Sparta Soccer Club Travel Program Out-of-Town Player Policy

Background

It is the expressed intent of the Sparta Soccer Club (“The Club”) to promote the game of soccer for residents of Sparta. However, currently, and possibly in the future, there will be the need to include players who are not residents of the township in order to form a team comprised mostly (see specific policies below) of Sparta residents. The Club also recognizes that needs vary based upon age divisions that exist in the way the sport is organized.

“Grandfather Rule”

All registered out-of-town team members that were included in team rosters in the Fall 1994 will be “grandfathered” and will continue to be able to participate in the program sponsored by the Sparta Soccer Club, providing that there is no gap in their participation status. If, for any reason, their participation is interrupted they will lose their “grandfather” status. All players covered by this rule will be considered an out-of-town player in the policies set forth below.

On a go-forward basis, if an out-of-town player is accepted on a Club sponsored team pursuant to the policies below, they will be covered by this “grandfather” rule.

Policy for Division I and II:

These divisions experience the highest degree of turnover as it is mostly comprised of high school aged children that experiment with various activities throughout their eligibility period. Therefore, it has proven difficult to consistently form a team comprised solely of Sparta residents. Although that would be the goal of the Club, the coach can, without the consent of the board, form a team that includes out-of-town players. However, a majority of the players must be residents of Sparta. At the first scheduled Club board meeting following tryouts, rosters must be presented to the board indicating all players that tried out, their residency, and for all out-of-town players an indication whether and when they have previously participated in the Sparta soccer program. As long as the composition of the proposed team meets the numerical requirements established, the team will be allowed to participate in the Sparta Soccer Club’s program without formal board approval.

Note: if more than a simple majority of out-of-town players is required to form a team, the board may waive this guideline.

Policy for Division III and IV:

For any Division III or IV team that is considering out-of-town players for their roster, with the exception of “grandfathered” players, the coach must appear at the first scheduled Club board meeting after the tryout with a complete roster of all children that participated. He / She must present to the Club Board the following:

1) Name and birth date of all participants;

2) town of residence;

3) history of Sparta Soccer Club participation;

4) the coaches rating and ranking of all the players who tried out.

The Club will review the facts and circumstances presented by the coach and a majority vote of the Club’s board will be required to sanction a team with out-of-town players. Any “grandfathered” players will be considered as an out-of-town player for the purposes of implementing this policy.

A maximum of three (3) out-of-town players can be proposed by a coach to the Sparta Soccer Club for inclusion on a team’s roster. The maximum of three (3) will be reduced one-for-one for each player in excess of 14. For example, if a coach proposes a roster of 16 players, only 1 can be a non-Sparta resident (16 minus 14 = 2; 3 minus that 2 = 1). This is to prevent coaches from raising the numbers beyond that which the Club considers necessary to be able to compete, just to acquire out-of-town players on their team.

Division V and VI:

These divisions are considered reasonably non-competitive and are to be used for player development over the long term. Additionally, history has shown that there are more than enough children who are Sparta residents, to adequately form teams. Therefore, other than a player that is considered “grandfathered” under this policy, there will be no out-of town players permitted for these Divisions on a go forward basis.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the Director of Coaches to make each coach aware of this policy. The Sparta Soccer Club reserves the right to revoke anyone’s coaching duties if they are found to be in violation of this policy.

Recruiting

Under no circumstances shall a coach or anyone associate with the Sparta Soccer Club recruit players from other towns or other teams.

The policy is in effect for all regularly scheduled season games as well as all tournaments, including State Cup, where the team purports itself as participating under the auspices of the Sparta Soccer Club.

This policy supercedes all former policies in their entirety and takes effect immediately.

Policy Approved by vote of the Board of Directors March 1995 Revised November 2007