About
Rules & Regulations
How the season is run — eligibility, rosters, and how the games themselves are played.
Season details pending
Registration deadlines, fees and venue assignments for the coming season are being finalised and will be published here once they are confirmed. The playing rules below are current. Contact the league office for anything you need in the meantime.
Division structure
New this season: every age group splits into two tiers — Gold Division and Bronze Division. That makes 6 age groups × 2 tiers = 12 divisions 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 | 2016 or later |
| U11 | 2015 or later |
| U12 | 2014 or later |
| U13 | 2013 or later |
| U14 | 2012 or later |
| U15 | 2011 or later |
Every age group runs Gold and Bronze.
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 two 16-minute stop-time halves played under modified FIBA rules. Each team gets two time-outs per half; unused first-half time-outs do not carry over. The team foul penalty applies at 10 team fouls in each half. Default start time allowance is 10 minutes.
4.2 — Running clock
In the second half, the clock runs continuously while the margin is 20 points or more.
4.3 — 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.
4.4 — Minimum players
A team needs a minimum of five players to start a game.
4.5 — 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 20 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. U14 boys play with a size 7 (29.5") ball; younger and girls' divisions at this level use a size 6 (28.5").
5.3 — U15
Outside key and outside three-point line. Shot clocks are used where the venue has them available. Boys play with a size 7 (29.5") ball; girls with a size 6 (28.5").
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.