The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
Club of the Year 2016
Junior League
The new Junior League
For the 2017/18 season, the league will progress into a club driven National League style competition where clubs are placed in pools based on their geographical location.Each team shall host one round of competition, where a ‘Triangular’ based playing format will be delivered by the host club. These ‘Pool’ groups will be funded by the clubs themselves who will take it in turn to host teams, covering venue hire and officials. This also minimizes the travel strain on parents and clubs, only having to travel ‘away’ twice during the format, rather than the current 3 times per season.
This years fixtures:
Round 1 on Sunday 26th November 2017
The Littlehampton Academy, Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton, BN17 6FE
Team meeting : 12.45
14.00 Tornados vs Kings
15.45 Hornets vs Kings
17.30 Hornets vs Tornadoes
Round 2 on Sunday 14th January 2018
Kennet Leisure Centre, Stoney lane, Thatcham, RG19 4LJ
Team meeting : 10.00
11.20 Kings vs Hornets
13.15 Hornets vs Tornadoes
15.00 Kings vs Tornadoes
Round 3 on Saturday 10th March 2018
Crestwood Leisure Centre (Crestwood Community School), Shakespeare Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 4FZ
Team meeting: 10.00
11.20 Hornets vs Kings
13.15 Kings vs Tornadoes
15.00 Hornets vs Tornadoes
An emphasis on prestige and socialising has been identified as an important factor through the consultation, so an ‘Elite 8’s’ structure will be established to replace the existing ‘Junior League Finals’, whereby the top teams play in a knockout competition, allowing full games as in their pool rounds. The top two teams from the Elite 8’s which qualify for the Final will then progress to the BWB ‘National Championships’ whereby recognition from the wider club network can be gained, and teams have time to fully prepare for the final both physically and mentally back in their club setting.
The Elite 8s
The Elite 8’s will be the highlight of the Junior Calendar, allowing the top 8 teams in the country to progress to a 1 day event where they will compete for a place in the Final which will be held at the National Championship Finals, in order to share centre stage with the rest of the National Leagues’ top teams. The Elite 8’s will allow for full length games (Quarter Finals and Semi Finals) in an event type environment where social media, sports presentation and entertainment will add to the competitive element, providing high a quality experience for the athletes and coaches.
There will be the opportunity to use the event to showcase the talent progressing to the finals in an All-star style game at the end of the day to encourage socialisation and recognise players, mimicking European style competitions.
Rules
The rules have been devised to replicate those of National League competition with the following basic differences from the current Junior League format:- Full 40 minute games
- Stop Clock
- Optional 24 Second Clock
- 10 foot hoops
- Full sized court
Age Resrictions
The older age competition (Junior League), is an Under 18’s Competition with eligibility based on an academic year format, where players must be aged 17 or under on 31st August each year. However, to minimise the impact to current players, there will be a 1 year transition year towards this arrangement which will allow players who are 18 or under on 31st December 2017 to play in the league this season.
The youngest age a player can register to play in the U18 league is 13 years old. A player may register for Junior League as soon as they have turned 13 within the current season.