SECTION 1: PARTICIPATION

1.1 GOVERNANCE. The Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) is an amateur soccer league that operates in the gulf south of the United States. GCPL is governed by the rules and regulations set forth by the Board of Directors. This operating manual acts as the league’s Regulations and Standards approved by the BOD and League Management.

1.2 AUTHORITY. The Board of Directors of the Gulf Coast Premier League has the authority to impose penalties and fines for violations of league rules or non-compliance with regulations. This includes penalties for individual club members or officers as well as clubs themselves. Penalties may include warnings, fines, loss of points in standings, and temporary or permanent suspension from GCPL-associated soccer activities. Fines may be assessed on a one-time basis or for repeated non-compliance with regulations. 

1.3 CLUB INDEPENDENCE. Clubs that are part of the Gulf Coast Premier League are given the autonomy to govern their own affairs, provided that they comply with the League’s Regulations and Standards, as well as the rules and regulations set by the U.S. Soccer Federation, the relevant National Federation, and FIFA. This includes full control over their respective assets and employees.

1.4 LIABILITIES. Each participant of the Gulf Coast Premier League shall assume all risks, responsibilities, and liabilities for loss, damage, injury, or death while using property and facilities for activities related to their participation in the league, whether such loss, damage, injury, or death be occasioned by the team or the league, its officers, agents, or otherwise. Additionally, player liability falls on the players themselves, who are accountable for any loss, damage, injury, or death sustained while participating in a club or as a player on a representative team of the league, in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations. All clubs are also required to obtain accident medical insurance for each player through the league insurance carrier, provided by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). It is important to note that all league-mandated policies are secondary to any primary insurance policy held by the player. Finally, any clubs acting as professional teams (e.g., paying players) are obliged to acquire Workers Compensation (or equivalent) coverage as required by applicable state or provincial law and provide evidence of such coverage in the form of an official binder to the Gulf Coast Premier League before each playing season.

1.5 COMPETITIONS. Annually, all clubs participating in the Gulf Coast Premier League will undergo an assessment to determine the league in which they will compete during the following season. The league is comprised of multiple tiers and leagues, with each league including various approved clubs for participation.

1.6 TERRITORY RIGHTS. In alignment with its mission of promoting inclusivity, the Gulf Coast Premier League does not acknowledge the concept of territory rights. However, every club participating in the GCPL, and maintaining good standing, has the right to voice any concerns regarding the participation of other organizations operating within a 30-mile radius that seek to join the league.

1.7 ANNUAL PARTICIPATION FEE. The Gulf Coast Premier League charges an annual fee that covers  a variety of services including but not limited to, administrative support, match scheduling, officials assigning  (including referee travel cost ), league website maintenance  , league marketing,  as well as expenses, including but not limited to,  annual general meetings, player registration and insurance, venue insurance, and Select ball packages. Clubs are responsible for additional fees such as referees game fees, US Open Cup registration fee,  and additional player registration fees.

GCPL Annual Fee                                   $3,000
GCL2 Annual Fee                                   $1,250
Add’l Registration Fee (per player)        $40

1.8 PERFORMANCE BOND. League performance bonds serve as a financial guarantee that clubs will perform season-long obligations, ensuring that they fulfill their obligations and commitments to the league and its stakeholders, including other clubs, sponsors, broadcasters, and fans. The performance bond amount varies for each division, and clubs must pay their bonds in full upon acceptance into the league to be eligible for the upcoming season. Returning clubs must replenish their bond, if necessary, no later than September 1st to remain in good standing with the league. Failure to submit the performance bond by the required deadline may result in removal from  the upcoming season. Upon confirming good standing with the league, clubs may receive their bond back in full  after providing a written request to the league before the September 1st deadline. 

1.9 COMMITMENT DEADLINE. Clubs intending to return to compete in the Gulf Coast Premier League’s upcoming season, and not currently under a multiple year agreement, must commit in writing to return for the next season by September 1st of the current year. Failure to do so may result in removal from the league and renders the performance bond non-refundable. The GCPL will remind each club no later than (30) days before the set deadline to make their commitment.

1.10 STADIUM AGREEMENTS. Before each season, all clubs in the Gulf Coast Premier League must submit their stadium contracts, leases, or communications to the league by March 1st. Submitting the stadium contract by March 1st guarantees to the Gulf Coast Premier League that all teams have made the necessary arrangements to play in a particular facility before preparing and finalizing league schedules. This is to prevent clubs from claiming to have a stadium agreement but later admitting they have yet to secure a home facility and reserve the required dates when the league schedule is ready for official release. The contract must specify the reserved dates for regular season and playoff games.

1.11 FINES. Fines may be imposed on participating clubs of the Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) for violating the league’s regulations, standards, or disciplinary rules . GCPL will inform each club when a fine has been imposed and why. The member clubs are liable to pay all fines imposed during the season. All clubs are required to submit payment for fines within 30 days from the date of the statement issued by GCPL. Failure to pay fines within 30 days may result in league point deductions and club sanctionings. 

1.12 CLUB MANAGEMENT. Clubs are required to appoint a General Manager, President, or Executive Director to oversee day-to-day operations. This individual must possess proficient language skills, have adequate writing abilities, and a firm understanding of the Rules and Regulations set forth in this operations manual. 

1.13 COMMUNICATIONS. All clubs must have an active email address and website. Each club must place the Gulf Coast Premier League logo on their website and link it to the Gulf Coast Premier League home page at gcplsoccer.com. If the organization has multiple teams, the Gulf Coast Premier League logo must be placed on the specific home page for the Gulf Coast Premier League team. All clubs must have a telephone number, which is connected to a 24-hour answering system, 12 months a year.

1.14 TRADE MARKS. Each club in the Gulf Coast Premier League has the independence to utilize its own brand, including its trademarks, for promoting and running its local team. Additionally, the league allows each club to display, reproduce, and use Gulf Coast Premier League marks in team-related activities such as club uniforms and promotions. If a club wishes to sell merchandise featuring GCPL branding, it must obtain written permission from the league by submitting a request for approval – league approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

1.15 CLUB NAMES AND LOGO. Gulf Coast Premier League reserves the right to approve or reject all names/logos.

1.16 LEAGUE SPONSORSHIPS. The Gulf Coast Premier League requires all member clubs to respect and fulfill the respective League sponsorship agreements. Ahead of each season, the league will inform each club in writing of their specific obligations in meeting their sponsorship requirements. These may include the placement of signage, special displays, and designated product-sampling areas, among other sponsor on-site specifications. Additionally, all teams are expected to display the league-provided GCPL sign at midfield during home games.

1.17 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The Annual General Meeting convenes annually in early March in New Orleans and serves as a gathering of all Gulf Coast Premier League participants, with the league being responsible for creating the meeting agenda. The agenda includes reviewing changes to the Rules and Regulations, assessing each club’s onboarding process, setting deadlines for business and marketing plans, evaluating the upcoming season, and addressing any other relevant topics. It is highly recommended that each club sends a representative with a clear understanding of both the club and league functions to attend the meeting. Failure to do so may exclude the club from having their opinions and suggestions brought forth for consideration in any league matters. 

1.18 COMPLIANCE. The Gulf Coast Premier League has established its own set of regulations and standards that apply to all participating clubs, outlining the minimum levels of business and operational requirements. Compliance with these regulations is regularly monitored through a compliance form submitted by officials, home and visiting teams and occasional members appointed by the league. Each team’s compliance record is reviewed throughout the season, and failure to meet the standards may result in remedial actions or applicable fines. In cases of repeated non-compliance, termination from participating in the league may be enforced. 

1.18.1 EXEMPTIONS. Although not preferred, Gulf Coast Premier League may allow certain exemptions to specific League Rules and Regulations under certain conditions. Requests for exemptions must be submitted to the League Director of Operations by written request. However, submitting a request does not guarantee its approval. The league must approve exemptions in writing before they can be granted. Exemptions are only valid for one year and the situation must be addressed for the following season.

1.19 WITHDRAWAL FROM PARTICIPATION. If a team participating in the Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) withdraws from the league or is terminated before completing their scheduled games, the club will forfeit all league-associated rights and will become ineligible to receive a return of their performance bond. In the event of game removal from the standings, the league will not be held responsible for compensating the affected teams. Any unrescheduled or unreplaced league games will be recorded as a forfeit victory of 3-0 for the opposing team. GCPL may, at its discretion, reschedule any remaining games, assign a replacement club to fulfill the obligations or remove all games of the club from the standings. 

1.20 REVIEW, APPEALS AND DISCIPLINE. Gulf Coast Premier League clubs are entitled to challenge decisions made by the league by following the procedures outlined in the Appeals and Disciplinary rules (SEE SECTION 9). As a member of both the United Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and U.S. Soccer Federation, the league is obligated to adhere to the specific regulations of these organizations to maintain its good standing.