Warragul & District Amateur Basketball
Association
(WDABA)
Junior Domestic
Playing Conditions

Created October 2009 updated March 2012 With a revision October 2013. updated August 2017 amended July 2019

1. Vision – Warragul Basketball
2. Mission Statement
3. Playing Conditions & Codes of Conduct
4. Registrations
a.	Player
b.	Team Entry
c.	Grading of Teams
d.	Game Qualifications
e.	Game Times and Venues
f.	Tournaments, Exhibitions and Representative Teams
5. Player Restrictions
a.	Junior Domestic Players
b.	Junior Domestic Players Fill-ins
c.	Squad/representative Players
d.	Squad/representative Players Fill-ins
6. Clearances
7. Uniforms and Accessories
a.	Shorts
b.	Shirts
c.	Equipment
d.	Other Equipment and Accessories
8. Game Administration & Specific Rules
a.	General Rules
b.	Special Scoring Rules for U1O’s & U12B
c.	Timing Rules
d.	Clock stopping
e.	Score Sheets and Scoring
f.	Walkover/forfeits
g.	Cancellations
h.	Mercy Rule in U10, U12 and U14
i.	Special Conditions for all teams playing Squad teams
9. Regulations concerning Referees/Sin Bin Rule
10. Protests and Complaints
11. Policies
a.	Extreme Heat Policy
b.	Blood Policy
c.	Photo Policy Goals

1. WDABA Vision
The Vision of Warragul Basketball is to be a respected and for competitive Victorian basketball association founded on:
a)	A commitment to ensure local players and families enjoy the experience of playing Basketball in a Safe environment.
b)	Skilled, accredited and respected basketball coaches able to teach and deliver player Improvement and team Excellence;
c)	Developing players with strong physical and mental skills including: Fundamental basketball skills; basketball IQ; good sportsmanship; and are coachable.
d)	A healthy junior domestic basketball competition with players from all surrounding regions in all age-gender groups; and
e)	Warragul Warriors representative teams regularly qualifying and competing in the highest level at the BVC Country Championships.
f)	Encouraging and supporting volunteers to assist the association in achieving its vision.

2. Mission Statement
The Warragul District Amateur Basketball Association (WDABA) operates in conjunction with the local junior domestic clubs who organize players into teams and enter them into the competition that is controlled and administered by the WDABA.
In comparison, the Senior teams in the WDABA are run on a team basis and are directly entered the competition by a team manager, however the competition is still controlled and administered by the WDABA.
Junior Basketball aims to:
•	Introduce children to the game of basketball (Warrior Hoops)
•	Develop skills by providing a competitive competition across all A, AR & B grades where possible
•	Encourage participation and enjoyment
•	Engage children in regular exercise
•	Provide a safe, enjoyable and developmental environment for all players of all abilities
Representative Basketball aims to:
•	Identify and provide skilled children with the opportunity to further gain and develop their skills.
•	Select representative squads for age groups, 10’s, 12’s, 14’s, 16’s & 18’s to take to Basketball Victoria Country (BVC) associated tournaments and ultimately the Country Championships representing the Warragul Warriors.
•	Where possible provide Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) teams for further development and competition.
WDABA strives to ensure continual development opportunities for all children by offering specialist skills clinics and development programs.

3. Playing Conditions & Codes of Conduct
•	All Clubs must ensure that all players, coaches, parents and spectators associated with their Club, abide by the Playing Conditions of the Association and the Codes of Conduct.
•	All Codes of conduct are available on the WDABA website and are displayed at all stadiums.
•	Unusual Situation - Should any matter arise for which provision has not been specifically made in these Rules, the WDABA Board shall take such action as is necessary to protect the interests of the Association and the conduct of Basketball in Warragul.

Penalty: Anyone found to be abusive or disrespectful to a Referee will be subject to a penalty for their team. If a team has been found to be in breach of these conditions, then a Technical Forfeit shall be given to the respective team for the game concerned.
REGULATIONS RELATING TO CLUB, TEAM OR PLAYER REGISTRATIONS

4. Registrations
Player
A player is deemed registered by being linked to a registered club, only and after payment of any Association Fees due. If a player is currently registered also with another Victorian Association, they must show evidence in writing. Player registrations are to close one week prior to Team Entries closing, to allow clubs time to enter teams.
Team entry
Team entry sheets are part of the team registration process which must be completed with all players names and coaches’ details at the completion of the grading process for each season.
Each Club/Team is to register by completing the required online Team Entry Form via the WDABA website and by paying the prescribed registration fee with the WDABA Office by the due date (Registration Fees to be determined by the WDABA prior to each season).
No team entering the WDABA Domestic competition can have the name Warragul in it unless an exemption is granted by the WDABA. Additionally, no independent team may use any part of a name of a registered club within their team name in the WDABA Domestic Competition.
Grading of Teams
•	All teams with multiple team entries in one grade must be evenly balanced by the end of grading. If teams are not balanced, the Board will request for clubs to even out teams and clubs must comply, otherwise they will forfeit each game thereafter the request has been made.
•	When there is an A and B competition, all clubs with multiple entries MUST split their team entries into A & B. Appeals can be made to the Board for exceptions.
•	All teams must be finalised by Round 4. If movement of any players after round 4 is required, this should be discussed, and it is to be in agreement and at the discretion of the Board.
•	To make an A & B grade viable there must be at least 4 teams in each grade. Divisions/grades are created for the optimal enjoyment and development of all players.
•	Where there are enough entries the following teams will have an A, AR (reserve) & B Grade section: U12, U14, U16 and U19.
Game Qualifications
•	Players must take the court on half plus 1 of their games in the season to qualify for finals.
•	Special permission may be granted by the Board if a player has not played the required number of games and a reasonable request is made 2 weeks prior to the final series.
Venues
•	Courts 1 & 2: Warragul Leisure Centre
•	Courts 3 & 4: Bellbird Park Drouin
•	Court 5: Neerim South
•	Court 6 & 7: St Pauls Senior Gym
•	Court 8: Bunyip

Tournaments, Exhibitions and Representative Teams
Any affiliated Club/Team or registered player to the Warragul & District Amateur Basketball Association (WDABA) desiring to take part in an interstate or intrastate tournament or exhibition must apply in writing to the WDABA Board for permission before the proposed date of the trip.
The application must give details of the management of the trip and an assurance that it will be properly conducted. This includes all representative sides under the control of the WDABA.

The WDABA Board will actively protect the Warriors Junior Representative Program and may refuse the request in the best interests of Basketball in Warragul. Players who have not made 

themselves available for selection to participate in a representative team of the Warragul & District Amateur Basketball Association will not be endorsed for selection into any elite or high-performance program conducted by Basketball Australia and its affiliates.
A Club or team cannot enter a team consisting of WDABA registered players into a tournament where Warragul Warriors Representative teams are entered in the same age group and/or division.
Any affiliated Club/Team desiring to conduct a publicly advertised exhibition match or tournament must apply in writing to the WDABA for approval before the proposed date of the match or tournament.
Penalty: In the event of non-compliance with this rule, an offending Club/Team can be liable to suspension or fine, or both, as decided by the WDABA.

5. Player Restrictions Junior Domestic Players
•	Junior domestic players must be registered for and playing in the age division they are eligible to represent first and foremost. 
•	Any Player/clubs wishing players to compete in a higher age division must complete a “Request to Play out of Age Group” form for each player and assessed by the WDABA Board during the grading process. Non-compliance will result in the player being deemed ineligible.
•	Junior players wishing to play at a senior level must be of at least 15 years of age They must complete a “Request to Play out of Age Group” form for each player and assessed by the WDABA Board during the grading process. Non-compliance will result in the player being deemed ineligible.

Junior Domestic Player fill-ins
•	During the normal season, if your team has less than FIVE players you may play fill-ins to make up to the fifth player.
•	Fill-in players are permitted to be used. A Fill-in cannot be a player that competes in the same grade in the same competition, or a player from an age group two (2) age groups lower. 
•	A fill-in player must provide the court supervisor with the fill in players details and the team that they are filling in for prior to taking the court. Non-compliance will result in the player being deemed ineligible and the match will become a forfeit. 
•	A fill-in player may fill-in twice in a higher grade or older age group than their registered grade or age group. If they play a third game in the higher grade or age group, they must pay the balance of the registration fee. 
•	Players who play in a higher grade or division as part of a squad team are exempt from rule 
•	In "A "grade players may only play up in the following divisions:
o	U10A can play in U12AR and up.
o	U12A can play in U14AR and up.
o	U14A can play in U16AR and up.
o	U16A can play in U19A.
•	No "A" or “AR” player may play in the "B" grade competition, unless playing TWO age groups higher.

•	In “AR” (reserve) grade players may only play up in the following divisions:
o	U10AR can play in U12A and up.
o	U12AR can play in U12A and up (not in U14B).
o	U14AR can play in U14A and up (not U16B).
o	U16AR can play in U16A and up.

•	In "B" grade players may fill-in for the following divisions:
o	U12B can play in U12AR and up.
o	U14B can play in U14AR and up.
o	U16B can play in U16AR and up.

Representative Players 
•	In the under 10, under 12, under 14, under 16 and under 18 competitions no club is permitted to have more than three (3) representative. Application for exceptions can be made to the WDABA Board 
•	Representative players approved to play out of age from a lower age group will count towards this rule. (Squad Teams which are playing up and competing in the Domestic Competition are exempt from this rule).
•	A player is considered to be representative if they are selected in the current squad season, play squad for another association, play in the VJBL competition or are selected as part of the Basketball Victoria Country (BVC) representative program. All the above includes the preceding year
•	Any team found to be in breach of this rule must rectify the situation immediately or forfeit penalties will apply 
•	In the instance where there is only an A and B grade competition, representative players must play “A” grade.

Representative Players Fill-ins
•	Representative players from U12, U14 and U16 cannot fill-in for B grade however they can fill in for “A” and “AR” grade. That is: Current proceeding representative players cannot fill in for B grade competition. The Board can make exceptions on individual cases for approval. They cannot exceed the 3 representative player rule.
•	Breach of the above rules will result in a forfeit for the involved team.

6. Clearances
•	Applications for clearances must be processed through the SportsTG platform.
•	Clearance forms are available from the SportTG platform and must be completed by the club, on behalf of the player seeking the clearance or in the case of a junior player, the players’ parent or guardian. Clubs are required to lodge the clearance request prior to player registration dates set by the WDABA Board.
•	Clubs should review clearance requests within seven (7) days after receiving the application, otherwise the clearance will be automatically granted.
•	A clearance may be denied until all outstanding monies are paid in full and all uniforms returned in good condition.
•	Clubs are permitted two clearances per team
•	Players changing clubs between seasons must complete clearance form on the SportsTG platform, which is sent to the WDABA Board for approval prior to the registration date closing for the following season. Squad players must explain reasons for club movement.
•	If a player is denied a clearance from a club, they may lodge an appeal in writing to the 

WDABA Competition Representative. Representatives from the WDABA Board, who are not involved with the player or club, will hear the appeal within seven (7) days of lodgement of the appeal, with all parties present.
•	Penalties: Teams playing players without clearances will be penalized all premiership points for all games in which any uncleared player participated.

7. Uniforms and Accessories
Each team must register the colours of their uniform on the WDABA team entry form when entering the competition. The registered uniform of the players must comply with the Official FIBA Basketball Rules (unless otherwise stated) that consists of:
Shirts:
•	Shirts of the same dominant colour front and back.
•	Each team member shall wear a shirt numbered on the front and back with plain numbers, of a solid colour contrasting with the colour of the shirt.
•	FIBA permits the following numbers for use: 0, 00, 1-99.
Shorts:
•	Shorts of the same dominant colour front and back, but not necessarily of the same colour as the shirts
•	Shorts are not to be below the knee and NO POCKETS are allowed. Players wearing shorts with pockets will not be allowed to take the court. See penalty conditions.
Penalties: All players must be in correct uniform by week four (4) otherwise the following penalty will apply: Six (6) points will be awarded to the opposition for every player not in correct uniform up to a maximum of 18 points after round 4.
Equipment:
•	Teams to provide their own warm up balls, the best ball will then be chosen by the referee for the match.
•	Size 6 ball for U10, U12 and U14 boys, and all Girls age groups
•	Size 7 ball for U16 and 19 Boys.
NOTE: where the U14 boys squad team plays in the U16 draw, a size 6 ball can be used at the agreeance of both coaches otherwise a size 7 ball will be used.

Other Equipment and Accessories:
In accordance with the Official FIBA Basketball Rules unless otherwise stated, players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.
The following are not permitted:
•	Finger, hand, wrist, elbow or forearm guards, casts or braces made of leather, plastic, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance, even if covered with soft padding.
•	Objects that could cut or cause abrasions (fingernails must be closely cut).
•	Headgear, hair accessories and jewellery.
The following are permitted:
•	Shoulder, upper arm, thigh or lower leg protective equipment if the material is sufficiently padded.
•	Undergarments that extend below the shorts of the same dominant colour as the shorts or skin coloured.
•	Compression sleeves of the same dominant colour as the shirts, black or skin coloured.
•	Compression stockings of the same dominant colour as the shorts black or skin coloured. If for the upper leg it must end above the knee; if for the lower leg it must end below the knee.
•	Knee braces if they are properly covered.
•	Protector for an injured nose, even if made of a hard material.

•	Spectacles, if they do not pose a danger to other players.
•	Headbands, maximum five (5) cm in width, made of non-abrasive, unicolour cloth, pliable plastic or rubber.
•	Non-coloured transparent taping of arms, shoulders, legs, etc.
•	Players who wear “medic-alert” jewellery are allowed to do so provided it is taped against the body with clear tape.

8. Game Administration & Specific Rules
General Rules
•	3 seconds in the key for all age groups
•	NO 3-point shots allowed for U10 or U12 boys and girls
•	3 Point shots ARE allowed for U14, U16 and U19
•	There will be half time shots for U10 only. and there is a game total of 10 points per player in these divisions. Refer to “Special conditions for U10” for further details.
•	There will be only (1) jump ball at the start of the game, the possession arrow going in the opposite direction of the team who takes first possession. Half time possession is decided by the arrow after half time.
•	Any player can substitute on any whistle.
•	Technical fouls are (1) penalty shot and mid court possession.
•	Attempting to fake (milk) for a foul is a Technical foul resulting in (1) penalty shot and mid court possession.
•	Foul shots
o	U10 - behind the inner circle of the key
o	U12 - 1 metre in front of the foul line
o	U14 and above age groups - from the free throw line
•	Time Outs - Each team has two time outs per half
•	All teams are required to play man to man pressure defence every game. If a team does not play man to man pressure defence, then after 1 warning, the referee will call a Bench Technical Foul (2 shots and mid court possession).
•	NO ZONE ALLOWED during the whole game in the U10, U12 & U14 age groups.
•	U16 & U19 age groups are permitted to play either man to man or zone.
Special Scoring Rules for U1O
•	Each player may score a maximum of 10 points per game (11 points if a player with 9 points scores a field goal or 2 free throws). Scorers are to notify coaches immediately a player has scored 10 points. Scorers should notify referee's next time the game stops.
•	A player with 10 points CANNOT score again during the game, until all players on the TEAM have scored 10 points.
•	A player with 10 points being awarded free throws MUST nominate another player to take the shots.
•	Half Time Shots U10: Every player must take at least 1 free throw shot - maximum of 2 shots per player - 10 shots per team.
Timing Rules
•	U10 play 17-minute halves with half time foul shots for 10 players
•	U12, U14, U16 & U19 play 18-minute halves
•	Games must start on time, 1 point per minute for late start.
•	Referee to start the clock when necessary.
•	The clock will be reset if necessary.
•	No time outs in the last minute of 1st half and in the last one minute of the 2nd half, if the game is not within a 5-point margin.
Clock stopping
•	Clock stops on all whistles in the last minute of the 2nd half if there is a margin of 5 

•	points or less. Time outs are permitted during this time.
•	Injured player as called by referee only.
•	Timing rules for Finals will be advised
•	Clock does not stop for Technical fouls.

Score Sheets and Scoring
•	Scoring device/sheet must be filled in prior to the commencement time of the game.
•	Players may take the court at any time during the game, provided their name is on the scoring device/sheet at the commencement of the game. Names of players not present are crossed out at the end of the game by the referee or scorer.
•	It is the team’s responsibility to cross off any player not there when fill-ins are playing, and not doing this may result in a forfeit if there are more than six players listed for that team.
•	It is the teams’ responsibility to add any player filling in to add them to the scoring device/sheet where applicable.
•	All score table officials must stay at the score table until the Referee has signed off the score sheet.
•	All teams must provide a competent score table official. If no one is available, the following penalty conditions apply:
•	Penalties: NO Score Person - the clock will start on time, with 1 point given to the opposing team for every minute until there is an official representing your team.

Cancellation of Games
•	Forfeits with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a $75 charge to be paid to the Association before the next round.
•	If a match is unable to continue within the time scheduled for the match for reasons beyond the control of either team (including circumstances where it is unsafe for the match to proceed) the following shall apply:
•	Prior to Half time: the match shall be deemed to be drawn and the scores of the teams at the time the match was interrupted shall be used in calculating the percentage of each team
•	Half time and beyond: the scores of the teams at the time the match was interrupted shall be deemed to be the final scores of the match. The team with the highest score shall be deemed the winner of the match and the scores shall be used in calculating the percentage of each team.

Mercy Rule in U10, U12 & U14
•	In U10’s, U12’s and U14’s, if a team has a 20-point lead then that team must defend man to man WITHIN the back 1/3 of the court. Scorers to notify Referees when the score is 20 points difference.
•	U10 teams can enforce a mercy rule after 10 points difference.
•	Teams do not have to play back, if the opposing coach does not wish them to do so.
•	Penalties: If a team does not abide by the "Mercy Rule", then after 1 warning, the referee will call a Bench Technical Foul (1 shots and mid court possession).

9. REGULATIONS CONCERNING REFEREES
A.	Referee Appointments
Appointment of a panel of Referees to oversee WDABA games shall be made by the WDABA Board. The Warragul Referee Coordinator will normally carry out this responsibility.
Referee Rosters may be altered in conjunction with the Referee Supervisor.
B.	Referee Feedback
All complaints, comments, are to be directed to the WDABA Board by completing a Formal Referee Feedback Form. The WDABA Board in consultation with the Referee Coordinator may 

refer any complaint to a VBRA Tribunal if deemed necessary; to investigate complaints of incompetence, misconduct, or non-attendance on the part of any appointed Referee. The Tribunal is authorized to take disciplinary action against Referees who are found to have offended.

C.	Referee Attire
Referees appointed to games conducted by the WDABA are to be properly attired in accordance with the WDABA dress standards for Referees. Failure to observe this requirement will lead to a fine being imposed or being removed from the roster for continued breaches.
D.	Referee Duties
Referees are to ensure that players do not take the court wearing items that may cause injury. Rules of Basketball (article 13.2.5). Referees will be responsible for ensuring that when players enter the court they are in correct uniform as per these Playing Conditions.
E.	Referee Rates of Pay
The WDABA Board will determine rates of payment of officials annually. These rates will be based on the VBRA rates applicable at that time.
F.	Sin Bin Rules
Any player, coach or team official who incurs a Technical Foul as a result of verbal abuse towards an official or who disputes a decision of a Referee, will be sent to the Sin-Bin for a period of five (5) minutes playing time (Sin Bin). The five minutes does not include the break between quarters or halves.
For players that incur a first technical foul they may sit on the team bench.
For a coach or team official that incur a first technical foul they must remove themselves from the team bench at least 25 meters away and cannot communicate with the team during this period.
A second Technical Foul for a similar offence will lead to the player, coaching staff or team official being ejected from the game and subject to possible Tribunal action.
Note game Referees are required to;
I.	Instantly penalise any obvious form of dissent, such as disputing calls, critical comments towards Referees or their calls and bad language with a Technical Foul.
II.	A second similar offence results in the player being disqualified from the game.
(A ‘similar’ offence involves more criticism. Dissent etc. resulting in a second Technical Foul).
Where a referee does not see or hear an incident, but it is observed by the Referees Supervisor(s) on duty, they may notify the Referee of the indiscretion and the referee may then be obliged to enact the Sin Bin rule.
The player, coach or team official who is sent to the Sin-Bin is allowed to be substituted.
Any player or coach who receives a Technical Foul during a game for bad behavior will be required to miss one (1) week of all games they are involved in, which includes but is not limited to the following:
•	Playing
•	Coaching
•	Officiating
A technical foul for non-behavioral incidents will not come under this ruling. Examples are:
•	Purposely kicking or striking the ball
•	Goaltending a free throw
•	Faking being fouled
•	Substituting into a game at an inappropriate time
•	Hanging from the rim (except to avoid injury)
•	Intentionally delaying the game multiple times
•	Team members on the bench illegally entering the court

10.	Protests and Complaints
All protests and complaints about any matter relating to the WDABA domestic competition must be emailed to the Association Secretary within 72 hours of the incident. Any member of the WDABA Board who is connected in any way with either team shall not take part in the proceedings.

11.	Policies
a) Extreme Heat Policy
•	When the court temperature reaches 35C, must implement the following timing rules:
I.	Based on a 40-minute schedule played in halves, the game time must be reduced by 2 minutes per half with 2 team time outs per half.
II.	The clock must stop for each timeout and the referee must call an additional compulsory timeout close to the halfway mark in each half. Each team must call a timeout before the compulsory timeout and after the compulsory timeout.
III.	If a game is played in quarters, the referee must call an additional compulsory timeout in each quarter if no timeout has been called by halfway through the quarter.
IV.	The clock must stop for every whistle in the last minute of the first half and the last 3
minutes of the second half (this may be modified for local conditions in domestic basketball).
•	When the court temperature reaches 40C games must be abandoned. Subject to any rule or ruling by a competition organiser:
I.	if a game is abandoned before it commences or before or at half time it is counted as a draw;
II.	if a game is abandoned after half time, the game score stands as a final result.
b) Blood Rule
•	Any player who is bleeding will be substituted immediately.
•	If the referee does not notice that a player is bleeding, then the scorers shall sound the horn and notify the referee immediately.
•	Player clothing is to be free of blood before taking the court again.
c) Photo Policy
The following policy has been adopted by Basketball Victoria and operates across all associations and Leagues in Victoria.
Basketball Victoria recognises that there are many legitimate reasons why still and video photography at sports is very common and does not wish to unnecessarily restrict or curb that photography.
It is perfectly normal and acceptable for parents to want to film their children’s sports to keep as a memento of their growing up. This is becoming increasingly so with the technology being widely owned.

It is also becoming increasingly popular for coaches to video their teams’ games to assist them in training. Less common, but also becoming more so, is for the purposes of scouting another team that will be playing the videoing team shortly. Videos can also assist in referee training. Having a video record of a game is also useful if there is a reportable incident during the game. The video can be used in evidence. At more senior levels, the competition organisers have made it compulsory for games to be taped for precisely this reason. In addition, the knowledge that a game is being taped may act as a deterrent to bad behavior because players will know they may be captured on tape, even if a referee does not see the misdeed. So there is a safety angle to the issue as well.

On the other hand, photographs and videos can also be used for nefarious purposes. Basketball Victoria is concerned to ensure that it and its affiliated associations take reasonable steps to ascertain that photographic depiction of basketball activities is being used for legitimate and 
harmless purposes. This means that competition organisers must be ever vigilant in protecting participants, particularly children.
Accordingly, the following policy will apply until further notice:
•	Associations and leagues should usually allow parents and close relatives to take photographs and video tape games or training provided the parent or relative is known to the association.
•	As a courtesy, the coach or manager of the opposition team should also be notified of the intention to photograph or video the game.
•	Coaches who wish to video their own team’s games or training for training purposes should also normally be allowed to do so. Again, the opposition should be informed. Parents of the coach’s own team should be advised by the coach if it is intended to regularly video games or training and the reason for it.
•	Referee coaches wishing to video games for training or evaluation purposes should advise the teams of their intentions prior to the game.

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