OPERATING POLICY

1.0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1.1 Board Positions

In addition to the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, the current makeup of the board is as follows:

Registrar – responsible for registrations and reporting to the state and county
Development Director – responsible for player and coach development
Referees Director – responsible for referee development and assignment
Equipment Director – responsible for equipment provisioning
Uniforms Director – responsible for travel uniforms
Communications Director – responsible for managing the social media platforms and messaging
Fields Director – responsible for field maintenance
In-Town Director – G4 and G2 – responsible for the G2 and G4 programs
In-Town Director – GK – responsible for the GK program
Boys Travel Director – responsible for the boys travel program
Girls Travel Director – responsible for the girls travel program
Events Director – responsible for Columbus Day Tournament and other events

1.2 Monthly Board Meetings

The Board of Directors meets monthly on the first Sunday of the month between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. If the date conflicts with a holiday, then another Sunday (before or after) is generally picked. Meetings are held via video conference or at the Andover YMCA.

2.0 PROGRAMS

2.1 Travel Program

The travel teams play in the Essex County Youth Soccer Association (ECYSA) league. Game rules and policies are based on the rules of the league. Teams are constructed based on evaluations to group players of similar ability. Teams play against other towns. Enough teams are created for all players who register during the proper period.

The details of the travel program are covered in the Travel Policy.

2.1.1 G6 Program

The G6 program is open to boys and girls in 5th or 6th grade. Teams play 9v9 on a field with dimensions that meet US Youth Soccer regulations. Players use a size 4 soccer ball.

2.1.2 G8 Program

The G8 program is open to boys and girls in 7th or 8th grade. Teams play 11v11 on a field with dimensions that meet US Youth Soccer regulations. Players use a size 5 soccer ball.

2.1.3 High School Program

The high school program only participates in the spring season. Teams are constructed based on interested players and available coaches.

2.2 In-Town Program

For the in-town program, the goal is to create balanced teams which provide challenges for players of all levels. Teams play against other in-town teams of the same age group.

2.2.1 GK Program

For our youngest players, the GK program is an introduction to soccer and an opportunity to build passion and skill. Players age 4 (as of the date of the first scheduled game) through kindergarten participate in this program. Teams consist of roughly 10 players coached by parent volunteers. Teams meet once a week on Saturday mornings for an hour of games and scrimmage. High school volunteers supplement the parent coaches and make the program fun for the kids. Emphasis is on players dribbling the ball, scoring goals, and having fun.

There are no uniforms needed for the GK program; however, players are provided with a tee shirt. Players must wear shin guards covered with socks. Players use a size 3 soccer ball.

2.2.2 G2 Program

Open to players in first and second grade, the G2 program begins to provide players with additional challenges to grow. Teams have two practices and a game each week. Practices are during the week based on coach availability and games are on Saturday. Team makeup is between 12 and 16 players.

For games, the teams play against another int-town team. Two games are played on side by side fields simultaneously. Each field is 4v4 with no goalies. Coaches are encouraged to seek balanced gameplay and help all children find and celebrate success. The fields are 20 yards by 30 yards and use 4’ x 6’ goals.

For the G2 program, players are required to purchase (or reuse) an in-town reversible uniform. They still must wear shin guards covered with socks. Players use a size 3 soccer ball.

Most soccer rules are followed, including kickoffs, throw-ins (sometimes kick-ins are used instead), goal kicks, and corner kicks. There is no heading or offsides at this age level.

2.2.3 G4 Program

For players in third or fourth grade, the G4 program begins to prepare players for the traditional game. Teams have two practices and a game each week. Practices are during the week based on coach availability and games are on Saturday. Team makeup is between 10 and 14 players.

For games, teams play against another in-town team. The teams play 7v7 (six field players and a goalie) on a 40 yard by 60 yard field with 6’ x 12’ goals. Coaches work with players to develop an understanding of the game and begin to think about working with teammates. The primary focus continues to be individual skill development. During games, coaches from both teams work together to manage unbalanced teams by adding or by swapping players so that the game remains fun and challenging for all players.

For the G4 program, players are required to purchase (or reuse) an in-town reversible uniform. They must wear shin guards covered with socks. Players use a size 4 soccer ball.

Most of the soccer rules are followed, including kickoffs, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks. There is no heading. Players may only be offside within the goal box, rather than within the half. On goal kicks, the opposing team players must remain in their half of the field until the second player touches the ball.

3.0 PLAYERS

3.1 Player Eligibility

Children of North Andover residents are eligible to play in the programs. In addition, the board also invites children who attend school in North Andover or children of teachers who teach in a North Andover school.

3.2 Player Registration

3.2.1 Registration Period

For each playing season, the Board of Directors shall establish a registration period during which players may register to play in that season. The registration period shall define the start and cut-off dates during which players may register. These dates shall be determined by the Board of Directors and published to the community in preparation for the playing season. The dates may change from season to season based on a variety of factors including ECYSA requirements and are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

3.2.2 Registration Process

A player is considered registered only once the online registration has been properly filled out and the full registration fee has been paid or waived.

3.2.3 Late Registration

The Board of Directors reserves the right to determine if registrations after the cut-off date can be accepted. Registrations after the cut-off date may have a late fee applied as determined and announced by the board of directors. Late registrations shall be reviewed and determined on a first come, first served basis until all rosters are full. There is no guarantee of placement on a team after the registration cut-off date. If a player cannot be placed on a team, the registration fees shall be refunded.

3.2.4 Family Discount

A family discount can be requested for families registering 3 or more players. A credit of $100 per player can be requested for the 3rd and subsequent players that are registered. The family discount does NOT apply to the first two players registered. To request the family discount, players should be registered via credit card and pay the listed individual amount at the registration site. Once registration is confirmed, send an email to registrar@nasoccer.com with the names of all family members that were registered for a prompt credit. Please note that travel team registration and in-town registration occur at two separate times. If you have children playing in both programs and you qualify for the “Family Discount,” please wait until all of your children are registered in the NASA program for that season to request your discount refund. Family discounts can only be requested for the current season of registration and must be requested prior to the second game of the season.

3.2.5 Refunds

For all programs (in-town and travel), players will be issued full refunds up to the end of the regular registration period.

For the travel program, players will be issued a full refund minus a $50 fee up to the date of the first scheduled game of the season. There are no refunds issued after the date of the first scheduled game; the only exception to this rule is if a player is injured before the date of the third scheduled game of the season, in which case the program will issue a full refund.

For the G2 and G4 programs, players will be issued a full refund minus a $25 fee up to the date of the first scheduled game of the season. There are no refunds issued after the date of the first scheduled game; the only exception to this rule is if a player is injured before the date of the third scheduled game of the season, in which case the program will issue a full refund.

For the GK program, players will be issued a full refund minus a $25 fee up to the date of the second scheduled game. There are no refunds issued after the date of the second scheduled game; the only exception to this rule is if a player is injured before the date of the third scheduled game of the season, in which case the program will issue a full refund.

3.2.6 Fee Assistance

If players are unable to pay the registration fees, then they may request a discount or fee waiver. Send a message to registrar@nasoccer.com to request assistance. Assistance shall be provided based on the need of the player and the capability of the organization.

4.0 COACHES

4.1 Coach Registration

Coaches shall register for each season and provide information about the programs for which they are interested in coaching.

4.2 Adult Registration

Coaches shall complete the requirements for adult registration through the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). This process is managed by the Vice President. The adult registration process includes the following:

A CORI verification check
Completion of the CDC Heads Up Concussion Certification course
Completion of the Safe Sport Abuse Prevention Certification course

4.3 Coach Lanyards

After coaches have completed their registration, they will receive a coaching lanyard. All coaches must bring their lanyard to practices and games and wear them as required. The lanyards are good for a full soccer year (generally between 1 July and 30 June of the following year).

NORTH ANDOVER SOCCER ASSOCIATION