Greenfield United Policies and Procedures 

General Policies

• All rules, statements of philosophy, and codes of conduct will be kept and maintained, by the Secretary, in one book, posted on the Greenfield United website and available through Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association where they will be complete and easily available to any Greenfield United participants or potential participants. 

• The payment of fees for player participation and clinics must be paid on a schedule as determined by the Board prior to the start of a particular playing season. 

• For those participants selected for scholarships, all payments shall be made in keeping with the rules for scholarships as determined by the Board prior to the start of the playing season. A player may not play or participate in practice without having paid his or her fees in full, or having signed a scholarship or installment payment agreement. 

• Participants will be given a fee schedule, on or before the time of registration. 

• Parents who have concerns regarding the coaching of their child should discuss the matter with the coach before the problem is made a matter for resolution by the general Board. A Board member will be made available to participate in these coach-parent discussions at the request of either party. 

• A player may  “play up” above his/her youngest available age group only in compliance with Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association policies which require the written agreement and explanation of Greenfield United and the applicable coach.

• Greenfield United presumes that playing up is not in the best interest of the player because:

1. The loss of a talented player is a hardship to the team losing such a player from its roster, implying (incorrectly) that the older team has priority of choice over the younger team.

2. The selection of one player over another may well result in needless discord in one form or another among the teams involved and their families.

3. The ultimate value to a player of moving up is unclear. It is often the family more than the player that pushes for the move. There are often benefits for staying put, which include growth in confidence and camaraderie among teammates of the same age.

Exceptions to the rule above are as follows:

• A player who would truly benefit from play on an older team.
• The older or younger team has a shortage of players and without the players playing up, the younger or older players would not be able to form a team.
• Other exceptions as permitted by Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association which are also considered in the best interest of the players and Greenfield United. 
  

Additional Rules:

• Double-rostering of players shall be permitted if approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire  Board with consideration made for what is in the best interest of the player and all teams involved. Designation of the primary team shall be made by the board, in consolation with coaches and parents.
• All Greenfield United coaches must  be credentialed by Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. Association.  Greenfield United will fund approved clinic participation.
• Ages of players on youth soccer teams shall be as defined by Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association and Roots Soccer League. Age levels for the various teams sponsored by Greenfield United in any particular season shall be as determined by the Board. In general, Greenfield United shall try to put forth competitive teams at the U-8 thru U-16 levels, to the extent that these age classifications are offered by leagues in which Greenfield Untied  participates. 

• Codes of conduct will be adopted for spectators, parents, coaches, and players. They will be reviewed each year and will be distributed to Greenfield United players, coaches, and parents. 

• See Code of Conduct section