Southern Districts Basketball Association (SDBAL)
Junior Domestic Competition By-Laws – Winter 2025
1.0 Competition Structure
1.1 The year shall be divided into two competition seasons:
• Winter – School Terms 2 & 3
• Summer – School Terms 4 & 1
1.2 For the purpose of this document, a Club is any team or collection of teams that play under the same name.
1.3 Games will be played in accordance with the FIBA Official Basketball Rules prevailing at the time, unless otherwise specified in this document.
2.0 Age Limits
2.1 Age limits and competition structures shall be as determined by SDBAL.
• Summer and Winter Season eligibility is based on age as of 31st December in the year the competition concludes:
• Under 8
• Under 10
• Under 12
• Under 14
• Under 16
• Under 18
• Under 20
• Youth League
2.2
i. All players must play in their correct age group. If a club cannot field a team in a player’s age group, a written submission must be made by the club to the Competitions Manager to seek approval for the player to participate in a higher age group only.
ii. A player may play any number of games in the next higher age group without affecting eligibility in their normal age group. However:
• If a player does not meet finals eligibility in their correct age group, they will not qualify for finals in a higher age group.
• Players can play in a higher age group for a given round only if they have also played in their correct age group for that round.
2.3 Youth League eligibility:
• Only players who qualify for U18 and older may participate in the Youth League Girls competition.
• Players participating in U14 age division cannot compete in any Wednesday night competitions.
2.4 Where doubt exists regarding a player’s age, the Competitions Manager may require the player’s guardians to provide proof of date of birth.
2.5 The minimum age for player eligibility is five (5) years. A player may commence playing at age four (4), provided they turn five during the season in which they commence.
2.6 Date of Birth (DOB) exemptions:
• Clubs may request exemptions from the Competitions Manager on a case-by-case basis.
• Any decision by the Competitions Manager regarding DOB exemptions is final.
• Decisions will be made in the best interests of the competition first, and then the player.
3.0 Team Nominations
3.1 To be eligible to play in a season, each club must:
• Complete a Team Nomination Form; and
• Pay the required Team Nomination Fee as specified in the attached Fee Schedule.
3.2 Any new clubs applying to enter the competition must submit details of the colours and uniform combinations to be worn by their teams.
3.3 New clubs will be required to enter their teams under uniquely coloured uniforms.
• To avoid colour clashes, priority will be given to the club with the oldest uniform colour.
3.4 Once first accepted by SDBAL Management, the uniform will be regarded as the registered uniform of the club.
3.5 New teams must not order uniforms until their nominated colour combination has been approved by SDBAL.
3.6 Late Entries
• SDBAL will accept late team entries up to Round 4.
• Clubs will be charged a Late Team Nomination Fee.
• Late-entry teams will be entered into the competition at the Competitions Manager’s discretion.
4.0 Team Withdrawals
4.1 Any club withdrawing a team(s) after the grading period will incur a Team Withdrawal Penalty as specified in the attached Fee Schedule.
4.2 If a club does not notify the Competitions Manager at least 72 hours prior to the first game of the regular season that a team is to be withdrawn:
• The Un-notified Forfeit Fine (outlined in the attached Fee Schedule) will be imposed; and
• The Team Withdrawal Penalty will also apply.
5.0 Player Registrations
5.1 Any player wishing to participate in any SDBAL competition must register online through the Basketball Queensland (BQ) nominated electronic platform.
5.2 A player registers to play in a club by completing an online Registration Form.
• This form is only completed once.
• From that point, paper clearances are used to move players between clubs.
• Once the season has commenced, clearances are completed electronically.
5.3 A player remains a registered member of their initial club until:
• Age prevents participation in the competition; or
• They are officially cleared to another club.
6.0 Player Clearances (Club to Club)
6.1 Any player wishing to transfer from one club to another:
• Before the season start – must complete and submit a Player Clearance Form.
• During the season – the transfer will occur via BasketballConnect.
6.2 Transferring players must apply for a clearance regardless of when they last played.
6.3 Process for requesting a clearance:
• The player must notify their current club and provide the Player Clearance Form to the club’s Registrar.
• The outgoing club has five (5) business days to sign and return the form, unless a valid reason is provided for refusal.
6.4 The incoming club has five (5) business days to sign the clearance and return it to SDBAL.
6.5 SDBAL will process fully signed clearances within three (3) business days, provided the player is eligible.
6.6 Players may not compete for the new club until:
• The departing club approves the clearance; and
• SDBAL approves the clearance.
The responsibility rests with the new club to ensure the clearance is finalised before fielding the player.
6.7 Restrictions on representative player transfers:
• A club may only accept one representative player per age group per season, for both male and female players.
• A representative player is defined as one who has played for:
• Southern Districts Spartans,
• Spartans Black, or
• Spartans White within the past six (6) months.
• Note: A Spartans Red player is not considered a representative player for this rule.
• Players are assessed at their normal age group only.
• The onus is on the receiving club to ensure compliance with this rule.
6.8 More than one representative player (male or female) may only be cleared in exceptional circumstances, with reasons clearly stated on the clearance form.
6.9 Transfers of Division 2 and lower grade male and female players are unrestricted, provided the clearance does not render the losing club unable to field a team in that age group for that season.
6.10 Additional clearances may be approved at the discretion of the Association.
• Both the losing and receiving clubs must endorse the application unreservedly.
6.11 In exercising this discretion, the Association will:
• Consider each application on its individual merits;
• Balance the principle that individuals should not be prevented from playing basketball; and
• Ensure fairness and equity across the competition.
• Where a sibling of the transferring player is already registered with the prospective club, the clearance is automatic.
• The Association may consider any relevant facts and circumstances when reaching a decision.
7.0 Player Transfers (Team to Team)
7.1 Once the season has commenced, a player must apply for a transfer if they wish to move to a different team within their club.
7.2 Games played in a lower division will count towards finals eligibility in a higher division.
7.3 Clubs may submit a transfer request for players moving to a higher grade to assist with finals eligibility.
• Note: A transfer cannot be lodged after a player has been automatically regraded (e.g. after playing five games in a higher grade).
7.4 A player may move between teams within a club prior to playing their first game of the season without a transfer, except where the player is a cleared player (and therefore subject to the clearance rules).
7.5 Transfers are not automatic.
• Where a transfer request is lodged after grading is completed, the Competitions Manager will consult club contacts to assess the effect of the transfer on both:
• The team the player is leaving, and
• The team the player is joining.
• If the transfer renders either team uncompetitive, the Competitions Manager may reject the transfer.
8.0 Penalties
8.1 The Competitions Manager may request proof of any details supplied on a registration form, clearance form, or transfer request.
• Any registration, clearance, or transfer found to be false or misleading will result in the player being classed as ineligible.
• All games in which the ineligible player participated will be forfeited.
8.2 A club may not field a player who is the subject of a clearance or transfer request until the request has been approved.
• If a club knowingly ignores this rule, after being formally advised in writing by the Competitions Manager of the player’s ineligibility, the club will forfeit all premiership points for all of the club’s teams in the rounds where the ineligible player participated.
8.3 SDBAL may impose a fine on any club that fields an unregistered player, after the Competitions Manager has notified the club of the player’s unregistered status.
9.0 Grading
9.1 Within each age group, the competition will be divided into divisions.
9.2 Teams will be nominated to specific divisions by their clubs at the time of team entry.
9.3 Under the direction of SDBAL Management, the Competitions Manager will evaluate all team entries and allocate teams to divisions prior to the grading season.
• Teams are graded based on their demonstrated ability to compete at the specified level.
9.4 Each division must contain a minimum of four (4) teams.
• The Grading Period will be the first four (4) weeks of each new season.
9.5 The Competitions Manager will review team performances during grading and determine the appropriate division for each team, with the aim of placing all teams into divisions where they will be competitive.
9.6 Player transfers will be allowed up until Round 1 of the regular season, so that the Competitions Manager can assess the impact of player movements during the grading process.
9.7 Highly Skilled Team
9.7.1 Where a division has a team (or teams fewer than four) with a skill level significantly above the majority of teams, a Grading Panel will be formed for that age group during the grading season.
• The Grading Panel will consist of the Head of Basketball and the Coaching Director.
9.7.2 By Round 4, the Grading Panel will advise the Competitions Manager whether they concur that the identified team(s) have a skill level that makes the division uncompetitive.
9.7.3 If confirmed, a meeting will be held between:
• The respective club(s),
• The Grading Panel, and
• The Competitions Manager.
9.7.4 The club(s) will be presented with the following option:
• (a) Split the team and merge its players with those from a lower-graded team in the same age group, ensuring appropriate regrading.
9.7.5 The club(s) will have until the Wednesday after grading to confirm their option.
• Once an option is selected, the Grading Panel will review the revised team structure and assess their competitiveness.
9.7.6 Any player who changes teams, divisions, or age groups under this process may not return to their original team for the remainder of the season.
• Any breach will render the player ineligible, resulting in the forfeit of all games the player participated in.
9.8 After grading, all competitions will be reset.
• Ladders will recommence at zero (0) championship points, regardless of whether teams have been graded in or out of their original division.
9.9 The Competitions Manager may regrade a team after grading has been completed if their performance is deemed significantly different from what was displayed during the grading period.
9.10 If a team is regraded at any time during the season, points will be transferred to the new grade as follows:
• Maximum of 2 points per win
• Maximum of 2 points per draw
• Maximum of 1 point per loss
9.11 The Competitions Manager reserves the right to regrade a team at any time.
• Additionally, SDBAL may require a school-based team that exceeds the allowed representative player caps to either move up an age group or remain in their current age group, at the Association’s discretion.
10.0 Player Eligibility
10.1 Within a registered club, the first team in which a player participates during the season (post grading and not as a fill-in) determines their team and grade for that season.
10.2 Playing up refers to a player competing in a higher grade within the same age group, not a higher age group.
• Players may play in a higher age group in any division as a fill-in player.
10.3 A player may play in higher grades within the same age group for a maximum of five (5) games.
• After this, the player may not revert back to their lower grade.
10.4 Where a club has two (2) teams in one grade within the same age group, a player may only be registered in one team.
10.5 Exception:
• Players in Boys Division 5 or below, or in the lowest division of Girls competitions, may fill in for another team from the same club in the same division, but only to bring the total team size to six (6) players.
• Players may only fill in for a maximum of three (3) games across the season for any one team in the same age group and division.
10.6 Players may participate for a different club or school in another age group, provided both clubs/school and SDBAL give approval.
10.7 Players must not fill in for two teams in the same division on the same day/night of competition.
• Players are permitted to fill in for different teams in the same division provided the games are on different weeks and all other eligibility criteria are met.
11.0 Representative Players
11.1 Unless a written exemption has been granted by the Competitions Manager, all representative players must also play in a domestic competition within SDBAL to be eligible to represent SDBAL in the SQJBC competition.
• Any representative player found not participating in an SDBAL domestic competition will be:
• Suspended from the representative program, and
• Removed from their representative team (without notice),
until they are registered and actively playing domestic basketball.
• Representative coaches will be instructed not to play these players until they are registered in a junior club or senior domestic team.
11.2 Representative Player Points System
11.2.1 The points system exists to promote player development and ensure that competitions remain balanced and competitive.
11.2.2 A representative player is defined as:
• Any player who has participated in SQJBC (or transferred from NQ/CQJBC) within the 12 months prior to the commencement of a season.
• Representative players are determined based on selections made in the most recent representative season (12 months prior to Round 1 of the Junior Club Competition).
• Southern Districts will provide clubs with a current list of representative players:
• Four (4) weeks before the conclusion of the Winter season (for Summer team construction).
• Four (4) weeks before the conclusion of the Summer season (for Winter team construction).
• Players appearing on this list will carry the points outlined in 11.2.4.
• Where a player is listed in two age groups, they will carry the points of the higher age group.
• Representative players transferring from other associations must disclose their representative status to their club.
11.2.3 All nominated teams must comply with the points system:
• Winter Season
• U12 → based on previous calendar year representative list
• U14 → based on current calendar year representative list
• U16 → based on current calendar year representative list
• U18 → based on current calendar year representative list
• Summer Season
• U12 → based on current calendar year SQJBC list
• U14 → based on current calendar year SQJBC list (Note: U14s aging up carry their U12 rep points)
• U16 → based on previous calendar year SQJBC list
• U18 → based on current calendar year SQJBC list (Note: U18s aging up carry their U16 rep points)
11.2.4 Any team that exceeds the maximum permitted points will forfeit all affected games and incur the associated forfeit fine.
Classification and Points Allocation:
• SDBA Spartans (First Team) – 5 points
• 1st team representative players from other associations – 5 points
• Premier League players from other associations – 5 points
• FDP Player – 5 points
• QSL and YL players not on the SDBA Junior Rep spreadsheet – 5 points
• SDBA Spartans Black (2nd Team) – 4 points
• 2nd team representative players from other associations – 4 points
• SDBA Spartans White (3rd Team) – 3 points
• 3rd team and lower representative players from other associations – 3 points
11.2.5 Representative players carry their allocated points regardless of age (top or bottom) and regardless of association.
11.2.6 Maximum points per team:
• Division 1 → Open division. No points cap applies.
• However, no team may include more than 3 x 5 point players
• Spartans players are defined as those listed in Division 1 squads provided by the Association.
• Division 2 → Maximum 18 points
• Division 3 → Maximum 12 points
• Division 4 and below → No representative players permitted
11.2.7 Bottom-age players carry full points (not half).
• Players "playing up" in a higher age division (e.g., U14 into U16) do not accrue any points.
11.2.8 Clubs may apply for an exemption from the points cap for loyal representative players who have been with their domestic club long-term.
11.2.9 Players who have been with a club for four (4) or more consecutive years may apply for reduced points under a loyalty exemption.
11.2.10 Loyalty exemptions do not permit a club to exceed the limit of 3 x Division 1 representative players in a team.
11.2.11 Any player who changes domestic clubs will revert to full points until they complete four (4) consecutive seasons with their new club.
11.2.12 Clubs must contact the Competitions Manager prior to the start of grading to request any player exemptions.
12.0 Finals Eligibility – Teams
12.1 Final standings after all rounds will be determined based on competition points earned.
Competition Points Allocation:
Competition points will be awarded as follows:
• Winning team in any game – 3 premiership points (plus game points per tablet)
• Losing team in any game – 1 premiership point (plus game points per tablet)
• Each team in a drawn game – 2 premiership points (plus game points per tablet)
• Bye – 3 premiership points, 0 game points
• Team that forfeits a game (including deemed forfeits) – 0 premiership points, 0 game points
• Team whose opposing team forfeits (including deemed forfeits) – 3 premiership points, 20 game points
• Both teams where a non-finals game is cancelled due to unforeseen causes (e.g., power failure, water on court, serious injury stoppage) – 2 premiership points each, with 0 or game points per tablet depending on the timing of the cancellation
*Unforeseen causes include but are not limited to: power outage, unsafe playing surface (e.g., water on court), or injury stoppage where a player cannot safely be moved.
Note: Final standings will be determined primarily on each team’s win percentage.
Tie-Breakers
12.2 Two-Way Tie
• If two teams finish equal on points:
1. The result(s) of the game(s) played between the two teams will determine placing, based on win–loss record.
2. If still tied, the team with the higher total points scored across those games will be placed higher.
12.3 Equal Points For & Against
If total points scored and conceded are equal between the two tied teams, standings will be determined by Points Percentage across the season.
Points Percentage is calculated as:
• Points For ÷ Points Against × 100
12.4 Three or More Teams Tied
• Where three or more teams finish equal:
• Points Percentage will be calculated using only the results of the games played between the tied teams.
12.5 Still Tied
• If teams remain tied, Points Percentage from all games played across the Division will be used.
12.6 Reduction to Two-Way Tie
• If, at any stage of the above process, the tie is reduced to two teams, the procedures outlined in 12.2 and 12.3 will automatically apply.
13.0 Finals Eligibility – Players
13.1 Before the commencement of all games, a representative from each team must mark on the tablet all players who are present and available to play.
• Referees will conduct a head count to confirm that the number of players listed matches the number of players in uniform.
• A player does not have to take the court but must be in uniform and able to enter the game at any time.
13.2 To be eligible for finals, a player must have played half plus one of the total number of rounds for their registered team in that season. (For example: if there are 12 rounds, a player must play 7 games.)
13.3 For the purposes of counting games played towards finals eligibility:
• A grading game counts as a game played.
• A bye counts as a game played.
• A forfeit received counts as a game played.
• A forfeit against does not count as a game played.
13.4 If a player transfers during the season, they must still play a sufficient number of games to qualify for finals with their new team.
13.5 New players registering during the season must also meet the minimum number of games requirement.
• Example: If there are 12 rounds (eligibility = 7 games), a new player must begin playing by Round 6 to have enough games remaining to qualify.
13.6 Injuries
13.6.1 Where a player is injured, they may obtain credit towards finals eligibility for missed games by providing a Medical Certificate (or notice that one is forthcoming).
• This request must be submitted by the Monday of the final round of the season and within 21 days of the injury.
13.6.2 Injuries occurring after the Monday of the final round may still be considered, provided a Medical Certificate is supplied to the Competitions Manager.
13.6.3 Players are not permitted to play during the period prescribed on the Medical Certificate.
• To return early, a medical practitioner’s clearance letter must be provided.
• If a player participates while still under the medical restriction, they will be deemed ineligible and the game will be forfeited.
13.6.4 If a Medical Certificate cannot be provided within 21 days, the Club Registrar may notify the Competitions Manager by email, advising when it will be supplied.
• Credit for missed games will not be applied if the certificate is not provided by the advised date.
13.7 Extenuating Circumstances
13.7.1 The Club Registrar may apply in writing to the Competitions Manager for approval of a player to participate in finals where they have not met the eligibility criteria due to extenuating circumstances.
13.7.2 Player replacement rules for finals:
• A team may replace an injured/ill player (with a Medical Certificate) with a player from a lower division if the finals-qualified team has five (5) or fewer available players.
• The replacement player:
• Must not be in a team competing in finals, and
• Must have played enough games to qualify for finals in their original team.
• The Competitions Manager may nominate the next most eligible player or another suitable replacement.
• If a team only has exactly five (5) qualified players, no extra players may be added.
14.0 Uniforms
14.1 All players must wear uniforms with distinguishable numbers.
• Players may not participate if wearing the same number as another player on the court.
14.2 Acceptable playing numbers are: 0, 00, and 1–99.
14.3 Penalties for incorrect uniform:
• A team shall forfeit two (2) points per player out of uniform, up to a maximum of ten (10) points.
• The penalty applies only if the player has already taken the court.
• The penalty cannot be applied in the last three (3) minutes of the game.
14.4 T-shirts may be worn under singlets if they are:
• The same colour as the predominant colour of the singlet, or
• Black or White.
14.5 Players must not wear any equipment or objects that may cause injury to others.
14.6 Not Permitted
• Guards, casts, or braces on the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, or forearms made of leather, plastic, pliable (soft) plastic, metal, or other hard substances (even if padded).
• Objects that could cut or cause abrasions (fingernails must be closely cut).
• Unsafe headgear, hair accessories, or items deemed hazardous.
14.7 Permitted
• Shoulder, upper arm, thigh, or lower leg protective equipment if sufficiently padded.
• Compression sleeves of the same dominant colour as the team singlet.
• Compression stockings of the same dominant colour as the shorts, or black.
• Upper leg: must end above the knee.
• Lower leg: must end below the knee.
• Full-length compression garments, if the same dominant colour as the shorts or black.
• All players wearing compression garments must wear the same colour (e.g., all black or all team colour).
• Properly fitted knee braces.
• Nose protectors (including hard material).
• Mouth guards of any colour.
• Spectacles, provided they do not pose a danger.
• Headbands, maximum width of 5 cm, made of non-abrasive cloth, pliable plastic, or rubber (single colour).
• Solid-coloured transparent taping of arms, shoulders, or legs.
14.8 Correct Uniforms
• Tops: Same colour(s), legibly numbered front and back, with matching trim.
• Shorts/Briefs: Same colour(s) and length (not longer than knee-length). No pockets, exposed zips, or buckles.
• Note: Spartans representative shorts may not be worn in domestic competition.
• Footwear: Appropriate sports shoes with non-marking soles.
• Jewellery:
• Earrings: Only studs allowed if recently pierced. Studs must be taped and worn at the player’s own risk.
• All other earrings (including established studs) must be removed.
• No other jewellery permitted (nose studs, belly rings, bracelets, necklaces, Fitbits, etc.).
14.9 Where two teams from the same club play against each other:
• The away team (Team B, listed second on the fixture) must wear alternate tops.
• Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.
• Example: Belmont Wolves vs Belmont Saints → Belmont Saints (Team B) is responsible for wearing alternate tops.
15.2 Timing – Finals
• Finals are played under the same timing rules, with the following differences:
• The clock stops for all timeouts.
• Timeouts are permitted in the last minute of the first half.
• If scores are tied at the end of regulation:
• 3 minutes of extra time will be played.
• If still tied, further 3-minute periods will be played until a result is achieved.
• Fouls and timeouts carry over into extra time.
• Each team receives 1 timeout per extra time period.
15.3 Ball Size
• U8 & U10 – Size 5
• U12 Boys & Girls – Size 5
• U14 Boys & Girls – Size 6
• U16–U18 Girls – Size 6
• U16–U20 Boys – Size 7
15.4 Free Throw Shooting Line
• Teams shoot 2 bonus free throws once the opposition reaches 8 team fouls per half.
• Exception: bonus free throws do not apply if the foul is an offensive or technical foul.
• For U10–U12, the free throw line is taken from the shorter line marked closer to the rim.
15.5 Scoresheets / Courtside
• The scoring app lists all active players in the team’s roster.
• Teams must be updated in BasketballConnect prior to the game.
• Any additional players must be:
• Added electronically by Club Delegates, and
• Entered into the scoring app before half time.
• Only players with an active BQ and SDBAL membership are eligible.
• Players not appearing in the system are considered ineligible.
• Breaches may result in loss of premiership points.
15.6 Unforeseeable Acts
• Non-finals games unable to be played due to unforeseen events (e.g., power outage, unsafe court, serious injury stoppage) will be declared a 10–10 draw.
• Finals games will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Competitions Manager.
• If a game is cancelled at the venue, all players will be credited with a game played.
• If cancellation occurs:
• After first half – score stands.
• Before first half ends – game is a 10–10 draw.
• Note: does not apply to disqualifications or foul-outs.
15.7 Score Bench Personnel
• Each team must provide 1 competent bench official (scorer or timekeeper).
• Referees will start the clock at scheduled time.
• Penalties:
• 1 point awarded to opposition for each minute a scorer is absent.
• After 10 minutes, if no scorer or coach is present, the game is a forfeit.
• Scorers must be 15 years or older.
15.8 Discussions with Referees
• Only the Coach may approach referees.
• Each team must have a responsible non-playing coach present.
• If absent, the Court Controller may declare a forfeit.
• Assistant Coaches may be present, but only one may stand, and they cannot approach referees.
15.9 Forfeits – Unnotified
• A team must have at least 4 players within 10 minutes of scheduled start.
• Failure = forfeit (20–0 loss).
• If both teams fail, game is a 0–0 draw (no premiership points).
• Fines apply for forfeits (see Fee Schedule).
• A team forfeiting 2 or more times in a season may be disqualified.
• Teams late to court or without players loaded in the scoring app:
• Penalised 1 point per minute.
• After 10 minutes = forfeit.
• All players on the forfeiting team still receive credit for a game played.
15.10 Forfeits – Notified
• Fee is reduced if notified via Teammo app (see Fee Schedule).
• Teams/clubs must submit forfeits through Teammo.
• All players will still be credited with a game played.