AGE GROUPS
Age groups are set by the Keilor Basketball Association who administer the competition in which the Aberfeldie Jets Basketball Club compete in, the KBA follow the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) age group rules. In line with the KBA requirements, Aberfeldie Jets allocate players to their correct age group based on year of birth. “Playing up” an age group is discouraged by the club as it is generally not in the best interest of the child to do so. Age group eligibility is often the reason that children are unable to be placed with their school friends or social group, as not all children in school classes are the same years of birth. We build teams by years of birth, by having mixed aged teams it often leads to one or more children being "orphaned: when the age change season occurs and then we need to find them another team, or the child playing up an age group which is against the Club's policy.
Players will generally play two years (four seasons) in each age group once, two seasons as a bottom age player and two seasons as a top age player. With the spread of age groups it is common for younger aged players to be in lower grades in their first year in an age group, and a higher grade in their second year. This is not a reflection of a child’s ability, more so matching them against players of similar age and standard.
Each Summer Season is what is referred to as an age change season where the older year of birth children from the Winter age group, age up into the next age bracket. As Keilor currently don't have an U8 competition, we only accept what we refer to as "double bottom age born children" (who would qualify to play in U8's if the age group existed) in the Season Winter only.
Birth certificates or passports are often requested by the Club and the Association to confirm proof of age.
It is the Club's preference that players play in the correct age groups according to their years of birth and not up in higher age groups, particularly in the boys space where the physicality, skills and strength difference becomes more noticeable in the U14-U19 age groups.
Players will generally play two years (four seasons) in each age group once, two seasons as a bottom age player and two seasons as a top age player. With the spread of age groups it is common for younger aged players to be in lower grades in their first year in an age group, and a higher grade in their second year. This is not a reflection of a child’s ability, more so matching them against players of similar age and standard.
Each Summer Season is what is referred to as an age change season where the older year of birth children from the Winter age group, age up into the next age bracket. As Keilor currently don't have an U8 competition, we only accept what we refer to as "double bottom age born children" (who would qualify to play in U8's if the age group existed) in the Season Winter only.
Birth certificates or passports are often requested by the Club and the Association to confirm proof of age.
It is the Club's preference that players play in the correct age groups according to their years of birth and not up in higher age groups, particularly in the boys space where the physicality, skills and strength difference becomes more noticeable in the U14-U19 age groups.
Summer 2021-2022 and Winter 2022 |
Years of birth |
U20 Boys |
2003, 2004 |
U19 Girls |
2004, 2005 and 2006 |
U18 Boys |
2005, 2006 |
U16 Boys and Girls |
2007, 2008 |
U14 Boys and Girls |
2009, 2010 |
U12 Boys and Girls |
2011, 2012 |
U10 Boys and Girls |
2013, 2014 (2015 born Winter only) |
Summer 2022-2023 and Winter 2023 |
Years of birth |
U20 Boys |
2004, 2005 |
U19 Girls |
2005, 2006 and 2007 |
U18 Boys |
2006, 2007 |
U16 Boys and Girls |
2008, 2009 |
U14 Boys and Girls |
2010, 2011 |
U12 Boys and Girls |
2012, 2013 |
U10 Boys and Girls |
2014, 2015 (2016 born Winter only) |
Why does my child have to go up from Under 10 to Under 12 when they are currently only eight and about to turn nine?
You may be a bit concerned and thinking…my child has only just turned eight and you are expecting them to play in U12's? Potentially against other children who are almost eleven? The reality is, the age groups all contain children with the same year of birth or a year of birth one year older/younger. The age group of a player is determined by the year the child is born and it is a calendar year (January to December). E.g. for Summer 2021-2022 season, any children born in 2013 and 2014 will be required to play in U10's. The rule exists to simplify the organization of grades and teams for the Associations (and the clubs) so that there is only one point in the year when children are changing age groups.
Can my children with different years of birth, play together in the same team?
Families may occasionally request that siblings be placed in the same team in order to accommodate family logistics and transport arrangements. In the Under 8 this is certainly a high priority when formulating team lists. From Under 10 onwards, accommodating family requests becomes more difficult as there are numerous other factors to consider including the size and skill level of the players. In all instances, the coach has the final say as to whether to accept a younger sibling into the team. The club and/or parent cannot pressure a coach to take on a younger sibling. Of paramount importance is the safety of younger players at trainings and in games when they play against bigger players in the age group.
Can my child play in the same team as their friends?
Placing friends together in teams is a high priority and friendships will try to be accommodated as much as possible provided there is a vacancy in a team and the children are of similar skill level. However, the Club believes any new players to basketball should be accommodated in lower graded teams to learn the rules and develop skills under less pressure, no matter who their friends are. From experience, this is a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience for the new player and new friendships are soon formed in their new team.
You may be a bit concerned and thinking…my child has only just turned eight and you are expecting them to play in U12's? Potentially against other children who are almost eleven? The reality is, the age groups all contain children with the same year of birth or a year of birth one year older/younger. The age group of a player is determined by the year the child is born and it is a calendar year (January to December). E.g. for Summer 2021-2022 season, any children born in 2013 and 2014 will be required to play in U10's. The rule exists to simplify the organization of grades and teams for the Associations (and the clubs) so that there is only one point in the year when children are changing age groups.
Can my children with different years of birth, play together in the same team?
Families may occasionally request that siblings be placed in the same team in order to accommodate family logistics and transport arrangements. In the Under 8 this is certainly a high priority when formulating team lists. From Under 10 onwards, accommodating family requests becomes more difficult as there are numerous other factors to consider including the size and skill level of the players. In all instances, the coach has the final say as to whether to accept a younger sibling into the team. The club and/or parent cannot pressure a coach to take on a younger sibling. Of paramount importance is the safety of younger players at trainings and in games when they play against bigger players in the age group.
Can my child play in the same team as their friends?
Placing friends together in teams is a high priority and friendships will try to be accommodated as much as possible provided there is a vacancy in a team and the children are of similar skill level. However, the Club believes any new players to basketball should be accommodated in lower graded teams to learn the rules and develop skills under less pressure, no matter who their friends are. From experience, this is a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience for the new player and new friendships are soon formed in their new team.
