PHILLIPSBURG AREA WRESTLING LEAGUE BY-LAWS Updated 9/14/2026
Article 1. Purpose: The Phillipsburg Area Wrestling League (“PAWL”) is a New Jersey nonprofit corporation comprised of wrestling teams representing municipal recreation programs or other recreation organizations dedicated to promoting the sport of wrestling (No private clubs). Municipal Recreation Programs (or other non-municipality recreation organizations) are comprised of wrestlers from within the named community and/or reside in the school-sending district. The league is committed to teaching wrestlers good conduct and sportsmanship. Coaches are encouraged to reinforce that schoolwork, personal conduct, and sportsmanlike attitudes take priority in each wrestler's life. Team Cap: The maximum number of member teams shall be 12, subject to adjustment by majority vote at the annual organizational meeting. Article 2. Membership: The number of teams shall be determined by a majority vote of the representatives attending the official league meeting.
A. Meetings: 1. There shall be an annual organizational meeting to be held no later than September 30th of the upcoming season.
2. There shall be a seeding meeting to be held no later than 7 days before the scheduled Tournament of Champions for that season.
3. There may be other meetings held from time-to-time upon a minimum of 7 days advance notice as deemed necessary by the executive board.
4. Attendance: Every member team shall send at least one (1) representative to each scheduled meeting. Failure to attend any meeting shall result in: (a) a $100 fine payable within 30 days, AND (b) loss of 0.5 team tournament points from the team's Individual League Tournament point total.
5. Quorum: 50% of the league membership in good standing plus 1 executive board member is required to convene a league meeting.
6. Voting: Each member team in good standing shall be entitled to 1 vote. A simple majority of the voting members present shall be sufficient to pass a motion. The president will not vote except in instances to break a tie vote. 7. Virtual Meetings: Permitted provided all participants can communicate simultaneously; counts for quorum and voting 8. Bylaw Amendments at Any Meeting: Notwithstanding Article 5, any by-law change unanimously supported by all teams present at any scheduled meeting may be adopted immediately at that meeting.
B Procedure:
1. All teams must fill at least half of the weights for all matches during the season. Failure to meet these standards may subject the team to replacement for the next year or additional restrictions being put in to place for that team the following season. This will be at the discretion of the majority vote of the members.
2. Problems with teams for unsportsmanlike-like conduct, vandalism, theft, mischief, etc., that are detrimental to the league will be addressed at an emergency meeting within 7 days. Meeting will be attended by a quorum of trustees or league officers and the teams involved. If a quorum of trustees cannot meet, then the matter will be handled by the executive board.
3. Emergency matters not covered in the by-laws may be decided by the executive board and/or quorum of Board of Trustees. Such matters will be reassessed at the next league meeting. If a quorum of trustees cannot meet, then the matter will be handled by the executive board.
C. Membership Fees: there shall be an annual membership fee of $500 per team payable on or before Dec 1st of the wrestling season. All delinquent members shall be considered as members NOT in good standing, and receive $100 fine payable within 30 days.
D. Membership Insurance: All teams must supply a valid certificate of Insurance that covers their team through the entire wrestling season. This must be handed into the league on or before October 15th of each wrestling season. Article 3. Voting Rights:
A. All member teams in good standing shall have all voting rights.
B. Each member team shall be granted one vote per team.
C. Teams having two squads (A and B teams) will be allowed to vote for each team and each squad shall be deemed a “member team” for purposes of voting.
D. Votes may be cast by any team appointed representative.
Article 4. Officers:
A. Officers shall be elected for a term of one year. Nominations of officers shall occur at the meeting immediately following the league tournament. Elections will be held on that same evening.
B. The following officers will be elected:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary/Treasurer
C. These officers will be the executive board.
D. The treasurer must supply a financial report to all teams at the end of the year. E. If an elected officer is unable to complete his or her term, the Executive Board shall appoint an interim replacement until the next scheduled league election, at which time the position shall be filled for the remainder of the term.
Article 5. Amendments:
A. Any amendments to the by-laws must be passed by 60% of the voting members.
B. New by-laws or changes to the by-laws will be in writing and brought to the last scheduled meeting of the year. A copy will be provided to each member to be voted on either by an online vote or a meeting that is to be held within the final two weeks of the season.
Article 6. Dual Matches:
A. All dual meet scoring will be based off of actual bouts wrestled and any forfeits.
B. Weight Classes:
1. Varsity weight Classes will be 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67, 70, 73, 76, 80, 85, 90, 95, 102, 115, 135, and Hwt (175 max.).
2. JV weights classes will be 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 110 and Hwt. 40 and Hwt are optional weight classes. If a team does not have a wrestler, it will not count toward team or individual points.
3. Heavyweight class weight range is recognized as a wrestler weighing between 137 pounds and 175 pounds. A heavyweight bout is wrestled if both wrestlers are within 20 pounds of each other, otherwise, no bout occurs and no team points are awarded to either team unless one wrestler is within the weight limit. If both coaches agree to wrestle the bout regardless of weight disparity the bout shall count.
4. A wrestler’s minimum weight for the season shall be determined by his actual weight at a certification. These certifications will be held at the first league competition that is wrestled, and may be held at any subsequent league competition completed prior to midnight on December 31st. Any additions to a roster after December 31st will be determined by the board.
5. Weigh-ins will be conducted 45 minutes prior to each match with two coaches present. Weigh in will be closed 15 minutes prior to match start time. The hosting team will determine the order of JV and Varsity. Coaches must notify opposing coaches at least 3 days in advance of the order or it will be assumed the order will be JV then Varsity.
6. A wrestler will only be allowed to move up one weight class from his declared weigh-in weight class for that day (e.g., if wrestler weighs 44, he may only compete at 45 or 50 that day).
C. No wrestler may appear on more than one organization’s roster at any time during the season.
D. One pound will be added to each weight class on the first of January. One pound will be added to each weight class on the first of February. E. A wrestler shall weigh in with a singlet or undergarment and a 0.2 pound weight allowance will be granted for wrestlers at weigh-in. F. There will be a one pound allowance for any week night match. The one pound allowance does not apply for any wrestler who has not previously certified for his or her weight class. G. Prior-Day Competition Allowance: If a team wrestled on the day prior to a scheduled meet and at least 2/3 of the starting lineup participated, a 1-pound weight allowance is granted — provided 72-hour advance notice is given to the opposing team and the President. H. All matches will consist of 3 periods (1 1/2 min., 1½ min, 1½ min). This includes JV.
I. Overtime shall be conducted in accordance with the NFHS rules.
J. NJSIAA criteria shall be used to determine the winning team in a dual meet ending in a tie.
K. The number of exhibition matches following a league match shall be left to both coaches’ discretion on that day.
Article 7. Eligibility:
A. All wrestlers must be in grades k-6 and not turn 13 years of age before December 31st of the current season.
B. Any wrestler attending a school of choice can only wrestler for the town in which he resides. B. Residency & Transfer Rules: - A wrestler must wrestle for the team in their elementary school district.
- Any wrestler who transfers to a new school district must wrestle for the new district's team. Exception: if the move occurs during the season, the wrestler may complete the season with the old team or transfer immediately. The wrestler must be with the new team the following year.
- Wrestlers attending private school outside their area of residence must present a hardship case at a scheduled PAWL meeting. Eligibility is determined by majority vote.
C. Home-School Eligibility: Home-schooled wrestlers are eligible based strictly on age, subject to the K–6 grade equivalent and the December 1 age cutoff. They are eligible to wrestle for the team that is correlated to their place of residence. D. Geographic Eligibility: BELVIDERE : White Twsp, Hope, Harmony, Belvidere and all sending districts to Belvidere High School. BLAIRSTOWN : Knowlton, Frelinghuysen, Blairstown and all sending districts to North Warren High School DEL VAL RAMS: Holland Twsp, Milford, Alexandria DEL VAL WILDCATS: Alexandria, Frenchtown, Kingwood EASTON: Easton and all sending districts to Easton High School LOPATCONG: Lopatcong Twsp and all Students attending Lopatcong Elementary NORTH HUNTERDON: Bethlehem Township, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Lebanon Borough, Union Township and all sending districts to North Hunterdon High School POHATCONG: Pohatcong, Greenwich, Alpha STEELE HILL: Phillipsburg VOORHEES: Califon, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, Tewksbury Township, and Glen Gardner. and all sending districts to Voorhees High School WASHINGTON: Mansfield, Oxford, Franklin, Washington Twsp, Washington Burrough and all sending districts to Warren Hills High School
E. Skin Conditions:
1. Skin conditions must be managed with the utmost seriousness. Coaches should advise their parents and wrestlers to be on the alert for rashes and skin discoloration, and they should report any observation of any rashes and skin discoloration to the head coach immediately.
2. In addition to NFHS Rule 4-2-3 pertaining to skin conditions, the NJSIAA form “Physician Release for Wrestler to Participate with Skin Lesion(s)” shall be completed and signed by a medical doctor, within the last 7 days, in order for a wrestler with a skin condition to be allowed to participate.
3. The head coach is responsible for bringing to the attention of the opposing coach and official any skin condition that is known or should be known through reasonable observation. Knowing violation will result in suspension of the head coach for the following 2 league events.
D. Uniforms: - All wrestlers will wear a suitable team approved singlet. Each team should go to every extent possible to present the entire team in identical uniforms with their respective program’s colors.
2. Headgear is mandatory.
3. Wrestlers do not have to tape wrestling shoes.
Article 8. League Tournament (Tournament of Champions): - Dual Team Championship
- A. Same weight class as dual matches.
B. Seeding will be done on “regular season” league matches only. Seeding will be based on the seeding point system. Seeding points will be posted on the website.
C. Team scoring same as high school districts.
D. The wrestler must have competed in 51 percent of his/her matches in any one weight class to qualify for the tournament at that weight class. A coach may petition to have a wrestler included whom does not meet the criteria. A petition must be presented to the league at least 1 week prior to the scheduled seeding meeting.
E. Wrestle-backs to third/fourth place. True double elimination format through the semi-final round.
F. Tournament rosters will consist of wrestlers who have a minimum of six matches for that team during the regular season.
G. Any wrestler with more than 3 varsity matches (including forfeits) is ineligible for the JV tournament and must compete in the Varsity portion of the tournament. - All member teams must compete in the League Tournament (Tournament of Champions) as a first priority. "Compete" is defined as entering any wrestler at any weight class in which he has weighed in and received team points for any dual meet during the current season. Such wrestler cannot be entered in any other competition on the same date. Any member team that does not fulfill this obligation shall be subject to immediate removal from the league at the discretion of the Board as well as $100 fine per Article 11.
Article 9. Awards:
A. Trophy will be awarded for team tournament champion and Runner up.
B. Trophies will be awarded to individuals for 1st through 4th place in league tournament
C. A MOW will be awarded by silent vote upon completion of tournament. Each team will have one vote towards the selection of the tournament MOW.
Article 10. Board of Trustees: A. A Board of Trustees will be created at the annual league meeting, (5 members max) they will address any problems within the league within a seven day period. At least one member of this Board should be present at every tournament of champions of the league to handle any arbitration or appeal of board decisions. B. Trustees will have a two year term. Nomination for new trustees will be done at the September meeting. Any trustee that cannot complete their term will also be replaced at the September meeting. Trustees will continue to serve in perpetuity if no nominations are submitted at the September meeting. C. Names of the Trustees: D. A quorum of the Board shall consist of three members. Any and all Board action could occur in person, telephonically and/or electronically. Article 11. Participation Requirements:
A. All teams competing in the league must treat PAWL league matches as a priority above all other competitions.
B. Only school functions will supersede PAWL matches.
D. Any team that violates these requirements will be subject to a one-year probation period.
E. Any team that violates these requirements for a second time will be subject to a $100 fine. F. All member teams agree to make this league their first priority. "First priority" is defined as committing first to all league dual meets, meetings, and any and all other obligations under these bylaws without conflict, adjustment or rescheduling due to affiliations with any other non PAWL obligations. Failure to fulfill this obligation shall result in a $100 fine.
Article 12. Ejections:
A. If a coach is thrown out of a match by an attending Board Member or Officer, the coach will have to sit out 2 dual matches.
B. If a coach is ejected of the last match of the season, the coach will not be allowed at the League Tournament of Champion.
C. If a coach is thrown out of the League Tournament he will have to sit out the 1st two dual matches of the next season. D. If that coach is no longer with that team the next season, that coach will have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee to the league at any future date of return.
E. If a coach is thrown out a 2nd time in the same season, the coach will be expelled for 1 calendar year and pay the $100 reinstatement fee to the league.
F. The same rules will apply to parents, fans, siblings, etc. G. When a coach, parent, or fan is thrown out, that team is responsible to notify the Executive Board with the name of the person. The Executive Board will notify all teams of the ejection.
Article 14. Duties of the Home Team:
A. The home team must furnish guardians to keep order and protect the officials working a match and the visiting team. Failure to do so may result in a fine or forfeit.
B. The home team shall provide a bench for the visiting team.
C. The home team shall provide a time clock, timekeeper and scorekeeper. Visitors must approve.
D. In the event of cancellation, the match must be made up before five (5) days of the league tournament.
E. The home team is responsible to provide a certified scale at each event. This scale must have a valid sticker that will certify it thought the entire calendar year of a given season.
F. The home team shall report match results on the league website within 48 hours of the match day. Failure to do so will result in a $100 fine per each occurrence.
Article 15. Admissions:
A. Admission charge to matches is left up to the home team. but shall not exceed $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child (12 and under).
Article 16. Injuries: A. The league or the host team is not responsible for any injury incurred while participating in the wrestling program or the end of the year tournament. This is the responsibility of the individual’s team. B. Indemnification and Hold Harmless: All teams agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the league (including league officers, trustees, contractors and agents) from any and all liability and claims for damages because of bodily injury, death, property damage, sickness, disease or any other wrestling related claim arising from any league sanctioned activity, including but not limited to matches, meetings and tournaments.
Article 17 Disbandment: Should the league ever disband, the officers shall hold all monies and properties accumulated by the league for a period of one (1) year. If the league is not reorganized within this time, all monies and properties shall be divided among member teams during the year of operation.
Article18. Officials:
A. The league tournament and Varsity duals must use carded NJ or PA officials.
B. Carded officials are not necessary for JV league matches. Officials supplied by each team must be either a junior or senior in High school or must have at least 5 years of documented wrestling experience.
C. The host team shall be responsible for providing the match official. The visiting team shall provide at least one (1) scorekeeper.
***All items not covered by these bylaws will be covered by NFHS rules.*** PHILLIPSBURG AREA WRESTLING LEAGUE NOVICE/CLINIC LEVEL BY-LAWS 1. Novice league commitment shall consist of a minimum of one jamboree in December, one in January and the individual league tournament at the end of January or beginning of February. 2. Jamborees may have either coaches and/or HS wrestlers as officials/instructors. The end of the season individual tournament will have certified officials. 3. Matchups shall be made according to age, weight and experience as determined by a rating system (example: 1st year novice is a one, 2nd year novice is a 2, 3d year novice would be a 3). 4 All wrestlers' hands will be marked indicating age, weight and experience. 5 All Jamborees shall be limited to 5 teams per event. Every effort should be made to mix and match teams during each event. 6. Wrestlers will compete in as many bouts as possible subject to weight, age and the rating system (e.g., some wrestlers may get 3 bouts; others in more popular weight classes may get 5 bouts). 8. The individual league tournament shall be held either in conjunction with JV and Varsity tournaments (split sessions) or at a separate location. 9. The individual league tournament shall medal 1st to 4th place. 10. This will be true novice. Any wrestler that has competed JV or Varsity in the league will forfeit eligibility in the novice individual league tournament and will be bumped to JV or Varsity competition level in accordance with the PAWL By-Laws. "Competition" shall include receiving a forfeit. However, competition in an open tournament outside of the league may or may not affect the wrestler's eligibility under this provision subject to the discretion of the Board. |
