Club Team Framework
Last Updated: Oct 20th, 2011
A club team will be recognized by the NWT Soccer Association if it adheres to each of the following conditions:
- Has all of its players and coaching staff currently registered and in good standing with the Association;
- Has an established training regime and can provide a letter from the community facility where the club trains if requested by the Association;
- Has a Team bank account with a chartered bank to hold monies to conduct its own business and has the ability to operate as a financially responsible entity;
- Adheres and operates according to the NWTSA Club Team Framework outlined below.
Club Team Framework
This framework has been developed to ensure that there is an efficient and consistent forum for players and their parents to be involved with competitive levels of soccer development from year to year. This framework is based on the experience of past and current coaches within the NWT Soccer Association and the lessons learned from other provincial and territorial associations.
Each team within the Club Team Framework must work towards and promote the long term, age-appropriate fitness and skill development of their players to prepare them for higher levels of soccer development.
Structure
Each year the Association will advertise for four (4) age categories for both male and female groups (U12, U14, U16, and U18 for each community or region) according to the standards and regulations set out by the CSA. Players are considered eligible to play within a specific category if they within they are within that age category prior to that calendar year (January 1st). If there aren't sufficient numbers of players to establish a team in a specific age category in a specific community or region, players may be permitted to participate with another team pending the coach and the NWT Soccer Associations approval.
The Club Season will run from November 1st until October 31st each year, however, teams arent required to be training during the entire 12 month period. Teams are allowed to carry all players who try-out, however, in situations where there are a number of players trying out for a team that is greater than 18 and less than the number required to create two teams, the coach may choose to carry all of those players. This idea supports the goal of increasing physical activity and participation of our youth as well avoids excluding players who are eager to learn and willing to make the commitment. If the coach chooses to carry more or less than 18 players they must notify parents, players and the Association at the beginning of their season detailing the coach's plan for determining attendance at tournaments and Club Nationals.
If there is more than one team per gender per region, those teams are encouraged to operate under the same name and are encouraged to solicit for a Head Coach who can oversee and offer guidance to the other coaches. Coaches must ensure that a consistent training schedule is provided and must attempt to avoid conflict with others soccer programs and commitments where possible.
Coaching
Coaches are required to be currently registered members in good standing and inform the Association of their intent by September 1st of each year. They are responsible for selecting the remainder of their Coaching Staff; Assistant Coach and Manager. Eligible coaches must hold a current Community-level certification or be intending to obtain certification as soon as possible and maintain a valid CPIC with vulnerable sector check at all times. This will ensure that applicants for these key positions are dedicated to the team and willing to advance their knowledge and understanding of the game.
Player Selection
Each team must host try-outs on an annual basis prior to the commencement of their season to allow for new players a chance to participate. This will also help to avoid complacency of current players. Each team is required to include 2 members of the soccer community to help in the selection of players. These members must not be parents or relatives of any players trying out, nor any of the coaching staff affiliated with the team.
Invitation to join the team may be extended to players who have recently moved into the Territories. An invitation to other players (must be currently registered members of the NWTSA) to participate in tournaments and events may be extended if members of the team are unavailable to attend. Both of the above decisions are at the discretion of the Head Coach.
Travel
A club team must be registered with the NWT Soccer Association for at least three (3) months prior to requesting travel or participation in sanctioned tournaments. Teams are expected to attend at least one tournament or event outside of the Northwest Territories and are encouraged to compete in as many competitions as possible.
Fundraising
All member club teams are eligible to fundraise under the Society's Act on behalf of NWT Soccer Association. The manager of each team is responsible for managing the financial resources of the team as well as recording the individual contribution of each person associated with the team. The method for accounting for fundraising contributions will be as follows:
- Each individual's total hours of contribution will be recorded by the team manager;
- The total amount of money earned at given points throughout the year will be divided by the total number of hours of commitment of all individuals to date to calculate the total 'money earned per hour;
- Each individual's hours will be multiplied by the 'money earned per hour' to determine how much of the funds they are eligible for to put towards their cost of particpating in the upcoming event.
The individual funds contributed by each member of the team can be carried over from year to year if a player becomes injured or a serious situation arises where an individual cant use his/her funds. If a player decides to leave the team or is dismissed because of a lack of commitment or a violation of the code of conduct, all monies the player has fundraised or paid stays with the team.
DATE OF BOARD APPROVAL: October, 2008
