Rules & Regulations

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

Version
2.0
Effective
September 1, 2026
Supersedes
v1.0
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, 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 1.0.
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

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.
(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 10).
  5. (v) Escalating major matters to RSC Management.
  6. (vi) Applying these Laws fairly and consistently.
(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 12. 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 9 and will be assessed in light of the position of responsibility held.
(g) Captains, team leads, 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-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.
9

Misconduct Categories

Conduct falling below the standards in Laws 2, 4, 8, and 13 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.

(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.

(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 10.
(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.
10

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 9. 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 12 in the same way as any other disciplinary decision.
11

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.
12

Complaints & Appeals

(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) Appeals must be submitted respectfully and include the relevant facts.
(c) RSC Management will review appeals and issue a final decision.
13

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.
(b) Repeated violations of division (a) may result in removal from communication groups and further disciplinary action under Laws 9 and 10.
14

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) Interpretation and updating of these Laws.
15

Amendments, Numbering & Citation

(a) These Laws are reviewed annually, or sooner if required.
(b) Numbering is permanent. 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 v2.0 · Effective September 1, 2026 · Questions? ronkonkomaclub@gmail.com