Rules & By-Laws
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WATCHUNG HILLS WRESTLING ASSOCIATION, Inc.
1. Attendance Policy
2. Requirements for the Middle School & CJL A teams
3. Coaching Eligibility & Requirements
4. WHWA Wrestle offs
5. 6th grade Jacket Eligibility
6. 8th grade Wrestling Bag Eligibility
7. Committees
8. WHWA Discipline Notifications
RULE - 1: WHWA ATTENDANCE POLICY:
A. Daily attendance to all matches and practices are required for all wrestlers at all levels of our program.
B. All wrestlers are expected to show up on time and stay in its entirety at all scheduled WHWA team practices, matches and league tournaments.
C. Parents are asked to communicate and are required to notify the coaching staff or coordinator in attendance if their child is not able to attend either scheduled practices or a minimum of 24 hours before a match.
D. Failure to meet the seasonal athletic requirement for any wrestler could result in disciplinary action resulting in decreased mat time and/or suspension.
E. Excessive unexcused absences could/will result in decreased mat time and/or suspension.
F. After two unexcused absences have been accumulated from missing a match or a practice, a meeting with the wrestler, the parents, the coach, and the coaches committee will be required. If unexcused absences continue the coaching staff, coaches committee and/or board could take disciplinary action resulting in decreased mat time, suspension or even expulsions from the program.
G. All wrestlers in 6th grade or lower on any Varsity or JV team attending the Middle School practices will be required to attend a mandatory one day a week Varsity or JV team practice as determined by the coaching staff.
H. All wrestlers on the Varsity team and the middle school team will be required to attend all scheduled middle school practices, matches & team tournaments during the scheduled season. Without guarantee our coaching staff and coordinators will attempt to try and not schedule team events around some of the larger independent tournaments if at all possible, if we are unable then all wrestlers are expected to honor their commitment to WHWA.
I. If any wrestler has a religious or academic scheduling conflict with either a practice or a match they must notify the coaching staff or the team coordinator at the beginning of the season.
RULES - 2: Team Requirements for Middle School & Central Jersey
A. Daily attendance to all matches and practices are required for all wrestlers on these teams
B. All wrestlers are expected to remain as a team for all WHWA team matches and league tournaments.
C. Parents are asked to communicate and are required to notify the coaching staff or coordinator in attendance if their child is not able to attend either scheduled practices or a minimum of 24 hours before a match / tournament.
D. Wrestle-offs are required for each contested weight class, please refer to our wrestle off rules on the web site.
E. It is important to note that the MS & Varsity head coaches have the discretion to move any wrestler for the benefit of the program and the team’s success, therefore additional wrestle-offs maybe required by, this would need to be approved by the coaches committee.
F. Once a wrestler earns a starting spot on either of these teams the wrestler is expected to maintain their weight for the season, each league will add 1 lb. allowances a couple times throughout the season, speak with the coaching staff for more info.
G. It is important to note that the MS & Varsity head coaches have the discretion to move any wrestler for the benefit of the program and the team’s success during a match or a tournament without notification nor the concern of a wrestlers personal seeding points.
H. All parents must agree to the WHWA parents code of conduct.
I. Failure to meet any of these seasonal athletic requirement for any wrestler on the Middle School team or Varsity team could result in disciplinary action resulting in returning back to the next lower level team, decreased mat time and/or suspension from the team or program.
J. All registered WHWA wrestlers in grades 7th and 8th are only eilible to participate on our middle school team.
K. Advanced 5th and 6th grader wrestlers are also eligible to try out for our middle school team / See wrestle offs for rules & eligibility requirements.
L. All wrestlers on the middle school team must live in one of the four Watchung Hills Regional high school sending districts to be eligible to compete.
RULE – 3: WHWA Eligibility & Requirements for Coaching
A. A Volunteer Coaching application must be filled out online and submitted to the Coaches Committee for approval by the board.
B. The Volunteer Coach must have Wrestled at a high school level for a minimum of 3 years.
C. The Volunteer Coach must have an up to date & current CPR training. *(A copy must be provided)*
D. The Volunteer Coach must have the Warren Township Recreational Finger printing & State Police Background check. *(A copy must be provided)*
E. The Volunteer Coach must have a Rutgers Coaching Card. *(A copy must be provided)*
F. The Volunteer Coach must apply for a USA Wrestling Coaches Card & Background check. (A copy must be provided)
*Mandatory and required by the Township of Warren*
RULE – 4: WHWA Wrestle Offs
A. Mandatory Weigh-ins: In November a date will be established for weigh-ins by the coaches for all kids, 2nd thru 8th grade. Once the wrestler’s weights are established your child will be eligible to sign up for Wrestle Offs to determine what team they will wrestle for.
B. WHWA Teams: The WHWA has several teams. We have our Future Warriors (FW) for kids 2nd thru 6th, We also have our Varsity and JV teams in the Central Jersey League (CJL) for kids 2nd thru 6th grade. If we have a significant numbers of kids in any given year, we will look to introduce a 2nd CJL team in the Central Jersey B Division. We also have our Middle School team (MS) for our 7th & 8th grade wrestlers. We do allow 5th & 6th grade wrestlers to wrestle for the MS team as long as they are eligible.
C. Eligible Weight Class: Consult with the coaches for the best weight class for your child & the team.
D. Future Warriors Team: No Wrestle Offs – This league is an introduction to wrestling for beginners & novice wrestlers.
E. ELIGIBILITY: See Below for all Levels
1. For Varsity, JV & Future Warriors Teams (2nd thu 6th Graders)
Your child must be within 2 lbs. of the lowest eligible weight class and within 5 lbs. of the highest eligible weight class in order to Wrestle Off for the desired spot (Weight Classes 45, 50, 53, 57, 60, 63, 67, 70, 73, 77, 80, 85, 90, 95, 102, 110, HWT / Subject to league weight changes). If multiple wrestlers are at the same desired weight class as your child we will hold a scheduled Wrestle Off in the wrestling room during, before, or after practice. If you child chooses not to Wrestle Off he will be placed on the Future Warriors Team which has no Wrestle Offs, but starters will be at the coaching staffs discretion. Everyone is eligible to make the Future Warriors team. On the recommendation of the coaches, the coaching committee chairman has the discretion to move a wrestler for the benefit of the program & additional Wrestle Offs maybe required. A wrestler may request an additional Wrestle Off, only once at the next higher weight class as long as the coaching committee has approved the Wrestle Off. If the weight was already contested with 2 or more wrestlers, then a Wrestle Off for the weight class cannot be re-contested. After Wrestle Offs are complete and positions are assigned it is the responsibility of the starting wrestler to make weight for his weight class for each match. If he fails to do so then his position may be considered as a open weights class by the head coach and additional Wrestle Offs may be required.
• Wrestle offs at Weight class:
For 1 Wrestler – No Wrestle Off is necessary, weight class is uncontested.
For 2 Wrestlers – We will hold 1 match – League Rules apply
For 3 Wrestlers – We will hold a 3 man Round Robin – each wrestler will have 1 match against each eligible wrestler. 1st place will be assigned to the Varsity Team, The 2nd place on JV team & 3rd Place wrestler will be assigned to the Future Warriors team. If we have a significant numbers of kids in any given year, we will look to introduce a 2nd CJL team in the Central Jersey B Division. League rules apply & the placing will be determined by the outright winner or seeding points earned during the wrestle offs, see below. In the event of a tie in the Round Robin the 2 wrestlers will have a single wrestle off match.
For 4 or More Wrestlers – We will establish a tournament bracket for the Wrestle Off, single elimination. Seeding for the wrestle off will be determined by what team you wrestled for the year before. Varsity wrestlers will take precedence over JV & FW teams in that order. Varsity B will take precedence over JV if we had an CJL B team. JV will take precedence over FW. Last year’s record will determine seeding between wrestlers who wrestled on the same team the prior year. Seeding ties will be determined by a flip of the coin by the coaches.
• Match Rules:
Length of periods shall be 1-1½-1½, there is no injury time and Bouts ending in a tie score during regulation time will wrestle in overtime to determine a winner. Overtime will be 1-minute sudden death period from neutral position followed by a 30-second ride out period. First points scored in regulation time gets choice of top or bottom starting position during the ride out period. If no points were scored by either wrestler during regulation time, the referee shall flip the disk to determine which wrestler has choice of top or bottom for the start of the ride out period. The Wrestling Rule Book, published by the National Federation of High School Associations, shall govern the rules of play.
• Seeing points:
Points will be awarded for each of the designated matches as follows:
Win by pin, default, forfeit or disqualification = 7 pts.
Win by technical fall (15 or more pts) = 6 pts.
Win by major decision (8 to 14 pts) = 5 pts.
Win by decision = 4 pts.
Loss = 1 pts.
2. For Middle School Team Wrestle offs (5th thru 8th Graders)
Your child must be within 2 lbs. of his desired lowest possible weight class or choose one weight class above his eligible weight class (Middle School weights, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 140, 150, 175 and Hwt. / Subject to league weight changes). If other kids are at the same desired weight class as your child we will hold a scheduled Wrestle Off in the wrestling room during, before or after practice in November. If a wrestler wins 2 rounds of the Wrestle Offs then no additional Wrestle Offs are necessary because by League rules - in order to be eligible for the year end league tournament a wrestler needs to have wrestled a minimum of half their matches in the NJGSWL and tournament seeding is based on all points earned in their division. If you child chooses not to Wrestle Off he will remain on the team and will be eligible for available JV matches at the Varsity teams matches. After the Wrestle Offs is completed it is the responsibility of the starting to make weight for his weight class for each match. If he fails to do so then his position may be considered as a open weights class by the head coach and additional Wrestle Offs may be required.
MS Wrestle off Schedule; all Wrestle Offs will be the best out of 3. All Wrestle Off dates will be pre-determined for that season in early November and distributed accordingly.
1st Wrestle Off – End of November or before the season starts
2nd Wrestle Off – Following the fist Quad or Tri match
3rd Wrestler Off – If Necessary, Following the second Quad or Tri match
*It is important to know that the MS head coach has the discretion to move any wrestler for the benefit of the program and the team’s success, therefore additional wrestle-offs maybe required.
• Wrestle Offs for 5th Grade wrestlers interested in wrestling for the Middle School Team:
If your child is in 5th grade and he wins his Wrestle Off against a 6th, 7th or 8th grader, he is no longer eligible to wrestle for the Varsity or JV teams. If there is no 6th, 7th or 8th grade wrestler at a weight class and a 5th grade wins a Wrestle Off from another 5th grader he then can wrestle for the Middle School team and is also eligible to wrestle off for a spot on the Varsity/JV teams, as well and all MS Wrestle Offs against the same Varsity opponent will count towards Varsity Wrestle Offs.
• Wrestle offs at Weight class:
For 1 Wrestler – No Wrestle Off is necessary, weight class is uncontested.
For 2 Wrestlers – We will hold 1 match – League Rules apply
For 3 Wrestlers – We will hold a 3 man Round Robin – each wrestler will have 1 match against each eligible wrestler. 1st place will be assigned to the MS Team; the 2nd Place wrestler will receive exhibition matches throughout the season when available. League rules apply & the placing will be determined by the outright winner or seeding points earned during the Wrestle Offs, see below. In the event of a tie in the Round Robin the 2 wrestlers will have a single Wrestle Off match.
For 4 or More Wrestlers – We will establish a tournament bracket for the Wrestle Off, single elimination. Seeding for the Wrestle Off will be determined by what team you wrestled for the year before. MS Team wrestlers will take precedence over Varsity & JV. Varsity will take precedence over JV. Last year’s record will determine seeding between wrestlers who wrestled on the same team the prior year. Seeding ties will be determined by a flip of the coin by the coaches.
• Match Rules:
Length of periods shall be 2:00, 1:30, and 1:30, there is no injury time and bouts ending in a tie score during regulation time, will wrestle in overtime to determine a winner. Overtime will be 1-minute sudden death period from neutral position followed by a 30-second ride out period. First points scored in regulation time gets choice of top or bottom starting position during the ride out period. If no points were scored by either wrestler during regulation time, the referee shall flip the disk to determine which wrestler has choice of top or bottom for the start of the ride out period. The Wrestling Rule Book, published by the National Federation of High School Associations, shall govern the rules of play.
• Round Robin Seeing points:
Points will be awarded for each of the designated matches as follows:
Win by pin, default, forfeit or disqualification = 7 pts.
Win by technical fall (15 or more pts) = 6 pts.
Win by major decision (8 to 14 pts) = 5 pts.
Win by decision = 4 pts.
Loss = 1 pts.
RULE – 5: Eligibility for WH Wrestling Jacket
A. The wrestler must be in 6th grade or older
B. The wrestler must have participated in the WHWA program for 3 or more consecutive years in a row including 6th grade to be eligible.
C. The jacket to be presented to the wrestler at the end of the year party.
D. Parents of the wrestler are expected to contribute to the overall cost. (The amount will be determined by the WHWA board)
RULE – 6: WHWA Eligibility for 8th grade wrestling bags
A. The wrestler must be in 8th grade - No younger
B. The wrestler must have participated in the WHWA program for the last 2 years consecutively to be eligible. (Wrestled both in 7th & 8th grade)
C. The wrestling bag to be presented to the wrestler at the end of the year party.
RULE – 7: WHWA Eligibility for Committees
A. Submit in writing to the Board of Trustees your intent – Volunteers are always welcome. All positions are approved and voted on at the spring annual meeting.
RULE – 8: WHWA Discipline Notifications
All wrestlers & parents will be held accountable for their own behavior under the Watchung Hills Wrestling Associations code of conduct. All wrestlers will be disciplined equally, without regard to their wrestling ability. All disruptive infractions or other serious misbehavior will result in the following.
A. First infraction, parents will be notified by the board with a Disciplinary Memorandum of the infraction and this could result in the wrestler being removed from practice for a period of time or suspended from competing in a match.
B. Second infraction, parents will be notified by the board with a Disciplinary Memorandum of the infraction and this could result in the wrestler being removed from practice for a period of time or suspended from competing in matches for a period of time. The parent and wrestler will then be required to attend a meeting with the coaches and representatives from the Board of Trustees to discuss these infractions.
C. Continued infractions, after the initial two Disciplinary Memorandums, the infraction could result in the wrestle’s removal from the Watchung Hills Wrestling program or be placed on a 1 year suspension from the program. There will be no refunds for wrestlers removed from the program for disciplinary infractions.
BY-LAWS
WATCHUNG HILLS WRESTLING ASSOCIATION, INC.
Section 1. Board of Trustees. The activities of the corporation shall be managed by the Board which shall consist of four trustees (the “Board”).
Section 2. Nominating Committee. The president shall, with the advice and consent of the Board, appoint a nominating committee of one or more trustees (which may include persons who are not trustees, provided that at least one member of the nominating committee shall be a trustee) which shall recommend to the Board the names of persons to be submitted for election as trustees. The trustees shall be elected by the Board.
Section 3. Annual Meeting and Regular Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board for the election of trustees and officers and such other business as may come before the meeting shall be held in March of each year upon not less than ten nor more than sixty days’ written notice of the time, place and purposes of the meeting at the principal office of the corporation, or such other time and place as shall be specified in the notice of the meeting. The Board may provide by resolution adopted at any meeting of the Board for additional regular meetings which may be held without notice.
Section 4. Special Meetings of the Board. Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the president or by any (three) trustees. Such meetings shall be held upon not less than two days’ notice given personally or by telephone, or upon not less than four days’ notice given by depositing notice in the United States mails, postage prepaid. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting [and the purpose(s) of the meeting].
Section 5. Waivers of Notice of Board Meetings; Adjournments. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any trustee who signs a waiver of notice whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior to the conclusion of the meeting, the lack of notice to such trustee of such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such a meeting. Notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place are fixed at the meeting adjourning and if the period of adjournment does not exceed ten days in any one adjournment.
Section 6. Action Without Meeting. The Board or any committee of the Board may act without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to such action, each trustee or committee member shall consent in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or such committee.
Section 7. Meeting by Telephone. The Board or committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee, by means of a telephone conference call or any other means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.
Section 8. Quorum. A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum of the Board for the transaction of business. The act of the majority of the trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board [except that the act of a majority of the entire Board shall be required with respect to any amendment to these by-laws or the Certificate of Incorporation or the making of any grant or distribution of funds].
Section 9. Committees of the Board. The Board, by resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board, may appoint from among the trustees one or more committees, (other than the nominating committee provided for in section 2) of one or more members (which may include persons who are not trustees, provided that at least on member of each committee shall be a trustee and that any act of any committee which has any members which are not trustees shall be advisory, shall not bind the Board or the corporation and the actions of which shall be subject to Board approval) each of which, to the extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the authority of the Board, except that no such committee shall:
(a) make, alter or repeal any by-law of the corporation;
(b) elect or appoint any officer or trustee, or remove any officer or trustee; or
(c) make any grants or distributions of funds; or
(d) amend or repeal any resolution previously adopted by the Board.
The Board, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, may:
(a) fill any vacancy in such committee;
(b) appoint one or more persons to serve as alternate members of any such committee, to act in the absence or disability of members of any such committee with all the powers of such absent or disabled members of a committee;
(c) abolish any such committee at its pleasure; or
(d) remove any members of such committee at any time, with or without cause.
A majority of each committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of the majority of the committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. Each committee shall appoint from among its members a chairman unless the resolution of the Board establishing such committee designates the chairman, in which case, in the event of a vacancy in the chairmanship, the Board shall fill the chairmanship vacancy.
Actions taken at a meeting of any such committee shall be kept in a record of its proceedings which shall be reported to the Board at its next meeting following such committee meeting, except that, when the meeting of the Board is held within two days after the committee meeting, such report shall, if not made at the first meeting, be made to the Board at its second meeting following such committee meeting.
Section 9.1. The Watchung Hills Wrestling Association Facility Advisory Committee
PURPOSE: The purpose of the Facility Advisory Committee is to serve as an independent committee overseeing the Construction and Management of the Watchung Hills Wrestling Associations Facility and Property;
ALL PROPOSALS: All Rules, Regulations, Management and Oversight for the Construction or Management of the Facility or property must be approved by the Watchung Hill Wrestling Associations Facility Advisory Committee in accordance with the Bylaws of the committee and by 2/3 vote. The Board of Trustees would maintain financial control over all cost and revenue for the facility but would rely on the Facility Advisory Committee to present and create all rules and procedures for the construction and management of the programs facility and its property .
Section 10. Compensation. Neither trustees or officers shall receive any fee, salary or remuneration of any kind for their services as trustees and/or officers, provided, however, that trustees and officers may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in conducting its affairs and carrying out its purposes with approval of the Board upon presentation of appropriate vouchers.
Section 11. Officers. At its annual meeting, the Board shall elect a president, a vice president, a treasurer, a secretary, and such other officers as it shall deem necessary. The president and the secretary shall be trustees; other officers may, but need not, be trustees. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge, or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law or by these by-laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers. The Board, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, may remove any officers, with or without cause. The duties and authority of the officers shall be determined from time to time by the Board. Subject to any such determinations, the officers shall have the following duties and authority:
(a) The president shall be chief executive officer of the corporation, shall have general charge and supervision over and responsibility for the affairs of the corporation, and shall preside at all meetings of the Board. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, all other officers shall be subject to the authority and the supervision of the president. The president may enter into and execute in the name of the corporation contracts or other instruments in the ordinary course of business not specifically approved by the Board and Contracts or instruments not in the regular course of business which are authorized, either generally or specifically, by the Board. The president shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation. The president may delegate from time to time to any other officer, any or all of such duties and authority.
(b) The vice president shall have such duties and possess such authority as may be delegated to the vice president by the president.
(c) The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept regular books of account for the corporation. The treasurer shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to the office or as shall be assigned by the president or the Board.
(d) Assistant treasurers, if elected, shall have such duties and possess such authority as may be delegated to them by the treasurer.
(e) The secretary shall cause notices of all meetings to be served as prescribed in these by-laws and shall keep or cause to be kept the minutes of all meetings of the Board. The secretary shall have charge of the seal of the corporation and shall perform such other duties and possess such powers as are incident to the office or as shall be assigned by the president or the Board.
(f) Assistant secretaries, if elected, shall have such duties and possess such authority as may be, delegated to them by the secretary.
Section 12. Dissolution. Upon dissolution after payment of all debts, remaining assets shall be distributed to the recreation departments of the Townships of Warren and Watchung, New Jersey.
Section 13. Force and Effect of By-Laws. These by-laws are subject to the provisions of the New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation Act (the “Act”) and the Certificate of Incorporation as they may be amended from time to time. If any provision in these by-laws is inconsistent with a provision in the Act or the Certificate of Incorporation, the provision of the Act or the Certificate of Incorporation shall govern to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section 14. Amendment to By-Laws. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed by the Board. Written notice of any such by-law change to be voted upon by the Board shall be given not less than 10 days prior to the meeting at which such change shall be proposed.
WHWA Facility Committee Bylaws
Watchung Hills Wrestling Association Facility Advisory Committee Bylaws
Article I: Name
The name of this Advisory Committee shall be,
Watchung Hills Wrestling Association Facility Advisory Committee
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this Advisory Committee shall be to advise, assist, support and advocate for the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association on matters that involve the construction and management of the Watchung Hills Wrestling Associations facility and its property. This committee will have no involvement or jurisdiction outside of the day to day operations of the facility construction and management.
Article III: Members
Section 1. Members shall be selected and appointed by the Watchung Hills Wrestling Associations Board of trustees. The current Advisory Committee may suggest potential members.
Section 2. Members shall represent a cross-section of the industry or occupation for which training is provided and the community served by the program. (Instructor(s) and/or administrator(s) may serve as ex officio members of the committee.)
Section 3. Members terms will be a one year membership appointed each year by the Board.
Section 4. Membership terms will begin immediately following elections of offices for the new season after the annual general meeting.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1. Officers shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and up to 4 Trustees. These officers shall be the Executive Council for the Facility Advisory Committee.
Section 2. The duties of the Officers shall be those commonly ascribed to these offices.
Section 3. Officers shall be elected by simple majority at the final yearend meeting and shall assume their offices immediately following the meeting. Officers may be reelected.
Article V: Meetings
Section 1. The Advisory Committee shall comply with a requirement for 4 meetings per year. Additional meetings shall be scheduled as necessary to accomplish the Program of Work.
Section 2. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of appointed members.
Section 3. Decisions will commonly be made by consensus. A formal vote shall be taken when a decision is to be forwarded to the instructor or administration as a recommendation.
Article VI: Subcommittees
Section 1. Subcommittees shall be appointed by the Chairperson as needed to accomplish the Program of Work.
Section 2. Subcommittees shall be of the size necessary to carry out their assigned tasks.
Section 3. Subcommittees shall elect their own chairpersons.
Article VIII: Amendment of Bylaws
These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Advisory Committee by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, and must be followed by an approval by the Watchung Hills Board of Trustees by a two-thirds (2/3) vote provided that the amendment has been submitted to Facility Advisory Committee members and the WHWA Board of Trustees in writing at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting.
Bylaws adopted March 30th 2014
Bylaws amended N/A
