FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below. If the FAQ does not answer your question, please email us via info@beachcomberbasketball.club or on Facebook Messenger if you have any questions.
GENERAL
Can my child play with friends?
We understand that there will be some preference from parents (and kids) to place friends together in teams, however please understand that we are not able to accept these requests. This is to ensure that children are placed in teams appropriate to their skill level.
My child is older than their peers due to starting school later. What does this mean for my child?
Generally where kids are older than their peers (this can occur due to starting school later), your child will not be able to play in a team with their peers, they will generally need to play in a team with in an older grade. Note: There are circumstances where exemptions may apply, for example: learning delays or disabilities. Please contact the club if you need further clarification.
When are the basketball seasons?
There are generally two seasons each year - Summer (Term 1 and Term 4) and Winter (Term 2 & Term 3). Teams play weekly, although there are breaks throughout due to school holidays, public holidays and representative competition. There is also a break in between seasons.
Where and when are games played?
Games are usually held at Dromana College, Dromana Primary School, Rosebud Secondary College or Rosebud Primary School. For ages U8 to U14, games are played on Saturdays. For all ages above, games are played during the week.
When and where is training held?
Training is generally held once per week during the season.
Generally training is during the week before or after school hours.
The time for training depends upon the availability of your coach and the availability of a court to practice. This is generally discussed as a team.
Primary school teams generally train at Dromana Primary School.
High school teams generally train Dromana College.
At what age can my child start playing?
The youngest teams we form are for prep children. These kids will play in the Under 8 competition. Please do not add your child to the register your interest list if your child has not yet started prep.
When are Beachcombers 'come and try' sessions held for Preps?
For players in Prep, we generally hold 'come and try' sessions once a year in term 3. This is a good introduction for kids who haven't played basketball before.
We run these sessions in the lead up to the new season in order to give kids some of the basics before starting their first competitive games.
When are Beachcombers 'come and try' sessions held for grades 1 to 6?
We hold 'come and try' sessions in for grades 1 to 6 in term 1 each year. We welcome you to contact us if you are looking to join an existing team, or to start your own. Email us via the contact page or fill in your interest in the form below.
Who coaches the teams? Are team managers required?
Volunteers (usually a parent) are required to coach a team that is formed. You will need to be available for training once per week, and for coaching games.
A volunteer will also be required to act in the role as team manager. The main responsibility of a team manager is to act as the contact person between the club and your team, and to collect/pay game fees.
Coaches and Team Managers require a valid Working With Children's Check (WWCC).
I have 'registered interest to play' on this website, what happens next?
At times, a new team can only be formed once there are sufficient players to do so.
Where there are no places available, we will register your interest until such a time a position may become available.
Please be aware that sometimes this can take a long time, but we do our best in promoting the club to create new teams. We encourage parents talking to the other parents when you register your child's interest to play.
Do you form high school teams too?
Yes we do. We are looking to increase our high school participaton and will be looking at how we can do this going forward. If you are looking to form a team, please contact the club.
What is Aussie Hoops?
The Southern Peninsula Basketball Association also host the "Aussie Hoops" program, which is a development program for 5-10 year olds.
It is all about learning to play basketball in a fun and safe environment.
More information on the Aussie Hoops program can be found here: sthpen.com.au/aussie-hoops and here: aussiehoops.basketball/
As a parent/caregiver, who should I contact with my questions?
We request that parents, team managers and coaches follow the this communication structure with the club and the SPBA.
Step by step:
Step 1: Player/Parent should first contact team manager or coach.
Step 2: Team Manager/Coach should contact club committee in first instance (not the SBPA).
Step 3: Club Committee will contact Southern Peninsula Basketball Association (SPBA).
Are there modified rules for junior competition?
Yes. There are modifications to playing rules up until U16s. Some of these changes might include, smaller basketballs, lower rings, reduced enforcement of violations (such as travel/double dribble/cross court/seconds in the key), free throw shots from closer to the ring, and a mercy rule.
These rules are constantly being monitored by the SPBA and regularly discussed with clubs. Up to date information can be found in the domestic competition rules (by laws) available on the SPBA website.
playing costs
All costs are subject to change, please use as a guide only.
What is the cost of player registration?
Southern Peninsula Basketball Association registration fees are approximately $35 (plus transaction fees), per player per season for early bird pricing. Note: This goes up by $10 after early bird registration closes.
How much are weekly game fees?
Southern Peninsula Basketball Association game fees are approximately $65 per team. The cost per player will depend on the number of players playing. Note: This fee is due to rise in the Summer 23/24 season.
Is there a fee payable to Beachcombers?
A club fee of approximately $5.20 per player per season (including transaction fees). This fee is utilised for club costs such as printing, marketing, buying equipment when required etc.
Are there any other playing costs?
Basketball Victoria charge an a registration fee once per year, which covers insurance and admin costs, and is about $25 (plus transaction fees).
uniform info
All costs are subject to change, please use as a guide only.
What is the cost of a new uniform?
The cost in 2023 is $65 for reversible singlet and $50 for shorts. Note: This is subject to change.
Where can I try on uniforms?
Uniforms can be tried on at the Dromana Secondary College Stadium for sizing, otherwise please refer to the sizing guides on the SPBA store.
How do I purchase a new uniform (shorts and singlet)
Uniforms can be ordered here: SPBA Uniform Shop - Beachcombers
However, new teams should discuss with their team manager prior to ordering or purchasing in order to avoid issues with player numbers.
Can I buy/use a second hand uniform?
Beachcombers Basketball Club started utilising new uniforms in 2021. As a result, many older uniforms cannot be utilised.
Where the second hand uniform is in the new style (iAthletic brand), this will normally be okay. However, please consult with your team manager and the club to ensure that we don't double up on playing numbers.
Do you have a second hand uniform shop?
We do not have a second hand uniform shop.
However, you may utilise our Uniform Buy & Sell Page on Facebook to buy/sell uniforms if you wish to do so.
COACH
Do I need to pay a fee to be a coach?
No fee is required by the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association for you to be a coach. However, you will be required to register on PlayHQ as the coach each season.
Is a coaching accreditation required?
At present there is no compulsory accreditation, however as a club we encourage all coaches to enroll in the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association Community Accreditation Course. Please contact the club for more information.
Do I need a Working with Children's Check?
Yes you will require a Working with Children's Check. Without this check you will not be able to coach and your team will not be able to play. Please ensure that this remains valid at all times.
Do I need experience coaching?
Not necessarily, however it is definitely helpful. There are many helpful resources available on our website, on Youtube and on the Internet in general. When starting out focus on the basics - defense, shooting, passing, dribbling and rebounding.
We also encourage you to enroll in the SPBA coaching accreditation course.
Do you have a coaching resources webpage?
Yes. The page can be found here: https://www.beachcombersbasketball.club/coaching.html
How should I run substitutions?
As a club we wish to see all teams rotate players so that they receive a fair share of playing time. Please refer to our coaches page on this website for a substitution spreadsheet that may assist you to keep track of your subs.
Can I play a zone defence in junior domestic competition?
No. It is against domestic competition rules to run a zone defense. You are required to run a 'man on man' defense at all times.
Do I need to do weekly practice?
You will be required to run practice with your team each week. We understand that there may be some weeks where life gets in the way and that training will need to be cancelled, or someone else may need to step in.
Is there a Facebook group I can join to talk to other Beachcombers coaches?
The club has a Coach & Team Manager Page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/beachcomberscoachesandteamanagers
If I am away, who coaches the team?
Generally another parent from the team will need to step in to coach for the week - you should organise this as a team. The SPBA require that all coaches (even fill ins) have a working with children's check.
As a coach, who should I contact with my questions?
We request that parents, team managers and coaches follow the this communication structure with the club and the SPBA.
Step by step:
Step 1: Player/Parent should first contact team manager or coach.
Step 2: Team Manager/Coach should contact club committee in first instance (not the SBPA).
Step 3: Club Committee will contact Southern Peninsula Basketball Association (SPBA).
TEAM MANAGER
Do I need to pay a fee to be a team manager?
No fee is required by the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association for you to be a team manager. However, you will be required to register on PlayHQ as the team manager each season.
Do I need a Working with Children's Check?
Yes you will require a Working with Children's Check. Without this check you will not be able to be a team manager and your team will not be able to play. Please ensure that this remains valid at all times.
How should I collect game fees?
This is at your discretion. You may choose to:
- Each player brings a certain amount of cash each week.
- Everyone pays $65 at the start of the season to cover the same number of games as
there is players, before paying $65 again. This could be to the team manager or into a
bank account opened specifically for the teams games money.
- Using an app like Team Play. See team manager page for more information.
- Organising the score roster to coincide with payments. I.e. It is x players families turn to
score so they cover the games money that week.
How do I notify that a forfeit will be required?
From Sunday through to Thursday, please contact the club and we will notify the SBPA. If it is a late forfeit (e.g. Friday or Saturday) then please contact the SPBA directly via phone. Please note a late notification on a Saturday may result in an additional fee.
How do I organise a fill in player for the team?
We encourage you to post a message in the Team Manager and Coaches Facebook Page requesting other teams to offer fill ins. Please keep in mind that a fill in cannot play in a lower division or for a team in the same division.
Who will score the games?
A volunteer is required each week from each team to score for the game. We encourage team mangers to start a roster so that this is shared evenly among families. The scorer must be aged 14 years of age or older.
Who do I contact if there is an issue?
From time-to-time issues may arise that may cause anger or concern. It is important that these issues are raised and dealt with at the earliest possible stage. It is important that everyone acts in a manner that is respectful in order to have sensible and productive resolution of disagreements. If issues are unable to be resolved, you may wish to escalate this to the club. Please email info@beachcombersbasketball.club.
Is there a Facebook group I can join to talk to other Beachcombers coaches?
The club has a Coach & Team Manager Page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/beachcomberscoachesandteamanagers
If I am away, who acts as team manager?
When you are not available to attend a game, or you are going away, it is important that your team manager duties are delegated. When delegating your tasks, please make sure that you inform the person what their responsibilities are while you are unavailable. Also inform the coach who will be team managing during your absence.
Do you have a team manager resources webpage? Is there a checklist available for team managers?
Yes. Please visit our team managers page on this website for these resources: https://www.beachcombersbasketball.club/team-manager.html
As a team manager, who should I contact with questions?
We request that parents, team managers and coaches follow the this communication structure with the club and the SPBA.
Step by step:
Step 1: Player/Parent should first contact team manager or coach.
Step 2: Team Manager/Coach should contact club committee in first instance (not the SBPA).
Step 3: Club Committee will contact Southern Peninsula Basketball Association (SPBA).
AGE GROUPS
What are the current age groups?
Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, Under 18, Under 21, Men & Women's.
Who sets the age groups?
Basketball age groups with the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association align with the Victoria Junior Basketball League (VJBL) age groups.
At what date is age group set?
Winter: Players must be under the age of their division as of the 31st of December in that year.
Summer: Players must be under the age of their division as of the 31st of December the following year.
Do you have an age group rollover table?
Yes. Please view full table on a computer.
Does this mean my child will play against older children?
Sometimes this will occur. In the first year that a team moves up an age group, they will generally be the youngest of the cohort in that age group.
My child is younger than the rest of the team, what happens then?
As a club we have found that kids will want to play with the kids in their school year level, and that year levels may have kids who are slightly younger (i.e. born early the following year than the majority of their team mates). These children will move age groups with their peers.
My team has gone up an age group and are now losing more. Why?
This can often occur when a team goes up an age group. This is usually due to playing against more experienced and older teams. Your team will remain in this age group for a number of seasons, and will eventually become one of the more experienced and older teams.
Can my child play in more than one team per age group?
Players may only play in one regular team per age group.
Players may play in the same age group only if in different gendered competitions (u12 and below).
Players are not permitted to fill in for a team in their own division.
Players in Junior Competition may play additional weekly games in older age grades and in Senior Competition.
GRADING OF TEAMS
How does grading work?
Teams are graded according to skill level. The ambition is to place teams in a division that is suitable for their skill level.
When are teams graded?
In the first 5 rounds of each season teams are graded. A team will generally not be shifted from their initially assigned division until after the third game. Teams are to remain in their grade after the 5th game each season.
Who does the initial grading?
The club completes the initial grading before the season. The grading is generally based on ladder position in the previous season.
Can we provide feedback to the club to pass on to the basketball association?
Yes. We generally request feedback from coaches and team managers during the grading period. Note: This does not mean that your requests will complied with. However, we can pass on the feedback to the SPBA for discussion.
My team has been graded, but we can't compete. What are the options?
The ambition is to avoid this situation. However, this may occur for several reason. For example, the team is already in the lowest available division for their age group, the team played well during grading but subsequently is unable to maintain the same level, or some of the teams that they played during grading have been moved into another division. It is important to understand that there will always be circumstances where teams are caught in between being too good for one division, but not quite good enough for another. Unfortunately after grading has been completed the team must remain in their assigned division
Does the club have the final say on grading?
We meet with the SPBA for a grading meeting each season and we maintain contact throughout this period. SPBA are open to feedback during this period. We do not have the final say on where the teams are placed.
Fill in players
What is a fill in player?
A player is deemed a ‘fill in’ if they are not registered with the team, they play in.
When can a team use a fill in player?
Teams may use fill in players to bring the team up to 6 players for seniors and 7 players for juniors.
Can a player fill in for a team in the same division as their regular team?
No.
What is the maximum number of fill in games a player can play?
Two. This is due to insurance purposes. After two games a player must register with the team to continue to play.
Do fill in games count towards finals eligibility?
No.
Can a fill in play up an age group?
Yes.
Can a fill in play for a team in the same age group?
From same age group only if playing in a higher division than regular team
Can rep players fill in?
Representative players may only fill in for teams in division 2 and below with approval from SPBA Competitions Manager. Please contact the club where you need to request an approval, we will then discuss this with the SPBA.
How do I organise a fill in?
You may do this yourself. Alternatively, please utilise the Team Managers and Coaches Facebook Page, and/or contact the club.
What happens if an ineligible player fills in?
If a team uses a player that is ineligible to play as a fill in the game will be forfeited in favour of the opposition team.
FINALS ELIGIBILITY
How many games need to be played to be eligible for finals?
To qualify to play in the final series, a player must play 50% of the total games as a registered player (e.g., 50% of 14 games = 7 games). A bye will be counted as a played game.
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