CLUB PASS POLICY & RULES
Updated, August 21, 2023
The league’s Club Pass Rule replaces the guest player system previously used by SJGSL. Club Pass Players will constitute a small pool of predesignated players that a team may use to fill out their roster, either as needed or on a more full-time basis. The intent of this policy is not to provide a way for teams to stretch low player numbers. Rather, it is a program to allow clubs to give players additional touches in game situations and also to provide teams that utilize CP Players a bit of continuity among their players. (N.B. Club Pass Players will be referred to as CP).
The following rules apply to the Club Pass Player policy:
- Teams must have enough players on a roster to field a team before applying for CP.
- SJGSL will not make any additional concessions for scheduling based on CP use. Teams forfeiting due to scheduling issues for CP will be fined an additional $50, in addition to the standard forfeit and referee fees.
- Teams may use a maximum of 3 CP for each small sided (U8-U12) and a maximum of 4 CP for full sided teams (U13-U19).
- Clubs will be responsible for adding CP players to their teams’ rosters.
- Players on a CP are not permitted to participate in SJ CUP. Only primarily rostered players are eligible to compete in Cup. This follows the same guidelines as the rule prohibiting guest players from being used in SJCUP.
- Any team or club found to be violating the league’s CP rules or policy will be subject to sanctions from the SJGSL Executive Board, including, but not limited to the following: fine, forfeit, staff sanctions and player sanctions. Teams or clubs found in violation of the CP rules or policy may also be prohibited from using CP for that season. Clubs found to have more than one team in violation of the CP policy will be subject to a bond before CP privileges will be restored. Subsequent violations may lead to a club and/or team’s removal from the CP program.
- CP are valid for the one season. Clubs must add CP players for each new season.
- CP must wear a matching uniform for the team they are playing for. If there is a duplicate jersey number, the coach may take steps to correct this but a duplicate uniform number of a CP will not preclude that player from participating in the match.
- CP may play under the following age guidelines:
(A) Players with the same birth-year as the team requesting the CP – this includes players who may be playing “up” but are of the same birth year as the Club-Pass team;
(B) Players with a younger birth-year as the team requesting the CP. All players MUST abide by the league’s Playing Up rule (Rule X(I)). - In the event that a CP player is not going to play in a particular game, all you need to do is just cross her out on your GDR for that game – just like if a regular player is sick and not playing in that game.
Rules subject to update by SJGSL Exec Board due to unforeseen events or needs.
Club Pass FAQ
Club Pass players will be referred to as CP in this document.
Q: How many club pass players can each team have?
A: Teams U8 – U12 can have up to 3 CP players per team. Teams U13 and above may have up to 4 CP players per team.
Q: Will there still be guest players?
A: The purpose of club passes is to replace the need for guest players. It is also to give those teams in need of players an opportunity to play with the same team more frequently.
Q: Can a players carded up an age or more CP to an age appropriate team?
A: Yes, players can CP to any team in their club that does not violate any other league roster rule.
Q: Can players from a higher flight team CP to a lower flight team?
A: Yes, a player may move up or down flight to CP. The idea behind club passing is that it achieves several goals. It gives the teams that struggle with numbers a consistent group to use to fill out the team. It is also a program that is designed with the intent to give players whom may not get too much playing time with their primary team a chance to get more touches and develop. We as a league believe we are past the days where teams are looking to sandbag and trophy hunt. That being said, we will be monitoring the match results for CP teams.
Q: How many teams can a player be CP to?
A: A player may only appear on one (1) primary roster and on one (1) roster as a CP player.
Q: Are CP players eligible for SJ Cup or tournaments?
A: Players on a CP are NOT eligible for play in SJ Cup, however tournaments are dependent upon their rules of competition.
Q: Do players need to be primarily rostered in SJGSL to be CP to a team?
A: Yes, a player must be primarily rostered to a team playing in the SJGSL in the same club in order to be used as a CP player.
Q: What to do if a CP player is not playing in a particular game?
A: Just cross the player off of the GDR – just like if a regular player is sick and not playing in a game.