Representative Program Overview:
The South Queensland Junior Basketball Competition (SQJBC) is a representative competition conducted in the South-east region of Queensland. The competition caters for Under 12 to Under 18 age groups in both boys and girls.
SQJBC provides a competition pathway for elite junior players representing their associations, with Basketball Queensland’s affiliated associations in the South-east Queensland region eligible to enter. Similar competitions are played in QLD Central and Northern regions.
Association teams are required to nominate and if accepted, they are generally required to attend grading events prior to competing in a full school term of regional based competition (i.e.SQJBC in SEQ). Following the completion of regional fixtures the QLD State Championships are offered for each age group and gender by Basketball Qld, in conjunction with a host association. Eligible Northside Wizards teams will always attend the State Championships, accordingly the commitment to the Junior Rep Program is for both SQJBC and the State Championships.
** In the U14 age group the commitment extends to attending the Basketball Australia U14 National Club Championships if the team qualifies at State Championships. The additional cost for the Nationals can be up to $3000. Families should carefully consider their ability to participate in these championships prior to accepting a position in a team that is likely to compete in Division 1 at State Championships **
Northside Wizards Junior Representative Selection Process
The junior representative program is designed to further the skills and development of those wanting to take their basketball to a higher level. In recent years basketball has experienced significant growth, resulting in an increased number of players interested in playing representative basketball.
Recent experience has seen up to 150 players registering for rep trials in some age groups and this has led to a refinement of our selection process. The outcomes of recent representative selections have confirmed that domestic club player grading can be relied upon to identify which levels of players are likely to be the most competitive in a rep selection process. As an example, of the 130 players vying for selection in the 2023-24 U16 Boys trials, only 7 players that were selected to a team were playing in a division other than 16A or 16B1. These outcomes have been informative in determining the criteria for players wishing to be considered for selection.
It is our intention to cap the number of representative teams in each age group to a maximum of four i.e. approximately 40 players. The level of players invited to trial will therefore be limited to players who are likely to be competitive in the selection process in addition to satisfying the eligibility criteria.
Selection to a team in the Northside Wizards Representative program is a staged process involving the following steps:
1. Rep Player Pre-Trial Eligibility Check: the eligibility criteria for each age group will be determined and published. Players and parents MUST review the checklist to confirm their eligibility prior to registering for the trials.
2. Rep Team Trials: will be conducted over two or three sessions. Trials are co-ordinated by the Northside Wizards Coaching Director with the assistance of coaching applicants & identified selection panel members.
Note: Players that last played representative basketball for an association other than Northside Wizards will be required to meet Association eligibility and BQ transfer requirements. Please email [email protected] for further information. Players who do not meet the eligibility and/or transfer requirements will be unable to participate in the Northside Wizards Junior Rep program, including the trials.
All selection processes, including filtered sessions and Rep trials will be closed sessions and parents will not be admitted.
**Please note participation in the Rep Trials does not guarantee selection to a team. The number of rep teams assembled varies each year, with considerations to the overall quality of participants, the availability of a suitable coach & the approval from BQ**
3. Rep Team Announcements: Players will receive an email to notify them of the outcome of their trial as soon as practicable after the final trial session. Successful players will be advised which team they are being offered an opportunity in. At this time Wizards will require an acceptance of the offer & a pledge to meet all commitments.
** IMPORTANT – once a player has made the decision to contest the trials they are committed to the program. If they accept an offered position and subsequently withdraw from the team they will be liable for the full amount of rep fees and may be excluded from future participation in the Wizards rep program for up to two years.**
4. Team Trainings: Will commence as soon as possible after teams have been finalised. Training will be held twice per week predominantly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some weekend trainings may be required based on coach and venue availability.
Northside Wizards continues to review and conduct rep selection processes which are open to all players registered with our association. Players who wish to join our association must firstly meet domestic playing commitments. The selection process, timing of trials and the ongoing education of those selected has changed over time to accommodate an evolving competition format & increased demand on our physical & human resources.
Once teams are in place they train twice a week for a full school term & attend BQ grading events in that same term. The following school term requires a commitment to SQJBC fixtures most weekends, conducted in venues throughout South East Queensland (note – in some weeks the games may be on both Saturday & Sunday). Players are still required to attend two practice sessions per week during the SQJBC season. The rep team journey culminates with participation in the State Championships in the school holidays following the SQJBC season.
Representative fees for SQJBC are approximately $1000 for the season (subject to changes) plus compulsory uniforms approximately $250 (these can often be re-used in future seasons).
As stated above, the Junior Rep commitment includes participating in the State Championships. This 4-5 day tournament attracts an additional fee to cover costs including team nomination fees, flights, accommodation, meals etc. This fee can vary depending on the time of the year and the location of the championships but is likely to be an additional outlay of around $600 – $2,000.
Please check the State Championship dates for your age group prior to attending trials to ensure you are available to attend
Please note, players intending to take part in the Representative Trials must be financial within the Association i.e. have no outstanding fees prior to registration for the trials.
Click below for your age group to access eligibility criteria & registration links
- U16 Boys and Girls born in 2010 and 2011 information and link here