The Ridgewood Soccer Association

Information Handbook

Approved by the RSA Board of Trustees on January 13, 2000

Modifications since last approval are in red font

3.1.1. RSA Policy Statement

 

3.1.2. Player Equipment

Without exception, players must wear shin guards during all RSA activities.

Players cannot wear jewelry of any kind during RSA activities. This includes bracelets, necklaces, or earrings (pierced or clip).

Soccer shoes with molded plastic or rubber cleats are helpful but are not required. A player wearing metal cleats or shoes with a toe cleat (baseball type) is prohibited from participating in any RSA activity.

Players with casts, splints or other similar devices that could be harmful to other players may not participate.

3.1.3. Coach Training

In 1998, the RSA initiated a program to enhance coaches’ awareness of safety and prevention of player injuries. The RSA encourages coaches participating in our intown program to complete the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. (Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth) course offered at local hospitals and reimburses them for the cost of the course. In 1998, the RSA sponsored one of these sessions specifically for our coach volunteers. It is the Board’s intention to broaden this training across our coaching base in 1999 and beyond.

The Northwest Bergen Soccer Association requires all participating coaches (includes those in the RSA traveling recreation program) to complete the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. course prior to issuing coach identification cards. Teams cannot play unless this requirement is met.

3.1.4. Securing Goals

Goals must be properly secured during practices and games for the protection of RSA participants.  In addition, goals must be adequately secured after we've left the fields for the protection of the general public. The RSA and the Maroons Soccer Club have developed a joint procedure to accomplish this objective.  It is include in this manual as Appendix A3. 

3.1.5. Medical Releases

The RSA includes a statement immediately above the signature box on our registration form stating "My child is/children are physically fit to play soccer"

The RSA does not currently own any of the facilities or fields it uses.  The organization does recognize that the RSA program does create wear and tear on the facilities of both the Village of Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Board of Education.  As such, the RSA endeavors to invest funds annually to help defray a portion of costs of field maintenance and, where appropriate, improvements.  The RSA also shares costs and makes investments in various equipment in cooperation with the Village, the Board of Education and other similar sports groups operating within the Village of Ridgewood.

3.2.1. Field Locations, Owner, RSA activity

Location	Owner	RSA Activity in 1999 and 2000
Benjamin Franklin Middle School	Board of Education	Division 5
Brookside Field	Board of Education	NWBSA
Citizens Park	Village	Division 6
George Washington Middle School	Board of Education	Division 6
Glen School	Board of Education	NWBSA
Hawes School	Board of Education	NWBSA
Kenilworth Field	Village	None
Maple Field	Village	NWBSA
Orchard School	Board of Education	Division 6
Ridge School	Board of Education	None
Somerville School	Board of Education	None
Stevens Field	Board of Education	None
Travell School	Board of Education	Division 6 and Special Needs
Veterans Field	Village	Division 4 Intown
Willard School	Board of Education	Division 6

3.2.2. Maintenance and Improvements

The Village of Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Board of Education are responsible for the regular maintenance of their respective fields, installation of permanent goals and nets thereon, and lining the fields intended for scholastic use (white chalk lines). The RSA coordinators are permitted to add additional temporary lines for our programs with spray paint in a color other than white.

Improvements to bring fields up to the highest quality that budgets permit is coordinated between the owner of the field and the village sports community through the Ridgewood Sports Council. The projects include major surface rehabilitation and the installation of irrigation systems. Estimates for all work are sought through a multiple vendor bidding process using only experienced and reputable contractors. The cost burden of such improvements are agree-to by the Sports Council membership and allocated among the sporting groupings according to:

Which groups use the fields (soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse, etc)

The percentage of the cost is based on current year registration numbers of the organizations using the field

Cost to be borne by the soccer organizations is allocated between the RSA and the Maroons according to a similar utilization and enrollment model.

3.2.3. Scheduling Facilities

Facility scheduling requirements of the RSA are fulfilled in cooperation with other village academic and recreation sports organizations through the Ridgewood Sports Council. The RSC priorizes requests for fields and gyms according to the scholastic sports calendar.

The RSA relies upon a volunteer RSC representative to coordinate sufficient space for both our weekend programs and for supplemental team practice sessions. Coaches can arrange for a practice location and time for their teams with this coordinator.

3.2.4. Rotation/Resting of Fields

The RSA’s attempts to "rest" at least one field per season to allow adequate time for repairs, rehabilitation and other improvement. This is decided on by an inspection of the fields’ condition and time since last upgrade or improvement and is agreed-to by other sports groups through the RSC.

3.3.1. Registration

Coaches must register with The RSA each year by completing the online application that is available through Community Pass sent out with player registration forms or by verbal confirmation with the appropriate division coordinator (returning coaches only).

Coaches on NWBSA teams are registered with the NWBSA by the RSA registrar.

The RSA reserves the right to deny a coaching position to any applicant or to a returning coach who, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, is unsuitable for the position.

3.3.2. Training / Education

The coaching staff, unarguably the most visible members of The RSA, has significant responsibilities both to the players and to The RSA. A coach's primary responsibility is to ensure that the children are able to enjoy their recreational soccer program to the fullest extent possible.

The RSA, having a vested interested in the attitudes and actions of the coaches, proactively develops coaches in several key areas (see chart below). In addition, the RSA maintains section 5.1 of this manual to provide coaches with guidance in successfully carrying out their responsibilities

Assuring children’s safety	Rutgers Safety Course (see 3.1.3) First aid kits for each team
The coach as a role model	UK Elite coaching clinic RSA guide for coaches
Teaching game basics	UK Elite coaching clinic Professional program clinicians The RSA maintains a collection of books & videos at the village library
Teaching Teamwork and Good Sporting Behavoir	UK Elite coaching clinic RSA guide for coaches (see 5.1)

 

3.4.1. Purchasing policy

Uniforms and equipment are purchased annually using the multiple open bid procedure (at least 2 bids are required). As far as possible, suppliers doing business in the Village of Ridgewood or its environs are sought but other suppliers will be used where significant savings can be obtained.

3.4.2. Uniforms

The RSA provides uniforms to players as follows:

Division 6: Stockings and a soccer tee shirt in a team color with RSA logo are supplied. First year players are supplied with a ball. Players must provide their own shorts, shoes, and shin guards.

Division 5: Soccer tee shirt in a team color with RSA logo, shorts, and stockings are supplied. Players must provide their own shoes and shin guards. Teams are also supplied with a goal keeper shirt and gloves

Division 4 intown: Soccer tee shirt in a team color with RSA logo, shorts, and stockings are supplied. Players must provide their own shoes and shin guards. Teams are also supplied with a goal keeper shirt and gloves which must be returned to the Division coordinator at the end of the season.

Traveling Programs (Divisions 4 and 3): Soccer shirt, shorts and stockings are supplied. Colors are registered with the NWBSA and any changes in color or design to the shirt or shorts must be approved by the NWBSA before the start of the season. Players must provide their own shoes and shin guards. Teams are also supplied with a goal keeper shirt and gloves which must be returned to the Division coordinator at the end of the season.

The RSA also provides the following uniforms to aid in recognition at the playing sites

Coaches are given a tee shirt bearing the RSA logo with "COACH" beneath, on the left breast.

In-town referees are given a long-sleeved black tee shirt with the RSA logo breast with "REFEREE" beneath, on the left breast.

Clinicians/Trainers are given a polo shirt (with a collar) bearing the RSA logo with "TRAINER" beneath, on the left breast.

RSA Staff are given a polo shirt (with a collar) bearing the RSA logo with "STAFF" beneath, on the left breast.

3.4.3. Goals and Other Capital Assets

Equipment Owned

• Full size "Kwik Goal" goals and nets:   4 sets
• Half size "Kwik Goal" goals and nets:  8 sets
• Corner flags 20
• Lining machines 2

Equipment Shared

None

3.4.4. Storage Locations

During the season, equipment is stored at several locations around town to provide quick and easy access for the coordinators and the coaches. Refer to Division Coordinator guides for locations.

In the off-season, Division 4 intown goals and clinic balls are stored at the pump house at Veterans Field. Equipment for all other Divisions as well as all other surplus uniforms and equipment are stored at Hollywood Storage, HoHoKus.

The RSA Equipment Manager, the RSA Chairman, and the RSA Vice-Chairman hold keys for the storage locations. Keys for the Veterans Field pump house are also held by the Division 4 coordinator(s).

3.4.5. Inspection and Replacement

All equipment is inspected by the Equipment Manager prior to the start of the season, usually around April, and repairs made wherever possible. Replacements for worn, damaged or lost equipment must be priced through open multiple bids (objective is best for less) and proposed expenditures put before the board of trustees for approval prior to purchase.

Equipment may be lost or damaged during the season and it is the responsibility of coaches to bring such situations to the attention of the Equipment Manager as soon as possible for his inspection. If replacement is needed, estimates should be obtained following the above procedure and an emergency approval of expenditure can be obtained from at least 2 of: the RSA Chair; the Vice-Chair; the Treasurer. A meeting of the board of trustees is not needed for such emergencies but any expenditure must be presented to the full board at the first meeting after the expense is incurred.

3.4.6. Annual Acquisitions

Uniforms

Balls (Division 6 first year players and Division 4/5 clinics: what sizes?)

Medical kits for each team

Marker cones

Orange lining paint for Division 4 and 5 intown programs (quantity?)

3.5.1. Youth Referees

The RSA's Division 4 and Division 5 intown programs employ youth referees for the short-sided field games on Saturday mornings and afternoons.  All youth referees are paid for their services.  To qualify, each youth referee must be in 6th grade or above, must have had some prior soccer experience, must participate in an instructional clinic, and pass an evaluation by the RSA youth referees coordinator.  

3.5.2. Adult Referees

Adult referees are routinely needed for the RSA Division 3 and Division 4 traveling programs.  These programs run on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons.  All adult referees are paid for their services by the RSA.  The NWBSA must certify each adult referee. Ridgewood’s NWBSA coordinator schedules qualified referees for NWBSA home games.

The RSA requires players to complete a new registration form each year. A copy of a birth certificate is required the first year that a child registers in the program to verify age eligibility.

Registration procedures and practices are documented in section 5.8 of this manual (Activities Guide for the RSA Registrar).

Division coordinators determine the number of teams and coaching assignments based on the registration information (see RSA calendar).Within each Division, the RSA registrar Division Coordinator assigns players to teams from the pool of participants making every effort to balance age groups and the Maroons Club members amongst the teams. After those considerations, team assignments are random.

The RSA makes no allowances for players to be placed with friends or classmates and encourages the children to make new associations and friendships that will be beneficial to them as they move through the school system and as individuals in the community.

Cancellations or field reassignments due to inclement weather are made both for the safety of the program participants and for preserving the quality of the fields. The RSA and the Ridgewood Maroons Soccer Club reach these decisions jointly so we present one position to all Ridgewood residents participating in the soccer programs and apply only to games scheduled to be played in Ridgewood.  Cancellations, postponements, or field reassignments for any "away games" are made by the hosting organization.

For Saturday programs in question, the chair of the RSA and the president of the Maroons Club survey the fields and reach a joint position by 7:30 am. The RSA chair communicates any cancellations or field changes to the Division coordinator(s) immediately who, in turn, initiate calls to their coaches. These decisions must be timely so Ridgewood NWBSA coaches with home games that are affected by weather can phone the coach of the team traveling to Ridgewood fields ASAP before games start at 9am .

Sunday afternoon NWBSA program cancellations or field reassignments are made in a similar manner with phone chains starting by 11:30am. These decisions must be timely so Ridgewood NWBSA coaches with home games that are affected by weather can phone the coach of the team traveling to Ridgewood fields ASAP before games start at 1pm

The RSA chair posts the message to the 1-800 phone system, if available.