Rep Basketball - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What teams do you run?
How do we register to play?
When and where are try-outs held?
My son/daughter has never played basketball before. Should he/she try out?
How many players are on each team?
When and where are practices held?
How long is the season?
When and where do games take place?
What is the level of commitment?
How is playing time determined?
How much does it cost?
My son/daughter played on a rep team for another club last season. Can he/she try out for Vytis this season?

Q: What teams do you run?

A: We are a member of Basketball Ontario, and for the 2007-2008 season, Basketball Ontario has defined the following age groups:

  • Novice U10 - born 1998 or later
  • Atom U11 - born 1997 or later
  • Major Atom U12 - born 1996 or later
  • Bantam U13 - born 1995 or later
  • Major Bantam U14 - born 1994 or later
  • Midget U15 - born 1993 or later
  • Major Midget U16 - born 1992 or later
  • Juvenile U17 - born 1991 or later
  • Junior U19 - born 1989 or later

    Every season, we run one or more teams in as many age groups as possible, dependent on player interest, availability of qualified coaches, and availability of practice gyms.

    To get an idea of the teams we're planning for this season, have a look at our 2007 Rep Tryout Schedule.

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    Q: How do we register to play?

    A: There is no preregistration process, just sign up at one of the try-outs in the fall.

    Players who are selected for our teams will go through a formal registration process after the try-outs are completed.

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    Q: When and where are try-outs held?

    A: Try-outs are held beginning in September of each year. Try-outs for older age groups (e.g. Juvenile, Junior) may take place later, e.g. October.

    The schedule for the 2007-2008 try-outs is posted     here.

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    Q: My son/daughter has never played basketball before. Should he/she try out?

    A: Certainly at the younger ages, we do not expect to find "ready-made" basketball players. If a child has basic athletic ability and is keen on learning the game, the coaches can take it from there.

    Even at the older age levels, we will occasionally see new players coming out of nowhere to make an impact at the rep level.

    We certainly encourage you to bring your child to the try-outs. We try to make the try-outs as much a clinic as an evaluation, so that even kids who don't make a team can still get something from it.

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    Q: How many players are on each team?

    A: Typically 10-12 players per team, depending on the age level and coaches' preferences. Basketball Ontario regulations limit team rosters to a maximum of 15 players.

    At the younger age levels (Novice U10, Atom U11, Major Atom U12), there are shift rules that require each team to have a minimum of 12 players named on the roster and no fewer than 10 players in uniform, able to play, for each game. These teams typically carry 12 players, occasionally more.

    At the Bantam U13 age level and higher, teams must have a minumum of 10 players on the roster. However, at these ages there are no shift rules and no guarantee of playing time, so coaches often go with the minimum 10 players, occasionally 11 or 12, but rarely more than 12.

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    Q: When and where are practices held?

    A: Most teams practice two evenings a week, typically for 90 or 120 minutes each evening. A typical practice schedule would be Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu; starting between 6-8:30 PM and ending between 7:30-10 PM.

    Practices are usually held at school gyms in various parts of Oakville.

    Rule of thumb: younger kids get the smaller gyms and the earlier times; older kids get the bigger gyms and later times.

    We typically do not practice on weekends due to the high cost of school gym time on Saturdays & Sundays, and because of the scheduling of rep tournaments.

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    Q: How long is the season?

    A: Here is a typical season schedule:

    Division September October November December January February March April May
    Boys & Girls, Novice U10 through Major Bantam U14 Try-Outs Teams selected; practices begin First tournament usually by Christmas Tournaments every 2 weeks or so. Provincials for younger ages possibly by late March. Provincials by end of April -
    Girls Midget U15, Major Midget U16, Juvenile U17, Junior U19 Try-Outs Teams selected. Practices only; no OBA sanctioned games or tournaments during Halton high school season Regular practices begin. Often play in first tournament by Christmas. Tournaments every 2 weeks or so. Provincials
    Boys Midget U15, Major Midget U16, Juvenile U17, Junior U19 Try-Outs Teams selected. May play games or an "earlybird" tournament before Halton high school season. Practices only; no OBA sanctioned games or tournaments during Halton high school season. Regular practices and tournament schedule begin. May play in 7-8 tournaments in 10 weeks. Provincials


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    Q: When and where do games take place?

    A: Our teams do not play in a regular league - we play in exhibition games and tournaments sanctioned by     Basketball Ontario.

    Most tournaments we attend are within a 90 minute drive of Oakville, but there is the possibility of overnight travel (e.g. London, Windsor, Ottawa, or even out of province, depending on the team).

    Tournaments typically have a game on Friday evening; 1-3 games on Saturday; and possibly medal games on Sunday. Tournament formats and schedules vary depending on the host club.

    Teams will enter anywhere from 4 to 9 tournaments each season; 6 or 7 is a typical number. Some teams may attend a tournament as early as November; many have their first tournament in December. After New Year's, teams may go to tournaments every other weekend or so.

    The tournament schedule leads up to the Provincial Championship tournaments, run by Basketball Ontario. The site of the Provincial tournament varies from year to year, but is often an overnight trip to cities such as London, Ottawa or Windsor, or even as far as Sault Ste. Marie.

    All Vytis teams go to the Provincial Championships - it's just a question of what level they play at, and that is determined by province-wide rankings compiled by Basketball Ontario.

    Important notes: The schedules for Midget U15, Major Midget U16, Juvenile U17, and Junior U19 teams, both Boys and Girls, must work around the regular Halton high school schedule. Halton school players may not take part in club games or tournaments during the Halton school season; however they can have practices or informal scrimmages. The bulk of the Boys Midget U15, Major Midget U16, Juvenile U17, and Junior U19 tournament schedule is compressed into a 10-12 week period from mid-March to mid-May.

    Oakville Vytis hosts its own tournaments - for more info, click here.

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    Q: What is the level of commitment?

    A: VERY HIGH !!!

    We generally tell people that aside from school and family, rep basketball must be the player's #1 activity through the winter. If there are any conflicts between rep basketball and other extracurricular activities such as hockey, indoor soccer, swimming, dance, martial arts, music, etc., rep basketball must win out, pretty much every time!

    The commitment level is especially important at the Novice U10, Atom U11, and Major Atom U12 divisions - there are shift rules that require teams to have 10 players in uniform for each game, able to play, otherwise the game will be forfeited.

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    Q: How is playing time determined?

    A: At the younger age levels (Novice U10, Atom U11, Major Atom U12), there are shift rules that guarantee each player a minimum (but not necessarily equal) amount of playing time in each game.

    At the Atom U11 and Major Atom U12 levels, the last 4 minutes of each game are free substitution - playing time in the last 4 minutes is completely at the discretion of the coaches.

    At the Bantam U13 age level and higher, there are no shift rules and no guaranteed playing time - all playing time is completely at the discretion of the coaches.

    Rep basketball is very competitive, just like any other rep sport. Players must earn their playing time, and coaches will make their substitution patterns to fit the situations presented in each game.

    Once again, at ages where the rules permit free substitution, playing time is completely at the discretion of the coaches.

    If you are expecting to play in a format where playing time is guaranteed and equal, you may be better off looking at house league or developmental programs.

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    Q: How much does it cost?

    A: "It depends!" ... but here are a few details.

    Each rep team sets its own budget and manages its own finances, and each family must pick up its share of the costs. Team expenses will vary depending on number of tournaments entered, cost of practice gyms, etc.

    There are several components to the cost each family must pay:

  • Club administration fee: for 2007-2008, this is $45 per player
  • Share of team costs (tournament registrations, gyms for practices or exhibition games, etc.)
  • Individual costs (uniform kit)

    A typical share of the team costs would be $325-$400 per player. This amount may be reduced, depending on total expenses and the team's ability to do fundraising and attract sponsorships. Or it could be higher, if your team has unusually high costs (more tournaments, expensive tastes in practice gyms, etc.).

    The full uniform kit includes two jerseys (home & away); 1 pair of shorts; warm-up pants and/or top; game quality indoor basketball, and duffel bag. The cost of the full uniform kit is $180-$210.

    Note that the uniform kit is more of a one-time expense - in many cases, the kit can last a player 2, 3 or more years, and individual parts can be replaced as they are outgrown or worn out.

    So for a new player, on a team with fairly high expenses and no team fundraising or sponsors, the maximum cost for the season would be approximately $655 ($45 + $400 + $210).

    Does that sound expensive? For as much as 8 months of top-flight competitive basketball? Have you been shopping for goalie equipment lately??

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    Q: My son/daughter played on a rep team for another club last season. Can he/she try out for Vytis this season?

    A: Yes. In fact you can try out for as many clubs as you want each fall - according to     Basketball Ontario rules, each player is essentially a "free agent" as of May 31 each year, and can freely attend summer camps and fall try-outs wherever they like.

    However, to play rep basketball, a player must sign up for an annual membership with Basketball Ontario through a specific team. Once the player has signed up through a team, they are bound to that team until the following May 31 - they are no longer permitted to attend try-outs or practices with any other club, or play in a sanctioned game or tournament with another team for the rest of the season.

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