What is Representative Basketball?
Representative Basketball gives players the opportunity to improve their basketball and compete against other metropolitan and regional Associations. Collingwood Basketball Association has teams representing the Association in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) in a range of grades. All teams are graded according to their ability up to ‘Victorian Championship’ which is the highest grade in the VJBL competition.
What are the age groups?
Teams comprise players who are under the age of 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 on the 31st December of the year in which the season finishes. This means that you generally play for two seasons in each age group. Players are in each age group for the 23/24 season if born in the following years:
Players are under 12 if born in 2013, 2014 and 2015
Players are under 14 if born in 2011 and 2012
Players are under 16 if born in 2009 and 2010
Players are under 18 if born in 2007 and 2008
Players are under 20 if born in 2005 and 2006
Players may play up an age group, however they cannot play down.
When and where are games?
Games are played on Friday evenings, with commencement times between 6.40pm and 9.40pm. Younger age groups (U12 and U14) normally play at the earlier game times.
Collingwood home games are played at Collingwood College, 10 McCutcheon Way, Collingwood. Away game locations depend on the level of competition – generally, at the higher levels of competition, more travel is involved.
How long is the season?
Representative basketball requires a year round commitment. The season begins in October with selection trials and practice matches. Grading matches are conducted from January to March, and the season of 18 rounds runs from March to August. Finals are in August through to September.
What is the commitment required?
Refer player and carer commitment form;
Representative Commitment form – Player
Representative Commitment form – Parent Carer
In addition, as we are an inclusive club, we provide support to players who need it. Some families struggle with the high level of participation required at multiple trainings and games each week and we rely on families who have capacity to assist with transporting players to games. The connection and friendships this brings is the highlight for most families at our Club.
Please talk to your Team Manager if you can help. Any parents or carers who are giving other children lifts to and from trainings or games are required to obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC).
What are the selection guidelines?
- Merit;
- Work ethic
- Team balance,
- Prior season training attendance,
- Coachability and attitude.
Do I have to play Domestic basketball?
We encourage all our rep players to play domestic basketball for Collingwood.
Playing Domestic basketball increases the amount of time that you are on a basketball court and gives you an extra playing opportunity in addition to Friday night.
What happens if I miss training?
If you miss one training session in a week, you may not start that following night. If you miss two training sessions in a week, you may not play in that Friday night game.
Commitment and attendance at training are critical to you and your team’s success in this competition. In addition, if you miss training, you also miss out on information that the Coach needs their players to have leading into the next Friday night game.
What if I play other sports?
Players are required to attend all training and games irrespective of other commitments. It is expected that all Collingwood athletes prioritize their representative basketball commitments. It is not acceptable for athletes to miss full training sessions because of other sporting or extracurricular activities.
What does it cost?
Registration fee
This covers training, coaching expenses, team registration with VJBL, insurance and administration and a reversible training top.
The registration fees for the 2023/2024 season is $640 with an additional $150 for those in U16.01, U16.02 and U18.01 and U18.02 teams for the compulsory Strength & Conditioning program.
Registration is due in two instalments as follows:
- First instalment, within a week after a player has been offered a place in a team.
- Second instalment: due in February 2024.
Players who have not paid their fees by the due dates may not be able to play for their representative team until the payment has been made or alternative arrangements have been made and approved by the Club.
Game costs
There is a weekly team sheet fee of $125 for teams competing in VJBL 1 and $150 for teams competing in Victorian Championship (VC) grade. Team sheet fees are paid each week via the Teampay app.
There is no cost for spectators.
Uniform
All players must wear the correct Representative uniform to all games. The cost of the reversible uniform is $130.
A reversible training top (price included in the cost of registration) is to be worn to all training sessions.
Codes of Conduct
Players and parents must agree to the Basketball Victoria Player and Parent Codes of Conduct. Players and guardians are required to confirm this upon registration.
Representative Commitment form – Player
Representative Commitment form – Parent Carer
Team Manger
Each team is required to provide a volunteer Team Manager. All parents / carers are expected to offer their services for scoring. Many teams will have a roster for this.
Season Dates 2023/24
The following table provides access to representative information. The VJBL site contains information relating to VJBL.
| Fixtures, Results & Ladders | VJBL Venues | |
| Representative Youth Development Program | Rep Try Out schedule | |
| VJBL Rules of Operation | ||
| Timing Rules | VJBL Parent Handbook | |
| Stadium Contact List |
For more information about our representative program and the commitment expected, see the documents below. A scoring quick reference guide is also available.
