To:             Zones ~ All U12 – U18 Teams

From:        Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc.

Date:         November 26, 2008

Re:             Effective Immediately ~ Changes to Game Management & Referees

At the November 25^th SYSI Program Coordination Committee meeting, the following changes underlined below were made to the Game Management and Referees section.  This rule change will be effective immediately for both indoor and outdoor seasons.

XXI.        GAME MANAGEMENT AND REFEREES         Page 20                             

1.          All Mini Soccer (Under-6, Under-8, Under-10) games are under the jurisdiction of the coaches of the competing teams. All matters related to play should be resolved by consensus of the coaches.

2.          A referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with a match to which they are assigned.

3.          The jurisdiction of a referee over the teams in a match to which the referee has been assigned begins at the time the referee arrives at the playing venue.

4.          Under normal circumstances and subject to availability, referees will be assigned for all scheduled youth league and play-off games.

5.          In the event an assigned referee fails to appear or is unable to finish a game:

a.        Re-scheduling of games is very difficult especially during the indoor season, if at all possible, the teams should find a mutually agreeable substitute referee (parent, assistant coach, one coach for each half) and play the scheduled game. Prior to starting or continuing a game with a substitute official, both coaches should sign the game sheet with a note indicating acceptance of the agreed substitute.  The substitute referee will be paid for the game at the end of the season as long as they have clearly stated their name and address on the game sheet.  If the volunteer referee chooses not to be paid for the game then SYSI will refund the Zones at the end of the season.

b.       Any delay to the start shall be accommodated by reducing the length of the game. 

c.        Failure to agree on a replacement will result in a forfeit for both teams.

Please note that this does not mean that Saskatoon Youth Soccer is not doing all we can to ensure that there is a certified referee at every game.  However, due to a shortage of qualified officials and other unforeseen circumstances, that is not always possible.  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.