Iowa Soccer Association  
POLICY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF ODP PLAYERS PLAYING IN NATIONAL EVENTS 

It is the policy of the Iowa Soccer Association (ISA) to fund a written request for support up to $200 in expenses for any Olympic Development Program participant who has been selected to play in National Olympic Development events.  This policy may extend to more than one national event for the same youth on the recommendation of the appropriate Olympic Development Program Administrator with approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. 

APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS - JANUARY 23, 1999

Iowa  Soccer Association 
ALCOHOL POLICY 

It is the policy of the Iowa State Youth Soccer Association (ISYSA) that no alcohol be sold or brought to ISYSA sanctioned youth soccer games.  It is the responsibility of the affiliated clubs and organizers of Iowa youth soccer events to ensure that this policy is strictly adhered to.  Failure to adhere to this policy may result in suspension of sanctioned events and/or placing the affiliate in bad standing with the Association. 

APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS - JANUARY 23, 1999

INDOOR PRACTICE AND PLAY POLICY
Iowa Soccer Association  

SECTION I: PRACTICE 

Indoor practice is currently sanctioned by the State Association and will require only a letter from the club that lists the facilities that are being used.  If further documentation is necessary, the State Association will contact the club and/or the facility. 

SECTION II: ORGANIZED GAMES 

Organized games are defined as a structured group of four (4) or more teams joined for the purpose of interplay under a common set of administrative and competition rules. 

LIMITATIONS 

1.       Sanctioning covers only intra-club play.

2.       All players and coaches must be members of the Iowa Soccer Association.

3.       All referees must be USSF certified.

4.       No tournaments will be sanctioned under this policy.  

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

1.       The club must complete an Application to Host games and a Hosting Agreement.

2.       The application must be accompanied by: a set of rules and regulations for indoor play; a copy of the lease agreement of the facility(ies)*; and a letter indicating that the facility has been inspected and is appropriate for indoor play.

3.       The application must be accompanied by a $50 administrative fee. 

ON SITE ADMINISTRATION 

1.       An officer of the club must make a pre-application inspection of the facility(ies).

2.       A representative of the club must inspect the facility prior to each scheduled day of matches.

3.       A master schedule of the matches must be forwarded to the State Association as soon as available.

4.       A representative of the club must be on site at each facility during match times.

5.       Any irregularities with the facilities, matches or unusual incidences occurring during play must be reported to the State Association as soon as possible.

6.       A detailed end-of-season report must be forwarded to the State Association no more than thirty (30) days after the last scheduled matches.  The report should include incidences not earlier reported, challenges (problems) encountered during the season, evaluation of facilities, an assessment of the continuation of future indoor activity and other pertinent information that is deemed appropriate and essential.  

Failure to comply with the above will nullify both medical and liability insurance coverage and the club will be subject to further action as per our bylaws. 

*Copies of leases and inspections apply only to those facilities that are not on the approved list of soccer facilities published by the State Association.  The approved list will contain facilities that are designed specifically for soccer use.

Iowa Soccer Association  
MEDICAL AND LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR YOUTH 

Iowa Soccer Association members are covered for injuries (or death) resulting directly and independently of all other causes, from accidents occurring while participating in the following covered activities:

·     Sanctioned, scheduled games, team practice sessions or sponsored activities, provided they are under the direct supervision of a team official and all participants are United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) members or United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated members; or US Youth Soccer sanctioned local or national tournaments as a member of a contestant team.
·     Organized, supervised group travel as authorized by the Policyholder directly to and from a US Youth Soccer or Iowa Soccer Association sanctioned event, or a USSF Affiliate sanctioned tournament.

Non-members are covered IF they participate in scheduled tryouts either organized as tryouts or a part of team practices as long as the number of tryouts or practices does not exceed three (3) per participating player.

Revised (2/04)

Iowa Soccer Association
MISCONDUCT AT YOUTH STATE SPONSORED TOURNAMENTS  POLICY 

Unsporting like behavior by a coach or player while participating in a match will be dealt with by the participating referee crew.  Unsporting like behavior by others may also be dealt with by the participating referee crew or by the tournament officials.  

Any unsporting like conduct by those not directly participating in the match such as a coach, referee, player, administrator, parent, spectator, or others in attendance at a State sponsored tournament - Iowa State Cup, American Cup, Chevy Cup - is strictly forbidden. 

Unsporting like conduct includes but is not limited to physically or verbally fighting, arguing, use of derogatory remarks, or the use of foul language directed at a referee, player, coach, parent, another spectator, or tournament officials.  Any act of unsporting like conduct by any person on or near the field of play shall be reported to the tournament officials.  The tournament officials will, if the misconduct is verified, ask the party(ies) to leave the complex for the remainder of the tournament.  If the party(ies) refuse to leave the premises, the tournament officials shall summon the civil authorities for assistance. 

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of team supporters and are expected to assist the referee and tournament officials in his/her efforts to control the sidelines.  Clubs are ultimately responsible for all their members including spectators and are expected to act promptly to insure that a positive standard of conduct and ethical behavior are enforced. 

This policy does not supersede any Iowa Soccer Association, United States Youth Soccer Association or United States Soccer Federation bylaw, rule or regulation pertaining to misconduct. 

Iowa Soccer Association 
OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL POLICY

ASSOCIATION BUSINESS RELATED TO OPERATIONS:  In the case of State Association business related to operations such as Region II program meetings, Executive Director and Registrar meetings, and staff/professional training events, staff will make decisions after evaluating the need and projected outcomes and benefits. 

USYSA PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS: For Region II and national presidents’ meetings the President of the State Association is expected to attend. 

USASA MEETINGS: The Vice President, Adults is expected to evaluate and decide on the need to attend Region II and national meetings. 

NATIONAL CONVENTION AND COACHES WORKSHOP: Because of the nature of the meetings, staff and the State Association President are expected to attend.  If staff in consultation with the program administrators decide on the need for further representation at the meeting, a proposal for additional travel will be presented to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for approval. 

REGION II SNICKERS CHAMPIONSHIPS: The State Association will send one person to act as representative for the State Association. 

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WITH ODP TEAMS: At least one (1) and no more than two (2) coaches will accompany each traveling team (expenses covered by team fees).  Each team will arrange to have 2-5 chaperones depending on the age group traveling (expenses covered by individual chaperones).    

OTHERS: Board members and volunteers may petition the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors requesting travel expenses for trips deemed necessary for the operations of a particular program or business function of the State Association.  In these cases the Board may deny or accept with a partial or full reimbursement offering. 

Any travel must be sensitive to cost and be within an approved budget of the Board of Directors.

EEO Statement 

                The Association is committed to equal employment opportunity and employs all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or any other classification protected by the federal, state or local laws.  If you feel you have not been treated in accordance with this policy, you should contact the Executive Director.  The Association assures all employees that no individual filing a complaint will be discriminated against as a result of their complaint.

Discriminatory Harassment Policy 

       It is the responsibility of Association to ensure an employee’s right to a work environment free of all forms of discriminatory harassment.  Harassment of employees on the basis of their sex, race, color of skin, age, disability, national origin, religion, or creed is a violation of both state and federal civil rights laws.
      Therefore, the Association hereby affirms its interest to maintain a work environment free of discriminatory harassment. 

 Sexual Harassment
     Sexual harassment is a violation of Section 703 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.  It is defined as: “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” 

    Sexual harassment is illegal when submission to, or rejection of, such conduct is used as a term or condition of employment, or is used as a basis for employment decisions.  Conduct which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with and employee’s work performance in creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment is also illegal.

                       Examples of sexual harassment include: 

1.        Requesting or offering sexual favors in return for job benefits;

2.        Repeated acts of cornering, patting, pinching, or brushing up against a person’s body that is sexual in nature;

3.        Open speculation or repeated inquiries about a person’s sex life.

4.        Jokes, remarks, or innuendos that are sexual in nature about a person or women and men in general; or

5.        Displaying of sexually explicit material in the workplace.
 

       Examples of discriminatory harassment include: 

     The following are examples of discriminatory harassment when the conduct regards certain classes of employees on the basis of their race, color, age, sex, disability, national origin, religion or creed: 

1.        Abusing the dignity of an employee through insulting or degrading remarks 
 or  conduct;

2.    Threats, demands or suggestions that an employee’s work status is 
                    contingent upon the employee’s toleration of such behavior;

3.       Subjecting an employee to demeaning and/or degrading activities in order to gain co-worker acceptance, e.g., hazing; or

4.    Discipling or terminating an employee because of worker incompatibility 
       which is caused by prohibited discrimination, e.g., prejudiced or biased
       behavior. 

             If you feel you have been harassed, it should be reported to the Executive Director or the Executive Vice President of the Association..  

The Association assures all employees that complaints will be handled as confidentially as possible, and that no employee will be retaliated against for filing a complaint. 

            It is management’s responsibility to make a reasonable effort to prevent all forms of discriminatory harassment from occurring and to take immediate and appropriate corrective action when harassment is brought to their attention. 

           The Association affirms the right, in accord with this policy to discipline any administrator, supervisor, or employee who engages in harassment, and to discipline any administrator or supervisor who fails to act on employee complaints or on personal observations of harassment.

Iowa Soccer Association 
U10/U12 SMALL SIDE GAME IMPLEMENTATION
TOURNAMENT AND LEAGUE PLAY POLICY

LEAGUES

ISA STATE SANCTIONED LEAGUES

U09/U10
Beginning with the 2003/2004 season, for those leagues that separate U09s and U10s, all leagues will play 6v6 at U09. U10s may continue to play 8v8 or they may begin playing 6v6.

For those leagues that have a combined U09/U10 division, they will begin to play 6v6 in 2004/2005.

Beginning with the 2004/2005 season, all leagues will play 6v6 at U09 and U10.

U11/U12
Beginning with the 2003/2004 season, for those leagues that separate U11s and U12s, all leagues will play 8v8 at U11. U12s may continue to play 11v11 or they may begin playing 8v8.

For those leagues that have a combined U11/U12 division, they will begin to play 8v8 in 2004/2005.

OUT-OF-STATE LEAGUE PARTICIPATION

U09/U10
Teams may continue to play 8v8 in leagues in those states not adopting the small-sided game.

U11/U12
Teams may continue to play 11v11 in leagues in those states not adopting the small-sided game.

The policy for future seasons will be evaluated and determined by April 1 each year.

TOURNAMENTS

ISA SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS

ISA sanctioned tournaments may offer the following:

U09/U10
Both 6v6 and 8v8 in 2003/2004.
Only 6v6 in 2004/2005.

U11/U12
Both 8v8 and 11v11 in 2003/2004.
Only 8v8 in 2004/2005.

As an option, tournaments may offer only 6v6 for U09/U10 and/or only 8v8 for U11/U12 in 2003/2004.

EXCEPTIONS

----->U11/U12 teams will be allowed to play 11v11 in out-of-state tournaments. Rosters may be expanded with guest players.

1. The request MUST be made in writing and the mailing piece MUST accompany the request. When a request comes directly to the State Association, the requester MUST complete a List Request Form.
2. The request MUST present a soccer-related opportunity to our players, coaches or administrators, or to the parents of our players. These may include offers such as product catalogues, player camps, and fundraising opportunities.
3. If a list request is approved and the organization is not a member of the State Association, the list will be released ONLY to a bonded mailing house.
4. All requests are considered ONE TIME USE ONLY unless otherwise negotiated. In all cases the leased database must be destroyed after use.
5. Members may request the coach's database to advertise tournaments.
6. The database will be used by the State Association for internal use such as State sponsored tournaments, camps, clinics and Olympic Development tryouts.
7. The database will be released to the United States Soccer Federation, US youth Soccer and the United States Adult Soccer Association as per their membership rules and policies.
8. The database may also be released to a sponsor as per the sponsorship contract. While sponsors seldom ask for lists, the State still requires that they follow list request procedures.

ROSTERS

The information on rosters is sensitive information about youth soccer players. All clubs, coaches, teams and team coordinators/parents are asked to establish a chain of custody with rosters so they do not end up in the wrong hands.

The following restrictions apply to rosters:

1. Rosters submitted to state sanctioned tournaments may be used ONLY for tournament related business - checking players and state approvals. They should be destroyed after the event.
2. The use of rosters by member or non member organizations (with the exception of #4 below) for recruiting and tryout purposes is strictly prohibited.
3. Team rosters should be distributed ONLY to coaches and/or team coordinators. Coaches and coordinators must use discretion in releasing any selected information.
4. The State Association will release rosters to club/league registrars; team coaches and coordinators; and college coaches who are recruiting for their respective college programs.

EMAIL ADDRESSES

The State Association collects and uses email addresses to provide easy and quick communications with and among the following groups: presidents, registrars, coaches, directors of coaching and referees, risk management coordinators and other club administrators. These email groups are not released without permission of those included in the group.

During the registration process, members are asked by US Youth Soccer to provide email addresses. The State Association does not use these addresses unless they are part of the aforementioned groups. US Youth Soccer will use these email addresses for internal purposes only.