
A player who has signed the official registration form and has been duly registered with the League by the club desiring her services for the current season, shall not be allowed to transfer her services to any other club unless she shall first have given her team seven (7) days notice in writing of her intention to transfer and then only on being granted permission to transfer by any one of the responsible officers of the team for which she is already registered. The B.C.S.A. transfer form shall be deemed notice in writing for the purpose of this article.
Players who are registered as a youth player under B.C.S.A. Rules and Regulations may play in the League provided:
1. they have completed a Youth to Senior Permit as provided by B.C.S.A. The Permit must be signed by those persons who are listed on the form and mailed or faxed to the League
2. the player will be sixteen (16) years of age by December 31 of the current playing season. Proof of age may be required by the League

Article Twelve Club Responsibilities

The rules and regulations set forth in this Article and its subsections are to be administered and enforced by the League Executive and infractions against same may result in such disciplinary action as may be considered necessary.

Every team is responsible to the League for the action of its players and officials and is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spectators from assaulting or threatening other players or officials before, during and after the game.
Any player wishing to participate in a benefit charity or a tournament game must give notice to the team which she is currently registered.
Any team wishing to stage a benefit, charity or exhibition game or tournament must first obtain permission from the League Executive.

Any team wishing to participate in an approved tournament must first obtain permission from the League Executive. Failure to obtain permission may result in the immediate suspension of the offending team.

Any team wishing to stage or participate in a benefit, charity game or tournament must also obtain written permission from the B.C.S.A.
Any team or member thereof guilty of inducing or attempting to induce a player registered with another team in the League to leave her team shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 5, subsection 4.
All decisions and reports of the League Executive, or any business transacted at any meeting, may be published at the discretion of the League Executive whether such publication shall or shall not reflect on the character or conduct of any team; player or spectator concerned or referred to therein shall be deemed to have assented to such publication.
Any team wishing to change its name must apply to the League for permission to do so.
All teams must register their team colours prior to the opening of the season. Changes in colour during the season must be reported to the League office and it shall be the responsibility of the team so changing to notify other teams of the colour change.
Each teams shall have numbered jerseys and the number on each jersey shall be large enough to be readily identifiable by the referee. Club officials are responsible for having the players numbered as shown on the Team Lists. The same number may not be allotted to more than one player in any game, and must agree with her name and number on the Team List for that game.
Each team is responsible For seeing that the players are properly dressed and equipped, and is expected to do everything possible to make the game as attractive as possible to the spectators.
Team lists as provided by the league shall be properly filled out in duplicate, the name printed alongside the respective number. The team list shall contain the names of all players including substitutes the team intends to use (players not listed become ineligible players for that game).
Before each game the team lists are to be handed to the referee with proper numbers to match the players jerseys. The identification cards are to be given to the referee in proper sequence( 1, 2, 3, etc.) in order that the referee may easily match or identify a player with an identification card. The lists are then distributed in the following manner
1. the lists in duplicate shall be handed to the referee ten minutes before the game.
2. After signature by the referee, who shall retain the original copy, the duplicate copy shall be given to the other team.
Referees (and Linesmen where applicable) shall be paid in cash before the commencement of the game. Each team is responsible for one half of the fee due and payable.
The home team must make available a first class soccer ball and the visitors a back up game ball.
Each home team must provide the following:
1. The field must be properly marked.
2. Regulation size comer flags properly and securely placed. Such comer flags shall be constructed of wood or other approved material and shall stand a minimum of five (5) feet above ground after installation. Whip poles are not allowed.
Each team shall supply a goal net in satisfactory condition and properly hung.

Article Thirteen Transfer of Players

A player shall be entitled to the benefits of the Transfer Law as follows:

Three transfers only during the current playing season within the jurisdiction of theLeague, but a player once transferred cannot be transferred to the team for which she was last registered until after a period of thirty (30) days has elapsed.
The maximum number of players transferred from one specified team to a second specified team shall be limited to five (5) players in any one season.
All transfers shall be subject to an applicable fee payable to the League which fee will be forwarded to B.C.S.A. before the transfer can be completed.
Any player registered with a team which has, with the consent of theLeague, ceased to operate or has been declared defunct by theLeague, shall be entitled to be transferred to any other team she desires. The player shall make application to the League to transfer by completing the Transfer form as per Article 12 Paragraph 9.
Any amateur player registered with a team which has declared her surplus to their requirements may be granted release from that team by filling out a form to be supplied by the League. Such form to be acceptable as a transfer and subject to all transfer regulations.

Article Fourteen Number of Players and Substitutions

There shall be no limit to the number of players a team can carry except for Premier which teams are limited to 20 registered players.
There shall be no limit to the number of players a team may dress for any league game.
No one can substitute a player ordered from the field by the referee.
There will be unlimited substitutions in League and Cup play.

Article Fifteen Management and Control

Every affiliated team is responsible to the League for the actions of its players, officials and spectators and is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spectators threatening or assaulting officials and players before, during or at the conclusion of games. No official of any team, referees, linesmen or player shall bet on any soccer game and such clubs are also required to prevent betting and the use of objectionable language. In the case of a breech of this rule any player, official or spectator may be removed from any grounds.
The Executive of the League shall have the power to deal with violations of the laws of the game, the rules, regulations and by laws of theLeague and the B.C.S.A., and in the case of any infractions of the foregoing, or of any unsportsmanlike conduct, or any action tending to bring into disrepute or to be against its best interests, to summon before it any team player, official or member for the purpose of inquiring into said offense.
It is misconduct for any team, player, official or member of any team to offer, either directly or indirectly, any consideration whatsoever to another team, player or players of any other team, with a view to influencing the result of a game. It is misconduct of any team, player or players to accept such consideration.
In the event of any association, league, team, player, official or member being proved to the satisfaction of the Executive to have been guilty of any violation of the laws of the game, the rules and regulations of the League or the B.C.S.A., or any misconduct, the Executive shall have the power to order the offending team or player, official or member to be removed from membership, suspended for a stated period, or dealt with in such manner as the Executive may consider proper in the circumstances. The Executive may also direct the offending parties to pay all expenses incurred in hearing the case.
The Executive shall have the power to call on any team or players thereof to produce any books, letters or documents and other evidence the Executive may require.
In cases of dispute between teams or players, legal proceedings shall be taken only as a last resort, and then only with the consent of the Executive.
No member of the legal profession shall represent any such team or player at the hearing of any protest, complaint or appeal unless that person is an executive officer of the team concerned and has been such for a period of three months immediately preceding the lodgment of protest, claim, complaint or appeal and that persons name appears on the printed list of such team as an executive officer.
The competitions of theLeague take precedence over all other competitions or games except those under the direct control of the B.C.S.A. and the C.S.A.
No club shall make a grant of honorarium to pay an amateur player without first obtaining the approval of the League Executive.
In the event of a dispute concerning the responsibility for a team, the Executive shall deem the person listed on the membership application form as the first contact for that team. However, the greater majority of players on that team shall retain their earned position in the league in the event of a dispute.

Article Sixteen Discipline

A Discipline Committee shall be formed by the League Executive. Such committee shall consist of three (3) members, including a member of the League Executive who shall act as Chairperson of that committee.
Discipline Committee meetings shall be held as and where designated by the League Executive.
In all cases the party complained against shall have the right to appear, if he/she desires, and offer to answer any charges against him/her when the case is heard.
Players and/or officials reported for misconduct may be allowed to continue to participate in all soccer activities until their case is dealt with except;
1. Players sent off the field of play (red card) will be automatically suspended for at least one (1) scheduled league or cup game.
2. Players receiving a third caution (yellow card) in the current session will be automatically suspended for at least one game.
3. Players or team officials reported for violence, misconduct or assault on referees or game officials shall stand suspended from all soccer activities until their case has been dealt with by the Discipline Committee and if applicable B.C.S.A.
All reports of misconduct by players shall be dealt with within ten (10) days of the date of the incident reported.
Where a player is unable to attend the discipline meeting dealing with her infraction she shall be entitled to submit a letter outlining her defense, such letter to be accepted by the Discipline Committee as attendance by the player at the meeting.
The Discipline Committee members shall decide all breaches of player discipline except where they involve their own team.

Article Seventeen Constitutional Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be made by Special Resolution at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose provided a two thirds majority of the total league membership in good standing is in attendance. Passage of said amendments would then require seventy five percent (75%) majority of the votes cast.
The proposed amendment(s) shall be submitted to the League Secretary in writing twenty one (21) days prior to such a meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be sent to the teams fourteen (14) days before such a meeting.
Only team members in good standing or the League Executive shall be permitted to propose amendment(s) to the Constitution.

Definitions and Interpretation
In these By-Laws, the Society shall be referred to as the “League”.