Why should I join the BCSA? Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Played in over 200 countries by more than 200 million registered players, soccer is enjoyed by boys, girls, men and women. Whether playing at a grassroots level or aspiring to world class status, soccer has something for everyone. As the sport governing body for soccer in BC, we are committed to accommodating all soccer enthusiasts whom we encourage to become active participants and to express themselves at their chosen level. Our Mission Statement To embrace the global cultural diversity of soccer and to promote, protect and develop a lifelong passion for the beautiful game in all British Columbians __________________________________________________________________________________________ Levels of Membership ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP Any non-affiliated senior league or youth district may make application to become an Active Member.  Active membership entitles the league/district to: ·   A voice and vote at all general meetings of the Association. ·   Access to BCSA registered referees. ·   Accident and liability insurance ·   Host sanctioned tournaments. ·   Participate in sanctioned tournaments. ·   Participate in a provincial championship, and at some levels if successful, participate in the national club championships. As BCSA active members, players are also registered with the Canadian Soccer Association and are bound by the rules and regulations as provided by both Associations.  This includes and is not limited to: ·   Transfer deadlines ·   Discipline procedures ·   Appeal procedures Associate Membership The Association also allows for an Associate Membership status as defined in the constitution. The following organizations are eligible to apply for Associate Member status: 1.      Youth Districts and Senior Leagues as per the policies and procedures of the Association; 2.      Organizations operating soccer in schools, colleges, universities and the armed forces; 3.      Amateur teams in membership with international leagues; 4.      International amateur leagues whose base of operation is under the Association’s jurisdiction; 5.      Teams in membership with Canadian or International Professional Leagues; 6.      Commercial indoor soccer leagues; 7.      Provincially recognized multi-sport organizations such as Aboriginal Sport, Special Olympics…etc.; 8.      Fraternal organizations in support of soccer referees, coaches and players. Associate membership entitles an organization to: ·   A voice but no vote at all general meetings of the Association. ·   Access to BCSA registered referees ·   Host and participate in sanctioned tournaments. ·   Optional accident and liability insurance. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Membership Benefits All BCSA Members receive the following benefits: ·   Eligibility for Competitions ·   Hosting and Attending Sanctioned Tournaments, within BC and out of the Province ·   A Voice and Votes at General Meetings of the Association ·   Insurance Coverage for all registered members ·   Protection under a discipline system ·   Ability to both protest and appeal decisions ·   Distribution of our electronic newsletter ·   Copy of the BCSA Magazine Access to Coaching and Refereeing Clinics BC Soccer hosts a variety of coaching and referee clinics across the province. Coaching Clinics include Community Coach Mini, Community Coach Youth, Community Coach Senior, B License Provincial and the B License National. Referees in BC are required to register with the BC Soccer Association each year. A variety of referee clinics are held annually across the province, including refresher clinics, required for registration each year.  The BC Soccer Association also provides assessments to referees. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What Can I Get From the BCSA? ·   Forms and Policies & Procedures ·   Discipline Guidelines ·   Constitution and Bylaws, Rules and Regulations ·   Opportunity to Register for programs and clinics offered by the BCSA ·   A Current Copy of the FIFA Laws of the Game ·   Tournament applications ·   Insurance Claim Information _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ What Insurance Coverage do Members Receive? The BC Soccer Association affords coverage to players and members from our insurance provider All Sport Insurance. Specific questions about a claim can be directed to All Sport Insurance. All Sport Insurance Marketing Ltd. Tel (604) 737-3018 info@allsportinsurance.com Liability Insurance No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. You can be sued by anyone who claims injury or damages resulting from your activities. You may not be liable, but you will need to be defended in court. A liability policy will pay for this defence as well as any costs awarded against you. In short, liability insurance gives you peace of mind.  All members of the organization are covered during sanctioned or authorized events. Sport Accident Insurance Sport Accident Insurance is coverage for practices, games and team travel.  This includes items such as dental, accident reimbursement, accidental death, fracture indemnity, rehabilitation indemnity, tuition fees reimbursement, emergency transportation benefit, eye glasses or contact lenses expense and out of country travel to sanctioned tournaments. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ HOW TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP All applications for membership begin with a letter addressed to the Association requesting consideration for membership as either an Active or Associate member.  It is the BCSA Board of Director’s jurisdiction to grant membership status.  An application to affiliate as an Active Member must be accompanied by: ·        League/District Executive ·        Definition of Geographical area of operation ·        Approximate number of teams ·        Statement of gender and age categories ·        Definition of playing season  - start date – end date, including play-offs ·        League/District Constitution ·        League/District Rules and Regulations Upon receipt of this, the application is then presented to the Board of Directors for their consideration.  If approved, it is with the understanding that the league/district agrees to abide by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Association, and agrees to register all its members, teams and players as per BCSA policy and pay the appropriate fees. An application to affiliate as an Associate Member must be accompanied by (as applicable): ·        League/District Executive contact info ·        Schedule of games – including - dates, times, venues length of season (start date – end date, including play-offs) ·        League Rules and Regulations regarding:- players, appeals, referees, Upon receipt of this, the application package is presented to the Board of Directors for their consideration.  If approved, it is with the understanding that the league/district/team(s) agrees to abide by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Association, and agrees to register all its members teams and players (as appropriate) as per BCSA policy and pay the appropriate fees. Length of Membership Membership is valid for one full year. For Active Members, the membership year coincides with the playing season as defined in the Association’s Rules and Regulations.  Membership must be renewed annually.  All Active Members in their “first” year of affiliation are considered “probationary” members and are subject to review by the Board at the end of their first year’s membership For Associate Members, the membership year will either coincide with the playing season (if a league/district or team) or coincide with the Association’s fiscal year (if a multi-sport or fraternal organization).  All Associate Memberships must be considered for renewal on an annual basis to ensure that the membership criteria are still being met.