Policies

Updated: April 27, 2011

• Mission
• Guiding Principles
• Procedures
  • Registration
  • Late Registration
  • Mid-season Entrants
  • Fees
  • Refunds
  • Playing In An Alternate Age Group or Division
  • Required Equipment
  • Fields
  • Player Placement on Teams
  • Game Officials
  • Supervision of Players
  • Privacy Release
  • Liability and Risk Release
  • Privacy Policy and On-Line Payment
• Code of Conduct
  • Coaches' Code
  • Players' Code
  • Parents' Code
• Code of Ethics
  • Players' Ethics
  • Spectators' Ethics
  • Coaches' Ethics
  • CMSA Value and Belief Statement
  • CMSA Abusive and Threatening Behaviour Procedures
• Conflict Resolution Procedures
• Appendix
  • Player Evaluations
    • Player Evaluations Intro
    • Overview of Process
    • Players Unable to Attend Evaluations

Mission

NorthStar Soccer is a sports program offered by the Varsity and Dalhousie Community Associations of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. NorthStar Soccer offers this program to youth from approximately 8 to 16 years, following the age guidelines set out by Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA). Outdoor CMSA U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 age guidelines are followed for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, as they are for the indoor season U6 and U8 develop-mental teams.

The purpose of NorthStar Soccer is to provide youth between the ages of 8 to 16 of both communities an opportunity to actively participate in the sport of soccer in a safe, fun and learning environment. NorthStar Soccer is dedicated to development of positive life skills for all involved through the playing of both outdoor and indoor soccer. NorthStar Soccer encourages the development of soccer as a lifetime activity, focusing on the health and wellness of the participants. NorthStar Soccer will provide a soccer program that encourages self-esteem, self-discipline, personal responsibility, teamwork, good sportsmanship, perseverance and physical fitness for all players, coaches, and referees.

Particular focus of programs developed by NorthStar Soccer will be to ensure players experience the following:

• The fun of playing and learning the game of soccer
• Competitive play on a local, city, and provincial level
• Improvement of individual skills and team play
• Opportunities to meet new people and make new friendships
• A sense of accomplishment as an individual player and as a teammate.

In addition to the soccer sports program, NorthStar Soccer will also provide opportunities for youth and adults to actively participate as referees, team coaches, and team managers.

The NorthStar Soccer Committee manages NorthStar Soccer programs. The role of the committee is to develop policies, procedures, and to deliver the soccer sports program to the community.

Guiding Principles

• The health and safety of all involved will be of prime importance.
• Positive coaching is important to the general development of youth and to successful playing.
• Good sportsmanship will be modeled by coaches and parents, and taught to players.
• Placement of players on teams will be based on evaluations that are fair and unbiased.
• All parents will be involved in some capacity to support of the NorthStar Soccer program.
• Coaches will promote and nurture individual player development regardless of the players' skill level.
• All players are entitled to equal playing time and opportunities for various positions of play, over the season.
• Team competitiveness is an important part of the sports program.
• "Winning" is providing the player with a memorable, positive, and enjoyable soccer experience.

Procedures

Registration

Registration will be held in timely manner for both indoor and outdoor soccer seasons. The schedule is primarily dictated by the CMSA schedule for City League registrations. Registration dates and particulars will be posted in the Dalhousie Community Digest, Varsity Voice and the NorthStar Soccer website. Registration will be conducted through the Dalhousie and Varsity Community Association offices concurrently. A community membership to either Dalhousie Community Association or Varsity Community Association is required to register for NorthStar Soccer. Proof of community membership registration will be required at time of registration with NorthStar Soccer. The community association membership the registrant chooses to purchase will dictate what location is chosen for registration. For example, if a Dalhousie Community Association membership is desired, then registration for NorthStar Soccer should also be completed at the Dalhousie Community Association registration location. Varsity Community Association memberships are not available for purchase at Dalhousie Community Association, nor are Dalhousie Community Association memberships available to purchase at Varsity Community Association.

Permanent roster size will be established at the start of the season for registration purposes. Roster sizes may vary for each age group.

NorthStar cannot and will not guarantee that teams will be entered for every age/gender group and at every level of play.

Late Registration

Players registering late can be added only if a permanent roster opening exists. Late registrant entry must be approved by the appropriate age coordinator as well as by the coach of the prospective team, once the team have been formed. Players cannot be guaranteed a position if not registered by the Registration date. A late registration fee of $40 may be charged after the close of walk-in registration. Players registering late will be placed on a wait list until it is determined if they can be accepted into the program. Receipt of the registration forms by NorthStar Soccer does not imply acceptance into the program.

Mid-season Entrants

Mid-season entrants will be accepted only as available space permits within the appropriate age group. Players will be evaluated before being placed upon a team.

Fees

Fees will be reviewed and set annually by NorthStar Soccer Committee. Fees will reflect costs for providing the soccer program. Such fees may cover any or all of the following: costs of field rental, field maintenance, equipment and uniforms, coaching workshops and training, parent education and advertising, travel support for provincial /regional championships.

Refunds

In the event of insufficient registrations and/or team officials for a particular gender/age group, activities may be cancelled and registration fees will be refunded.

Refunds are not provided by NorthStar Soccer after the published cancellation deadline for each respective season with the following exceptions:

• If a child is injured and unable to play, a prorated refund will be issued. A medical certificate is required.
• Refunds for other exceptional circumstances (i.e. relocation to another city/country) requires NorthStar Soccer approval.

Playing In An Alternate Age Group or Division

All players must be registered in the appropriate age group according to their age. Generally, all players will play the age-appropriate age group as specified by CMSA. Players are not permitted to move to a lower age group for any reason.

All requests by parents to move a player to a higher age group will be given consideration by the age group coordinators and coaches in finalizing the team rosters. Of particular focus will be the player skill and maturity level and the overall impact on the team rosters.  Parents must indicate the request on the registration form, no later than the in-person registration date.

Once a player has been given permission to play up in a higher age group, they will be evaluated along with and on an equal basis with, the other players of the age group.  If the decision has not been made prior to the date of tryouts and/or evaluations for both age groups, parents should contact the respective age group coordinators and determine whether their child should be participating in tryouts and/or evaluations for both age groups.

Required Equipment

Players must supply their own practice ball, water bottles, shin pads and appropriate shoes for use at games and practices. NorthStar Soccer will supply uniforms for games.

Fields

To the best of its ability, NorthStar Soccer will provide quality soccer fields that are of consistent and appropriate size for the age group.

Player Placement on Team

For any of the age groups, evaluations may be required to determine placement of players on teams within the age group. The decision to hold evaluations will be made by the age group coordinator and the NorthStar Soccer Committee after the registration. The purpose of the evaluation process is to provide an objective basis from which to sort the players by skills level. In addition to the players' skills, the players' physical and mental maturity level, prior season placement, and requests to be with siblings, friends or past teammates may be considered in player team placement, in that order.

Generally, player placement is undertaken with the best interest for the player in mind. The evaluation process is further outlined in Appendix A - Player Evaluations.

The alternative to holding evaluations is to sort the players by birth years. Age groups as directed by Calgary Minor Soccer Association include two years. The older age players would be placed on one team and the younger age players on another team. Each team would then be placed in the appropriate division according to the skill of the team without regard for the other team.

NorthStar Soccer recognizes there are unique reasons for each of the two selection processes to be utilized and both selection methods have merit. As well, parents and coaches often equally desire each of the methods. The age group coordinators and the NorthStar Soccer Committee will determine which method will be used for each age group prior to the formation of teams by NorthStar Soccer.

Game Officials

Referees will be used to officiate at all games according to CMSA rules. NorthStar Soccer will provide referees for all "home" games played on our community's fields. CMSA will provide referees for all games played on City Athletic fields.

Supervision of Players

"No Coaching Alone" Policy
NorthStar Soccer has a "No Coaching Alone" Policy which must be observed at all times. If a Coach finds themself in a situation where all the players have arrived and there is not another Coach present and/or the Coach is unable to obtain the assistance of a parent to stay at the facility, the practice MUST be cancelled. Advise your parents they should not be dropping their players off without first confirming there are sufficient adults for the practice to proceed. Further, Coaches should not leave the facility at the end of practice if there is a player(s) remaining without their parent(s).

There are to be at least 2 adults, including a coach, in attendance at all practices and games. Practices MUST be cancelled if a coach is alone with a team.

With all mixed gender teams, there must be coaches/parents of both genders represented at all games and practices (see CMSA rules).

With all same gender teams there must be at least one coach/parent of the same gender as the players at all games and practices.

Privacy Release

The parent and/or guardian consents to the NORTHSTAR SOCCER and DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION / VARSITY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION collecting, using and disclosing the player(s) registration information for all soccer participation registration requirements. This includes disclosure of player's name, parent's and/or guardian's names and phone numbers, to the coaching staff of the player's team and all participants of the player's team. Note, the Player Information form is forwarded to the player's coaches including any medical information disclosed by the parent/guardian.

Liability and Risk Release

The parent and/or guardian accept the liability and risk associated with soccer as a contact sport and release NORTHSTAR SOCCER and DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION / VARSITY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION from any claim, demands, damages, actions or causes of action arising out of or in consequence of any loss, injury or damage to the player(s) incurred while participating in any NORTHSTAR SOCCER program.

Privacy Policy and On-Line Payment

NORTHSTAR SOCCER and DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION / VARSITY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION do not store credit card information in our system. The database administrator, however, stores the IP address of the computer from where the registration was submitted. We will provide this information along with the name, address and phone number of the family contact(s) to the appropriate parties in the event of an investigation into fraudulent transactions and as required by law. The credit card information is stored by Beanstream and is available by special request in the event of a dispute or other special circumstances. Please review their privacy policy at http://web.beanstream.com/privacy.asp. Compusim (database administrator), Telus and their hosting partners, Beanstream, and Global Payments meet the requirements of the PCI Security Standards council for accepting and processing on-line payments (https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org).

Code of Conduct

The following has been adapted from the Code of Conduct as developed by the Calgary Minor Soccer Association as code of conduct for NorthStar Soccer. Failure to comply with this code of conduct by coaches, players, or parents will be taken seriously and may result in sanctions by NorthStar Soccer.

Coaches' Code

• Be reasonable in your demands on the player's time, energy and enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interests. Always remember that your players are children, not miniature professional athletes.
• Teach your players that the rules of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
• Share playing time equally, try as much as is possible to position players where they want to be. All the team members need and deserve equal time.
• Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment, and that winning is only part of the game. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing a competition.
• Never engage in any verbal or physical abuse of your team members and support all efforts to remove such abuse from children's sporting activities.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
• Develop team respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
• Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to play again.
• Remember that children need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved, and set a good example. Refrain from the consumption of tobacco and alcohol products in the presence of your players.
• Keep lines of communication open with your players and their parents. Let them know that you are always available should they have any concerns regarding the way the season is going.
• Remember that you are a coach for NorthStar Soccer/CMSA first and your own team second. Co-operate with other coaches and officials for the benefit of all the children in the league.
• Uphold the constitution, bylaws and policies of NorthStar Soccer/CMSA.
• Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.

Players' Code

• Play your best for yourself and your team at all times.
• Keep the game fun for yourself, your teammates, and your opponents
• Never ridicule fellow players, coaches, or opponents
• Focus on improving your soccer skills
• Learn form each other and help each other learn.
• Be respectful of the coaches
• Attend all practices and games, or let the coach know in advance that you will be unable to make a practice or game.
• Let your coach or parents know if things are not going well for you on the team as soon as possible.

Parents' Code

• Remember that children play organized sports for their enjoyment
• Always be on Your best behavior
• Applaud good plays by Your own team and the Visiting team
• Show respect for Your teams Opponents
• Never ridicule or scold a Child for making a mistake during Competition
• Condemn the use of violence in all forms
• Respect the officials decisions
• Encourage Players to always play according to the rules of the competition

NorthStar Code of Ethics

NorthStar Player Code of Ethics

1. Players will play by the rules of soccer and in the spirit of the game.
2. Players will control their tempers and avoid aggressive play and unnecessary verbal remarks.
3. Players will respect their opponents.
4. Players will be team players and respect their teammates.
5. Players will acknowledge good plays and performances by their teammates and opponents.
6. Players will remember that coaches and officials are there to help them and will accept their decisions and show them respect.
7. Players will remember that they play the game to learn skills, make friends and have fun as well as strive to play their best at all times.

NorthStar / CMSA Spectator Code of Ethics (Adopted from the YMCA)

1. Remember that children play organized sports for their own fun.
2. Be on your best behavior.
3. Applaud good plays by your own team AND visiting teams.
4. Show respect for your teams opponents.
5. NEVER ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during the competition.
6. Condemn the use of violence in all forms.
7. Respect the officials' decisions.
8. Encourage players to always play according to the rules.

Professional athletes are not always good role models for children, but the good sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle gained in our country's sports programs can make children good role models for each other, parents, and for future generations. But first, adults have to let them play and send them the right messages.

NorthStar / CMSA Coaching Code of Ethics

Integrity - The coach must act with integrity in performing all duties owed to athletes, the sport, and other members of the coaching profession and public.

Competence - The coach must strive to be well prepared and current so that all duties in the respective discipline are fulfilled with competence.

Athletes' Interest - The coach must act in the best interest of the athletes' development as a whole person.

Personal Conduct - The Coach must maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and support the principles of fair play.

Respect for the Rules - The coach must respect both the letter and the spirit of the rules that define and govern the sport.

Respect for the Officials - The coach must accept the role of the officials in providing judgment to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and according to the established rules.

CMSA Value and Belief Statement

Leadership - Demonstrate leadership in the sport of soccer and be progressive in our actions

Integrity - Conduct all business in an honest, ethical and trustworthy manner

Fair Play - Adhere to the principles of "Fair Play" both on and off the field.

Excellence - Strive for and support the greatest level of achievement for players, volunteers, members and staff.

Accountability - Committed to fiscal responsibility, accountability, and good business practices in all our actions.

CMSA Abusive and Threatening Behavior Procedures

CMSA has adopted a behavioral stance against persons who feel they need to harass, insult, threaten, or assault other persons at a soccer game where a CMSA team is involved. Referees are instructed to immediately dismiss any team official or spectator who is abusing them or is acting in an unacceptable manner, whether it is directed to them or not. If the abuse or behavior continues in any way, shape, or form during the game, the referee will be instructed to abandon the game, keep both team's ID cards, and CMSA will hand out discipline measures to those who caused the game to be abandoned. Note that the referee no longer has to dismiss the person from the game in order for CMSA to deal with the issue. Any report submitted to CMSA by a game official will be reviewed and acted upon.

For team officials or parents who are identified by the referee or through investigation (a hearing may or may not be called) to have breeched our behavior rule, the following sanctions will apply:

(1) If the person identified is a team official, that team official (and possibility their child(ren)) will be suspended from ANY AND ALL CMSA activity for the remainder of the season or longer if needed, and will have to put up a behavioral bond before they can start coaching again (and possibly before their child(ren) can play again.)

(2) If the person identified is a parent, the parent (and possibly their child / children) will be suspended from ANY AND ALL CMSA activity for the remainder of the season or longer if needed, and will have to put up a behavioral bond before their child / children can play again.

(3) If a team has a second incident from any of its team officials or spectators in a season, the team may be removed from the schedule for the remainder of the season AND disqualified from all post-season competitions (Provincials, Inter-Cities, Fall Cup, etc.) and from attending any tournaments or traveling.

(4) If CMSA has issues with any particular tier or division, CMSA may cancel post-season play for all teams in that tier or division.

(5) If CMSA has issues with any particular tier or division, CMSA may not schedule referees for that tier or division for the remainder of the season.

Other sanctions, not listed above, may be applied if CMSA deems it is necessary and warranted.

Remember that team officials are responsible for the behavior and conduct of their players and spectators. Clubs are responsible for the behavior of their team officials.

NorthStar Conflict / Situation Resolution Procedures

The NorthStar Soccer Club is responsible for the behaviour and actions of their team officials, players and spectators at any CMSA or NorthStar event.

Situations may arise during the course of the soccer season that need to be dealt with according to NorthStar's policies for conflict resolution. These situations include inappropriate spectator behavior at games, problems between coaches and parents, problems involving parents and players, problems involving officials and problems involving players.

The following policies and procedures have been put in place for NorthStar officials, players and parents so that a defined protocol is available to follow in the case of an incident.

Please note that NorthStar promotes "fair play" and sportsmanship throughout all of its programs and the policies detailed below support this mandate. The NorthStar Soccer Club will work efficiently and confidentially to deal with issues that may arise in a timely and appropriate manner.

The NorthStar "Conflict Board" has in place three members that represent all stakeholders in the club.

Coach Representative - CoachesRep@NorthStarSoccer.ca

Manager Representative - managersrep@NorthStarSoccer.ca

Parent Representative - ParentsRep@NorthStarSoccer.ca

These three representatives are available to offer direction to anyone requiring assistance. They will promote the steps outlined in this policy. Refer to our contacts page for a complete up to date list of our Representatives.

STEP 1

NorthStar Soccer strongly recommends that any person with an issue associated with the club, initially speak directly to the involved parties so that communication is established and both parties can work towards a resolution. For example - If a parent has an issue with a coach, they are encouraged to speak directly with the coach. Similarly if a coach has an issue with a player or parent, they are encouraged to speak to the family.

STEP 2

If a person is unsuccessful or uncomfortable speaking directly to the person(s) involved as described in step 1, they would then proceed directly to the appropriate representative listed above. The email addresses and names of these board members are also posted on the NorthStar website under the "Contacts" page listed on the left hand side menu list.

Each of these representatives has been advised that issues brought to them by any member of the NorthStar community are to be treated with utmost confidence.  Each of these representatives also has the history and understanding of the rules and regulations associated with their area of authority so that they will be able to assist with the issue.

STEP 3

If the representative from Step 2 needs assistance with an issue, they will request a meeting with all three of the above representatives ("Conflict Board") to discuss a procedure for resolution.  The three member "Conflict Board" is also committed to treating each issue with complete confidence and will proceed according to the guidelines outlined by NorthStar and CMSA policy.

STEP 4

If the issue needs further investigation or information from Step 3, it will be presented to the NorthStar Chair person for final consultation. No other members of the NorthStar committee or community will be privy to any situation. The person(s) associated with the issue at hand will always have the opportunity to meet with the three member committee or the four member committee (including the NorthStar soccer club Chair) to express their point of view.

Note: in the absence of a Chair person, either a Past Chair or Vice Chair will be consulted.

STEP 5

If resolution is not possible following the above four steps, or disciplinary actions are required to finalize an issue, the board will present a report to CMSA for review. A verdict will be given after CMSA has followed their protocol associated with the issue. CMSA procedures are outlined under "CMSA Abusive and Threatening Behaviour Procedures" in the following pages.

MAJOR INFRACTION

If a serious situation arises that directly violates a NorthStar policy, CMSA policy, city by-law, or is a criminal offence, the issue will by-pass the above 5 steps and be taken directly to the Chair or Vice Chair of the NorthStar Soccer Club and or CMSA, or the appropriate authority for immediate investigation.

Conflict Board Members

The Coach Representative - is available for all coaches and parents to approach if they have issues associated with coaching procedures at games and practices or other issues related to a coach or coaching. Players are always welcome to approach coaches to discuss issues they may have with the way the game is being played or practices are run. Players may also approach their parents and have the parent make contact with the coach or appropriate rep for direct communication.

The Manager Representative - is available for parents or team officials to approach regarding any aspect surrounding organization and information for the team. Team managers should approach their representative for any issues they may have with team or parent management, as well as current club information and protocol.

The Parent Representative - is available for any parent or player to approach regarding parent involvement, expectations and roles within the NorthStar soccer club.  Parents are encouraged to talk with their representative if they have any concerns regarding programs or procedures within the club.

The NorthStar Soccer Club will at all times, follow the rules of CMSA regarding code of conduct and discipline with respect to officials, players and parents.

The CMSA Harassment Policy guidelines also take effect in the case of situations or offences (CMSA Rules of Play - Outdoor, Appendix B, page 32. Click here for the link to this document.

Appendix

Player Evaluations

Introduction

For any of the age groups, evaluations may be required to determine placement of players on teams within the age group. The decision to hold evaluations will be made by the age group coordinator after registration is completed.

The purpose of the evaluation process is to provide an objective basis from which to sort the players by skills level. In addition to the players' skills, the age group coordinators and coaches when placing players on particular team rosters will consider the players' physical and mental maturity level and prior season placement. The concern is to place the players so that they will find enjoyment playing soccer while also being challenged appropriately to their skill level. Lastly, parents' requests to place children with siblings or certain players for friendship or carpool reasons may be considered. The following would be followed: should two children of differing skill levels want to play with each other, the child at the higher level of development would be offered the chance to play with his/her friend on the lower skill team.

NorthStar Soccer recognizes the potential intimidation and the sensitivity of the evaluation process to both players and parents. In this light NorthStar Soccer constantly seeks input and any suggestions from parents on the evaluation process. Of key importance is have the process viewed in it's true light and that is that there are no winners or losers, rather there is a simple sorting of players that results from the process that both players and the parents would all likely agree on.

Evaluations are not the same as tryouts. Tryouts are a formalized method of ranking the players usually with the intent to eliminate or cut players from a team. Evaluations can be formal or informal as required by the current situation, and are intended to place all players on one of several teams appropriate to their skill level.

Overview of Process

The evaluation process is based on the principle of sorting players relative to each other. It is much easier for an evaluator to say that player A is better than player B than it is for that evaluator to say that player A's left foot kicking is above the average for U12 Division 2 player. The evaluation process moves the players among groups or cells so the evaluators get a direct player-on-player comparison. This comparison will eventually sort all players in the age group from the highest to the lowest skill levels exhibited at the time of the evaluation. The players can then be put on teams that are competitive for their skill levels and the teams are entered in the appropriate division in the league.

Two to three separate evaluation sessions are to be conducted when the situation permits. The sessions are structured to provide for the assessment of individual skills through set drills as well as through game sessions. NorthStar Soccer has chosen to use independent evaluators to provide the assessment of players abilities. The evaluators are contracted from various sports organizations such as National Sports Development and are normally highly skilled players or coaches from other leagues. Coaches and the age coordinators are actively involved in the process to assist the evaluators.

In a typical evaluation process, the players are sorted by the valuing of various skill attributes, team play, physical condition, and mental game smarts. With this sorting in place, the coaches and coordinator comes up with various team rosters. Players with higher ranking in the sort are typically placed on a higher level team than players with lower relative rankings on the sort. The next step is for the coaches and age group coordinator to address and balance any requests for specific team placement (or placement with friends, siblings or past team mates).

In finalizing a team roster, a key consideration is the assessment of anticipated competitive strength and overall coaching load of a team. The coach will look to have some developed players or group of players on his team to provide a base competitive strength for the team. Also, the coaches will share the coaching load by swapping players to ensure that certain players (and all players) will get a reasonable amount of coaching attention to develop individual skills. Typically a team roster is based 65-75% on evaluations results and 25-35 % on the coaching considerations outlined above including specific placement requests.

Once the rosters are completed, the coaches contact the players and advise of the placement. Parents are asked to raise any questions or concerns with the coordinators immediately so that any issues can be resolved quickly and prior to the first team practice. Once team practices commence it becomes very awkward for both players and coaches to accommodate any team transfers.

Players Unable to Attend Evaluations

Although all players are encouraged to attend all the evaluations session, it is recognized this is not always possible.

For players unable to attend one of the sessions: parents must notify the age group coordinator prior to the session, the players evaluation will not be penalized, but the evaluators will make an adjustment.

For players unable to attend any of the sessions: the player will be assessed at the first few practices, and potential need to attend the practices of more than one team. The player will not generally be placed on the top team in their age group.

The final player placements of those missing evaluation sessions will be made based on sessions attended and the best impartial information available to the coaches and coordinators.