Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) has, with the Community Advisory Group, been reviewing the rules and regulations around our tournaments. We recently advised on the tournament structure for the next three years and have now completed a series of additional recommendations for the BBNZ Board to consider at their October meeting. We will advise those decisions once they are made.

However one decision has been made now as it will potentially impact end of year activities for Asssociations. This relates to the age definitions used for tournaments and teams. From 2020 BBNZ will adjust its age definitions to fall in line with FIBA (and with almost all other sporting codes in New Zealand). This means that players in, for example, an under 13 team or event will be able to turn 13 in the year of the event – in effect under 13 will mean 13 and under. This will have the effect of moving all age limits up by one year – see below.

This change takes effect for all activities in 2020 (it does not effect the 2019 under 13 Regionals). To help people adjust we will look to use year of birth as a reference point where we can.

New Age Eligibility Criteria

1. For Under 13 competitions, players must be aged either 11, 12 or 13 years as at December in the year in which the competition is held;
2. For Under 15 competitions, players must be aged either 13, 14 or 15 years as at 31 December in the year in which the competition is held;
3. For Under 17 competitions, players must be aged either 15, 16 or 17 years as at 31 December in the year in which the competition is held.
4. For Under 19 competitions, players must be aged at least 15 years on the first day that the competition commences, and must not be over 19 years as at 31 December in the year the competition is held. BBNZ, on application by an Affiliated Association, and in its sole discretion, may allow any player selected for a New Zealand national team who is under 15 years of age, to play in an Under 19 competition.
5. For Under 23 competitions, players must be aged at least 15 years on the first day that the competition commences and must not be over 23 years as at 31 December in the year the competition is held.
6. For the Women’s National Basketball League and National Basketball League, all players must be aged 15 years on the first day that the competition commences.