1) What is the objective of the GYSA Club Pass System?
The GYSA Club Pass concept’s main objective is to allow coaches to move players freely within their own club, based on player development needs and specific team needs. Another objective is to eliminate the administrative (paperwork) and cost load on leagues who wish to move players internally.
2) What about potential abuse of the system?
Since our select teams are engaged in league play involving promotions/relegations from season to season, the club pass system has to be accompanied by some stipulations to curb unethical practice and potential abuse. The main restrictions are that players cannot play down in level and cannot play for multiple teams in the same day.
3) What players will be affected by the GYSA Club Pass System?
Athena and Classic division players may use the Club Pass System. Academy U12 players may use the Club Pass System to play on their club’s U13 first and/or second team only. Additionally, Recreation players at the U16 and above age groups may now use the Club Pass System for Recreational play only.
4) Can a player play in a division above his current level of play?
Yes, Athena and Classic division players may use the Club Pass System to play either in the same age group at a higher division of play or in an older age group at the same or higher division of play. A player may not play up an age group but in a lower division. Academy U12 players may use the Club Pass System to play on their club’s U13 first and/or second team only. U-16 and above recreation players may use the Club Pass System to play with an older division team in the Recreation Program only.
5) Can a player play up an age group above his current age group?
Yes, as long as it is at the same or higher division of play.
6) Can a player play down in a division below their current level of play?
No.
7) Can a player participate on another team at their club that is in the same age and division?
No.
8) When will coaches be able to use a “Club Pass” player?
A club pass player can be used during any regular league seasonal game. The club pass system does not apply to tournaments, Region III Premier League, or State Cup, since those events are governed by their own rules.
9) Is this geared towards the needs of the big clubs? How will small clubs benefit from the club pass system?
All clubs, regardless of size, will benefit. In fact, smaller clubs could benefit even more. Circumstances such as injuries to players and unavailability of players affect the smaller clubs more adversely. The club pass will enable them to move players freely from the age group below or from the second team. Small clubs that have a hard time finding enough players for each team will be able to field more teams in the knowledge that they can reinforce squads by moving players as needed.
10) Won’t parents and/or team coaches get upset if their players are moved around?
It is up to each club how and when to use the club pass system. Clubs who do not see a need for it or who are happy to continue rostering and using players in the traditional way are not obligated to utilize the club pass. It will become an internal club policy on how to deal with the added flexibility of a club pass.
11) How will the existing State Cup rules affect the club pass system?
The State Cup is still based on the ‘team’ concept and its rules dictate that teams maintain roster continuity from the initial roster at the start of the seasonal year to the final roster frozen for State Cup. Teams who wish to maintain eligibility for State Cup will have to stay within the required continuity. For example, the State Cup limits roster size to a maximum of 18, with at least 9 players from the initial roster on the final frozen roster. Also, only five transfers are allowed during the seasonal year.
12) Can clubs register all their players in the lower level and choose different players to play each week at the higher level?
No. Clubs are required to roster at least 11 players in each team. This means that at least 11 players will have to be rostered to the first team; these 11 will not be able to play down. In addition, the State Cup restriction to five transfers will make it risky to roster only 11 players to the first team.
13) How will the “Club Pass” system be administered?
The division of play will be added to all passes and club pass system participants will be noted on the game card.
14) What controls will be in place to avoid potential abuse of the system?
Required identification of club pass players on the regular season game card; education of GYSA membership.
15) What sanctions will apply if the club pass system is abused?
The existing sanctions (pertaining to using ineligible players in games) already in place would still apply, such as game forfeit, etc. Violations such as playing a player down a level or age group should be reported by the opposing team in the standard procedure and will then be heard and adjudicated by the D&P Committee using the normal process.
16) How will penalty points accrued by players (yellow/red cards) be handled?
The existing rules still apply. This means that penalty points accrued will remain with the team and will also be carried by the player wherever he/she goes. Rule 730.2. Any player sent off during a game shall be automatically suspended from the next game scheduled of the team in which he/she is rostered and played under US Youth Soccer affiliation and competition. Player is also ineligible for participation in the GYSA Club Pass System until the suspension is served.
17) Why would players not be allowed to play for two or more teams in the same day?
To prevent clubs from asking their best players to play multiple games per day every weekend. This can cause player burn-out. We are already making our players play too many games with all the tournament play associated with youth soccer, and do not want to see this excess spill over into league play as well. If a player is found to have played for two teams on the same day, he/she will be considered to have been ineligible for the second game and the normal sanctions would apply.
20) What will be the responsibility of the referee on a regular season game day?
Normal regular season pre-game check-in with additional verification of any club pass players’ age group and division of play.
21) What will be the responsibility of the coach on a regular season game day?
To check and verify the age group and division of play of any club pass players.
23) How does the GYSA Club Pass System affect players who are rostered to an older team?
Players cannot play down in age group even if they are age appropriate. Clubs can deal with this issue by rostering the player in his/her true age group and using the GYSA Club Pass system to play the player up on any given game day.
24) How can the club DOCs and/or Coaching Coordinators help to make the club pass system run smoothly?
By educating their players, parents and coaches on the purpose and limits of the system and by proactively creating mechanisms within their own clubs for dealing with the club pass system. The onus will be on the club DOCs to monitor and control how the club pass is used in their own backyard.
