BY-LAWS
OF
SOUTH SHORE DISTRICT SOCCER ASSOCIATION SOCIETY
(As approved at the November 3, 2020 AGM)
AFFILIATION
MEMBERSHIP
Either
Or
Or
FISCAL YEAR
GENERAL MEETINGS
Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by the Board of Directors if requested in writing by at least fifty per cent (50%) of the members of the Society.
CHANGES TO THE BY-LAWS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POWERS OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
EXTRAORDINARY EXPENDITURES
REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
MISCELLANEOUS
PREFACE
SOUTH SHORE DISTRICT SOCCER ASSOCIATION
RULES & REGULATION
Amended November 2020
ORGANIZATION WITHIN NOVA SCOTIA
Soccer Nova is responsible for organizing soccer activities for all its members. Activities include competitions, training, and general administration.
‘Official’ Member organizations of Soccer Nova Scotia include Districts, Leagues, Associates, Referee Associations, and Life members, as defined in the SNS bylaws.
Districts and Leagues include another level of organization membership - Clubs. Players are the ‘foundation’ membership units in soccer.
Players register with Clubs, and as such, have the right to participate in competitions and training activities. Club membership automatically includes membership in all other member organizations of the Club, including Districts, Leagues, and Soccer Nova Scotia. Membership includes the obligation and acknowledgment for an individual to adhere to all bylaws, policies and procedures of all these organizations.
Clubs are the ‘grass root’ organization for registration of and program delivery to Players. Clubs form Club Teams and manage all team related activities including selection, registration, training, and coach selection. Clubs may also organize non-team related training or activities for its members. Clubs are members of Districts and Leagues. Clubs register players, and where applicable, assign players to registered teams.
Districts serve as the representative for its member Clubs and their players on Soccer Nova Scotia governing bodies. Districts may also be members of Inter-District Leagues, and such serve the interests of their members on that League. Leagues organize seasonal league play for its members District or Club teams. This includes creating divisions, schedules, and where applicable publishing standings and statistics.
DECISION-MAKING LEVELS WITHIN THE SOUTH SHORE DISTRICT SOCCER
ASSOCIATION (SSDSA)
Within SSDSA, decisions are made by Members, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, SSDSA Committees, and Operations (i.e. Staff).
The Membership is the top decision-making body. The Membership meets at least once per annum at its Annual General Meeting. When necessary, a Special General Meeting of the Membership may be held. Responsibilities of the Membership are outlined in the Bylaws. The Membership elects the Board of Directors. Membership voting at the AGM is allocated to the Club Members based one vote per registered team and one vote for mini program (i.e. U6/U8).
The Board of Directors consists of member Club Representatives (i.e. Club Presidents), South Shore Referee Association Representative and Directors-at- Large. The powers of the Board of Directors are vested to direct the affairs of the South Shore District Soccer Association as outlined in the Bylaws. Between General Meetings of its members, the Board of Directors has the power to develop or update policies and procedures, or to strike committees or perform other tasks as so required to carry out the business of the SSDSA. Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors are not open to the membership unless a request is made two weeks in advance of the meeting or invited by the Executive and/or Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is supported by a number of Committees, and delegate’s authority to each committee by approving its objectives, membership, duties and responsibilities. Each SSDSA Committee consists of a Chair and Members. Each Chair is appointed by the Board of Directors based on the recommendation of the President or, in the case where the Chair is an Officer, is elected at an AGM. Other committee members are selected either by the Committee Chair in consultation with Board of Directors or as outlined under specific Committee policies. Staff members, as required, provide support for committees.
The role of each committee is to assist the Board of Directors in directing the affairs of SSDSA as defined in the “Committees” Policies and Procedures.
The Executive Committee consists of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. During the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee possesses and exercises the powers of the Board of Directors in management and direction of the affairs of the SSDSA.
As per Soccer Nova Scotia the South Shore District Soccer Association is part of the South Shore Region and its jurisdiction is Lunenburg and Queens County.
All Clubs under the jurisdiction of the South Shore District Soccer Association must register their players with Soccer Nova Scotia as per Soccer Nova Scotia’s Policies and procedures.
The South Shore District Soccer Association and its associated leagues shall be represented by an elected board of directors as per the Association’s Bylaws.
Forms, information and follow up can be obtained from the Soccer Nova Scotia Office Phone: (902) 445-0265 Fax: (902) 445-0258 E-Mail: soccerns@ns.sympatico.ca. Completed forms must be submitted to Soccer Nova Scotia.
5.1 All clubs and members of the District Association must register all their players with Soccer Nova Scotia.
5.2 A player must be registered by their team/club with Soccer Nova Scotia 24 hour before any competition before they are eligible to play. 5.3 A team playing an unregistered player shall forfeit three points to their opponent.
5.4 Clubs must assign their players to a team with the exceptions “minis”.
5.5 Mini soccer players (i.e. U4, U6, U8) must be registered with Soccer Nova Scotia by their clubs but do not have to be assigned to a team.
5.6 All players must be registered with Soccer Nova Scotia as per SNS stated deadlines:
5.7 A player must be registered seven days before taking part in any competition leading to a national championship.
5.8 No player can be registered after the deadlines noted in 5.6 and will not be permitted to play in any competition (league games, exhibition game, or tournament.)
6.1 All competitive teams playing in a District, Inter-District or Provincial League must be properly registered with the District Association by May 15th (Summer Season) of each year.
6.2 To be properly registered, a competitive team (excluding mini-sided teams) must have a minimum of fourteen (14) registered players by May 15th of each year. Additional players may be registered up to June 30th each year for the Summer Season.
6.3 For the winter season a competitive team must have a minimum of ten (10) players registered by November 1st of each year. Additional players may be registered up to December 31st of each year.
7.1 Clubs/Teams are responsible for all actions of their players, coaches, manager, and spectators in all game locations. This is prior, during, and after a game until the opposing team has departed.
7.2 Clubs/ Teams are responsible to ensure each player has a jersey, shorts and sock that match their team mates. Each player including the goalkeeper shall wear a jersey with a clearly observed number that shall distinguish him from him team mates.
7.3 Clubs/Teams and Coaches are responsible to ensure all players are wearing shin guards during practices and competitive games.
7.4 Clubs/Teams are responsible to ensure all coaches and managers have the appropriate certifications and criminal checks.
7.5 Clubs/Teams must ensure all team complete all scheduled league and playoff games. After two forfeits of league games a team will not be eligible to participate in play offs and represent the district at Provincials.
7.6 Captains must wear armbands.
7.7 In the summer season a team must field at least seven players for each scheduled game, within 15 minutes of the scheduled kickoff. Take advantage of Playing Up rule (Regulation 10) and Temporary Registration permit (Regulation 11). In the winter season a team must field 5 players within ten (10) minutes of game time. In the winter season time is deducted from regulation play.
7.8 Any team that does not meet the requirements of the section 7.7 shall be deemed to have lost the game 3:0.
7.9 Club responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
7.9.1 a) Supplying District Secretary with copies of the previous year’s annual financial statement and minutes of annual general meeting; current season’s list of elected officers. These documents must be in the possession of the Secretary prior to the Association’s Spring General Meeting each year. Clubs not fulfilling this requirement are not eligible to participate in provincial championships that year.
7.9.2 The behavior of their players, coaches, managers, parents and fans in all game locations, prior to a game, during a game, and after a game until the opposing team has left.
7.9.3 The coordination and supervision, through a designated register, the registration of all the club’s players and teams.
7.9.4 Request in writing, District Board permission for teams to play in out-of-District Leagues. This permission must be obtained before clubs apply to enter out-of-District Leagues. Clubs who do not request and receive such permission will have their out- of- District League teams declared ineligible to participate in provincials that year.
A performance bond of $300 shall be paid annually at the Spring General Meeting by each District Club on behalf of ALL of its teams. The performance bond must be received before any team participates in a league game, forfeits will be applied until the bond is received. The amount shall be paid to the District Association, which will reimburse clubs, after deducting $100 per game forfeited by each team within the club. If a club uses its complete $300 bond during the season it has five (5) business days to replenish that bond with the League Administrator, if the club fails to do so, all teams in the club will forfeit all scheduled game(s) until such time as the bond is in possession of the Administrator. $300 shall be forfeited by any club whose teams[s] do not participate in scheduled post- league season jamborees, play-offs, and provincial championships, when a team has qualified.
9.1 All Youth players must have a valid, laminated, ID card supplied by their Club Administrator.
9.2 All senior B players wishing to attend tournament and provincial championships must have valid government photo I.D. (i.e. driver’s license, passport)
9.3 Youth I.D. cards are good for three years, including the year they were first made.
9.4 During the regular league season a player’s I.D. card must be produced to a member of the district board within seven days of a request for identification and registration from an opposing coach or manager. The latter’s request must be made by in writing to the District president or Administrator.
9.5 For league playoffs and provincial championship qualifiers, all youth players must have an I.D. card at the game or games. If a player’s I.D. card is not available and the player is properly registered, the player may participate in the game. However, the player’s coach or club shall have 24 hours from the completion of the game to deliver the card, or materials to process the card to the Club Administrator. If these time requirements are not met the player’s team shall be deemed to have lost the game by a score of 3:0
9.6 All ID cards must be checked prior to all playoff and provincial games. Tournament organizer, SSDSA Board member or referee must check cards.
10.1 Within the same club a player may play up with an older age group team, an unlimited number of times. A registered senior team shall play up no more than four registered youth players in one District League game.
10.2 Within the district a player may play up from their club team to the regions Tier 1 team an unlimited number of times.
10.3 When a club has more than one team in a division, a player that is called up must be assigned to one team. A player being called up can’t play for more than one club team registered in a division.
10.4 Any player (youth or senior) can only play in District Playoffs or Provincial Championships with the team that the player is registered with.
11.1 A player may play for a team to which he/she is not registered only by using a Temporary Registration Permit which must be approved by the District President for league play
11.2 The player plays as a guest player in an exhibition or league game or a sanctioned tournament for a club team other than the team and club the player is registered with.
11.3 The Temporary Registration Permit is available from the Soccer Nova Scotia website www.soccerns.ns.ca and shall be signed off before the player plays for another team. Otherwise, the player is ineligible.
11.4 A player shall be entitled to a maximum of three Temporary Registration Permits per season.
A win shall count as three points; a tie shall count a one point. A forfeit is a 3 point loss to the forfeiting team
13.1 January 1st is the qualifying date for youth age groups. (i.e. under 14 player must not have reached the age of fourteen (14) before January 1st of the season of play. 13.2 Over age players are not permitted. 1
For out of District Transfers the form must be completed by the player and faxed to the Soccer Nova Scotia office (902) 445-0258 prior to the transfer deadline.
A team may only have players who:
Refer to the Soccer Nova Scotia rule for the number of players permitted to be registered to a team.
17.1 There shall be unlimited substitutions for summer and winter (indoor) games under the jurisdiction of this Association play
17.2 No more than three players at any one time can substitute with the exception of 7 aside, 8 side, U10 and U12 outdoor play where the number of substitutions are not limited.
17.3 Substitutions shall be at any stoppage in play, at the discretion of the referee.
17.4 Winter (Indoor) substitutions can be made without stoppage of play.
18.1 All officials will be paid before the kick off and are required to be at the field of play a minimum of ten minutes before scheduled kick off. If the referees arrive later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled kick off, they shall be paid at the discretion of the team paying fees, at half-time or immediately after the game. During winter play each team is responsible for 50% of the payment.
18.2 In District and Regional playoffs the designated home teams shall pay the referees, and upon submission of an invoice to the District Treasurer, shall be reimbursed by the District.
(As directed by SNS, section 14 from the Soccer Nova Scotia Polices and
The District supports the Soccer Nova Scotia ‘Zero Tolerance Policy on Disrespect for Officials. Game Officials are required to report disrespect on the game sheet of the game at which the disrespect took place and to file with the District Administrator a completed copy of the District’s Referee Report On Disrespect for Officials within 48 hours of the completion of the game.
Field Conditions
21.1 The referee can suspend or postpone a game because of field conditions or weather.
21.2 The referee may, at their discretion, start a game under the following conditions:
21.3 In consultation with the local field authorities and club representatives the District President and Administrator has the authority to cancel games due to field or weather conditions. The conditions in the area around the playing field will be taken into consideration as it pertains to the safety of the players and spectators.
21.4 The following conditions may result in the cancellation of games:
21.4.1 Sustained heavy rain persisting for four hours or more, which started within six hours prior to the scheduled kickoff, shall be considered sufficient reason to cancel a scheduled game.
21.4.2 In May, heavy rain on a game day on a field not yet dry from a wet Spring shall be considered sufficient reason to cancel a scheduled game.
21.5 As a guide line notification of a game cancellation will be given to the team reps at least two (four hours in the case of a team from outside of the District) prior to the scheduled kickoff.
22.1 When a game is suspended or postponed by the referee, it shall be rescheduled by the District Administrator. The Administrator, after consultation with the Referee Assignor, shall have the final decision. 22.2 Re-scheduling is expected to take place only in an emergency. In the month of June rescheduling will be given consideration due to school events.
22.3 When a coach or team manager wishes to re-schedule a game because of an emergency, he or she must email the District Administrator, explaining the emergency in writing to the District President.
22.4 If the President accepts the emergency, he or she will direct the administrator to re-schedule the game. An emergency does not include players at work, on vacation, at camp, injured etc. Examples of emergency are: accident on the way to the game; death or tragedy in player’s family; vandalism at home field.
22.5 Applications to re-schedule because of emergency must be made in writing to the administrator 24 hours before the scheduled game, exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis based on the fore mentioned examples.
22.6 When a coach or other team or club representative cancels a game, scheduled by the Association, without following the emergency re- scheduling procedures above, the game will not be rescheduled, and the team canceling the game shall be deemed to have lost that game by a score of 3:0.
The winning team phones results to CKBW 543-2401. Phone long distance to 1-800-563-2401. In the case of a tied game, the home team phones CKBW. Phone on day of game. The District Administrator shall regularly submit league standings for publication in District newspapers.
Teams are required to fill out a game sheet in IN FULL and LEGIBLY IN INK and give them to the referee before kick -off. Game sheets must be submitted to the district administrator within 24 hours of the end of the game. Game sheets must be faxed (902) 543-4859 or emailed admin@sssoccer.ca accordingly or it will result in a forfeit or disciplinary action. The winning team must then submit the game sheet and the home team in the case of a tie. Either team may submit game sheets in the event there are comments.
25.1 A team that forfeits two (2) league or more games shall be ineligible for playoffs and provincial championships.
25.2 A forfeit shall have occurred when a team fails to complete a league or play-off game scheduled by this District Association.
25.3 When a team forfeits a game, it shall be a 3:0 loss.
25.4 When a team forfeits a game they shall pay the cost of the referees; if the District rules that the forfeit did not allow sufficient time to inform game officials.
26.1 In all league competitions, tournaments, jamborees and play- offs, all participating teams must provide their players with a team uniform shirt, shorts and socks of the same colour, and each shirt must have a number that distinguishes players from their team-mates. Referees shall report on the Game Sheet non- compliance with this regulation. If there is non-compliance at a subsequent game of the same team, the referee may remove the offending player[s] from the field of play [allowing substitutes to take their place], and allow them to rejoin the game when properly uniformed.
26.2 When a clash of team colors occurs, the Visiting Team Changes unless they have the District approved designated colors.
26.3 If the team’s colors are not those approved by the South Shore District Board and the colors conflict with opponents, they must change. If a Club wants to change colors they must have the District Board’s approval before the beginning of the soccer season.
26.4 18.1. Approved colors for each club are as follows:
New Germany: Gold/Blue
West Nova Fuels: Red/White
Queens: Gold/Black
Chester: Green
Mahone Bay: Lime Green
HB Studios: Black
South Shore United: Sky Blue/White
26.5 All teams must have alternative color pinnies/jerseys for all games.
Senior B
The following principle will apply: if the LEAGUE is eligible for one participating team, then that team will be the winner of regular season league standings versus the winner of the playoff tournament in a special playoff game to be hosted by the league winner at their home field. If it turns out the same team has won both titles then there is no need for a special playoff game and that team will represent the LEAGUE at the provincial Championships. If two participating teams, the first standing team from the regular season shall qualify, and so shall the highest placed team in league play-offs other than the first place team in the standings. If additional representation is requested, it shall go to the next highest placed team(s) in the regular league standings.
Tier I Youth…is decided according to standings in the N.S.S.L.
Tier II Youth Representation will be decided by playoffs following regular season play.
Game 1: 1st vs 4th winner proceeds to finals
Game 2: 2nd vs 3rd winner proceeds semi final
A District team wishing to qualify to participate in Provincials must compete as a regular member of the District league, if there is one, in the appropriate age/gender group. When the District hosts a provincial championship the club of the number one ranked team after provincial qualifiers shall be the host. When hosting Provincials the District will have two representing teams. These will normally be the first and second standing teams after completion of playoffs. Exceptions shall be at the discretion of the District Board.
When more teams finish their games with the same number of points as per the league standings, the following formula (as detailed in the Soccer Nova Scotia Championship Regulations) will prevail. No standings are officially recorded or published for U10 leagues as per SNS rule.
Teams representing the South Shore District or League at provincial championships must:
31.1 New clubs or new teams (not members of existing clubs) must apply to the District Board or a General Meeting of the Association for club/team status (the right to register players and/or participate in playing soccer under the jurisdiction of the District and Soccer Nova Scotia).
31.2 Club/team status is granted by majority vote of Board or General Meeting members. A club given status by the Board may register and play, but club status must be confirmed at the next General Meeting following Board approval.
31.3 A club is required to have teams registered to be considered for Board approval. Team cannot consist of a majority of players from an existing District Club.
32.1 The South Shore District Soccer Association sanctions the South Shore United Football Club (SSUFC) to be the designated Tier 1 representative for the South Shore.
32.3 SSUFC is sanctioned for Tier 1 only and is not permitted to have or register Tier 2A, Tier 2B, Tier 3, Senior B, or Senior C teams.
32.3 SSUFC can only have 1 team in each division in any season - 1 team per age group, as identified by SNS, and per gender.
32.4 SSUFC must have SSDSA Board approval to have more than one team in each/any division in the summer and/or winter.
32.5 The South Shore District Soccer Association must have at least one Board appointed representative on the SSUFC Board.
32.6 The sanctioning of SSUFC as the South Shore Tier 1 representative will be reviewed on a yearly basis following the Summer Season and prior to the Winter Season.
32.7 As per Soccer Nova rules 8.4.2- In all cases where a region fields regional teams, no club teams may register with the Nova Scotia Soccer League.
33.1 The District Administrator shall act as staff administrator/coordinator for the preparations leading up to the provincial tournaments
33.2 Provincial Championships are administered the District and shall be hosted by the first place club. The administrator shall be the contact person with Soccer Nova Scotia and shall be responsible for:
33.3 The hosting club’s team playing in a provincial championship hosted within the District, is required to provide on-site administration of the championship (for example: clean-up, supply field marshals, game balls, corner flags, etc…) as requested by the league administrator.
The South Shore District Soccer Association Board of Directors on a “case by case by case by case” basis will hand out all grants. Requests for fund must be made in writing with description of what the fund are being used for and the amount request.
Summer:
| Age Group | Regulation | Overtime | Ball Size |
| Under 10 | 2 x 30 mins | 2 x 5 mins | 4 |
| Under 12 | 2 x 35 mins | 2 x 10 mins | 4 |
| Under 14 | 2 x 40 mins | 2 x 10 mins | 5 |
| Under 16 | 2 x 45 mins | 2 x 15 mins | 5 |
| Under 18 | 2 x 45 mins | 2 x 15 mins | 5 |
| Senior A | 2 x 45 mins | 2 x 15 mins | 5 |
| Senior B | 2 x 45 mins | 2 x 15 mins | 5 |
Winter (Indoor): All Divisions
| Age Group | Regulation | Overtime | Ball Size |
| Under 10 | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 4 |
| Under 12 | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 4 |
| Under 14 | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 5 |
| Under 16 | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 5 |
| Under 18 | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 5 |
| Senior A | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 5 |
| Senior B | 2 x 25 mins | N/A | 5 |
Masters & Ladies 7 aside as directed by Soccer Nova Scotia
The District shall allow players to wear prosthetics. Dangerous use of a prosthetic shall be dealt with under Law 12, a caution and/or ejection. A game official with concerns, particularly under Law 4, about the safety of a prosthetic shall report the matter in writing [email], with a detailed explanation, to the District Administrator and copy the President of the District Referees Association. The District shall then consult with the player or player’s family, the District Referees Association, and Soccer Nova Scotia, and then make a written ruling on the issue.
38.1 The District will only accept formal written [letter or email] complaints, appeals and protests that are dated, addressed and signed by the complainant or appellant.
38.2 The complaint, appeal or protest shall be accompanied by a fee of $200 to the South Shore District Soccer Association. The fee will be returned only if the decision is the complainant’s favor.
38.3 Complainants, appeals and protests must clearly explain what rules and regulations or approved procedures or bylaws of a member club, or of the District, or of Soccer Nova Scotia or the Canadian Soccer Association are the grounds for their case.
38.4 The District Administrator and chair of the Discipline Committee shall review the complaint, appeal or protest, and the chair of the Committee, after making brief preliminary inquiries or having them made on his/her behalf, shall rule on whether or not a hearing will take place.
39.1 The District may receive appeals arising from complaints about decisions and procedures made by a member club only after the member club itself has ruled on the complaint.
39.2 The complaint must be related to the member club’s bylaws and rules and regulations or those of the District or Soccer Nova Scotia that apply.
39.3 They must submit their case in writing [email] to the District Administrator and cite the bylaws and/or rules and regulations that the complaint is based on.
39.4 The complaint/appeal must be accompanied by a fee of $200 in cash, cheque or money order, before it can be processed. The fee will be banked by the District and is returnable only if the District Committee adjudicating the case rules that the fee be returned or, if the chair of the
Discipline Committee rules there are no regulatory grounds for a hearing but that the complaint was neither frivolous nor malicious.
39.5 The appeal may also be made to the District if the appellant can demonstrate that the club has not been reasonably prompt in following due process in dealing with the complaint.
40.1 Teams/Clubs requesting game officials for an exhibition game must submit their request in writing [email] to the District Administrator at least 24 hours before the kick-off of that exhibition game.
40.2 The request shall be accompanied by a $200 fee held by the district and shall be returned club/team after the game has taken place. Otherwise, the fee shall be forfeited to the District.
40.3 The Referee Assignor shall not assign officials to an exhibition game until the game has been sanctioned by the District President.
41.1 District game sheets are required for all games played under District jurisdiction to which referee[s] s have been appointed on behalf of the District.
41.2 It will be a three-page game sheet with each team and the referee retaining a completed copy.
41.3 The winning team [designated home team in case of a tie] shall fax a copy to the District Administrator within 24 hours of the completion of the game.
41.4 The game referee is required to complete the game sheet with regard to game score, goal scorers, cautions and ejections, misconduct with disrespect for game officials, field markings, corner posts and any other items required by the District.
41.5 Team coaches may also make comments/observations that they may wish to make the District Administrator aware of. These comments/observations will not constitute a formal written complaint and will not be officially responded to or acted on although they will be kept on record.
Members of the District’s soccer community that wish to address a General or Board Meeting may do so by submitting a written [email or letter] request for permission to do so. The request must be submitted to the District President or Secretary at least two weeks before the relevant General or Board meeting. The request must include the specifics of the matter that is to be addressed.
A completed RFD form is required to be submitted by any board member wanting to receive as decision on a new or pertinent issue that impacts the structure, finances, and/or operation of the organization. Once completed, this form is to be submitted to the secretary 30 days prior to the relevant board meeting. Submission after the deadline will be at the discretion of executive.