Club Policies

Anti-Bullying

The WI United FC (WIUFC) is committed to providing players with a fun, positive, and secure environment to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. We do not tolerate bullying at any practice, game, or other WIUFC-sanctioned event. We will promote a TELLING atmosphere. This means anyone who knows that bullying is occurring is expected to report the incident. Players and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is defined as conduct, gestures, or comments which are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, degrading, or otherwise offensive to a player, group of players, and/or teammates and which create a hostile or intimidating environment or which negatively affects a player’s physical and/or emotional well-being. Bullying is any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether a single incident or a series of incidents, that results in intentional pain and distress to the victim.

Signs and Symptoms

• A child may indicate he or she is being bullied through various signs and symptoms. While some children are prone to report bullying to their parents, coaches, or adults, others will not due to fear, intimidation, or other factors. Coaches and parents should be aware of possible signs indicating that bullying may be taking place. These signs and behaviors could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered possible and investigated. For a list of potential signs of bullying, please consult this list.

Procedures for Parents, Coaches, and the Executive Director

• Parents should report bullying incidents to the team coach or manager. If the problem persists, contact the WIUFC Youth Soccer Coaching Director. If necessary and appropriate, police may be consulted.
• In all cases of reported bullying, the player’s parents shall be informed immediately. They may be asked to discuss the incident with the respective team coach and/or coaching director. In all cases, strict confidentiality shall be maintained. It is not our goal to make a public example of reported incidents.
• The negative behavior must be investigated, and the bullying stopped immediately. The parents of any player reported to be bullying will be contacted immediately by the respective team coach or WIUFC Coaching Director and asked to discuss the incident to help the bully or bullies change their behavior.

Consequences of Bullying

• In a first-offense situation involving bullying, an attempt will be made to encourage the bully (or bullies) to modify their behavior for their benefit, the benefit of the person bullied, and the team. An attempt will be made by the coach, manager, or parent(s) to reconcile the situation between players (age and level of maturity and or severity of offense must be considered).
• If the bullying persists, disciplinary action against a player may be taken by the team coach and/or WIUFC Executive Director, which may include but is not limited to, immediate suspension from participation in practices or game(s) for a period of time.
• After the incident/incidents have been investigated and addressed, the situation will continue to be monitored by the respective team coach, team manager, and players’ parents to ensure the problem is resolved.

Coaching

Coach Expectations

All WI United FC coaching staff members are to see themselves as role models and ambassadors for the Club. We ask that our coaches be aware of how they represent themselves, their team, and WI United FC. It is imperative that our coaches are respectful to all around them, including parents, opposing teams, and referees.

We expect our coaches to exhibit professional behavior on and off the field at all times. Disciplinary action will be taken against any coaching staff member whose actions bring the Club into disrepute.WI United FC coaches should aspire to be experts in player development and seek feedback and education, both formal and informal, that will help them down that path. We provide a variety of educational opportunities and resources for our coaches, including the coaching portal, to help our coaches be the best they can be.

We ask that our coaches prepare for training by reviewing the session and curriculum materials provided.WI United FC coaches must embrace the Club philosophy, The WI United Way, and take pride in the development of each player assigned to them. We are committed to building a consistent style of play across our programming with the help of our dedicated coaches.

Coach Right to Refuse

WI United FC reserves the right to refuse any coaches for any reason except for reasons of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs. Most importantly, most reasons include perpetual negative or abusive sideline behavior.

Coach Right to Terminate

The Club reserves the right to remove any volunteer coach or paid coach for any reason. Additional action may be required, including banning coaches from attending games as spectators and removing any future coaching rights. If coaches refuse to cooperate, they and their children may be banned from the club immediately and possibly permanently. Any further refusal to cooperate can result in police interaction.

Coach Sideline Behavior Policy

WI United FC has a zero-tolerance policy regarding aggressive coach sideline behavior. Excessive coaching is strongly discouraged and only positive reinforcement should be provided to our players by coaches and sideline spectators. Coaches will be removed from the program for consistent violations of this philosophy. There should be no negative interactions between coaches and referees, coaches and opposing coach/players, or coaches and visiting parents.

Concussions

WI United FC recognizes the potential danger and long-term health consequences of this often difficult-to-diagnose form of traumatic brain injury. The policy is intended to provide easy-to-understand guidelines related to players diagnosed with or suspected of having a concussion.

The policy is for coaches, parents, and players but should be shared with other adults or participants in WI United FC. At WIUFC, we want to ensure our players have the safest environment possible. As such, WIUFC is incorporating a Concussion Policy to educate WIUFC members about concussions, help prevent concussions from occurring, and identify when a concussion may have occurred.

Per Wisconsin Senate Law 11-040, passed on March 14, 2011, and put into effect on January 1, 2012, youth coaches need to be educated about concussions. It is mandatory for all recreational and competitive coaches to have completed a concussion training module and have a certificate of completion on file to be updated every two years.

Here are the guidelines WIUFC encourages coaches, players, and families to follow:

• Learn about concussions! The athlete, family, and coach should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
• Identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion. As a member of the sports community, we must recognize the signs of a concussion and check to see if the player is experiencing symptoms of a concussion.
• When in doubt, take the player out.’ It is best practice to remove the player from the competition if signs and/or symptoms of a concussion have occurred.
• Do not let the player return. The player should not return to competition until he or she is evaluated by a medical physician and cleared to play.
• Monitor player recovery. Players who have experienced a concussion should be allowed to return to participate gradually. Players should continue to be monitored with the goal that the player will eventually return to full participation at an individual pace. Not all concussions are the same.

When a parent registers their player, they agree to the following:

“If my child is diagnosed with a concussion during a WI United FC activity or during any other activity, including those outside WIUFC, or if my player has a prior head injury, I will inform my child’s coach of such diagnosis prior to the start of the season or before my child returns to play.”

Conflict Resolution

WI United FC encourages our members to take a 24-hour “cool down” period before addressing a conflict that may have occurred. Complaints and concerns regarding your soccer experience should be directed according to the following guidelines.

Complaints regarding WI United FC coaches, assistant coaches, and/or managers should be addressed with the head coach. If the resolution isn’t satisfactory, please make sure to document your concerns in writing to the attention of the appropriate program director.

Your child’s team concerns should be addressed directly with your child’s coach or assistant coach at a proper time and place. If the resolution is not satisfactory, document your concerns in writing to the attention of the appropriate program director.

If, after following the appropriate measures as listed above, the resolution is not satisfactory, document your concerns in writing to the attention of the WI United FC Coaching Director.

Complaints and concerns regarding WI United FC’s player development policies, programs, and coaching staff should be documented in writing and sent to the attention of the WI United FC Coaching Director and proper Program Director.

Failure to Meet Expectations

Due to extreme and rare conditions, such as weather, field availability, lack of space, or other instances out of our control, WI United FC is not responsible for failure to meet expectations set forth on the Club’s website.

Force Majeure

WI United FC shall not be liable or responsible for refunds for failure, cancellation, suspension, postponement, delay, or shortening in services resulting from a Force Majeure Event, inclusive of causes beyond its reasonable control, including, but not limited to acts of God; field closures; labor disputes; equipment failure; war; terrorism; riot; acts of civil or military authorities; epidemics; floods; fires; unusual severe weather conditions; accidents; or other contingencies the non-occurrence of which was a basic assumption on which the registration was made.

Guest Playing

Players in the WI United FC must ask for permission from the appropriate Director of Coaching to participate in outside events with other clubs. The technical staff wants to ensure players are getting enough rest and are fulfilling the training-to-game ratio set forth at the beginning of each year.

To manage the player’s development and time on the field, the Directors will approve or not approve the request. If the request is approved, the director must fill out guest player paperwork and provide the player pass.

Inclement Weather

Hot Weather

The risk of heat-related illness from vigorous sports activity increases with the temperature. The body generates heat that cannot be dissipated readily when the ambient temperature exceeds 85 degrees F, depending upon the humidity. Hot weather is considered when the Heat Index reaches or exceeds 90.

Coaches should follow the following procedures based on the conditions:

• Heat Index up to 89°: Normal Play. Regular hydration patterns
• Heat index of 90°- 95°: Mandatory water breaks every 25 minutes.
• Heat index of 96°-102°: Mandatory water breaks every 15 minutes.
• Heat index over 103° (at start of training): All outside activity canceled

Winter Weather

Players are more susceptible to injuries during cold weather, particularly from pulled or torn muscles. Players should be encouraged to wear appropriate clothing to aid body heat retention yet afford adequate movement without creating a safety hazard. As a general rule, training programs will be canceled if the projected temperature (including wind chill) at the start of training is projected to be below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Makeup Sessions

Sessions/games/practices may be required to be played on non-traditional days, including Sundays, weekdays, and doubleheaders. Game and practice schedules may be changed throughout the season due to, but not limited to, teams folding, bye weeks, quality of fields, lack of fields, flighting issues, weather problems, and other instances that may be out of our control. WI United FC aims to provide a safe and positive environment for all our teams.

Media Release

WI United FC reserves the right to use photographs, video, voice, and likeness of players, parents, coaches, and referees participating in our programming without compensation. The media obtained by WIUFC may be used on our website, social media, publications, etc. By participating in United Youth Soccer, members agree to the following statement:

“I grant WI United FC and their respective successors and assign the perpetual worldwide and royalty-free rights to use my child’s voice, photograph, and likeness in any media related to my performance in or observation of the club, including, without limitation, a videotape recording of such programming without compensation to me, or my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, children, dependents, spouse, and relatives.”

Movement Between Teams

WI United FC finds it very important to ensure all players are playing at the correct level and being challenged just enough to help their development. Sometimes the coaching staff will find the best option to be moving a player to a new environment.

If a player is moved, this can result in an increase or decrease in fees for the remainder of the season or year. As soon as the appropriate director approves this move of coaching, your player will be moved into the system, and the fees will be updated according to the number of games and events left for the new team.

No Pets

For the safety of WIUFC players and families, dogs are not permitted on the premises of any WIUFC practice, game, or event, even if dogs are permitted at that facility, park, or field.

No Solicitation Policy

Any solicitations, promotions, distributions of written or other materials, or any other advertisement not previously approved by the WI United FC is strictly prohibited at practices, games, or other activities sponsored by the club.

Non-Discrimination

WI United FC does not discriminate against its members, players, coaches, parents, or referees based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs.

Parent Code of Conduct

Youth soccer is for the players. All parents associated with the WI United FC are invited to share the pleasure of watching their children participate in the world’s most popular sport, so long as their behavior does not distract the players and officials from the free flow of play, which is the sport’s trademark.

WI United FC prides itself on having respectful and engaged families, and we ask that parents and guardians continue to adhere to these guidelines.

A parent or guardian should:

• Foster an environment of respect for referees, players, coaches, and spectators of the opposing team through words of encouragement and support.
• Applaud superior play, effort, and sportsmanship by players on both teams.
• Support your coaches, managers, and club consistently regardless of the results on the field. Coaches contribute many hours of their time to your children. They deserve your congratulations when the team wins and your encouragement when the team doesn’t.
• Communicate concerns to the coach at the appropriate time (recommended 24-hour cool-off period) away from the playing location and players.
• Always remain at least two yards from the playing field so our young players have room to play and enjoy the game.
• Your cooperation with these standards before, during, and after each game or practice will make WIUFC more enjoyable for everyone.

A parent or guardian must:

• Never use foul language or obscene gestures at a game or practice site.
• Avoid comments and gestures that express disagreement with referee decisions.
• Cooperate with any request by the game officials.
• Never consume alcoholic beverages on the field location at practices or games.
• Set a good example for our players

A parent or guardian understands that:

• Any parent or spectator who fails to adhere to these standards will be required to leave the playing area, and play will be suspended until he or she does so.
• The WI United FC reserves the right to suspend or terminate a player’s enrollment for his or her parent’s persistent or extreme misbehavior, and there will be no refunds of player fees in such cases.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for their guests’ behavior and must inform their guests of the applicable rules of conduct.

Any breaches of this Code of Conduct can result in your child’s suspension and a member’s removal from the WI United FC. Comments and behavior of any member which contradicts the mission statement or disrupts the functioning of a team can result in suspension and/or removal from the WI United FC.

Player Policies

Player Failure to Place Policy

Registration of your child with WI United FC does not guarantee a place in the Club’s Programs. As we do our best to give as many players the ability to play as possible, there may be instances where your child will be turned away. Such instances include, but are not limited to, the inability to create enough teams due to a lack of players, inability to find a coach, late registrations, unsuccessful payments, and missing payment deadlines.

Player Pick-Up Policy

WI United FC paid coaches are required, and our volunteer coaches are requested to stay on the field until the last player is picked up. This policy applies to players from age 4 through age 18 and is designed to ensure your child’s safety.

Additionally, all coaches are requested to have a “two-deep” player policy, meaning coaches should never find themselves in a position being alone with a child. As a result, it is important that parents and guardians drop off and pick up their players from practice on time.

While we understand that many parents have hectic schedules and getting to and from practices can present challenges, it is important to note that we rely on many volunteers and professional coaches who similarly have demanding schedules and often must leave immediately following your child’s practice. Should a coach need to leave the field area while children are still present, children may only be left with an adult (including parents) who has completed a volunteer disclosure form and submitted the form to the WI United FC office. You can find our Volunteer Disclosure form on our website.

Player Right to Refuse Policy

WI United FC reserves the right to refuse participation for any reason except for reasons of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs.

Most importantly, most reasons include perpetual negative or abusive parent/guardian or player behavior or repeated non-payment of registration fees without resolving to cure.

Reasons for refusal may include negative or abusive parent/guardian behavior, negative or abusive player behavior, or repeated non-payment of fees.

Playing Time & Commitment Expectations

Playing Time

• At this level of play, playing time needs to be earned by the players. Coaches will have the discretion to field the most competitive team. Players are being evaluated based on their work ethic, commitment, attitude, coachability, and performance.
• There are times of the year when we are more balanced with playing time such as friendlies, showcases, and within in-state competition. However, there are also times of the year where results are much more significant such as during National League PRO, State Cup, President’s Cup and E64 Conference games. During these times of the year, performance and ability will become more dominant factors in playing time decisions.
• Please do not approach your coaches immediately after a game to discuss playing time. If a conversation is needed, you are required to wait at least 24 hours before setting up time and your child must be present. We do expect players to drive this process. This is a skill set that will serve young people well in high school, college, and in life.

Training & Attendance Expectations

• All soccer players who accept a roster spot on WI United FC teams must understand that they are not only making a commitment to their own development, they are making a commitment to their teammates and coaches as well. Soccer is a team sport and each players’ commitment level can either enhance or detract from the environment that ultimately impacts the development and future opportunities of all players on the team.
• All players accepting a Premier team roster spot must attend a minimum of 90% of all training sessions and conference games.
• All players accepting a Elite or Select roster spot must attend a minimum of 75% of all training sessions and conference games.
• Absences that are excused in advance by the head coach will not count against player attendance. We expect proactive and transparent communication directly from players so we can work together to problem solve around conflicts.
• Failing to meet the minimum attendance % will result in reduced game playing time, withheld game opportunities, and/or potential removal from the team during the season.

Release of Information

It is the WI United FC’s policy not to release any information regarding any participants participation within Club structured programming, including, but not limited to, team name, practice date, practice time, practice location, game date, game time, game location, coach name, coach contact information, or any other information about the player’s participation in WI United FC.

Information on the WI United FC player’s account will only be released to the contact person. If you’d like information released to additional guardians or individuals, please have the main contact person on the account add those individuals to the account or email gro.c1792118490fdeti1792118490nuiw@1792118490ofni1792118490 to add them.

Uniform Policy

WI United FC Club’s official apparel and equipment sponsor is Adidas. This relationship is critical to the success of both on and off-site programming. All uniforms, training gear, cold weather gear, bags, and training should be Adidas branded. New uniforms must be purchased on a 2-year cycle regardless of need. The Club will assign uniform numbers.