TEAM SELECTION POLICY

Our Mission

To deliver an enjoyable and rewarding experience to our basketball community with programs offering opportunities to players of all ages and skill levels that helps them to participate, perform and grow.

Team Selection

Our aim as a Club is to get kids participating in basketball in a team environment that is commensurate with their skill level, work ethic, willingness to learn and develop and work to team rules.

 In addition to a player’s age and ability, there are several other factors that are considered by the AGC’s:  

• Coaches Reports – coaches are asked to submit a report which covers each player’s ability and development, attitude to training and coachability.  These reports are both formal and informal, occurring throughout the season and prior to teams being formed for the new season. 

• Past History (where applicable) – of the age group and grade played in previous seasons.  

• Team Selection Meetings – AGC’s and coaches will review the progress of players against their age group peers throughout the season. Players will develop differently, and it is important that we move players between grades to ensure that both the player and the team maximise their enjoyment of basketball.  

• Friends – requests to play with a friend or friendship group will be considered by the AGC’s where there is a reciprocal request by the families; one-side requests will not be considered.  It is important that players are of a similar skill and experience level so that the overall grading of the team is suitable for the players and the competition that they are playing in.  It is unfair on the player and the team for the Club to allocate a player that is significantly more or less skilled than the team and competition they are playing in.    

• Team Size – teams will generally have 7-8 players to ensure that we do not need to utilise fill-ins throughout the season and to provide all players with a good amount of court time.  We expect that all players in a team will be available for the majority of games and training sessions throughout the season.  

• Late Registrations –will generally not be accepted.  An extreme amount of volunteer time is invested into the selection process to ensure we have the right team balance across all age groups.  If you have an extenuating circumstance, you can contact the registrar directly via registrar@nunawadingkangas.com.au 
• The club prioritizes placing players within their designated age groups to support balanced competition and appropriate skill development. In special circumstances requests for a player to be placed in a team above their designated age group must be submitted in writing to the Age Group Coordinator (AGC). Such requests will be subject to review and approval by the AGC. Players will only be permitted to compete in a higher age group if their skill level and maturity are deemed appropriate and there is a clear opportunity for additional development in the higher age group which cannot be achieved within their current age group. Maintaining friendship groups is not a valid reason to play outside your designated age group.

Team Placement Priority – Registration Process

As part of the registration process, you will find a section titled “Team Placement Priority.” This section helps us better understand your child’s preferences and priorities when forming teams.

You will be asked to select one of the following options:

• Skill and Ability-Based Placement: If selected, we will make every effort to place your child in a team with players of similar skill and ability, subject to player availability.
• Friend-Based Placement: If this option is chosen, we will consider placing your child with one nominated friend, provided there is a mutual request from both families. Please note that one-sided requests cannot be accommodated.

This information assists us in creating balanced teams while also supporting individual development and a positive playing experience.

Team selection is a complex process that seeks to balance player development with social, competitive, and logistical considerations. While the club endeavours to accommodate player and parent preferences where possible, not all requests can be fulfilled. Age Group Coordinators are experienced club contributors—many of whom have also served as parents, coaches, and team managers. They understand the challenges that come with team changes and work collaboratively with families wherever feasible. When a request cannot be met, it is typically due to valid team or club-wide considerations. Above all, we are focused on fostering player development, ensuring fair participation, and encouraging new friendships through the shared experience of team sport.