SOCCER (www.forkssports.org)

 

The Forks Township soccer program is governed by the Blue Mountain Youth Sports League (BMYSL).  Further information on these by-laws can be obtained by contacting the Forks Township Soccer Commissioner or by clicking on the link above.

 

  • CODE OF CONDUCT
    • A copy of Article 16 of the FTAA By-laws shall be signed by each parent/guardian on or before the date the players receive their uniforms.  It is imperative that the players/parents/guardians and coaches adhere to the code of conduct.  A zero-tolerance rule will be in effect before, during and after practices and games.

 

  • EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM POLICY
    • All equipment and uniforms are owned by Forks Township.  Any equipment or uniforms you receive must be returned in a reasonable timeframe and should be in the condition it was presented to you.  If you do not return equipment and uniforms within two weeks of the return date, you will be subject to a late fee assessed by the equipment manager.  If the equipment/uniforms are not returned, you will be billed for the replacement value of the equipment/uniforms not returned.
    • If there is an outstanding uniform from a previous season, the child may not register for another sport until either the uniform is returned or the replacement value is paid.

 

  • FORMING A TEAM 
    • All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is given by the Forks Township Recreation Board.

 

    • The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Residents” section and bring it to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the player should be allowed to play in Forks Twp.  If approved, they will be notified at that meeting and placed into the pool of players.

 

    • Age Brackets

 

      • A player is moved into the next bracket if they turn the age before the designated date.  For example, a child who turns 6 after August 1st plays at the U6 level.  If they turn 6 before August 1st they play at the U8 level. 

 

U6

Ineligible if turning age 6 before August 1st

U8

Ineligible if turning age 8 before August 1st

U10

Ineligible if turning age 10 before August 1st

U12

Ineligible if turning age 12 before August 1st

U14

Ineligible if turning age 14 before August 1st

U16

Ineligible if turning age 16 before August 1st

U18

Ineligible if turning age 18 before August 1st

 

      • There are girls’ teams and boys’ teams, however, girls can choose to play on a boys’ team if she doesn’t want to be on a girls’ team.  This is only available if approved by the coaches, commissioner of soccer and parent/guardian.
      • Placement in age groups are adjustable based on the need of players at each level.  For instance, if there are an insufficient number of players at the U12 level, those players may be asked to either “play up” at the U14 level or a girls’ team could be absorbed by a boys’ team.  If a female should not want to play on that boys’ team, the female would not have an opportunity to play.  Registration refund is available by contacting the Treasurer of the FTAA.

 

    • The U6 Age Group is not supported by the Blue Mountain Youth Sports League.  This is strictly an instructional program where the children learn the concepts of soccer.  They play against each other only to learn the game.  No score is kept.   Parents are encouraged to watch and learn the concepts of the game as well.  The program is always looking for volunteers to help coach.

 

  • COACHING QUALIFICATIONS
    • Each coach must submit to a background check.
    • Each coach must attend a coaching clinic and obtain a coaching card.  Coaches are encouraged to any extra coaching instruction necessary to be able to instruct a team in soccer.

 

  • PLAYING TIME
    • Currently, at all age groups, each child is expected to play for a minimum of 15 minutes per game.  This is subject to change as the league revues the past season (Section 8.7 of league rules). 
  • PLAYING UP
    • A younger player may “play up” at the next level with the approval of the parent and a recommendation from a coach.

 

  • PRACTICE AND GAME ATTENDANCE
    • In soccer, it is critical to attend all scheduled practices and games.  A child must learn the plays and work together with the team to learn soccer successfully.  If a child must miss a game or practice, a coach must be notified.  A coach may alter playing time if a child is missing practices.

 

  • ALL STARS
    • Currently, the league does not have soccer all-stars teams.  Instead, the league hosts a tournament in which all players participate from the U10 level & up.
    • .

 

  • PLAYOFFS
    • There are no playoffs in soccer but a mandatory season-ending tournament is held in first weekend of November every year.  This is known as the Blue Mountain Youth Sports League (BMYSL) Tournament. 

 

  • BLUE MOUNTAIN YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
    • Every other year, Forks Township hosts the BMYSL Soccer Tournament in the first weekend of November.
    • Many opportunities exist to serve your volunteer hours. For example – setting up fields, parking attendant, working in the tent, etc.
    • When we do not host the tournament, we sponsor the Forks Tournament Tent where players and families are invited to socialize and get refreshments.  We encourage those attending to provide donations of refreshments or monetary donations to cover the cost of providing refreshments.
    • The U6 & U8 teams do not participate in this tournament.

 

  • PARENT BEHAVIOR DURING PRACTICES AND GAMES
    • Parents are asked to refrain from coaching or voicing concern to referees from the sidelines at any time.  This causes confusion for both coaches and players and distracts the players from their position and could result in injury to a child.
    • Referees do have the authority to discipline a team for a spectator’s conduct by issuing a red card and can also request that a spectator be removed from the field.  Police will be called if necessary.  

 

 

LACROSSE (www.forkssports.org)

 

The Forks Township Lacrosse program is governed by the Penn Valley Youth Lacrosse League (PVYLL).  Further information on these by-laws can be obtained by contacting the Forks Township Lacrosse Commissioner.

 

  • CODE OF CONDUCT
    • A copy of Article 16 of the FTAA By-laws shall be signed by each parent/guardian on or before the date the players receive their uniforms.  It is imperative that the players/parents/guardians and coaches adhere to the code of conduct.  A zero-tolerance rule will be in effect before, during and after practices and games.

 

  • EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM POLICY
    • Lacrosse requires a deposit for uniforms for non-residents players.   A check by the player’s parent/guardian must be given to the equipment manager at the time the player receives their uniform.  The check is returned when all equipment is returned to the equipment manager.   All equipment and uniforms are owned by Forks Township.  Any equipment or uniforms you receive must be returned within two weeks of the return date and should be in the condition it was presented to you or with normal wear and tear.  If damage is incurred, it should be reported to the equipment manager upon returned so that it can be sent for repair.  If you do not return equipment and uniforms within 2 weeks of the return date, you will be subject to a late fee assessed by the equipment manager.  If the equipment/uniforms are not returned, your deposit will be lost and the check will be cashed.
    • If there is an outstanding uniform from a previous season, the child may not register for another sport until either the uniform is returned or the replacement value is paid.

 

  • FORMING A TEAM 
    • All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is given by the Forks Township Recreation Board.

 

    • The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Residents” section and bring it to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the player should be allowed to play in Forks Twp.  If approved, they will be notified at that meeting and placed into the pool of players.

 

    • Currently, there is only one team at each level so once the team is determined by age group, then the coach will notify the players by phone to give details of the upcoming season.  If you do not hear from a coach, you can contact the commissioner.

 

  • AGE BRACKETS
    • The age brackets for lacrosse are:
        1. U11 players must be at least in 3rd grade and may be in 4th grade but cannot turn 11 before January 1st of that year.
        2. U13 players cannot turn 13 before January 1st of that year.

 

  • COACHING QUALIFICATIONS
    • Each coach must submit to a background check.
    • Currently, there is not a league-mandated qualification for coaching for lacrosse; but someone considering coaching lacrosse must be approved by the commissioner.

 

  • PLAYING TIME
    • Currently, the league does not have a minimum playing time but it is taking this under consideration.  In light of that, Forks Township will require that each player plays for a minimum of 3 minutes per half of each game.  See practice and game attendance section for further details.

 

  • PLAYING UP
    • Currently, the league does not have restrictions on a player “playing up” at the next level.  Therefore, Forks Township will allow a player to “play up” but only upon the approval of the lacrosse commissioner.

 

  • PRACTICE AND GAME ATTENDANCE
    • In lacrosse, it is critical to attend all scheduled practices and games.  A child must learn the plays and work together with the team to learn lacrosse successfully.  If a child must miss a game or practice, a coach must be notified prior to the absence.  A coach may alter playing time if a child is missing practices.
  • GAME SCHEDULES/LOCATIONS/DIRECTIONS
    • Most scheduled games are in the Lehigh Valley.  There may be a couple of games that would require extra travel time.

 

  • ALL STARS
    • Lacrosse is currently discussing its all star availability.  Keep checking the lacrosse website for details.

 

  • PLAYOFFS
    • Lacrosse is currently working on how playoffs will be determined.  The league will have final say in how this will work.

 

  • PARENT BEHAVIOR DURING PRACTICES AND GAMES
    • Parents are asked to refrain from coaching or voicing concern to referees from the sidelines at any time.  This causes confusion for both coaches and players and distracts the players from their position and could result in injury to a child.
    • Referees do have the authority to discipline a team for a spectator’s conduct by issuing a penalty and can also request that a spectator be removed from the field.  Police will be called if necessary.