Constitution

Passed at the January General Meeting, 2012.
Updated section 17 passed at January 2013 GM.
Minor updates passed at March 2015 GM.
Most recent updates passed at October 2019 GM.

ARTICLE 1 – NAME
This organization shall be known as the HAMILTON MEN’S INTER-CHURCH SOCCER LEAGUE, hereinafter called the HMICSL or the League.

ARTICLE 2 – AIM
The aim of this constitution shall be to establish and govern all aspects of league activities.

ARTICLE 3 – OFFICERS
Section 1:
The League Board shall consist of the Executive and a representative from each member team.
Section 2:
The Executive shall consist of:
The President
The Secretary / Vice President
The Treasurer
The Statistician
Section 3:
The position of the President, Secretary/VP, Treasurer, and Statistician will be filled by a representative from one of the member teams.
Section 4:
Executive members are elected for available positions at the general meeting in April.
Section 5:
Executive members are to be elected for a three-year term unless agreed upon by a majority vote of members to extend the term.

ARTICLE 4 – DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE
To administer the general business of the League and to supervise all committees.
To follow the policies as set forth in the Constitution.
To provide and ensure that each team representative and coach has access to the constitution and schedule posted on the website before the first game of the current season.

ARTICLE 5 – RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE
The President:
To call meetings.
To act as chairman at league meetings.
To circulate a Notice of Meeting and Agenda ten days prior to General League Meetings.
To represent the League as contact and spokesman.
To present awards at the final game of the season or awards banquet.
To liaise with the referee coordinator(s).
To communicate with the Discipline Committee and assist it in every way.

The Secretary/Vice President:
To prepare the minutes of all League meetings and distribute via email a copy to each team representative.
To annually prepare and submit all changes to the constitution.
To send an up to date copy of the HMICSL Constitution to the Ontario Soccer Association each year.

The Treasurer:
To keep an up to date account of all financial matters and submit a report to the January General Meeting of each year.
To order trophies, plaques, and awards for all League activities.
Act as a liaison between the League and the Ontario Soccer Association and pay league registration dues required by the Association.

The Statistician:
To keep an up to date account of all league results and submit regular reports to all team representatives, including cards and suspension reports
To review and report the results of the previous season at the General League Meeting in January
To register all players and teams on the OSA Player Management System (OSCAR)

ARTICLE 6 – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
The membership of the League shall consist of the teams listed in Section 3 below. Each team must have a representative at every League meeting.

Section 2:
Any team which desires admission to the league shall submit a letter of application to the League President. This application must have the approval of two-thirds majority of the member teams and must be submitted by the January meeting of the year the team seeks admission into the League. The HMICSL Board will determine which applications are deemed ‘new teams’.

Section 3:
Each team is responsible for collecting League membership and player dues as well as any fines incurred during the season.

ARTICLE 7 – MEETINGS
Section 1:
League meetings are to be held 3 times a year – 2 pre-season meetings in March/April time frame, and one post season (after regular season and playoffs are complete). Exact dates to be established annually by the executives.

Section 2:
At the April General Meeting, the entire tentative schedule for the coming season will be presented. The final schedule will be released by email prior to the April meeting and posted on the website no later than May 1st of each year.

ARTICLE 8 – FINANCES
Each team will be assessed a membership fee each year. This fee will be determined according to need at the January General Meeting of the playing year.
League fees shall be paid to the Treasurer on or before the April Meeting.
All cheques shall be made out to “Hamilton Men’s Inter-Church Soccer League” or “HMICSL”.

ARTICLE 9 – VOTING
All players and coaches may attend the January General Meeting and are entitled to one vote per team on any issue (members of the Executive do not have additional votes).
Motions shall be carried by a simple majority of teams present.

ARTICLE 10 – AMENDMENTS
Section 1:
The constitution shall be amended at any official league meeting and shall require a majority vote of the member teams represented at the meeting.

Section 2:
A NOTICE OF MOTION to change the constitution shall be sent to all teams, at least TEN days prior to the meeting to vote.

ARTICLE 11 – ELIGIBILITY
Each team and each player must be registered with the Ontario Soccer Association.
The minimum age for participation shall be sixteen years of age, male, as of December 31 of the playing year.
Each team must submit a final roster, OSA player books, and a season deposit as required to the League Statistician at or before the April General Meeting. All players from this roster will be eligible for play-off competition. Any special considerations after this date shall be made in writing to the Executive to allow a player to be eligible for play.
All members (including coaches) must be members of a Christian church, and be a member in good standing in their respective church. The League reserves the right to confirm the membership of a player in the League. Players requiring special consideration must be brought to the attention of the Board, in writing, prior to the April Meeting.
When an ineligible player competes in a game, the game will be counted as a loss for that team and a 3-0 win for the opposing team. An ineligible player is one who is deemed ineligible through suspension, eligibility rules, or through the current board’s interpretation of the constitution. No statistics except the loss counts for the losing team. Any cards will remain for both teams.
Each team is responsible to the Ontario Soccer Association and the HMICSL for the action of its players, coaches, and spectators. It is also responsible and required to take all precautionary measures in keeping order at league activities. Any swearing or abusive language will not be tolerated.

ARTICLE 12 – GAME PROCEDURES
Section 1: Game Times:
All games will consist of a maximum of two 45 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break or a minimum of two 35 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break. All games must be played as on the league’s schedule that is posted on the league’s website unless both teams agree to the change. The Board Executive must be notified in advance of the changes.
Each game shall start at the designated time on the teams schedule as posted on the website.
Late in the season when the hours of light are reduced, it is recommended that both teams compromise and begin the games at an earlier time.

Section 2: Cancelled Games:
The referees and only the referees can call off a game because of weather conditions. If called before the first ten minutes of the second half is completed, it is assumed that the game has not been played. (Games called after ten minutes of the second half are considered to be completed games.)

Section 3: Game Ball:
Each home team must supply two approved size 5 game balls.

Section 4: Substitutions:
Unlimited substitutions shall be as follows:
On a goal kick.
After a goal has been scored.
At the beginning of the second half or an overtime period.
When the referee has stopped play due to an injury (only the injured player may be replaced).
On their own team’s throw-ins.
If a team substitutes on their own throw-in, the other team may substitute as well.

Section 5: Forfeitures:
Failure on the part of any team to show up for a regular season game will result in a victory for the team that was present. Forfeited games will have a result of a 3 – 0 score.
A team may not play a game with less than 8 players. If 15 minutes have passed after the scheduled start time and the required number of players are not present, then the game will be forfeited.
If a game is forfeited with less than 48 hours notice to the opposing team, the forfeiting team will be fined. See fines & penalties.
HMICSL uses a referee coordinator/assignor – thus, failure for a referee and both linesmen to show up are considered to be for reasons out of the control of the home team. The Executive shall review the reasons behind the failure, consult with the coordinator/assignor, and shall by a majority determine if the game should be replayed or else should be considered a 0-0 tie (if no implications on playoff seedings).

ARTICLE 13 – FIELDS
Each field must be at least 90 metres in length by 60 metres in width to a maximum of 105 metres in length by 80 metres in length.
Each field must have clearly marked lines. Each corner of the field must have a visible marker.
Each goal must have mesh nets attached to the goal in such a way that they do not interfere with the field of play.
Although fields are booked and paid for by the league (with certain exceptions), a “home team” will be assigned to each game for the purposes of determining which team is responsible for ensuring nets and corner markers are in place, as well as paying the officials fees etc.

ARTICLE 14 – DISCIPLINE
Section 1: Cautions and Ejections:
The regular season and playoffs will be split into two different time periods. All cards that have occurred during the regular season will not carry into the playoffs, but suspensions will. (For example, a player that receives his third yellow during the last game of the season will sit out the first game of the playoffs.) Suspensions also carry over into the new season for cards that have happened in the playoffs.
Any player receiving a red card will receive an automatic two game suspension, except in the case of a red card received for a handball infraction in which case a one game suspension will be assessed. Any player who receives a yellow card after being assessed a red card earlier in the season or playoffs will receive a one game suspension.
Any player receiving two yellow cards in one game, which then constitutes in an ejection, will receive an additional one game suspension (current game, plus one additional). Any player who accumulates three yellow cards in different games during the regular season or playoffs will receive a one game suspension. Any subsequent yellow cards will result in an additional one game suspension.
Upon being found guilty of a third red card offence or fifth yellow card in one season, a mandatory suspension of the remaining regular schedule and playoffs will be imposed.
In any situation where a player receives a suspension, the suspension takes effect immediately and the player must sit out the next league or playoff game(s) the team plays.
Persistent and continuous swearing by a player may result in a caution or ejection by the referee.
Any incident of violent conduct noted by the referee may result in further suspension and/or fine by the league, at the discretion of the Executive and/or Discipline Committee.
All disciplinary action will be handled by the Executive or an assigned designate (if a conflict due to team membership) and/or Discipline Committee at a special meeting for the occasion. Disciplinary action is to be based on the OSA recommendations.

Section 2: Fines and Penalties:
Any team who does not send a representative to a League General meeting will be levied a $100 fine. Members of the Executive are not permitted to be the only representative from their team.
All game results must be reported online within 24 hours of the game being played. Fine for failure to report is $25 per occurrence.
Any team which forfeits a game with less than 48 hrs notice to the opposing team will be levied a $150 fine, and will still be responsible to pay officials fees.
Each red card has a fine of $30, each yellow has a fine of $15. All cards that occurred in both the regular season and playoffs must be paid at the end of season meeting.

ARTICLE 15 – PROTESTS
All protests in matters of discipline arising at the game must be forwarded by email to the League President.
All protests must be brought to the attention of the referee of that particular game and the referee must place his comments and signature on the game sheet or advise the teams that he will be sending in an O.S.A. form directly to the President. (It would be advisable that the coaches or team representatives contact the President as soon as possible after the game.)
Protests and discipline will be discussed and handled by the Executive immediately after it has been brought to their attention.

ARTICLE 16 – REFEREES
A referee and two linesmen, who must be Ontario Soccer Association certified, are needed for each regular season and playoff game, and are arranged by the referee coordinator/assignor.
In the event of a referee and two linesmen not attending a League game, please see forfeitures section.
The captain shall be required to notify the referee before the start of the game of the League’s swearing policy.
Failure for one or two linesmen to show: the game can be played and the League President is to be notified to consult with the referee coordinator/assignor.

ARTICLE 17 – LEAGUE PLAY
The board will decide prior to the April General Meeting the specific layout of the schedule. If required, the top teams will be scheduled to play other top teams more often than lower-ranked teams (and vice versa), the exact formulation of which may vary from season to season based on the number of teams in the league. A composite ranking based on the previous year’s final standings and playoff results may be used to create the schedule.
All teams will receive a complete game schedule before or at the April General Meeting. Any requests for rescheduled games must be considered before the April General Meeting and a revised schedule must be posted by May 1. All games must be played as indicated on the schedule posted on the website. (Exception, please see Article XII, section 1)
Both teams shall submit game results and details to the board within 24 hours of the completion of the game.

ARTICLE 18 – POST SEASON PLAY
Section 1: Player Eligibility:
All players on the final roster by the deadline to submit final rosters each season are eligible for the playoffs. The deadline to make roster changes will be established before the April meeting and communicated to the team reps. The specific date can change from year to year based on circumstances.

Section 2: Playoff Eligibility:
The Playoffs format will be decided each year before the regular season starts. The decision will be made by vote at the April league meeting. Playoff format can change from year to year depending on the number of teams playing in the league that year.
In the event of a tie in the standings, the top team will be determined by the following criteria:
• Head to head competition.
• Plus-minus ratio: total goals for minus total goals against; the highest advances.
• Total number of wins.
• Total number of points acquired in games against teams placing higher in the standings.

Section 3: Playoff Format:
Format will be decided each spring by vote. The objective is to include both quarter finals, semifinals and finals each year, if enough teams are playing. Both quarter finals and semi finals may be either a single game elimination, or best of two series (total goals). The finals will be a single game. All details will be decided prior to the start of the regular season and communicated in writing to all team reps.
Quarter-finals:
One or two game series (as determined at the start of the season)
Semi-finals:
Teams re-seeded from highest (#1) to lowest (#4) in standings at season end.
One or two game series (as determined at the start of the season)
Series E 1 vs 4
Series F 2 vs 3

Final:
Winners of semi-finals.

Any attempt by a player, coach or team to change the structure of the championship final without approval of the Board will not be accepted.
The Board will not recognize any championship final that is played without the Board’s approval.
Teams have to use 6:30 pm starting times, Saturday afternoon, or have a lighted field. Any game that is started later than 6:00 pm on a non-lighted field will consist of two 45 minute halves, if tied after regulation time it will go straight to penalty kicks, no overtime will be played. (Quarter Finals Included)
Semi-Finals & Finals: If tied after regulation time with a lighted field the game may go to overtime consisting of two 10 minute periods, then penalty kicks. If circumstances require (ie: lack of time) changes to the above shall be made with both team captains and the game referee prior to the start of the game as to how long and what type of overtime may be played.
Lines people are required for all playoff games. In the event if no lines people appearing for the game, the two teams along with the referee must choose the lines people from sideline.
All game results and any recorded red or yellow cards shall be forwarded online.

ARTICLE 19 – PRESENTATIONS
Section 1: Team Awards:
Trophies and/or recognition will be awarded to the following teams:
League champion based on regular season schedule.
Playoff champions (Challenge Cup)
Most sportsmanlike team
Most improved team.
Best defensive team based on least goals allowed during the regular season.
Monetary awards shall be awarded as follows to the respective teams:
1st place overall at end of regular season – $200
League Champions – $100
Runners-up in Championship – $50
Best Defensive Team – $100
Most Shutouts – $100
Most Sportsmanlike Team – $100

Section 2: Individual Awards:
Trophies and/or recognition will be awarded to the following individuals:
Most valuable player
Top goal scorer
Coach of the year
The Bernie Slump Award – awarded to the player who best exemplifies team commitment, determination and intensity – a true catalyst player.
The Bill Tolkamp Award – Championship Game M.V.P.

Section 3: Awards Selection:
Awards not determined by regular season or playoff schedules will be voted on by all teams at the end of the regular season.