Natick Soccer Club (NSC) Guest Player Policy for Coaches

The objective of the BAYS Guest Player (GP) Policy is to effectively play games during the normal schedule and to reduce/prevent rescheduling of games. BAYS has required each club to design and administer their own club-level policy that complies with the eligibility rules below

BAYS Eligibility Rules

1. Guest Players are only allowed for BAYS Regular season games.
   • There are no Guest Players allowed in BAYS Playoffs, Presidents’ Cup, or MTOC.
2. Guest Players must be from the same club and rostered on a current BAYS team.
3. Guest Players cannot play down in a lower Division or Section or lower Grade Group.
   • Players can play up or in the same Division/Section in their own grade group.
   • Players can play up one grade group level at the same or above Division as their current grade Division(in any Section of their current grade Division).
     • Example: A Guest Player from Grade 5 3F can play on any of their club’s teams in Grade 6 Division 3(any section).
4. If an ineligible player is played during a game (even with referee consent), the game will be forfeited.
5. Players may only play in a total of 2 games in the same day.
   • Example: 1 games for their team and 1 game as a Guest Player or 2 games as a Guest Player(if their team doesn’t have a game).
6. Only 4 Guest Players may play on one team in a given game.

Coach’s Responsibilities

1. Give 2 copies of the team’s roster of any Guest Player(s) to the referee in addition to the 2 copies of your own roster.
2. Ensure all players have unique jersey numbers.
3. Cross off player’s names on all rosters that aren’t at the game.
4. Add Game # of the game on the rosters.
5. Validate any Guest Player(s) being used by the opposing team. BAYS Division or Grade Director are contacted for disputes.
6. Keep all opponents rosters with Guest Players until the end of the season.
7. Follow the NSC Guest Player Policy and Process.

NSC Guest Player Policy

In addition to adopting the objective set out by BAYS, NSC’s GP Policy will also prioritize player development and will aim to build comradery by providing new opportunities and experiences for players, teams and coaches

1. Guest Player(s) should be identified the week prior to playing as a Guest Player. The Guest Player should be invited to practice with the team they will be playing for as a Guest Player.
• Guest Player(s) can be identified closer to the game with extenuating circumstances.
2. A player can only be used as a Guest Player twice in a season, across all NSC teams.
• Example: a player can be a Guest Player on the same team twice or once on two different teams in the same season.
3. Guest Players must be from the same Grade Level; Unless the lowest team in a Grade Level, and then a Guest Player may be used from the grade level below within the same/relevant section.
4. Players can’t miss their team’s scheduled game to be a Guest Player.
5. Guest Players can only be used in a game to allow a team to have 2 subs.
• Example: 7v7 teams can bring in Guest Player(s) to have a max of 9 players at the game
6. Any forfeits for inappropriate use of the NSC GP Policy will be directly addressed with Coaches by the Board.
7. Any player receiving a Red Card or any suspension is ineligible to be used as a Guest Player during that season.

NSC Guest Player Process

1. Coach needing a Guest Player emails their Age Group Coordinator (AGC)
2. The AGC connects both coaches via email and monitors the process to identify a Guest Player
3. The two coaches discuss, agree on the Guest Player(s) to be used and share contact information for the Guest Player
• If the coaches can’t agree, the AGC will make a decision on GP eligibility.
4. Both coaches notify the AGC the name(s) of the Guest Player(s)
5. AGC send the team roster of the Guest Player to the coach needing a player
6. AGC updates the NSC Guest Player Tracker
7. Any questions from parents about the NSC GP Policy you can’t or don’t feel comfortable answering should be directed to your AGC