Leeds University Union

Player Contract:  Leeds University Women’s Football Club.

Please read through our rules and regulations.

Statement of Intent.

                 1.1.        Leeds University Women’s Football Club will operate so far as reasonably practicable, in accordance with the following document, its risk assessments and current LUU Sports office and governing body guidelines and therefore will provide a safe environment for all its members.

                 1.2.        The club will be inclusive to all members with all opinions and lifestyle choices to be respected. Peer pressure or bullying is forbidden in the club and investigations and punishment may be administered if it occurs.

                 1.3.        All members of Leeds University Women’s Football Club are representing both Leeds University and Leeds University Union, as well as the club itself, and as such should always conduct themselves in the highest manner.

 

Match Day Conduct

                 2.1.        Behaviour on a match day should be respectful and professional and should represent the University of Leeds in the correct manner.

                 2.2.        Both on and off the pitch the players should be respectful to both teammates and the opposing team.

                 2.3.        Players should not be intoxicated on the day of a match by either alcohol or drugs.

                 2.4.        Players should be punctual on match days and inform team captains and/or club captain if they will be late or will not be attending as soon as they are aware.

                 2.5.        Players must have the correct clothing and equipment for the game.

                 2.6.        All kit that is provided on match days must be returned post-match.

                 2.7.        Each player must wash the team kit as part of the rota that will run throughout the season.

                 2.8.        Players must respect the decisions of officials.

 

 

Training Conduct

                 3.1.        Attendance at training is compulsory in order to be selected for matches.

                 3.2.        Training will occur unless otherwise notified by Club Captain or Team Captains.

                 3.3.        All players should arrive 10 minutes before training is to commence with the correct equipment and clothing for the session.

                 3.4.        If a player expects to be late, they should contact club captain or team captains immediately to inform them, this could be taken into account when deciding teams and playing times for the upcoming match.

                 3.5.        Attitude and behaviour at training should be professional and reflect well on Leeds University Women’s Football Club. Behaviour that is deemed disrespectful will not be tolerated and the player(s) may be sent home.

                 3.6.        Any player that is absent from a training session without informing captains should understand that their squad place may be in jeopardy for future matches.

                 3.7.        Any club member that is aware that they will be absent from training should inform their given captain at least 24 hours prior to the session.

                 3.8.        Players should give maximal effort in training and look to improve their current ability.

                 3.9.        Any member that turns up to training under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate in the training session and will not be considered for selection for the next available match.

 

Equipment and Kit

                 4.1.        All equipment should be used as advised by the coaches or captains in order to reduce the risk of misuse and injury.

                 4.2.        All matchday kit is owned by the club and so should be returned at the end of each use.

                 4.3.        All players are responsible for ensuring that no equipment is lost or broken during every use, including in a social setting, and one could be held liable to charges for any damaged club property.

 

Tours/Tournaments

                 5.1.        Organisations of tours and trips should only be done with the knowledge of the sports development coordinator at the University of Leeds.

                 5.2.        An itinerary must be drawn up and then presented to the sports development coordinator.

                 5.3.        When on a sports tour, behavior from Leeds University Women’s Football Club should not reflect badly on the university in any way.

                 5.4.        Whilst on a sports tour, members should adhere to any rules and timings put in place by the tour secretary.

                 5.5.        Members should always show good sportsmanship towards other teams and officials whilst on tour.

                 5.6.        Members are expected to always behave responsibly.

 

Club Social Guidelines

                 6.1.        Members are expected to behave responsibly at all times when representing the University of Leeds; this includes fixtures and events, transport, and any social activity.

                 6.2.        All members should adhere to the LUU guidelines on social activities that can be found on our union webpage.

                 6.3.        The use of online forums must only be used by members and include statements that reflect well on the University of Leeds. Disrespectful or offensive comments will not be tolerated.

                 6.4.        No pressure is to be placed on anyone by any other member to drink, and all members should not drink more than their own limits.

                 6.5.        All members should be inclusive towards others, and no discrimination should occur based on the protected characteristics or anything else.

                 6.6.        All committee members are responsible for the welfare of all of our members.

                 6.7.        Attendance at social events is not compulsory and no member should be pressured into attending.

 

Social Media Conduct

                 7.1.        All members must conduct themselves in a way that does not reflect badly on the club, the union, and the university when posting on social media, both on individual and club accounts.

                 7.2.        Language used must be respectful at all times towards all members and the wider community.

                 7.3.        Players must respond to polls put up by committee members as soon as possible, failure to do so can result in players not being chosen for matches.

                 7.4.        Cyber bullying is not permitted in any form and if found to be occurring, disciplinary action will be taken.

 

 

Club Disciplinary Procedures

                 8.1.        Players wishing to complain about matters associated with the club must express their dissatisfaction in person/private to their team and club captain which then must be relayed to someone that is more suited to deal with the situation effectively.

                 8.2.        All complaints must be discussed objectively, taken seriously, and be confidential.

                 8.3.        Disciplinary actions by the club committee will be enforced if members fail to comply with the club’s code of practice, and punishment will be discussed by the club captain and one other committee member and could potentially lead to expulsion from the club.

                 8.4.        All disciplinary action given by the University of Leeds Women’s Football team committee will be in accordance to the LUU disciplinary procedures.

                 8.5.        If the player sees their disciplinary action unfit or unjustifiable then the player must appeal to the Club Captain who will relay this to the sports co coordinator at the University of Leeds.

                 8.6.        If a player feels they have been treated unfairly by the club captain, it is recommended they first go to the Head of Football (Stephen Grime), or contact the Activities Office in the Union either in person or via email.

 

BUCS Rules

                 9.1.        All players shall adhere to the BUCS rules

                 9.2.        We, as a club ,will support you through any personal matters always. However, we ask that you keep your captain or one of the top three informed of anything that transcends our club’s beliefs, in order to remain compliant with the BUCS rules and regulations, to prevent harm to our club.

                 9.3.        If you are carded fairly in a match, you will be expected to pay for it, however, if you are carded unfairly, or your card saves the game, the club will evaluate on an individual basis and discern if we shall pay for it.

 

Please take some time to look through the following individual BUCS rules:

 

REG 4.1 Eligible participants: For an individual to be eligible to participate in BUCS competitions they shall:

REG 4.1.1 Be a registered student at an institution which holds a level of BUCS membership which entitles them to participate in BUCS competitions.

REG 4.1.1.1 An individual can only represent an institution/Playing Entity with which they are registered.

REG 4.1.1.2 Establishing which institution/Playing Entity an individual may represent on a seasonal basis is determined via which Playing Entities are being utilised to function within BUCS competitions and the individual’s relationship to them. (Note REG 2.6).

REG 4.1.1.3 No individual may compete for more than 1 institution/Playing Entity in a BUCS season (1 August – 31 July).

AND

REG 4.1.2 Be aged 18 or over.

AND

REG 4.1.3 Be registered on a course which is at or above one of the following minimum levels:

Level 4 on the Framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (FHEQ). Level 6 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland (RQF). Level 3 on the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW). Level 3 standalone QAA Access to HE Diploma

AND

REG 4.1.4 Be undertaking a study programme equivalent to:

Where the course is credit rated under CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme), at least 60 credits per year. Where the course is run using guided learning hours, a minimum of 225 hours per year. Where the course is a postgraduate course which is not credit rated, no less than 50% of the full-time student programme per year.

REG 4.1.4.1 A year will be taken as 12 months from the start date of their course. If a course finishes in the middle of the academic year, please refer to REG 4.2.2.

AND

REG 4.1.5 Be a player who is permitted by the International or National Governing Body of the sport concerned to participate in BUCS competition alongside any other competition in that sport.

AND

REG 4.1.6 Have paid the appropriate Athletic Union or equivalent subscription.

REG 4.2 Special cases for participation:

 The following individuals are classified as eligible to represent their institution in BUCS competitions:

REG 4.2.1 A sabbatical officer of an Athletic Union, Students’ Union, or equivalent body, who has paid the appropriate Union (or equivalent body) subscription.

REG 4.2.2 A student satisfactorily finishing their course of study after the start of December will be eligible to participate until the end of the season provided their Athletic Union or equivalent subscription has been paid and their institution still classifies them as a registered student.

REG 4.2.2.1 Satisfactorily finishing a course of study is not when a student graduates, but is deemed to be when their teaching, research and/or examinations are completed.

REG 4.2.2.2 Suspension of studies is not classed as satisfactorily finishing a course of study. Any student who has their studies suspended must wait until their studies recommence and they meet the requirements of REG 4.1 to compete again. (Note REG 4.2.5 for an exception to this).

REG 4.2.3 A student from a BUCS member institution embarking on a Sandwich Course and/or Study Abroad Course is eligible during this time provided all of the following:

REG 4.2.3.1 They have paid the appropriate Athletic Union or equivalent subscription;

AND

REG 4.2.3.2 The duration of the placement/course in industry and/or study abroad is 1 year or less.

REG 4.2.3.2.1 If the duration is more than 1 year, then the student will be deemed ineligible after the passing of the 12 month mark.

REG 4.2.4 A visiting student doing a Study Abroad Course (e.g. Erasmus) at a BUCS member institution is eligible during this time if they and their study programme meet the requirements of REG 4.1.

REG 4.3 Transgender athletes The participation of a transgender athlete in competitive sport must not be restricted unless it is proportionate to the aim of securing safe and/or fair competition. The following sub-regulations outline the processes for determining eligibility for each sport.

REG 4.3.1 Where the National Governing body for the sport where the activity is taking place has a policy on transgender participation in sport this shall be followed. If the National Governing Body does not have a policy on transgender participation the International Federation policy on transgender participation shall be followed. Where both the National Governing Body and International Federation have no such policy, REG 4.3.2 through to REG 4.3.3 shall apply.

REG 4.3.2 Transgender athletes not taking hormone treatment Any transgender athlete who is not taking hormone treatment related to gender transition may participate in BUCS competitions in accordance with their gender as assigned at birth.

REG 4.3.2.1 A trans male (female to male) who is not taking testosterone relating to gender transition may participate in male or female competition. However they may not compete in both categories within 1 BUCS season. For example, if a trans male chooses to compete in male competition, they may not compete in any female competition in any sport in the same season.

REG 4.3.2.2 A trans female (male to female) who is not taking hormone treatment related to gender transition may not compete in female competition, but may participate in a male competition.

REG 4.3.3 Transgender athletes undergoing hormone treatment for gender transition The following will determine in which category a transgender athlete is eligible to compete.

REG 4.3.3.1 A trans male (FTM) who has received medical treatment with testosterone related to gender transition may compete in male competition but is no longer eligible to compete in female competition.

REG 4.3.3.2 A trans female (MTF) being treated with testosterone suppression medication related to gender transition is eligible to compete in male competition and is not eligible to compete in female competition until completing 1 calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment.

REG 4.3.4 Mixed events A transgender athlete will be eligible to compete in mixed competitions in their affirmed gender, subject to REG 4.3.2 through to REG 4.3.3.

REG 4.3.5 Medical evidence BUCS may request medical evidence in order to ascertain the eligibility of a transgender athlete to compete in a category. Such medical evidence will be treated confidentially. Any costs associated with obtaining such information cannot be covered by BUCS.

REG 4.3.6 Anti-Doping Drug testing procedures and prohibitions, as outlined in REG 4.5, also apply to athletes who identify as transgender. Any athlete receiving treatment involving a Prohibited Substance or Method, as described on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List, should apply for a standard Therapeutic Use Exemption.

REG 4.4 Under no circumstances may a player be permitted to compete for a team of the opposite sex, with the exception of athletes falling under REG 4.3, specific mixed sex Championships or those listed as allowing mixed teams in the Sport Specific Regulations.

REG 4.5 Anti-Doping All BUCS participants are subject to the Anti-Doping rules of their sport’s National Governing Body, and as such are subject to testing.

REG 4.5.1 Any individual who is serving an Anti-Doping Rule Violation will not be eligible to participate in any BUCS competitions.

REG 4.5.2 Disqualification of results in competitions subsequent to sample collection or commission of an Anti-Doping rule violation In addition to the automatic disqualification of the results in the competition which produced the positive Sample, all other competitive results of the individual obtained from the date a positive sample was collected (whether in-competition or out-of-competition) shall, unless fairness requires otherwise, be disqualified, with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

REG 4.5.3 If more than 2 team members in a team sport are found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation during an event period, BUCS shall impose the appropriate sanction which will be determined by the disciplinary panel, in line with REG 5.

REG 4.6 Allowing ineligible participants to represent an institution/Playing Entity will result in a charge of misconduct being raised against the institution/Playing Entity and appropriate disciplinary action taken in accordance with REG 5. Athletic Union or equivalent staff should in cases of doubt refer the circumstances to the BUCS Executive.