Southern Districts Representative Program
Welcome to the Southern Districts Spartans Junior Representative Basketball Program, where we proudly continue our strong tradition of nurturing basketball talent across South Queensland. Our comprehensive program provides elite training and guidance that has helped countless players achieve success, including selection for Queensland State teams, the NBL, WNBL, and even national teams like the Gliders, Sapphires, Crocs, Gems, Emus, Opals, and Boomers.
At Southern Districts, we offer competitive opportunities for boys and girls in U12, U14, U16, and U18 age groups through the South Queensland Junior Basketball Competition (SQJBC) and State Championships. Our program is built on core values including Character, Teamwork, Humility, Inclusivity, Discipline, Respect, and Sportsmanship - principles that help develop not just skilled athletes, but well-rounded individuals.
The pathway to our representative program begins at our Talent Identification Camps, which leads to selected players joining the Future Spartans program or being directed to small group skills training in preparation for trials. At trials, we select 4-5 teams per gender in each age group, with teams named Spartans (1st team), Spartans Black (2nd team), Spartans White (3rd team) and Spartans Red (4th team). These teams proudly represent Southern Districts in both the SQJBC competition and State Championships, providing players with elite basketball experiences against top competition from across Queensland.
The Southern Districts Spartans representative program is designed for players aiming to develop their basketball skills at a high level. Due to the growing interest in representative basketball, selection is highly competitive, and our process has been refined to ensure fairness and transparency.
Eligibility & Registration
Before registering, players must:
Be registered in the correct age group (U12–U18).
Have played at least seven Southern Districts junior domestic club games in the prior season (if transferring).
Be registered with both SDBAL and Basketball QLD.
Have no outstanding fees with SDBAL or their domestic club.
Acknowledge the Representative Handbook and payment terms.
Commit to both the SQJBC season and State Championships.
If your child does not meet these requirements, please contact rbo@sdba.com.au before registering.
Selection Process
Selection into the Spartans Representative Program is a staged process aimed at identifying and developing top-level players.
Talent Identification- the first opportunity to be identified by selectors, select athletes will be invited to the Future Spartans Program (athletes who do not attend will still be eligible to register for trials)
Pre-Trial Eligibility Check – Players and parents must review the eligibility criteria before registering.
Representative Trials – Players must attend all scheduled trial sessions unless an exemption is pre-approved. Trials are conducted by qualified coaches and selection panel members, with performance assessed on multiple factors, including athletic ability, coachability, teamwork, and skill development.
Team Announcements – Players will receive an email notification regarding their trial outcome. Successful players will be offered a place in either:
Spartans (First Team)
Titans (Second Team)
Trojans (Third–Fifth Teams)
5. Training & Season Commitments
Twice-weekly training sessions begin after team selection.
SQJBC fixtures require weekly weekend games, with some rounds played on both Saturday and Sunday.
6. Fees – Selected players must accept their position and pay a deposit via Basketball Connect. Representative fees are approximately $1,200 per season (subject to change), plus uniform costs of approximately $100. Additional State Championship fees range from $250 – $2,000 depending on the location of the host venue.
7. Representative Combine- all athletes selected into the representative program are expected to attend the Southern Districts Representative Combine (further information below)
Players withdrawing after accepting a position will still be liable for fees as per the SDBAL Refund and Cancellation Policy.
Important Notes
Players must be financially up to date with SDBA to register for trials.
State Championship dates must be reviewed before trialing to ensure player availability.
Click below for essential program documents and trial registration.
𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟰 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪!
Registrations for our Under 14 Representative trials are now open!
These trials are for athletes born in 2013 & 2014
DATES & TIMES BELOW: TRIAL 1 - November 23rd GIRLS: 8:30am - 10:30am 1:30pm - 3pm
BOYS: 11am - 12:30pm 4:00pm - 5:30pm
TRIAL 2 - December 7th GIRLS: 8:30am - 10:30am 1:30pm - 3pm
BOYS: 11am - 12:30pm 4:00pm - 5:30pm
The Spartans Talent ID Camps are the first phase of our representative team selection process, designed to identify and develop emerging basketball talent. These camps provide athletes with an opportunity to showcase their skills, gain valuable experience, and receive expert coaching as they prepare for representative trials.
During the Talent ID phase, players will be assessed on their technical skills, athletic ability, and game awareness by our representative team selectors. From here:
· A select group of athletes will be invited to join the Spartans 8-Week Training Program, an intensive development phase leading up to trials.
· Athletes not selected for the 8-week program will be directed to small group workouts, focusing on key skill areas to help them continue improving before trials.
All athletes—whether in the 8-week program or small group training—will return for the final representative trials, where they will compete for a spot on our Southern Districts Spartans teams.
Talent ID is an essential part of the representative trial process, helping us ensure that every athlete gets the right development pathway leading into selection.
Spartans U16 Representative Talent Identification Program (2013 & 2014 Born Athletes)
This is a new program in 2025 and acts as the first stage of the U14 Representative Program Trial process. Athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and be seen by our representative selectors before trials. The Spartans U14 Talent Identification Program is being held on September 20th & 21st 2025, athletes can attend either both days or a single day of the camp.
Following the Talent Identification Camp two pathways will be established leading up to U14 Representative Trials:
Future Spartans Program – This program is designed for athletes demonstrating potential to compete at the Spartans or Spartans Black level (approximately 20-25 athletes) Athletes will be selected to participate in 8 x weekly sessions on a Wednesday morning 6:15-7:30am, focusing on advanced individual skills and team concepts.
Small Group Skills Sessions – For athletes who would benefit from targeted skill development in small groups to enhance their readiness for representative selection.
The Future Spartans Program is designed to further refine skills and basketball IQ under expert coaching, providing athletes with the tools to reach their full potential as a player.
Register HERE for the U14 Talent Identification Program
Cost: $200.00 (two days)
$130.00 (one day)
cost includes reversible singlet
Please note:
Selection for either the Future Spartans Program or the Small Group Skills Sessions does not guarantee placement in a representative team.
Being part of Future Spartans does not guarantee a spot on a Spartans or Spartans Black team. Performance at trials will determine final team selections.
If you are unable to attend Talent Identification but would still like to be considered for the 8-week Future Spartans Program, you must email an exemption request to rbo@sdbal.com.au before Talent ID. Only athletes who have attended Talent ID or submitted an exemption request prior to the session will be considered for the Future Spartans Program.
The Future Spartans Program is an exclusive basketball development pathway designed to support athletes at all stages of their journey. Offered across multiple age groups, this program provides expert coaching, skill enhancement, and a structured pathway to elevate players' abilities in both individual and team concepts. Future Spartans focuses on fostering a high-performance environment where athletes can develop their skills, knowledge, and game awareness in preparation for the next level of competition.
This program is aimed at developing the elite standards required for representative basketball players. Athletes participating in Future Spartans may be identified based on their skill, attitude, athleticism, and body type—traits that, with training and dedication, have the potential to reach the highest levels of competition.
Current Program Information – U16 Future Spartans
As part of our Talent ID process, two pathways have been established leading up to the U16 Representative Trials:
Future Spartans Program – Weekly sessions focusing on individual skills and team concepts.
Small Group Skills Sessions – Weekly small group sessions designed to enhance individual skill development.
Your selection for this program reflects your talent and dedication on the court. Under the guidance of expert coaches, you will receive specialised training to refine your skills and basketball IQ, helping you maximize your potential as a player.
Program Details:
Duration: 8 weeks (July 23 - Sept 10)
Schedule: Wednesday July 23, 30 August 6, 13, 20, 27 September 3, 10
Time: 6:00 am arrival for 6:15 am start (please arrive with shoes on, ready to train)- Finish 7:30am
Location: Rowland Cowan Stadium, Zahel St, Carina
Investment: $240 for the full 8-week program
Important Reminder: Being selected for the Future Spartans Program or Small Group Skills Sessions does not guarantee selection in a representative team. All athletes will need to register and participate in the U16 trials to be considered for selection.
Note: Players withdrawing after registration will be liable for costs as per the SDBAL Refund and Cancellation Policy.
The Representative Combine is a comprehensive orientation event designed to bring together athletes, parents, and coaches at the start of the representative basketball season. This program goes beyond basketball skills, focusing on holistic athlete development.
Highlights of the Combine:
Comprehensive Orientation – Players and parents will gain insights into the expectations, standards, and commitments of being a Southern Districts representative basketball player.
Team and Administrative Training – Important information will be provided on score bench duties, team protocols, and club policies.
On-Court Training – Athletes will participate in sessions covering Southern Districts’ style of play and core fundamentals.
Media – Team and individual photos will be taken.
Expert Sessions – Specialised presentations covering crucial aspects of athletic development, such as: • Nutrition guidance • Physiotherapy and injury prevention • Well-being and athlete support
Communication and Understanding – A chance for players and parents to ask questions, understand the rep program, and learn about state championships.
This essential event is compulsory for all representative players and ensures a strong foundation for the season ahead, setting up athletes for success both on and off the court.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟲 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗜 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘄!
Coaching applications for our Under 16 Representative season are now open!
Apply now to lead our 2011 & 2012 athletes through the SQJBC & State Champs season 💪🏻