Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines regarding the use of guest players within Attleboro Youth Soccer to ensure fair play, team integrity, player development, and compliance with league rules.  This policy is to help reduce the number of regular season games not played due to teams not having enough players available to play the official game as scheduled. This policy can be used for both scheduled and rescheduled regular season games.

The BAYS Guest Player Policy provides teams the flexibility to field a team each week so that players can play soccer games as scheduled. It is NOT intended to increase a team’s competitive advantage or fill a particular skill position that happens to be absent. It is NOT intended for emergencies, but for use in filling in for planned absences of players throughout the season. The Guest Player Policy is only valid during the regular season. 

Definition of a Guest Player

A guest player is defined as any player who is temporarily added to a team’s roster for a specific game per the Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) league Guest Player Policy.

Eligibility Criteria

Guest players must meet the following requirements:

• Guest players must be from the same club organization and rostered on a current season BAYS team.

• Be currently registered and in good standing with Attleboro Youth Soccer.

• Be age-eligible for the team they are joining, based on rules.

• Have permission from their primary team coach and the Attleboro Youth Soccer Board of Directors.

Usage Guidelines

• Guest players may be used to supplement a team when rostered players are unavailable due to injury, illness, scheduling conflicts, or other valid reasons.

• The addition of guest players must not exceed the maximum roster limit for games.

• Guest players can play up or in the same Division/Section in their primary team’s grade group.

• Guest players should not displace regularly rostered players in starting roles or playing time unless necessary.

• Guest Players may not miss their primary team’s game to guest play with a different team.

• A player may be a guest player in only one (1) additional game per day, if their primary team also has a game scheduled.

• Players are limited to three (3) guest player appearances each season.

• Only four (4) Guest Players may play on one team in a given game.

Approval Process

1. Request: The coach must submit a request to the Attleboro Youth Soccer Travel Director and Registrar at least 48 hours prior to the event, when possible.

2. Consent: Approval must be obtained from:

   • The guest player’s primary team coach

   • The coach of the team requesting the guest player

   • The Attleboro Youth Soccer Travel Director (or alternate, if unavailable) 

3. Documentation: Coaches must ensure that all required guest player forms are completed and submitted in accordance with league regulations.

Restrictions

• Guest players may not be used to gain a competitive advantage, but only to ensure a full roster and maintain the quality of play.

• Guest players may not participate if their inclusion violates any league, tournament, or state association rules.

• Guest players cannot play down in a lower Division or Section or lower Grade Group than that of their primary team.

• There are no Guest Players allowed in BAYS Playoffs, Presidents’ Cup, or MTOC.

Violations and Enforcement

Failure to follow this policy may result in:

• The disqualification of the guest player from the event.

• Forfeiture of games.

• Disciplinary action for the coach or team involved.

• Review by the Attleboro Youth Soccer Board for further sanctions.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Attleboro Youth Soccer Board and updated as needed to reflect current best practices and league rules.