Hoops

U16's div 6 and 7

Very valid points here. We should be fostering as many teams as possible. But not to the point where there are so many players a club is unable to provide decent support or coaching.

Playing other clubs teams week in week out is not exciting. That's why there needs to be clubs that are a bit more than social and not as full on as district.

A few more Torrens Valleys etc

Some good points Jack. The boom is on the way. That's for sure... but mainly for boys unfortunately. My young lady is pretty set on handing in the towel and playing footy and she is in division 1/

Nothing wrong with Div 6 and 7. I know about 10 years ago BSA was talking about zoning the Div 3 grades into a north and south zone.

I actually quite liked the idea.

Keep Div 1 and 2 for the ten major clubs and maybe call them premier and reserve grades, but if you had a Div 3 north, Div 3 south, or even a Div 3 central, a greater participation rate could result. There could also be feeder clubs too that funnel players into the major club.

For example, let's pick on "Div 3 south" The zone is say South Adelaide, Southern Tigers, Sturt. Those clubs play in the zone league, BUT, you could also include clubs like "Morphett Vale Maulers" or "Willunga Wildcats", or "Blackwood Blockers" Those clubs could also align themselves with the district clubs too.

So what you then have is an area based competition that is a little under "junior state league", but above the social competition run out of a church hall. For near country areas, their rep. team can participate in this league and still play in their local league. Consequently, the level of country basketball goes up too.

It provides a playing path for juniors and ensure the step between social and state based Div 1/2 is not too great.

Compared to days past where only extended to div 4 or 5 there is way more demand when you take into consideration the growing domestic programs of clubs such as South, Norwood, North and so forth.

There is a second boom going on at junior level.

^ Come on man. Think about it logically. The game of basketball has increased in popularity, the competition for spots especially in the boys program is very high so yes - kids in DIV 6 & 7 can catch the ball they are usually just raw and just out of school ball and social and are learning structure.

Kids like to be part of a club and a team, travel with their mates, go to tournaments etc

Div 7?

Bloody hell, it goes that high these days. I remember playing div 3 on a Thursday night at Athol Park.

Dive 4 used to be a horrible standard, can the Div 7 kids even catch, shoot and do a lay up?

there is obviously a demand for kids to play at this level. it is still pretty cool to play district for a club at any level. if it wasn't offered there would be complaints also.

you would like to think regardless of grade some development occurs

Was just curious on everyone elses opinion, what do you think should be the youngest age for someone to be coaching a div 1 team.

U12s - 16
U14s - 17
U16s - 19
U18s - 21
U23s - 25