Hapco Policies

In addition to the rules as stated on the HAPCO website, the following policies shall be followed by HAPCO unless and until the HAPCO captains and Director’s vote to modify or delete them:

  1. Ad Hoc Players:

The policy is:  A non-HAPCO player over 18 may play on a one-time or rare basis, if they are over 18 and have signed the Hapco waiver.  However, they may be bumped from the game at any time.  Also, a HAPCO player cannot give their spot to an Ad Hoc player.

  1. Donations:

The policy is:  HAPCO captains/board shall be authorized to decide when and if a donation should be made.  The only donations acceptable are: 1) capital campaign of a school or organization where Hapco plays soccer, or 2) to school or organizations where Hapco plays for items that will also aid the league in some manner.  The reason for limiting the donations to schools or organizations where Hapco plays is that the contribution will help the league by facilitating goodwill with the school or organization.  Donations relating to players, e.g., upon the death of a player, etc., are prohibited as they may impact the leagues tax exempt status.  However, the league will offer to circulate the news of fund raising to players in the league.

  1. Tax Exempt Status:

HAPCO and its members shall not take action which will or may likely impair the league’s tax-exempt status.

  1. Insurance:

HAPCO shall maintain general liability insurance in an amount as determined by the Captains and Directors for the protection of the league and those participating in operating the league.

  1. Suspected Concussion:
    1. If the league is informed by a player that they suspect they themselves have a concussion, or from another person (who has the demonstrated training and ability to diagnose a concussion) that they suspect a player has a concussion, then the league’s policy is to take reasonable steps in accordance with the following:
      1. Ask the player to immediately remove themselves from playing in the Hapco soccer game. If the player refuses to leave the game then the Referee should not restart the game until the player leaves the game, and
      2. Not authorize the player to play in a Hapco soccer game until they provide written clearance from a licensed physician.
  2. Anti-Harassment Policy

At Hapco Soccer there is a NO harassment policy in effect at all times.  This policy involves contact and non-contact of all participants.  Hapco Soccer and its directors, referees and captains are committed to all participants being free from harassment.

What is Harassment?

Harassment is any behavior or action, verbal, nonverbal or sexual that causes another individual or group to feel intimidated, offended, embarrassed and/or humiliated at any time including, without limitation, sexual harassment.  This is not acceptable towards any individual.

A few examples of Harassment:

  • Unwanted physical contact including pinching, touching, patting etc.
  • Degrading hazing
  • Practical jokes that may be dangerous to a person’s safety and cause embarrassment and awkwardness
  • Self-esteem threatening acts
  • Jokes, or teasing regarding someone’s body, looks, race or sexual orientation etc.
  • Sexual comments or innuendos. Unwanted advances or requests of a sexual nature.

Member’s Duty to Report

All Hapco participants with reasonable grounds to suspect an individual is or may be suffering from harassment are encouraged to immediately report this suspicion and the factual information on which it is base to the proper authorities.  This authority could be, without limitation, the local police department.

  1. HAPCO CODE OF CONDUCT
  • Learn and abide by the Laws of the Game, and Hapco Soccer modifications, see hapcosoccer.com .
  • Learn and abide by league policies. Request a copy of league policies if you do not know them.
  • Show respect for league referees and officials at all times. Players shall not engage in physical abuse or verbal abuse of the referee, raise questions about the referee’s integrity, or persistently question his/her judgment. Be aware that the referees are trained in the Laws of the Game, are considering the bigger picture of the game (i.e., looking at the flow of the game and not just an individual event); they may be applying the advantage rule, or may not have seen the event in question due to play going on in a different part of the field or being screened by a player flashing across their view at that moment. If you have a question, talk to the referee and accept what was said and move on. If there is a question concerning a modified rule and its interpretation, consult your captain or Hapco director for clarification.
  • Show respect for the players on the opposing team. You need an opposing team to have a soccer game, so be thankful for your opponents! Do not engage in trash-talk or negative communications with players on the opposing team. Do not taunt or “show-up” your opponent. Be a gracious competitor – compliment your opponent when he or she makes a nice play.
  • Regulate your game for coed adult play. Hapco Soccer has men and women of a variety of ages and skill levels, often playing with and against each other. All players need to play under control and avoid reckless challenges. Highly-skilled and/or athletic players may need to restrain their games on occasion to ensure safety and avoid deliberately embarrassing a less-skilled opponent. On 50/50 plays male players should try to yield to female players on a contested ball;
  • Be conscious of the risk of injury. No one wants to miss a month of work because he/she blows out a knee or ankle in a coed league soccer game.
  • Don’t run up the score.
  • Do not use obscene language or gestures. Many of our players bring their kids to the games, so the use of audible obscene language, regardless to whom the language is directed, is a cautionable (yellow-card) offense. Obscene language directed toward a referee is a sending-off (red card) offense. So, bite your tongue or keep it under your breath!
  • The consumption of alcohol and drugs at the field is prohibited.
  • Children must be supervised at all times. If you bring your kids to the game, be sure you have arranged for their supervision.