About
Rules & Regulations
How the season is run — eligibility, rosters, and how the games themselves are played.
Season details pending
Fees and venue assignments for the coming season are being finalised and will be published here once confirmed. The playing rules below are current. Schedules and standings live on each division's own page — use the age and tier selector at the top of any schedule or standings page to move between them. Contact the league office for anything you need in the meantime.
Division structure
Boys run 7 age groups, from U10 to U16, and each splits into two tiers — Gold Division and Bronze Division. That is 7 × 2 = 14 boys divisions.
Girls run Girls U12 and Girls U14, each as a single division with no tier split — 2 girls divisions, and 16 in total.
Gold Division — Top tier
Our top competitive tier. Built for clubs carrying a full rep roster and looking for the hardest games we can give them.
Bronze Division — Development tier
Strong, competitive basketball a step below Gold. The right level for developing rep programs and clubs building toward the top tier.
Clubs nominate a tier when they enter. The league may move a team between tiers before the schedule is finalised to keep games competitive.
Age categories
Every player on a roster must fall within the age specification for their age group, in either tier. Late birthdays are not accepted.
| Age group | Birth year |
|---|---|
| U10 | 2017 or later |
| U11 | 2016 or later |
| U12 | 2015 or later |
| U13 | 2014 or later |
| U14 | 2013 or later |
| U15 | 2012 or later |
| U16 | 2011 or later |
| Girls U12 | 2015 or later |
| Girls U14 | 2013 or later |
Boys age groups run Gold and Bronze. Girls divisions run as a single division.
Rosters
3.1 — Roster size
Teams may carry up to 15 players. Rosters must be submitted to the league before a team's first game.
3.2 — One team per age group
A player may only be rostered to one team within a given age group — including across tiers, so a player cannot appear for both a Gold and a Bronze team at the same age. Playing up into an older age group is permitted, in either tier, including for a different club.
3.3 — Player registration
Every player must be individually registered with the league before taking part in any game or playoff fixture. An unregistered player is ineligible.
3.4 — Adding players
Additions are allowed up to the league's stated deadline, provided the roster stays within 15 players and the player meets the age requirement for that division. Players added and registered before the deadline are playoff-eligible.
Game rules
4.1 — Format
Games are four 8-minute quarters, stop-time, played under modified FIBA rules. Default start time allowance is 10 minutes.
4.2 — Time-outs
Each team gets two time-outs in the first half and three in the second half. If a team still has all three second-half time-outs remaining inside the final two minutes, one is deducted — a maximum of two time-outs may be used in the last two minutes.
4.3 — Team fouls and the bonus
Five team fouls per quarter. Once a team reaches five in a quarter, the opposition shoots free throws for every subsequent foul in that quarter. Offensive fouls are the exception and do not put a team in the bonus.
4.4 — Running clock and the last two minutes
With a differential of 20 points or more, the clock keeps running through the final two minutes rather than stopping. Under 20 points, normal stop-time applies in the last two minutes, including after every made basket.
4.5 — Overtime
Regular season: the first overtime is two minutes, with one time-out per team and fouls carrying over. A second overtime is first-to-score, starting with a jump ball. In the playoffs, every overtime period is two minutes.
4.6 — Minimum players
A team needs a minimum of five players to start a game.
4.7 — Substitutions
There are no fair-play or shifting requirements. All games are open substitution.
By age group
5.1 — U10 & U11
Fall back on defence in the first half. In the second half teams may press while the margin is under 15 points. The three-point line is in effect. Games are played with a size 5 (27.5") ball, using the inside key and inside three-point line.
5.2 — U12 to U14
Teams may press for the full game, falling back at a 20-point margin. Inside key and inside three-point line. All U12 to U14 divisions use a size 6 (28.5") ball.
5.3 — U15 & U16
Teams may press for the full game with no fall-back rule. Outside key and outside three-point line. Shot clocks are used where the venue has them available. Size 7 (29.5") ball.
Conduct & discipline
All players, coaches and spectators are bound by the league's code of conduct. It covers sportsmanship, respect for officials and staff, spectator behaviour, and the league's zero-tolerance position on fighting and ejections.
Anything unclear, or a situation not covered here? Email info@synergyleagues.com.