Rules & Regulations

The RSC Laws — Code of Conduct, Governance & Communication Policy

Version
2.1
Effective
September 1, 2026
Supersedes
v2.0
Review cycle
Annual

How to cite these rules

Every rule in this document has a permanent reference. Laws are numbered 1, 2, 3; divisions within a law are lettered (a), (b), (c); and subdivisions are numbered (i), (ii), (iii).

A citation is written as RSC Law 4(a)(ii) — meaning Law 4, division (a), subdivision (ii): demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

Warnings, decisions, and appeals should always reference the specific rule concerned. This protects members from vague or inconsistent enforcement, and gives anyone reviewing a decision the exact text that was applied.

Prefer a printable copy? Download the full policy as a PDF.

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1

Purpose & Scope

(a) This policy establishes the standards of behavior, communication, leadership responsibilities, and disciplinary procedures of the Ronkonkoma Sports Club.
(b) These Laws apply to:
  1. (i) All RSC-supported sports, teams, and squads.
  2. (ii) All matches, tournaments, practices, training sessions, and club events.
  3. (iii) All official RSC communication channels, including group chats and social media.
  4. (iv) All members, including players, captains, coordinators, volunteers, match officials, and management.
(c) All members are expected to represent RSC with respect, integrity, sportsmanship, and accountability.
(d) Compliance with these Laws is a condition of participating in RSC activities. This version takes effect on September 1, 2026 and supersedes version 2.0.
2

Core Principles

(a) All RSC members must:
  1. (i) Respect teammates, opponents, officials, spectators, venue staff, and club leadership.
  2. (ii) Play fairly, honestly, and safely.
  3. (iii) Follow the rules of the sport and the venue.
  4. (iv) Accept decisions made by officials and RSC leadership through the proper process.
  5. (v) Avoid abusive language, harassment, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, or violence.
  6. (vi) Protect the reputation of RSC both on and off the field.
3

Governance & Chain of Communication

(a) RSC follows this leadership and communication structure:
Players
›
Captains / Team Leads
›
Coordinators
›
Admins / RSC Management
(b) Members must use this chain before escalating a concern.
(c) Division (b) does not apply where:
  1. (i) There is an emergency.
  2. (ii) There is a safety issue.
  3. (iii) The concern involves the person who would normally be approached.
4

Player Responsibilities

(a) Players are expected to:
  1. (i) Respect officials and accept their decisions.
  2. (ii) Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
  3. (iii) Treat teammates and opponents respectfully.
  4. (iv) Avoid abusive language, threats, harassment, discrimination, or fighting.
  5. (v) Follow instructions from captains, coordinators, and RSC leadership.
  6. (vi) Confirm availability and attend matches, practices, and team events on time.
  7. (vii) Wear appropriate uniforms and safety equipment.
  8. (viii) Report injuries, safety concerns, or issues promptly.
  9. (ix) Take care of club and venue property.
  10. (x) Refrain from smoking, vaping, alcohol, or drug use during RSC activities.
(b) Players must not:
  1. (i) Cheat or seek unfair advantages.
  2. (ii) Tamper with equipment, playing surfaces, or game objects.
  3. (iii) Intentionally distract or interfere with opponents.
  4. (iv) Damage property or create conflicts within the team.
  5. (v) Dispute, abuse, or attempt to pressure a match official. Decisions are challenged after the match under Law 13, never during it.
5

Captain & Team Lead Responsibilities

(a) Captains and team leads must:
  1. (i) Lead by example.
  2. (ii) Maintain team discipline and sportsmanship.
  3. (iii) Communicate schedules, expectations, and match information.
  4. (iv) Manage player conduct during games and practices.
  5. (v) Address minor issues fairly and professionally.
  6. (vi) Report serious or repeated misconduct to coordinators.
  7. (vii) Act in the best interests of the team and RSC without favoritism.
  8. (viii) Support match officials, and take responsibility for their own players’ conduct toward them.
(b) Captains and team leads are subject to Law 4 in the same way as any other player.
6

Coordinator Responsibilities

(a) Coordinators are responsible for:
  1. (i) Supporting team operations and communication.
  2. (ii) Assisting captains with scheduling and logistics.
  3. (iii) Reviewing complaints and conduct concerns.
  4. (iv) Maintaining records of serious incidents and the demerit points register (Law 11).
  5. (v) Escalating major matters to RSC Management.
  6. (vi) Applying these Laws fairly and consistently.
  7. (vii) Appointing match officials and, where practicable, ensuring they are neutral.
(b) Coordinators must act impartially at all times. A coordinator must:
  1. (i) Apply these Laws in the same way to every member, regardless of friendship, family relationship, team, seniority, or ability.
  2. (ii) Neither favor nor disadvantage any member when reporting, recording, or recommending action.
  3. (iii) Record incidents and demerit points with the same detail and promptness whoever is concerned.
  4. (iv) Give the member concerned a fair opportunity to give their account before recommending formal action.
(c) A coordinator who has a close personal connection to a member involved in a matter, or who is personally involved in the incident, must declare this to RSC Management and take no further part in deciding that matter.
(d) The demerit points register must be accurate, current, and open to inspection by RSC Management at any time.
(e) Any member may raise a concern about a coordinator’s fairness, consistency, or record-keeping with RSC Management under Law 13. A member who raises such a concern in good faith must not be disadvantaged for doing so.
(f) Coordinators are accountable for how they carry out these duties. Failing to act impartially, or knowingly recording a matter inaccurately, is misconduct under Law 10 and will be assessed in light of the position of responsibility held.
(g) Captains, team leads, match officials, and RSC Management are bound by divisions (b) to (f) in the same way as coordinators.
7

Admin / RSC Management Responsibilities

(a) RSC Management is responsible for:
  1. (i) Club governance and enforcement of these Laws.
  2. (ii) Reviewing serious misconduct cases.
  3. (iii) Issuing disciplinary decisions and penalties.
  4. (iv) Protecting the reputation, safety, and integrity of RSC.
  5. (v) Making final decisions on disputes, suspensions, and removals.
(b) All final decisions made by RSC Management must be respected.
8

Match Officials

Match officials hold the same standards they are asked to enforce. The respect players owe officials under Law 4 is owed in return.

(a) This Law applies to every umpire, referee, match judge, scorer, and any other person appointed to officiate an RSC match or event, whether or not they are an RSC member.
(b) Officials must:
  1. (i) Know and apply the playing rules of the sport and any agreed playing conditions.
  2. (ii) Apply those rules equally to both sides, regardless of team, friendship, reputation, or any earlier incident.
  3. (iii) Make decisions promptly and clearly, and without external influence.
  4. (iv) Hold the same standard of decision at every stage of a match, whatever the score.
  5. (v) Be impartial in appearance as well as in fact.
  6. (vi) Keep an accurate record of the match, the result, and any incident.
(c) Before play, officials must:
  1. (i) Inspect the playing area and equipment and confirm that conditions are safe.
  2. (ii) Confirm the format, playing conditions, and any local rules with both captains.
  3. (iii) Declare any connection to either side under division (g).
(d) During play, officials must:
  1. (i) Manage conduct and intervene early where behavior falls below Laws 2, 4, or 9.
  2. (ii) Warn, and where necessary report, any member whose conduct breaches these Laws.
  3. (iii) Stop play immediately on injury, safety risk, or unsafe conditions.
  4. (iv) Suspend or abandon a match that cannot safely or fairly continue, and record the reason.
  5. (v) Where a player refuses to leave the field or accept a decision, suspend play, inform the captain, and report the matter rather than continue under duress.
  6. (vi) Where a spectator interferes with play or abuses a participant, suspend play and ask the relevant captain or coordinator to resolve it.
(e) Officials must not:
  1. (i) Accept, request, or act on any money, gift, favor, or benefit connected to a match.
  2. (ii) Bet on, or hold any financial interest in, a match or competition they officiate.
  3. (iii) Coach, advise, or assist either side during play.
  4. (iv) Alter a decision or a scoring record because of pressure, dissent, or intimidation.
  5. (v) Discuss a decision, an incident, or a member publicly or in group chats, including after the match. Concerns go to the coordinator.
  6. (vi) Officiate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(f) Bribery and inducement:
  1. (i) Offering an inducement to an official is Severe Misconduct under Law 10.
  2. (ii) An official who accepts an inducement is stood down immediately and dealt with under Law 10.
  3. (iii) An official who is offered an inducement must report it to RSC Management as soon as practicable, and must not be disadvantaged for doing so.
  4. (iv) An offer made and refused is still misconduct by the person who made it.
(g) Conflicts of interest:
  1. (i) An official who plays for, coaches, or has a close personal connection to either side must declare this before the match begins.
  2. (ii) The coordinator decides whether that official may proceed. Where practicable a neutral official is appointed instead.
  3. (iii) An official who becomes personally involved in an incident during a match must report it and take no part in deciding it afterwards.
(h) Decisions and challenges:
  1. (i) An on-field decision stands for the remainder of the match and must be accepted at the time.
  2. (ii) A member who believes an official acted unfairly may raise it after the match under Law 13.
  3. (iii) A result is not reversed merely because a decision was later found to be wrong. RSC Management may take the error into account when deciding any related conduct matter.
(i) Officials are accountable:
  1. (i) Officials are bound by Laws 2 and 9 in the same way as any member.
  2. (ii) Partiality, abusive conduct, falsifying a record, or officiating while unfit is misconduct under Law 10, assessed in light of the position of responsibility held.
  3. (iii) RSC Management may stand an official down from officiating at any time.
(j) After the match, officials must submit the result and any incident report to the coordinator within 48 hours. Reports must be factual and must cite the specific Law, division, and subdivision where misconduct is alleged.
9

Match-Day Expectations

(a) All participants must:
  1. (i) Follow official sport, venue, and tournament rules.
  2. (ii) Respect officials and event organizers.
  3. (iii) Avoid excessive arguing, aggressive behavior, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
  4. (iv) Follow instructions from team leadership and event staff.
  5. (v) Promote fair competition and safety.
10

Misconduct Categories

Conduct falling below the standards in Laws 2, 4, 8, 9, and 14 is classified in one of three tiers. The examples listed are illustrative, not exhaustive.

(a) Minor Misconduct — verbal warning, or 1 point

(i) Examples

  1. (1) Late arrival.
  2. (2) Poor attitude.
  3. (3) Minor team disputes.
  4. (4) Inappropriate group chat behavior.
  5. (5) Failure to follow team instructions.
  6. (6) Failing to respond to an availability poll and then attending. A player who has not responded has no guaranteed place and may be turned away if numbers are full.
  7. (7) Confirming availability in a poll and then failing to attend without notifying the captain in advance. A verbal warning applies to a first instance; repeat instances carry 1 demerit point.

(ii) Possible actions

  1. (1) Verbal warning.
  2. (2) Written warning.
  3. (3) Reduced playing opportunities.
  4. (4) Temporary communication restrictions.
(b) Major Misconduct — 2 to 3 points

(i) Examples

  1. (1) Repeated minor violations.
  2. (2) Abusive language.
  3. (3) Aggressive arguing.
  4. (4) Smoking or vaping in prohibited areas.
  5. (5) Damaging equipment.
  6. (6) Creating team conflict.
  7. (7) Dissent toward a match official, or attempting to pressure an official into changing a decision.

(ii) Possible actions

  1. (1) Written warning.
  2. (2) Match suspension.
  3. (3) Removal from lineup.
  4. (4) Probation.
  5. (5) Formal review by RSC Management.
(c) Severe Misconduct — 4 to 6 points

(i) Examples

  1. (1) Fighting or threats.
  2. (2) Harassment or discrimination.
  3. (3) Cheating or tampering.
  4. (4) Intentional injury or dangerous play.
  5. (5) Theft or serious property damage.
  6. (6) Conduct damaging RSC’s reputation.
  7. (7) Offering or accepting a bribe or inducement in connection with a match.
  8. (8) Threatening, intimidating, or assaulting a match official.
  9. (9) Making a knowingly false complaint, or falsifying a record or report.

(ii) Possible actions

  1. (1) Immediate suspension.
  2. (2) Tournament removal.
  3. (3) Long-term suspension.
  4. (4) Removal from RSC activities.
  5. (5) Financial responsibility for damages.
(d) How a suspension translates into matches, sessions, or weeks is determined by RSC Management, taking into account the format and schedule of the sport concerned.
(e) Demerit points are recorded in addition to any action taken under this Law. Points are governed by Law 11.
(f) A player who withdraws from an event after confirming availability is not penalised under division (a) where they notified their captain in advance. Illness, work, and family circumstances are accepted reasons.
11

Demerit Points

Demerit points create a single, visible record of conduct over time, so that repeated behavior is treated consistently rather than case by case.

(a) Points are awarded according to the tier of the misconduct:
TierDemerit pointsTypical outcome
Minor Verbal warning, or 1 point Warning, reduced playing time, or communication restriction
Major 2 to 3 points Written warning, match suspension, removal from lineup, or probation
Severe 4 to 6 points Immediate suspension, tournament removal, or removal from RSC activities
(b) Points are awarded in addition to, not instead of, any action listed in Law 10. A player may be both suspended and given points for the same incident.
(c) Every award of points must state the specific Law, division, and subdivision concerned, together with the date of the conduct.
(d) Points expire twelve months after the date of the conduct concerned.
(e) Accumulated points carry the following consequences within any rolling twelve-month period:
  1. (i) 4 points — formal review by RSC Management.
  2. (ii) 6 points — suspension, with the length set by RSC Management.
  3. (iii) 8 points — removal from RSC activities.
(f) Reaching a threshold in division (e) does not require a fresh incident. RSC Management may act on the accumulated total alone.
(g) Coordinators maintain the demerit points register for their sport. A member may request their own current points total at any time.
(h) An award of points may be appealed under Law 13 in the same way as any other disciplinary decision.
12

Disciplinary Process

(a) Matters proceed in the following order:
  1. (i) An incident occurs or is reported.
  2. (ii) The Captain or Team Lead reviews the matter.
  3. (iii) Serious issues are reported to the Coordinator.
  4. (iv) The Coordinator investigates and gathers information.
  5. (v) Matters requiring formal action are escalated to RSC Management.
  6. (vi) RSC Management reviews and makes a final decision.
  7. (vii) The decision is communicated and documented.
(b) Any warning or decision issued under these Laws must state the specific Law, division, and subdivision concerned.
(c) Immediate suspension may occur, without following the order in division (a), where safety, fairness, discipline, or RSC’s reputation is at risk.
(d) The time limits that govern complaints, responses, and appeals are set out in Law 13.
13

Complaints, Timeframes & Appeals

Fixed time limits keep disputes fresh, fair, and finite. They apply equally to the member raising a complaint and the member complained of.

(a) Concerns should be raised in the following order:
  1. (i) First with the Captain or Team Lead.
  2. (ii) If the concern involves the Captain, with the Coordinator.
  3. (iii) If the concern involves the Coordinator, with RSC Management.
(b) Complaints are considered by RSC Management, acting as the disciplinary committee.
(c) Time limit for making a complaint. A complaint must be submitted within 72 hours of the incident, or of the complainant becoming aware of it. Complaints submitted after that window may be declined, unless RSC Management accepts there was good reason for the delay.
(d) Notice to both parties. Within 48 hours of receiving a complaint, RSC Management will contact both the complainant and the member complained of, set out the substance of the complaint, and state in writing the deadline by which each must submit their account.
(e) Time limit for responses. The deadline set under division (d) will normally be 72 hours. Both parties must submit their account, and any supporting evidence or witnesses, by that deadline.
(f) Failure to respond. Where a party does not respond by the deadline and has not requested an extension, RSC Management will decide the matter on the information available. In practice this means the matter will usually be decided in favor of the party who did respond. A party who failed to respond may not later rely on evidence they did not submit.
(g) Extensions. A party may request one extension before their deadline expires. RSC Management may grant it where there is good reason, such as illness, travel, or a family emergency, and will record the reason and the new deadline. An extension granted to one party is notified to the other.
(h) Decision. RSC Management will issue a decision within 7 days of the response deadline passing, stating the Law, division, and subdivision concerned, the action taken, and any demerit points awarded.
(i) Appeals. A member may appeal within 7 days of being notified of a decision. Appeals must be submitted respectfully, include the relevant facts, and state what is being challenged and why.
(j) RSC Management will review an appeal and issue a final decision, normally within 14 days. An appeal decision is final.
(k) Time runs in calendar hours and days from the moment notice is sent. Where a party cannot be reached, notice sent to the email address or phone number held on their registration is treated as given.
(l) A complaint made in bad faith, or known by the complainant to be false, is Severe Misconduct under Law 10.
(m) A member who makes a complaint in good faith must not be disadvantaged for doing so, whatever the outcome.
14

Communication & Group Chats

(a) Official RSC communication channels must be used respectfully. Members must:
  1. (i) Remain professional and respectful.
  2. (ii) Avoid personal attacks, insults, threats, and arguments.
  3. (iii) Avoid spreading rumors or false information.
  4. (iv) Respond to availability requests and important announcements promptly.
  5. (v) Resolve disputes privately wherever possible.
  6. (vi) Keep disputes about match decisions out of group chats. They belong in the process set out in Law 13.
(b) Repeated violations of division (a) may result in removal from communication groups and further disciplinary action under Laws 10 and 11.
15

Final Authority

(a) RSC Management has final authority regarding:
  1. (i) Club governance.
  2. (ii) Discipline and penalties.
  3. (iii) Player eligibility.
  4. (iv) Tournament participation.
  5. (v) Appointment and standing down of match officials.
  6. (vi) Interpretation and updating of these Laws.
16

Amendments, Numbering & Citation

(a) These Laws are reviewed annually, or sooner if required.
(b) Numbering is permanent from version 2.1 onward. To keep past citations accurate:
  1. (i) Existing Laws, divisions, and subdivisions are never renumbered.
  2. (ii) New provisions are added at the end of the relevant Law or division.
  3. (iii) Removed provisions are marked Reserved rather than deleted.
(c) Each published version carries a version number and effective date. A member is bound by the version in force at the time of the conduct concerned.

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Ronkonkoma Sports Club · The RSC Laws v2.1 · Effective September 1, 2026 · Questions? ronkonkomaclub@gmail.com