Equipment

** Although the below may seem like a lot of “rules”, please don’t forget that each of these requirements is for the protection of your child. Hair clips can get pushed into eyes, button on tops of ball caps and brims can cause injury, etc. Rosthern Soccer will tolerate zero abuse toward coaches regarding these rules. These come directly from the top, from Canada Soccer, and a coach does not control these requirements and does not deserve complaints or otherwise regarding them. Coaches are caring volunteers. Please keep in mind the challenges and loss of personal time that coaches face and give them all your support and kindnesses. If these rules are too much, families may chose to withdraw their player from soccer. **

Jerseys are provided by Rosthern Soccer Association and are the property of Rosthern Soccer Association. Any damaged or lost jerseys must be paid for by the families responsible.

Soccer players need to be equipped with a water bottle, shin guards, black soccer socks that completely cover the shin guards (the sock must completely wrap over the top edge of the shin guard so that no edge injures the player or another player), and proper running shoes. Shorts must be black and longer than the players fingertips when the arms are hanging freely at the side of the body. No short shorts or inappropriate tops or inappropriate language on t-shirts at practices or games.  Please have player modesty in mind as our young children head off to practices and games.  No jerseys should be tied up in the corner with a hairband/elastic.  Shorts should also not have pockets as we have many young players attempting to run with their hands in unsafe positions (ie/tucked into pockets).  Tops at practices should provide proper coverage.  Our fields are a forum for athletic development, health and well-being.  As we move forward as an organization, we now require long black athletic shorts and long black socks.

Parents should be properly managing their children’s need for protection from bugs by whatever method the family prefers. Do not expect coaches or team personnel to apply bug spray to your children. Don’t forget, soccer season is mosquito season, and sometimes those critters are big enough to carry our children away!

In addition, please be aware of the following requirements from the Valley Soccer website:

Additional Rules and Game Play for all Ages
Jewelry
Players wearing Jewelry as you know has not been allowed in the FIFA Laws of the Game since 2004 including taping over jewelry which is a common misinterpretation that players have today. The rule in the FIFA laws of the game states as follows:

Law 4 The Player’s Equipment (Safety) – A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelery).
Then the interpretations of the Laws go on further to state “Jewelry – All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc) are strictly forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewelry is not acceptable.
Referees are also prohibited from wearing jewelry (except for a watch or similar device for timing the match). ”

ACTION ITEMS
– Referee Associations MUST be instructing their referees to ensure that they make sure NO PLAYERS PLAY WITH JEWELERY OF ANY KIND
– League operators MUST notify all participants that Jewelry is forbidden and cannot be worn by players on the field of play during a game. This should try to reach each individual participant in some way as well or make it part of league rules

Headscarves
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) would like to publish the following statement from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) in regards to the wearing of headscarves.

At its meeting on 5 July, 2012, the International Football Board (IFAB) “…agreed to unanimously approve – temporarily during a trial period – the wearing of headscarves. The design, colour and material permitted will be defined and confirmed following the IFAB Annual Business Meeting in Glasgow in October.” This ruling came into effect immediately following the meeting.

The CSA requires that this be upheld. Referees will be reminded, as per Law 4 of the Laws of the Game, that it is their responsibility to ensure that the headscarf is safe and does not pose a danger to the wearer or other participants.”
Credit to: valleysoccer.ca

Cold weather clothing policy:
Allowable Additional Clothing:
1. Layered beneath uniform (for example)
– long sleeves, long Pants, additional socks
2. Gloves or mittens
3. Toques without straps
4. Sweat pants or shirts
In the case of extremely cold weather, may be worn underneath the uniform, provided the entire team uses the same color sweats
5. Jackets
may be worn under the uniform so that referees can see the player’s number in the event of a card being issued.
Clothing NOT Allowed:
1. Hooded sweatshirts
– hoods and strings present possibility of being grabbed
2. Ear muffs (headbands OK)
plastic or metal part crossing top of head presents potential hazard
3. Scarves

FIFA Law 4 section 4 states: