Contact Person: Nick Heinemann 732-861-2960
1) AGE AND ELIGIBILITY
Participation in the PDA Girls College Showcase Tournament is open to accepted teams. U15, U16, U17 & U18/19 teams are eligible to have up to 26 players on their team roster if allowed by sanctioning body. Players must have been born during, or subsequent to, the divisional year. Each team from the US must be registered with a National State Association affiliated with US Youth Soccer, or with US Club Soccer, and must present an approved and valid Official State or US Club Soccer Roster. US Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer Member passes duly authorized by State National Association or US Club Soccer will be required as proof of age. Teams from Canada must provide proof of legal entry into the United States and are required to have and present player picture identification. Canadian teams must also have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.
MEMBER PASSES AND OFFICIAL, APPROVED ROSTERS MUST BE PRESENT AT THE FIELD FOR THE DURATION OF THE GAME.
2) REGISTRATION AND CREDENTIALS:
a) REGISTRATION: Teams must check in at the MANDATORY REGISTRATION. Teams will be notified to the time and location of the Mandatory Registration. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification (without a refund of the fee) from the Tournament.
CREDENTIALS: At the Mandatory Registration, teams must provide the required credentials. All U.S. teams must provide laminated USYSA or US Club Soccer Player I.D. Cards with photographs, and signed Medical Release Forms. Teams from outside NJYSA must also provide approved Travel Papers that must include a roster listing all players authorized to travel. Proper Player Loan Forms will be required at Registration along with other required credentials, as required by the team’s State Association or US Club Soccer. Teams from Canada must provide proof of legal entry into the United States and are required to have and present player picture identification. Canadian teams must also have a completed form from its Provincial or National Association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.
Player passes must be available at the fields of play during any and all matches.
c) ROSTERS:
U15, U16 and U17 teams are eligible to have up to 26 players on their teamroster. A maximum of 18 players can be listed on a particular
gameroster, all of which must be listed on the team roster. A team may use up to five (5) guest players but any team utilizing guest players is still limited to the player maximum of their age group.
d) AGE GROUPS for teams are as follows:
a) Under 18/19
b) Under 17
c) Under 16
d) Under 15
3) RULES OF PLAY:
a) All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules
b) Duration of Games, by Halves, and Ball Size is as follows: ECNL league games will set their own duration for games.
| Division |
Duration of Half |
Ball Size |
| U17/U18 |
40 Minutes |
5 |
| U16 |
40 Minutes |
5 |
| U15 |
40 Minutes |
5 |
c) HALF TIME: Half Time will be exactly 10 minutes.
d) Players and coaches will take one side of the pitch, and supporters will take the other side of the pitch.
e) The designated home team is as listed on the schedule. Game balls will be provided by the tournament, but in the event that the game ball is lost and no replacement is readily available, the home team will be asked to provide a game ball.
4) GAME CHECK-IN CONDUCT
a) Thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each scheduled game, each team must present to the field marshal the team's player cards so the team may be checked in to play and the game started as scheduled. A team who fails to report within ten minutes after a scheduled kick off will forfeit the game.
5) SUBSTITUTIONS
ECNL teams will follow their league rules.
Free substitution will be allowed in all age groups. However, teams may substitute only with the referee's permission and only at the following times (including overtimes):
a) Prior to a throw-in, by either team
b) Prior to a goal kick, by either team
c) After a goal, by either team
d) After an injury on either team when the referee stops play
e) At halftime
f) On a caution, only the cautioned player may be substituted at that time.
6) PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT and CREDENTIALS
a) It will be at the Referee's discretion to determine the safety and suitability of player equipment including the wearing of a hard brace or soft cast.
b) Shin guards are mandatory for all players.
c) Where u
niform colors are similar, the designated home team will change colors. Home team is listed first on the schedule.
d) Player picture cards are to be present and available at all matches.
e) The shirt number of each player must be the same as the player’s shirt number on the daily match report or roster. If the numbers are not the same, the referee is not to allow the player to take part in the match until the numbers are the same.
7) COACHING
All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one's own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided:
a) No mechanical devices are used
b) The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory
c) No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators
d) No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior
8) CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
a) A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an Ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding points for the Tournament competition. A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game.
b) A player or coach who is ejected for
violent conduct
or
serious foul play
will not be allowed to participate in the next
TWO scheduled games.
c) Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament.
d) For the purpose of this Tournament a Coach can be carded.
9) SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES
If in the opinion of game officials a game must be suspended (for reason), the game may be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of game officials, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench coaches, or spectators, the offending team could be suspended from further play and forfeits that game and all remaining games. All previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and State Association will be contacted as appropriate.
10) INJURY
Delays of the game due to injury will result in appropriate time being added to the full game time, based on the judgment of the referee.
11) TOURNAMENT PLAY
Each team will be scheduled for 3 games minimum.
There will be Champions posted in each Age Division.
12) STANDINGS AND TIE-BREAKERS
1. GAME POINTS
A. Points will be awarded for each game in accordance with the following schedule:
- Six points for a WIN
- Three points for a TIE
- Zero points for a LOSS
- One point for a SHUTOUT (including 0-0 game)
- One point for each goal scored, up to three maximum, regardless of win or loss.
B. For a forfeited game, the winner will be credited with a 1-0 win and awarded eight points (six for the
win, one for the goal, and one for the shutout). A team abandoned by another team during a game
will be awarded at least eight points. The results of that game shall be based on the score at the time
of the abandonment.
2. TIE BREAKING WITHIN A BRACKET
In the event of a points tie, places will be determined as follows:
A. Head to head.
B. Goal differential (maximum of 5 goal difference per game).
C. Most goals scored (maximum of 5 goals per game).
D. Least goals allowed.
13) FORFEITS:
All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored a 0 -1 loss. Teams failing to report with at least seven players ready to play, within ten minutes after the scheduled kick off time, will forfeit. Home Teams unable to supply alternate jerseys, or teams failing to check in at the Mandatory Registration or for taking actions that cause a game to be terminated will forfeit. Teams that forfeit will not be permitted to proceed in the tournament to the playoff rounds.
13) PROTESTS
NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
14) DISPUTES
Game conduct is under the jurisdiction of the referee and the tournament will not overrule a referee’s decision. Referee decisions may not be appealed. All disputes as to non-referee decisions (i.e. eligibility, interpretation of rules, etc) will be settled by the Tournament Director or his/her designee and that decision will be quick due process and is final and may not be appealed.
16) CONDUCT
a) Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit AND the letter of the Law. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and surrounding field area.
b) Players, coaches, and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game. The tournament committee may take additional disciplinary action against a team or individual for serious offenses, including suspension from the remainder of the tournament and non-eligibility for future tournaments. Passes for the player or coach are to be held at tournament headquarters. Coaches may be located on the spectator’s side of the field but may not coach or communicate with the team in any way. Players may sit with their team but may not be in uniform. Also, Tournament management will report red cards issued to players from other State Associations to those players’ home State Associations. Notice will be sent to the US Soccer Federation of disciplinary action taken and they will transmit the disciplinary action taken or required to that team’s provincial or national association.
c) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT GAME SITES.
d) ARTIFICIAL NOISE-MAKING DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED.
e) In the event of an assault or abuse of a game official, a judiciary hearing shall immediately be convened at a Tournament site to be designated by the Tournament Director. All terms described in the USSF Official Administrative Rule Book – Misconduct Toward Game Official – shall apply. In any event, a player or coach or other team official or spectator who is charged with an assault on or abuse of a game official is suspended from further participation in the PDA Invitational tournament.
f) All matches must use referees certified by the Federation.
17) INCLEMENT WEATHER
a) In case of inclement weather or other force majeure, the Tournament Committee will have the authority to change games as follows:
b) Relocate or reschedule any game(s).
c) Change the duration of any game(s).
d) Cancel any preliminary game(s).
e) Specific guidelines:
i) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE THE MATCH – PRELIMINARY ROUNDS; Referees and/or Tournament Committee may reduce the length of the match, and subsequent matches by 50%, however the halves of the match must be of equal duration. If the match is cancelled, the Tournament Committee will award a 0-0 tie.
ii) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE THE MATCH – SEMI-FINAL ROUND; If a semi-final match cannot begin, a shootout will take place to determine the winner. If a shootout cannot occur, the match will be decided by the flip of a coin.
iii) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE THE MATCH – CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH; If the championship match cannot be played the teams will become Co-Champions. A coin will be flipped to decide who gets the awards. Coin toss winner gets choice of Championship trophy and second place medals or Championship medals. The team that lost the coin toss will get the remaining awards. Both teams will gain the title of tournament Co-Champions.
iv) INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING A MATCH – PRELIMINARY; The match will be considered completed and the score will stand if one half has been completed. If less than one half has been completed, a 0-0 tie will be awarded by the Tournament Committee.
v) INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING THE MATCH – SEMI-FINAL ROUND; The match will be considered completed and the score will stand if one half has been completed. If less than one half has been completed, a shootout will determine the winner. If a shootout cannot occur a flip of a coin will determine the winner.
vi) INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING A MATCH – CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH; The match will be considered completed and the score will stand if one half has been completed. If less than one half has been completed, the Tournament Committee will award a 0-0 tie and both teams will be deemed Co-Champions. A coin toss winner gets choice of Championship trophy and second place medals or Championship medals. The team that lost the coin toss will get the remaining awards. Both teams will gain the title of tournament Co-Champions
vii) INCLEMENT WEATHER BEFORE START OF TOURNAMENT; If severe inclement weather causes the cancellation of the tournament in its entirety, ALL TEAMS WILL be refunded at least 80% of a team’s entry fee.
Viii) The tournament committee will make all decisions concerning weather.
18) GENERAL
a) Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Tournament Committee, NJYSA, PDA or US Club Soccer be responsible for any expenses (including the Tournament entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation where the Tournament or any game(s) is canceled/terminated in whole or part once it starts- A minimum of 80% of a team’s entry fee will be refunded if the tournament is cancelled BEFORE it begins. No other refunds will be given.
b) The Tournament Committee's interpretation of the rules shall be final.
c) The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to this Tournament.
d) No items of any kind may be sold at Tournament Headquarters, the playing fields, or surrounding the event areas for the duration of the Tournament without the expressed, written approval of the Tournament Committee. A team found in violation of this rule will not be declared a division winner or a wild card team. Determination of guilt will be by the senior Tournament Official present.
e. You must have a valid driver’s license to operate a golf cart at any tournament.
US Club Soccer Permission to Host:
This tournament is unrestricted.
Teams registered in good standing with any U.S. Soccer Federation affiliate are eligible to apply.
Tournament Form.