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CONSTITUTION
LAST UPDATED: 11/29/10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Constitution
* Article 1.1
* Article 1.2 Name
* Article 1.3 Purpose
* Article 1.4 League Structures
* Article 1.5 Affiliation
Chapter 2 Governing Bodies and Committees
* Article 2.1 League Governing Board, League Commissioner and League Advisory Board
* Article 2.2 League AGM Elections
* Article 2.3 Operation of the League
* Article 2.4 League Administrator or Staff
* Article 2.5 Committees
* Article 2.6 League Advisory Committee
Chapter 3 Meetings
* Article 3.1 League Meetings
* Article 3.2 Annual League Meeting (ALM)
* Article 3.3 Other Meetings
* Article 3.4 Ratification of Minutes
Chapter 4 Membership
* Article 4.1 Membership Conditions for New Teams
* Article 4.2 Condition for Termination of Membership
* Article 4.3 Reference to Member Agreement
* Article 4.4 Leave of Absence
* Article 4.5 Performance/Payment Guarantee
* Article 4.6 New Team Entry
* Article 4.7 Operation and Finances
Chapter 5 Misconduct, Protest, Appeals & Discipline
* Article 5.1 Protest and Appeals
* Article 5.2 Disciplinary Powers
* Article 5.3 Further Appeal
* Article 5.4 Referee Assault
* Article 5.5 Penalties
* Article 5.6 Reporting
* Article 5.7 Disciplinary Hearing
* Article 5.8 Team Suspension & Expulsion
* Article 5.9 Team Disputes
Chapter 1 Constitution
Article 1.1 Definition
The Constitution and Laws will govern the operations of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The Constitution and Laws may be Amended, changed, deleted or have new language adopted by a majority of teams in good standing. Changes not written can be made by a majority of teams of good standing.
Article 1.2 Name
This body shall be known as the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
Article 1.3 Purpose
1) Promotion and development of independent women's soccer at the highest level.
2) Provide a playing opportunity for the elite women soccer players to play.
3) Make every effort to bring quality soccer to all levels of the community and to youth programs, while promoting the stature of female athletes as role models for the youth.
4) Provide an environment where soccer as a sport can expand into a viable choice in sports entertainment.
Article 1.4 League Structure
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) may include the following divisions:
1) Premier First Division organized on a regional into a National League. Regions will propose schedules to league for approval and, handle regional matters not in conflict with the National League.
2) Second Division.
3) Other premier or youth soccer leagues may be formed as a separate entity within the WPSL. These leagues will have independent laws and accounting procedures. They will operate of a separate entity with approval of the WPSL.
Article 1.5 Affiliation
The WPSL is affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation and sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association.
Chapter 2 Governing Bodies & Committees
Article 2.1 League Governing Board, Commissioner and League Advisory Board
The League Governing Board will meet at least once a year, consisting of a representative from each team of the WPSL. The Board will have an open agenda and all teams will be able to submit items for the agenda prior to Board Meetings. Meeting minutes will be available to all teams. The League Commissioner will also have the power to:
1) Will approve the schedule for league play and Championship series.
2) Interpret the rules.
3) Be the final appeal in protested games along with the League Advisory Board unless the
Commissioner has a conflict.
4) Exercise disciplinary powers conferred by these By-laws.
5) Make known and enforce the provisions of these By-laws and the Laws of the WPSL.
6) The Commissioner and the Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the League; shall receive all duties, assessments and other revenues paid to the League. They shall deposit all such revenues in the name of the League in such depositories as may be selected by the Treasurer. The Treasurer will keep an accurate account of all monies of the League for the payment of accounts, fees and dues and shall make such payments as shall be due by the League. All of which will be public to WPSL teams and available upon request.
Article 2.2 League AGM Elections
The League at the AGM will consist of one representative from each team and elect the following officials. The following positions will be elected at the AGM:
1) League Commissioner
2) Associate Commissioners
Article 2.3 Operation of League
The League Commissioner has the power to appoint at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or during the interim between AGM meetings. If League Commissioner is unable to continue in Office, The Associate Commissioners will assume the role of Commissioner.
The officers of the league should be selected from team representatives.
- A League Commissioner will be in charge of calling meetings, League Advisory Committee meetings, Conference calls, decide meeting agendas, and chair meetings. The Commissioner will be responsible for all personnel decisions, league operations, league team discipline, automatic expenditures, league dues, travel to necessary meetings, legal fees, compensation to enforce the constitution and rules, final approval on all regional schedules content, regional structures, appointment of regional commissioners and other duties outlined in the constitution and by-laws.
- A Treasurer will produce a League budget and a once a year detailed financial report, collecting and paying all monies. During the interim between AGM's, the treasurer shall make available reports to the League Advisory Board and Regional Commissioners and will be appointed by the League Commissioner.
- A Referee Commissioner to coordinate all referees for the League will be appointed.
- A Recording Secretary to take the minutes of all meetings will be appointed by the League Commissioner.
- A Registrar to register players with the appropriate affiliations.
- The League Commissioner may appoint other Commissioners for duties as needed.
- The League Commissioner will appoint regional Commissioners.
Article 2.4 League Administrator or Staff
Will serve at the pleasure of the League. The League prior to any decisions or financial spending by staff must have approval. Staff and contracts must be approved by the Commissioner and announced at the next AGM.
Article 2.5 Committees
Committees will be established as needed including but not limited to finance (treasurer) or marketing.
Article 2.6 League Advisory Committee
The League Advisory Committee will consist of the Commissioner, Associate Commissioners, Treasurer, Director of Operations and appropriate Regional Commissioners when needed. The League Commissioner shall keep the League Advisory Committee advised on decisions affecting the League operations and when appropriate, rely on their advice.
Chapter 3 Meetings
Article 3.1 League Meetings
The League Commissioner will chair and designate the site and date of League meeting(s). The League will meet a minimum of once a year. The League will have an open agenda and all teams will be able to submit items for the agenda prior to all League meetings. Meeting minutes will be available to all teams.
Article 3.2 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The League Commissioner will designate the site and date of the Annual General Meeting. Election of officers will take place at that meeting. All teams must have representation at the annual general meeting.
Article 3.3 Other Meetings
League committees will meet at the pleasure of the Chairperson or Commissioner.
Article 3.4 Ratification of Minutes
Once distributed, discrepancies within the minutes need to be addressed within one week. After one week, the minutes will be automatically ratified.
Chapter 4 Membership
Article 4.1 Membership Conditions for New Teams
Membership conditions will be made available at the time of affiliation with the WPSL in the Membership Agreement, signed by the entering team. The treasurer will notify all teams after the non-refundable membership funds have been deposited. Conditions of membership are posted on the www.wpsl.info website. The League Commissioner or Chair of the Expansion Committee shall contact a team already existing in the area and determine if there is a conflict. Special conditions may be imposed by the League before acceptance in the League. Any violation of the conditions can cause the expulsion of the team from the League unless the conditions are rectified.
Article 4.2 Condition for Termination of Membership
Team affiliation and membership may be terminated by violation of any of the conditions set forth by the Membership Agreement and any blatant disregard for the League By-laws. Membership may also be terminated if a team is not in good financial standing with the League.
Article 4.3 Reference to Member Agreement
Information concerning team specific membership conditions shall be found in the Membership Agreement signed by the team at the time of admission into the League. All new and returning teams must submit by the AGM, both a membership agreement form and team contact form.
Article 4.4 Leave of Absence
Teams may suspend operations with a leave of absence for up to 2 years. A letter requesting a Leave of Absence must be submitted to the league.
If the team taking the leave of absence agrees, a new team may take over their charter and will not be required to pay the $3,500 new team fee. However, if the original team decides to come back into the league within the 2 years, the team that took over the charter will be required to pay the $3,500 new team fee in order to remain a league member team.
Article 4.5 Performance/Payment Guarantee
The amount of the bond, letter of credit or cash deposit will regress over 4 years depending on the status of the team. The following will be the guideline:
1st year - $5000 for existing teams not in good standing.
2nd year - $3000 for all 2nd year of the bond for teams in prior bad standing.
3rd year - $2000 for all 3rd year of the bond for teams in prior bad standing.
4th year - no bond required for the 4th year or the bond for teams in prior bad standing.
Teams not in good standings are those that owe over $500 and/or have forfeited games.
Article 4.6 New Team Entry
All new team entries will be approved or disapproved by the League, after reviewing their business plan or other contributing factors.
Article 4.7 Operation and Finances
Mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and fax number must be kept current with League. One person minimum must be available to the League from January thru August. A substitute contact is highly recommended.
Commitment to pay all league fees when due. Commitment to pay all team registration, player registration, administrative and insurance fees.
Chapter 5 Misconduct, Protest, Appeals & Discipline
Article 5.1 Protest and Appeals
Filing game protest must be submitted in writing for review, to the Director of Operations who will present it to the League Advisory Board, within 10 days of the protested game and must include $100, refundable if the protest is awarded. A special League Advisory Board conference call will be called as soon as possible.
Any matter is a valid subject for an appeal, except matters of fact that occur on a playing field during a sanctioned match, where the referee is the sole determinant of fact.
The League Advisory Board will conduct a hearing, allowing both sides to express their positions. The WPSL has the right to seek witness and testimony and to interrogate individuals on matters pertaining to the issue. Such hearing process must commence within 30 days of the notification to the WPSL Director of Operations.
When its deliberations are complete, the League Advisory Board will render a judgment to the parties in the appeal. The judgment can be in favor of either side or can be to direct the involved parties to reconsider the issue. The Director of Operations will then prepare a written report to be included in the minutes of the next regular meeting.
Article 5.2 Disciplinary Powers
The League will have the disciplinary power to act on any breach of the By-laws or Laws of the Game. It is the policy of the WPSL to not permit the appeal process to hinder the efficient functioning of the League and therefore will not entertain trivial or nuisance appeals.
Article 5.3 Further Appeal
Beyond this appeal, either party may appeal directly to USSF according to their rules and regulations. A lawyer shall not represent the person or organization requesting an appeal, and no league, official, team coach, referee, or player (or their representative) may invoke the aid of the Courts of any state or of the United States, without first exhausting all available remedies within the appropriate soccer organizations.
Article 5.4 Referee Assault
The referee will immediately report any situation where a player, coach, official or spectator physically assaults a referee to the WPSL Director of Operations. A physical assault is defined as any physical contact with the intent to do harm. It is the responsibility of the WPSL to determine if assault has occurred, and incidents of presumed or suspected assault will be reported as well as situations where there is direct physical evidence of assault.
Any act in which physical contact is made with, or is attempted to be made with, the person of the official, which contact is intended to cause physical harm, or is reasonable perceived by the official to be intended to cause physical harm, or places of the official in fear of imminent physical harm, including but not limited to: a) striking or attempting to strike; b) kicking or attempting to kick; c) tripping or attempting to trip; d) holding or restraining, or attempting to hold or restrain; e) intentionally running into or at; f) poking or poking at; g) spitting at or on; h) throwing or propelling in any way any object (including the ball) capable of injuring the official or damaging property, or degrading the official; I) taking, knocking, or dislodging from the official any item in his possession; or j) any other act which could cause or result injury to an official or his property if contact was made or the official resisted.
Any act in which serious physical contact is made on an official's person, which causes bodily harm or injury to the official, or damage or loss of personal property belonging to the official, or the property in the custody or control of the official.
Article 5.5 Penalties
Assault: A minimum suspension of (6) six months to a maximum of (5) five years.
Violent Assault: A minimum suspension of (2) years to a maximum of (20) twenty years.
Article 5.6 Reporting
It shall be the responsibility of the referee in any match in which a referee assault occurs to report that incident to both the WPSL and the League Referee Assignor. Such report shall be in writing and shall contain a detailed statement on the conduct constituting the assault. Such report shall be mailed within (48) forty-eight hours of the incident. The player card of the offending player shall be included with the report mailed to the WPSL.
The WPSL Director of Operations shall immediately upon receipt forward the report to the Full League. The League Commissioner shall conduct a hearing among the WPSL Advisory Board only to determine if the report in fact describes an incident constituting a referee assault justifying further Board action. If no such action is justified the player card shall be immediately returned to the player. If no threshold determination is made within (21) twenty-one days of the incident the player card must be immediately returned to the player and no further action taken against the player. If a majority of the members determine that further action is justified then a hearing shall be scheduled as set forth below. The threshold hearing may be conducted by telephone or in any manner deemed reasonable by WPSL Board.
Article 5.7 Disciplinary Hearing
Should the WPSL Advisory Board determine that a disciplinary hearing is necessary then a hearing shall be scheduled within (45) forty-five days of the incident alleged. The hearing must be held within the geographic area served by the affiliate conducting the match in which the incident occurs. The officials involved and the player shall be notified of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing. Either may bring to the hearing such witnesses as they fell might be relevant. The hearing may be conducted in any manner deemed reasonable by the chairman. Both the official and the player shall be allowed to present their versions of the events allegedly constituting the assault. The committee shall first determine whether an assault occurred, and if so, what level of assault. If the committee determines that an assault occurred, the committee shall then assess such penalties within the guide lines set forth herein, as the committee deems appropriate.
Article 5.8 Team Suspension & Expulsion
The League Commissioner, after consultation with the League Advisory Committee, has the power to suspend or expel teams.
Article 5.9 Team Disputes
Disputing teams may take part in the League Advisory Board discussion, but may not vote on the resolution.
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