Attn: BPBA Members 

Re: Competition restructure for Winter 2017

 

Dear Players, Coaches and Parents,

In an effort to address a number of issues across the girls’ competitions, BPBA have made a decision to restructure the Youth Girls (combined U16 & U18) competition for the Winter 2017 Season.

Most significantly, this restructure will involve the introduction of a new competition which will be called the ‘Opal League’.

Opal League will be a domestic competition for high level domestic and representative players in Under 16 and Under 18 Girls, and will effectively take the place of the existing Youth Girls Division 1 competition.

Youth Girls Division 2 will change to Under 17 Girls (possibly Under 18 if players of older age need to be accommodated).

Unlike existing domestic competitions, Opal League will take on a different structure, as follows:

• Individual Players register to Opal League (not team registration).
• Player Draft system to select teams (undertaken by BPBA).
• Draft will allow for evenly selected teams, providing a highly competitive competition.
• Significant development opportunities for players with opportunity of playing with and against the highest quality players from the region.
• ALL Representative players in Under 16 Girls and Under 18 Girls must participate (as per BPBA By-laws to be eligible for Storm).
• An invitation would be extended to Storm Under 14 (1) players, and other players (non-rep) based on their skill and interest level.
• Other players may apply (including from other associations).  Acceptance will be subject to player/team numbers.
• All players required to pay standard BPBA domestic competition costs, including player registration and weekly games fees.
• Playing singlets will be provided to players, but remain the property of BPBA.
• Players to provide their own navy basketball shorts.
• Coaches to be sourced by BPBA (expressions of interest are being sought for coaching positions – please contact Natalie Hughes).
• BPBA Domestic Player Points System does not apply.
• All games played on Monday evening at Drysdale.
• BPBA anticipates that games will be played at 7.30pm, if team entries warrant additional games, this may include 6.40pm or 8.20pm time slots also.
• In some cases, players may be granted permission to play in both Opal League and Under 17 Girls.

 

The schedule for the introduction of the Opal League is as follows:

• Expressions of Interest are OPEN NOW.
• BPBA Domestic team registrations open 27^th February.
• Invitations to participate in Opal League sent out during 27^th February - 17^th March. 
• Players to complete online registration form to confirm their position in Opal League.
• BPBA Domestic team registrations close 24^th March.
• Player draft to be completed by 31^st March.
• Announcement of Opal League teams on Monday 3^rd April.
• Winter 2017 Season commences Tuesday 18^th April .

 

This will be a pilot competition which may lead the way for further restructures across other age groups/divisions for future seasons, pending a review of Opal League towards the conclusion of Winter 2017. 

We will seek feedback from you - the players, coaches and parents - throughout the course of the competition, to assist us in making decisions with the intent of providing the best opportunities for all of our members.

 

Expressions of Interest (EOI)

To register your interest for this competition, please email admin@bpba.org.au with Opal League in the subject line.  Please include the following details:

• Name
• DOB
• Current Domestic team (if applicable)
• Current Rep Team (if applicable)

Please note: EOI’s do not guarantee a place in a team.  Formal Invitations will be sent to players.

 

We understand this restructure will impact existing YG teams and individual players who will not participate in the Opal League. 

If you require support to find a new team, or your team requires additional players to ensure your ongoing participation in our competitions, please contact the BPBA Office to discuss. 

We will work together to minimise any negative impact this restructure could have on our members and Clubs.

We anticipate this restructure will provide a level of evenness across both the new Opal League and Under 17 Girls competitions that has been missing in these age groups over recent seasons.

We hope this will increase participation and enjoyment for all participants, and promote development opportunities for players, coaches and referees alike.

 

If you wish to discuss any of the above, please contact the BPBA Office.

We look forward to your continued participation through this restructure and well into the future at BPBA.

 

 

Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association Inc.

Email:       admin@bpba.org.au

Office:       (03) 5253 3377

Post:         PO Box 638, Drysdale 3222

Web:         www.bpba.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bellarine.Basketball & www.facebook.com/Bellarine.Storm

Twitter:     @BellarineBball

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