1.         The name of the Group (hereinafter called the "League") is the

RICHMOND SENIOR SOCCER LEAGUE

2.       The purpose of the League is to develop, promote, extend and foster the game of soccer in the Province of British Columbia and to safeguard the interest of clubs comprising the League.

By-Laws

ARTICLE ONE - AFFILIATION AND MEMBERSHIP

1. The League shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Canadian Soccer Association and the British Columbia Soccer Association.
   
   2. Membership in the League shall be open to all clubs playing the game of soccer, according to the laws of the game, and having a sound organization to ensure the fulfillment of commitments demanded by membership of the League. Any club can make an application to become a member of the League by filing a declaration to respect the conditions of admission, which may be enacted by the resolution of the board of directors (the whole, subject to the conditions of the by-laws relating to expulsion or suspension of members).
   
   3. The League may accept entries up to the closing date set by the Executive following which the clubs will be divided into Divisions as per Article 5.2 or at the discretion of the League Executive.
   
   4. Upon a team ceasing to function, the franchise may not be bought, sold or traded for cash or kind by any person, team, club, or League.

Article TWO-Meetings

1.(a) The Annual General Meeting of the League shall be held at the termination of the League Schedule each year but not later than August 10th, (if possible) at a time and place within the Richmond area to be determined by the executive.

(b) Twenty-eight (28) days notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given each club in membership. Notice shall be given by sending it through ordinary mail to the Secretary of each club at his last known address.

(c) The Treasurer shall forward to each club in membership a copy of an interim financial report at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.

2. Additional or extraordinary general meetings may be held at the discretion of the President, all clubs having been duly notified at least seven (7) days in advance.

3. A quorum shall be a simple majority of the League membership.

4. Roberts' Rules of Order shall be used as the standard reference for all procedural purposes by this League.

5. Voting:
(a)-Each club in good standing shall be entitled to two (2) accredited delegates but only one (1) vote. Teams who have obtained 30 or more penalty points or have not paid all funds and fines levied from the past playing season, are not to be considered in good standing.

(b) 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. Voting by proxy is not permitted.

(c) In case of a tie vote, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

(d) On a matter concerning only one division and where no other division is affected, only the members of that division may vote.

6. The League Executive shall have a voice but not vote at all meetings.

7. The order of business at all League Meetings shall be:
(a) Roll Call
(b) Minutes
(c) Executive Report
(d) Reports
(e) Correspondence
(f) Unfinished Business
(g) Considerations of Amendments to the Constitution
(h) Elections
(i) New Business
(j) Adjournment

8. Clubs must attend all League meetings. Failure to attend will result in a fifty ($50.00) dollar fine against the offending club.

9. Persons nominated for election to the Board of Directors, if not present at the meeting, must signify in writing prior to their nomination, their willingness to stand for election if nominated.

ARTICLE THREE-EXECUTIVE

1. The affairs of the League shall be managed by a board consisting of no fewer then four (4) directors. The Executive of the League shall consist of the following officers: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Referee-in-Chief, League Discipline Chair and Registrar.

2. Each year all Executive officers will be elected for a one year term. Balance of the term of vacancies will be voted in for the time expiring.

3. The Executive shall be elected by majority vote at the Annual General Meeting.

4. A club executive may be eligible to hold office, as a member of the League Executive.
5. A member of the Executive may be removed from office on a motion supported by two-thirds of the League membership in good standing.

6. Any member of the Executive absenting himself without cause from three consecutive meetings or willfully neglecting his duties on the board shall be deemed to have forfeited his office as a director of the League.

7. Any elected vacancies which may occur on the League Executive by reason of resignation or other, shall remain vacant until the next additional or extraordinary meeting.

ARTICLE FOUR-DUTIES OF LEAGUE EXECUTIVE

1. The President shall preside at all League meetings and Executive meetings, see that the provisions of the Constitution are upheld, instruct the Secretary to summon such meetings as may be necessary and shall be a member ex-officio of all committees.
   
   2. The Secretary shall exercise all the duties and powers of the President in the event of his absence.
   
   3. The Executive shall assist the President in the general operation of the League.
   
   4. Duties of Appointed Officers
   (a) The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of the League to persons entitled thereto. He shall attend all League meetings and shall keep minutes of all such meetings. He shall be the custodian of all League Minute Books and correspondence files.
   
   (b) The Treasurer shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the League and shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the League in such chartered Bank as may be designated by the League Executive. No money shall be withdrawn from the bank without the signature of any two of the following - the President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial statement which shall be submitted at the Annual General Meeting.
   
   (c) The Secretary shall be responsible for media releases and the general publicity of the League or as directed by the President
   
   (d) The Secretary shall arrange for and generally supervise the playing of all League matches and shall keep an accurate record of the team standings.
   
   5. If it is considered desirable; any two positions on the Executive may be held by the same person, so long as additional Directors are elected to ensure Executive complement is maintained at a minimum of six (6) directors but not exceeding nine (9).
   
   6. The Executive shall meet at the call of the President, all members having been duly notified. At Executive meetings a majority shall constitute a quorum.
   
   
   

       7. Any officer in an appointed position may attend League meetings and Executive        meetings, but shall not have a vote.

ARTICLE FIVE-POWERS OF LEAGUE EXECUTIVE

1. The executive must consist of up to six members.
   
   2. The Executive shall decide the size and membership of each division in accordance with Article 9 or as they see fit.
   
   3. By resolution, the executive board, shall have the power to suspend or expel any active member of club who will neglect to pay their fees at due date, or will not respect the by-laws and general rules of the League. The decision of the board of directors shall be final, subject to the rights of appeal, and the executive board are authorized to adopt and follow in that matter, the procedure that it will from time to time determine.
   
   4. 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.
   
   5. Approved traveling expenses incurred by the Executive or League delegates shall be paid by the League.
   
   6. The Executive may, from time to time, institute temporary rules and regulations covering specific cases not covered in this 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-LEAGUE FEES

1. The annual membership fee shall be established by resolution of the board of directors, subject to approval of the Membership at the Annual General Meeting in the present year, and shall be payable at a date fixed by the board of directors.

2. All affiliated League clubs shall post minimum of a Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollar Performance and Behavior Bond. Teams will receive 100.00 back after the completion of the first season, provided that it was completed without incident.

ARTICLE SEVEN-SCHEDULE

1.       The League Executive shall be the Scheduling Committee.

2. The League Executive shall appoint all game officials whose decision(s) shall be final.

3. If a match is called off or abandoned prior to the 75^th minute, the game will be replayed at a later date. If the match has reached the 75^th minute and has been called off or abandoned, the result will stand. The League Executive shall retain the discretionary powers to decide whether unfinished games are to be replayed, the result declared official or the game forfeited by one of the teams.

4. In accordance with Article Five, Subsection 6, the League Executive may institute temporary rules to deal with interrupted schedules, determining which games must be played, (if any), where, under what conditions and how points are to be awarded.

5. Any club responsible for defaulting a game shall be charged with all expenses incurred in preparation for such game and may be fined the additional amount of fifty ($50.00) dollars. The team defaulting the game shall forfeit three points, the opposing team shall be awarded three points and a 1-0 win.

6. Teams having defaulted two (2) games in a season without legitimate reason may be expelled from the League immediately.

7. Any club wishing a postponement of a League game must apply to the League Executive not less than ten (10) days before the scheduled date of said game.

8. The standings of clubs resigning or removed from the League before completion of the schedule may be expunged from the records. The executive to make the final decision.

9. Points shall be awarded on the basis of three points for a win and one point for a draw.

10. In the event of inclement weather, clubs must attend the grounds and await the decision of the referee as to the condition of the playing pitch, unless they have been advised previously by the Scheduling Secretary to the contrary.

11. In the event of two (2) or more teams being tied in points at the completion of the regular season and promotion and relegation are not of concern, ties will be broken in the following manner:

a. most wins over all in league play

b. head-to-head series winner

       c. goal differential in games between tied teams

ARTICLE EIGHT-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

1. At the completion of the schedule, the club with the most points in each division; arrived at on the basis of three points for a win and one point for a draw, shall be declared the Division Champion.

2. In the event of two or more clubs having the same number of points, arrived at as in   subsection 1, the Division Championship shall be awarded as the result of a sudden death playoff on neutral grounds with overtime periods and if the teams are still tied a penalty kick series will be used to decide the winner.

ARTICLE NINE-PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

1.       Each year the League shall promote the top two teams in each Division.

2. Each year the League shall relegate the teams finishing in the last 2 places in each division.

3. Teams finishing last and second from last in the lowest Division may be suspended with the option of reapplying for admittance the next season, along with any new clubs.

4. In the event of two or more clubs having the same number of points at the end of the schedule and if it affects the promotion or relegation of clubs, a sudden death playoff on neutral ground shall take place with overtime periods and if the teams are still tied a penalty kick series will be used to decide a winner.

5. Vacancies in any Division are to be filled as follows:
(a) Preference will be given to the club in the next lower division that finished on the basis of their previous year's standing in third place.
2nd choice to teams finishing 4th
3rd choice to team finishing 5th
4th choice to team finishing 6th
5th choice to team finishing 7th
6th choice to team finishing 8th
7th choice to team slated for relegation

(b) New clubs must start in the lowest division.

6. In all Divisions (Premier excepted) it is mandatory for clubs slated for promotion to the next higher Division to comply with this. Failure to comply may result in the removal of the offending club from the league.

ARTICLE TEN-PROTESTS

1. All protests must be in writing and must contain the particulars of the grounds on which they are founded.
   
   2.(a) All protests excepting those involving player eligibility must be filed with the League President within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the game, proof of mailing to count. Submissions via email will also be accepted but a cheque covering the amount of the protest fee must still be mailed to the League President. It would be acceptable for the protesting team to deliver the monies owed to the residence of the Treasurer within the above stated time frame.  Protests involving the eligibility of players may be submitted at any time during the playing season.
   
   

(b) All protests of the Discipline Chair's decisions must be filed with the league President, within 48 hours of being informed of action(s)

3. The sum of twenty ($20.00) dollars must accompany the protest and if the protest is not sustained, this amount will be forfeited.

4. One copy of the protest shall be sent by the League Secretary to the club against who the protest was lodged.

5.(a) Any club found guilty of playing an ineligible player in a game shall forfeit the game point or points to the opposing club.

(b) In the event a losing club is proven to have played an ineligible player the League Executive shall determine the penalty for such infringement.

(c) In the event a club is found guilty of having played an ineligible player, the League Executive will review all information at its disposal including team lists, disciplinary records, scoring summaries, press clippings and the like to establish if the offending team has in fact committed similar offences throughout the season in order to readjust the team standings as provided under Article 10 (5) A.

6. In dealing with a protest, the League Executive may take into consideration the possession by the protesting club of prior knowledge which, if properly used, might have obviated the protest.

Article ELEVEN-TEAM 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.

1. Every club is responsible to the League for the action of its players, officials and fans and is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent any from assaulting or threatening other players or officials before, during, and after games.

2. No club may permit any player from another team to play in any exhibition or benefit game during the regular playing season without first obtaining in writing the permission of the League and the club the player is currently registered with.

3.(a) Any club wishing to stage a benefit, charity, exhibition game or tournament must first obtain permission from the League Executive.

(b) Any club 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 club.

4.(a) Any club or member thereof guilty of inducing or attempting to induce a registered player of another club in this League to leave his club without first giving seven (7) days notice in writing to the club for which the player is registered, shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and dealt with as provided for in Article Five, subsection 3.

(b) At the conclusion of all league and cup play, all players are considered to be released.

5. 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 club, player or spectator, and, and in the event of such publications, every club, player, or spectator concerned or referred to therein shall be deemed to have assented to such publication.

6. Each club must, at least two weeks before the commencement of the season and on a form provided by the League, submit a complete list of its officers together with their addresses and phone numbers to the League Executive.
7. Any club wishing to change its name must apply to the League for permission to do so.

8.(a) Member clubs must register their club colours two weeks prior to the opening of the season.

(b) Permission must be obtained from the League to change club colours at any time during the playing season.

9. When club colours conflict, the home club must change.

10. Each club is responsible for seeing that the players are properly dressed and equipped as per FIFA’s Laws of the Game, and is expected to do everything possible to make the game as attractive as possible for the spectators. Each club is required to be dressed in matching shirts or jerseys, all individually numbered. This is a mandatory requirement for both the primary an alternate tops. Existing teams will have until the commencement of the 2005-2006 season to arrange for a complete matching set of alternate tops. All new teams entering the league will be required to have a complete set of both tops effective the 2005-2006 season .

11.(a) Team lists as provided by the League shall be properly filled out in duplicate, the names and numbers being printed, and state the full name of all players including substitutes that the club intends to use in the games. The team lists must be signed by a club official. Before each game the team list is to be given to the referee with proper numbers to match the player's jerseys or shorts. Players not on the list are ineligible to play in the game.

(b) The original copy of the team list shall be handed to the referee 10 minutes prior to commencement of the game.

(c) A copy to be exchanged by competing clubs 10 minutes prior to commencement of the game.

12. Referees and Linesmen are to be paid before the commencement of the game and it is the responsibility of both teams to pay equal shares of the fees.

13. For games the home club must make available a first-class soccer ball and a spare soccer ball for each and every home game.

14. Each club must provide the following: (a) Two regulation size comer flags properly and securely placed. (b) One goal net in satisfactory condition and properly hung.

15. Each club shall be responsible for its own traveling arrangements. This includes fares, berths, hotel accommodation, buses and meals.

16. The Club Manager will instruct his players on matters of eligibility and will signify upon registration that the player is not registered in two leagues, high school and university excepted, whose playing seasons are similar to that of the Richmond Senior Soccer League.

Article TWELVE-PLAYERS

1. All players to be eligible to take part in League games must be registered on a form provided by the League, with the League Registrar.
   
   

2.(a) Players shall be eligible to take part in any League game the day following the date of registration with the League.

(b) Players shall be eligible for cup play if registered a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to cup match.

3. Any player selected to play in a representative game or match arranged by the League, and without good and sufficient cause refusing to comply with the arrangements of this League for playing such a game, or failing to play in such a match, may be adjudged by the League to have been guilty of misconduct. Any club official found to have encouraged or instructed a player to commit a breach of instruction or rule shall be deemed guilty of committing a similar offence.

4. No lump sum, bonus or inducement to transfer shall be offered to any player with the exception of it being a bona fide job.

5. Players, upon registration, will signify that they are not playing in any other BCSA-affiliated league whose registered season is the same as that of the Richmond Senior Soccer League; otherwise known as the Costal Winter Season.

6.a) All players are required to produce a valid RSSL Player ID card prior to participating in any game. Players who fail to produce such identification will be deemed an ineligible player.

b) Teams found guilty of playing an ineligible player will be subject to the following:

First offence: Responsible for all match fees, fifty dollar (50.00) fine and a one-hundred dollar (100.00) increase to their performance bond.

Second offence:  Responsible for all match fees, one-hundred (100.00) dollar fine, two-hundred dollar (200.00) increase to performance bond.

Third offence: Expulsion from the League and performance bond forfeited.

c) The non offending team will be awarded a 1-0 win in the event that the game was played with and ineligible player and that the non offending team lost. If the non offending team won, the final score will stand but all statistical info for the offending team will not be recognized.

d) Should the manager or coach insist on fielding a player without a valid identification card, the referee must inform the opposing manager or coach and report the infraction to the RSSL within 24 hours.

7. When transferring to another team, a player’s identification card must be submitted with the transfer form and fees.

8. The cost of replacement identification cards shall be $10.00 per card.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN-SUBSTITUTIONS

1. Unlimited subs but with a maximum of 20 players on the pre-game list, although more than 20 players can be registered on one team.
   2. A reserve or substitute player can only go on the field of play when the ball is out of play, and must first report to the referee.
   
   3. A player cannot be substituted for a player sent off the field by the referee.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN-TRANSFER OF PLAYERS

1. (a) A player is entitled to his transfer as hereinafter provided, between the dates set by the League but a player registered on the official registration form shall not be allowed to transfer his services during the current season of such registration without the consent of the club with which he is registered. A player being refused his transfer by his club shall be allowed to appeal in writing without fee to the League, with a copy of such appeal being sent to the League Secretary.
   
   

2. (b) The last day of transfer shall be January 31.
   
   2. A player, who has signed the official registration form and has been registered with the League by the club desiring his services for the current season, shall not be allowed to transfer his services to any other club unless he shall first have given his club seven (7) days notice in writing of his intention to transfer and then only on being granted permission to transfer by any two of the responsible officials of the club for which he is already registered. Such permission shall be in writing and when placed on the hands of the League Secretary shall entitle the player to be transferred to any affiliated club as hereby provided.
   
   3. A player shall be entitled to two (2) transfers before the deadline established by the League.
   
   4. A player must be transferred fourteen (14) days before being eligible to play in any cup competition.
   
   5. A transferred player shall be eligible the day following the registration of such transfer to play in all League games for the club to which the transfer has been granted.
   
   6. All transfers shall be subject to the charge of ten ($15.00) dollars, due and payable to the League before the transfer can be completed.
   
   7. The maximum number of players transferred from one specified team to a second specified team shall be limited to five players in any one year.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN-AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

1. 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 providing a two-thirds majority of the total League Membership is in attendance. Passage of said amendments would then require 75% majority of the votes cast.
   
   2. 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 clubs fourteen (14) days before such a meeting.
   3. Only club members of the Board of Directors of the League shall be permitted to propose amendments to the constitution.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN-SUSPENSIONS

1.       Yellow Cards
(a) 3 yellow cards - minimum one game suspension and $15 fine
(b) 5 yellow cards - minimum two game suspension and $30 fine
(c) 6 yellow cards - minimum three game suspension and $45 fine
(d) 7 yellow cards - minimum four game suspension and $60 fine

Red Cards

2.       (a) 1 red card - minimum one game suspension and $15 fine
(b) 2 red cards - minimum four game suspension and $60 fine
(c) 3 red cards - minimum eight game suspension and $150 fine

2.1(a)-Players with less than 3 points, during end of season cup play will be allowed to accrue up to 4 yellow cards before a 1 game suspension.

(b)-Players who received over 8 points during the season will be suspended for the remainder of the season and playoffs.

3. Suspensions not completely served in one season automatically carry over to the following season.

4. The League's Disciplinary Committee Chairman may add any number of games to a suspension that is deemed appropriate when:
(a) the severity of the incident(s) warrants further suspension
(b) the past history of suspensions to a player warrants further suspension
 
5. The unanimous decision of the League Executive may suspend a player for any length of time.

6.(a) Any team that receives over 30 penalty points during a season will pay an automatic fine of $50.00 and must re-apply for admission to the League for the next season at the Annual General Meeting. Points shall be accumulated at the rate of 1 point for each yellow card and 3 points for each red card received during the course of League, Challenge Cup and League Cup Games.
(b) Over 35 penalty points, an additional $25.00.
(c) Over 40 penalty points, an additional $25.00.
(d) Any team who is fined for penalty points in a second consecutive year will have all fines assessed will be doubled the amounts mentioned in 6 a,b, and c.
(e) Any team who is fined for penalty points in a third consecutive year will have all fines tripled.

7. Any team that is fined must pay the fine within 72 hours of notification or games will be forfeited until such time as fine(s) is paid.

Article seventeen-Provincial Cup birth allocations

1. Births to the BCSA Provincial “B” Cup tournament are awarded to League Cup winner, Premier division champion (Alan Gaster Cup) and the Premier division champion runners-up in the competition year.

      2. In the event of a conflict whereas one team has won 2 births or is unable to attend                                          the competition, the League Executive retains the power to allocate the birth to another    team at their discretion.

**Amended on