USYS Rule 401: Teams wishing to travel out of state or out of the country must request permission from their National State Association in accordance with the procedures detailed in the Travel and Tournament Manual.

12.0. Purpose of the Travel and Tournament Manual

12.0.1. To provide a simple and understandable explanation of travel and tournament or games hosting procedures, and the policies and rules which pertain to those procedures;

12.0.2. To ensure that all traveling and hosting teams or organizations are affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer or approved organizations and are in good standing with their respective associations;

12.0.3. To insure that standardized and uniform practices are followed by all organizations who are sanctioned to host a tournament so that any team participating in a tournament can know that the tournament will be conducted openly, fairly and in accordance with U.S. Youth Soccer rules, and these policies and procedures;

12.0.4. To define the responsibilities of hosting teams or organizations to their visitors;

12.0.5. To ensure that the prior approval of U.S. Soccer and FIFA is obtained for teams from outside North America; and

12.0.6. To ensure that all disciplinary actions arising out of tournament play are referred to the home National State Association for appropriate action.

12.1. Enforcement of Policies It is the responsibility of the National State Association granting permission to travel or to host to ensure that the policies in the Travel and Tournament Manual are followed. Failure of a host organization to follow policy may result in the imposition of sanctions upon that organization. The procedures and forms contained in this manual are designed to apply to interstate or international competition, but do not apply to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. State Select Teams and Regional Olympic Development Teams must follow the procedures in the Travel and Tournament Manual.

12.2. Application for Travel
Teams from South Texas Youth Soccer Association wishing to travel outside the boundaries of the state association must submit an Application for Travel to the State Office at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the planned travel. This application must be accompanied by the required roster and verification that the event has been properly sanctioned. No team will be allowed to participate outside South Texas without proper permission to travel. Any team found to be in violation will be subject to fines, travel restrictions, and additional sanctions by the STYSA Appeals Committee. STYSA, its Executive Committee or the State Office will accept liability for problems that may arise because of such violations. STYSA reserves the right to reject any application that is submitted within five (5) days of the tournament start date and seek additional reimbursement of expenses.

12.2.1. Applications for Travel must include:

(1) Application for Travel four-part form completed and signed by the coach or manager of the team.

(2) A STYSA Travel Roster (original) form plus three copies. This roster must include the name, date of birth, and ID number of each player who will be traveling with the team. The roster must be signed by the Association Registrar.

(3) Two stamped, self-addressed envelopes - one to the coach or manager of the team and another to the Tournament / Games Coordinator.

(4) A copy of the approved Application to Host verifying that the event has been properly sanctioned.

(5) Required fee as indicated: payable to STYSA

30 days or more before date of travel -No Charge
29 - 15 days or more before date of travel -$5.00
14 days or less before planned travel -$75.00
Revision to roster the week of the event - $50.00

12.2.2. Applications for Travel outside the U.S. (including Mexico) must include:

(1) Application for Travel 4-part form completed and signed

(2) Travel Roster – original and three copies signed by the Association Registrar

(3) A copy of the official brochure, pamphlet or invitation or other applicable material from the Tournament or Games

(4) A signed Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act compliance statement

(5) Fees, as required – payable to USSF
Application Fee –$50.00

12.2.3. Roster: The original USYS / STYSA Travel Roster must accompany all Applications for Travel. This roster must include all players traveling to the tournament or games and must be signed by the Member Association Registrar. The original roster will be retained by the State Office. Any subsequent travel during that Seasonal Year with no changes to the roster may be submitted with a copy of this roster. If roster changes have been made (new players added or transferred onto the team), a new roster must be completed and submitted with the Application for Travel. The first travel of the each Seasonal Year (September 1 through August 31) will require an original roster be submitted for that year.

12.2.4. Sanctioned Event: Tournaments must obtain permission to host. A copy of this approved Application to Host should be submitted with all requests for travel as proof that the event is properly sanctioned.

12.3. Application to Host Tournament or Games

12.3.1. Eligibility to Host:
In order to be eligible to host tournaments or games, the requesting organization must be in “good standing” with the State Association and comply with all requirements. When a private organization provides sponsorship for a tournament, the permission to conduct the event is granted only to the affiliated team, club or association, not to the sponsor. It is the responsibility of the host organization to verify that all requirements are met.

12.3.2. Permission to Host a Tournament or Game
Tournament - an activity that includes several teams all of which are to be assessed a fee. The purpose of this event is usually to raise funds for the organization. Awards are generally presented to the top finishers. Games - (also referred to as friendly or exhibition games) matches involving two or more teams for which no entry fee is charged. In many instances, each team will be assessed a minimal fee to cover field use or referee costs. All STYSA Member Associations wishing to host a tournament must submit to the State Office an Application to Host. This application should be submitted no later than ninety (90) days prior to the proposed date of the event and should include:

12.3.3. An Application to Host a Tournament of Games must include the following:

(1) Original four-part Application to Host form. This form must be signed by the Tournament Coordinator and the President of the Member Association.

(2) Tournament or Games Hosting Agreement

(3) Copy of Tournament Rules

(4) Application Fee (for Tournaments only) $100 (payable to STYSA) A copy of the approved Application to Host must be included on all invitations issued by the hosting organization.

12.4. Hosting Tournaments, Friendly Games or Exhibition Games involving teams from outside the United States If teams are to be invited from outside the United States, the application must be approved by both STYSA and US Soccer. Applications to Host a Tournament or Games involving foreign teams (including Mexico) must be submitted in a timely manner and must include:

(1) Application to Host Tournament - four-part form. This form must be signed by the Tournament/Games Coordinator and the President of the STYSA Member Association.

(2) Tournament or Games Hosting Agreement

(3) Application to Host Foreign Teams (a separate form is required for each country from outside North America being invited)

(4) Copy of Tournament Rules - In any Under-16 or older division which will include one or more foreign teams, Rules of the Tournament or Games must specify FIFA limited substitution rules.
Payable to STYSA - $100.00 application fee (not required unless this is filed with the original application to host)
Payable to US Soccer (USSF) Application fee – $75.0

12.5. STYSA Sanctioned Competition for Under-6 & Under-8
Teams entered in Under-6 and Under-8 invitational tournaments may be given awards for participation only. No scores or results shall be kept at these invitational tournaments that will lead to awards to top finishers.

12.6. STYSA Hosting Policies and Procedures
Hosting Agreement: The Tournament Coordinator and the President of the Member Association are required to sign the USYS Hosting Agreement. Through the signing of this agreement, the hosting organization is agreeing to meet numerous requirements such as abiding by the hosting rules of the state and national organization as well as the tournament rules, maintaining control of the participants and fans, providing adequate and qualified referees, and having medical or security services available if needed. The USYS Hosting Agreement also states that the tournament officials will require each team to provide a medical authorization for every player taking part in the event.

12.7. Post Tournament Report
The Post Tournament Report must include:

· the number of teams participating in each age division and competition level
· if a champion is determined, the name of the champion in each age division and competition level.
· the number of teams participating from each state association or foreign country
· if “Sportsmanship” Awards are given, the criteria for the award and the name of the recipient
· the number of fields used for the tournament
· the name of the tournament sponsor, if any
· the name and team name of all players and / or coaches receiving red or yellow cards and details of any other matter involving improper or unsportsmanlike conduct

12.8. Fine for Late Post Tournament Reports
Post Tournament Reports must be filed within 15 days of the conclusion of the tournament. Failure to do so will result in the following fines:

The club hosting the invitational tournament will not be allowed to host another tournament until the original tournament’s post tournament report and any fines are received in the State Office.

12.9. Exhibition Games
To invite a team from another state association, Mexico or Canada to participate in an exhibition game, the hosting team or club must submit an Application to Host a Tournament or Games as well as an Application to Host Foreign Teams in a timely manner.

Last Updated: February, 2005