Refunds

All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to the Executive Director, Paul Kimbrough at avsadoc@gmail.com

• Players that request to be released prior to when teams are formed will receive a refund of their club fees minus a $20 administration fee. 
• Players that request to be dropped after teams are formed but prior to the first game will receive a refund of their club fees minus a $50 administration fee.
  
• No refunds will be given after the first game except in the case of serious injury or illness.  Such refunds will be given in credits for future registrations.
  

Team Formation Policies

AVSA forms teams according to US Soccer Federation guidelines.  Age divisions are formed according to the birth year of a player. The oldest players in an age group will have been born in January and the youngest in December.  All requests to be removed from a team or to be separated from a coach will be honored.

For 4U-10U Teams:

• Players will be select their preferred practice times and be rostered according to similar practice schedules.
• Booster Club Members will receive first priority in team assignment and practice preferences.
  
• Requests to play in a different age division will be settled individually based on the following criteria:
  • Physical Development
  • Soccer Development
  • Siblings playing with the Club in a different division
    
  • Geographical consideration for non-Russellville based teams  

For 11U-19U Teams:

• All players will be rostered according to recommendations of Club Staff.
• No player will be allowed to play on a team which they are not rostered without permission from Club Staff.
• Requests to play on a different team will be settled individually based on the following criteria.
  • Soccer Development
  • Similar Soccer Schedules
  • Competitive Levels of the Teams and Player
  • Coaching Recommendations

Guest Players

AVSA will not sign releases for any Players to join another club as a primary rostered player during the soccer season.  AVSA Players may guest play with other clubs with the permission of the Coach and Director.

Weather and Rain-outs

LIGHTNING: Referees are responsibly for suspending a game in the event of lightning. AVSA follows NCAA guidelines on Lightning Safety:

If fewer than 30 seconds pass between seeing lightning flash and hearing its associated thunder, all individuals should leave the field.  If using an associated weather app such as Spark on WeatherBug, play will be suspended with lightning is within 10 miles of the field. This distance will be updated yearly to match Arkansas Activities Association lightning guidelines.

Upon the first sound of thunder, lightning is likely within eight to 10 miles and capable of striking your location. Lightning can strike from blue sky and in the absence of rain.

Play will be suspended 30 minutes after both the last sound of thunder and last flash of lightning. All 5U-10U In-house recreational games will be rescheduled at club and coach discretion if they are postponed for lightning.

RAIN: Field Status will be updated at 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 6:00 AM.  If fields are closed, they will remain closed for the next 24 hours. 6U-10U fields are open and closed together.  All in-house fields will be opened and closed as a group.  11U-19U fields may be evaluated separately as those fields host teams coming from out of town. Field Status will be shown by an image on the AVSA home page for both practices and games.  On game day, field closures will be accompanied by a post to the AVSA facebook page.  Practice cancellations will be sent in a Remind message to coaches by 1:00.

Players Wearing Casts and Splints

Field Players may participate with a cast or splint over a broken arm provided:

1. The Parent signs an additional medical waiver, allowing his or her player to participate with a cast. It is recommended that the parent receive a doctor's note allowing the player to participate with a broken arm.
   
2. The cast is covered by a soft material for the safety of other players.  Typical coverings include foam, bubble wrap, or elastic bandages. Larger casts require more protection.
   

Any violent movement to the head area of other players by player with the cast will immediately disqualify the player from participation in the game.  Swinging the broken arm like a club may also result in removal from the game.

Referee Training

Referees should be assigned only to games representing teams at least 4 years younger than the official.  For example, a 16 year old referee may cover a 12U game, but not a 14U game.

All Referees must be certified in order to referee games.  AVSA may use older players as linesmen for 10U games.

AVSA will host referee training courses prior to the first in-house games for both fall and spring.