2020 Proposed Rule & Bylaw Changes
Change Involving:
Bylaw #: Rule #: 102.2
Page #: Page #: 32
Existing Bylaw/Rule: *
102.2 INITIAL AFFILIATION Affiliation must be for the good of soccer in the Region, and State of
Florida. All new full affiliates must affiliate within the region where they physically reside, or in the region in
which the majority of its players reside and/or physically play the majority of their home games. In addition,
no new affiliation may be granted if the new affiliate’s home field is within a fifteen (15) mile radius of an
existing FYSA affiliate, unless
1. The new affiliate obtains the support of all existing FYSA affiliates within the specified radius, or
2. The new affiliate is a fully-funded youth subsidiary of a MLS organization
Proposed Amendment: *
102.2 "Affiliation will be granted by the majority approval of the FYSA Board of Directors."
Rationale: *
"For many years we have been advised by FYSA staff and board members that the 15 mile rule would be
eliminated if a club challenged it in court because it violates US Soccer policy. We are not aware of any
soccer clubs in South Florida that are not participating in FYSA events because of this rule. Instead dozens
of clubs are paying sometimes exorbitant fees to existing affiliates to register their coaches and players
under the affiliate's umbrella. This is a big business in South Florida. These clubs have no physical,
financial, or administrative connection to the affiliate. No one has oversight or responsibility for these teams
and that can lead to troubling incidents for FYSA, and for the leagues these teams are playing in.
The 15 mile rule was adopted in 2008 and since then the entire landscape of soccer has changed in the
State of Florida. With new leagues being allowed to affiliate FYSA has been forced to accept these leagues
but not allowed the ability to approve new affiliates without the approval of the teams within 15 miles. We
are either losing legitimate clubs no matter their circumstances, professionalism, or quality, or forcing them
to affiliate under another affiliate's umbrella. We should allow our elected Board members the ability to
accept these new clubs for the good of FYSA. Examples may include AYSO, YMCA, I-9m or the youth
academy of a professional soccer club. FYSA is losing players at an alarming rate. FYSA membership is
declining but our insurance costs are skyrocketing up. We should allow all legitimate soccer clubs to
become rule-abiding affiliates in order to grow our organization."
Change Involving:
Bylaw #: Rule #: 102.2
Page #: Page #: 32
Existing Bylaw/Rule: *
102.2 INITIAL AFFILIATION Affiliation must be for the good of soccer in the Region, and State of
Florida. All new full affiliates must affiliate within the region where they physically reside, or in the region in
which the majority of its players reside and/or physically play the majority of their home games. In addition,
no new affiliation may be granted if the new affiliate’s home field is within a fifteen (15) mile radius of an
existing FYSA affiliate, unless
1. The new affiliate obtains the support of all existing FYSA affiliates within the specified radius, or
2. The new affiliate is a fully-funded youth subsidiary of a MLS organization
Proposed Amendment: *
102.2 "Affiliation will be granted by the majority approval of the FYSA Board of Directors."
Rationale: *
"For many years we have been advised by FYSA staff and board members that the 15 mile rule would be
eliminated if a club challenged it in court because it violates US Soccer policy. We are not aware of any
soccer clubs in South Florida that are not participating in FYSA events because of this rule. Instead dozens
of clubs are paying sometimes exorbitant fees to existing affiliates to register their coaches and players
under the affiliate's umbrella. This is a big business in South Florida. These clubs have no physical,
financial, or administrative connection to the affiliate. No one has oversight or responsibility for these teams
and that can lead to troubling incidents for FYSA, and for the leagues these teams are playing in.
The 15 mile rule was adopted in 2008 and since then the entire landscape of soccer has changed in the
State of Florida. With new leagues being allowed to affiliate FYSA has been forced to accept these leagues
but not allowed the ability to approve new affiliates without the approval of the teams within 15 miles. We
are either losing legitimate clubs no matter their circumstances, professionalism, or quality, or forcing them
to affiliate under another affiliate's umbrella. We should allow our elected Board members the ability to
accept these new clubs for the good of FYSA. Examples may include AYSO, YMCA, I-9m or the youth
academy of a professional soccer club. FYSA is losing players at an alarming rate. FYSA membership is
declining but our insurance costs are skyrocketing up. We should allow all legitimate soccer clubs to
become rule-abiding affiliates in order to grow our organization."
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