Primary Competitions

Term 1 2026 registrations are now open!

Don't miss out for 2026! Term 2 registrations open 23/02/2026, Term 3 registrations open 27/05/2026 and Term 4 registrations open 26/08/2026.

What does my child wear?

Team shirts are provided on a free-to-loan basis for the term. Players may take them home, wash them and wear them each week. Shirts must be returned at the end of each term. A $50 replacement fee applies if a shirt is lost or damaged beyond repair. Players should wear comfortable shorts, joggers and bring a drink bottle — basketball is thirsty work!

Can my child play with their friend?

Yes. When registering, a Play with Friend option is available. Players are encouraged to nominate a few friends they would be comfortable learning and playing with.

New teams are formed in Term 4 each year. There may be some player movement in Term 1 and fewer changes in Term 2. If joining as a new player in Term 2 or Term 3, your child will need to join a team with a space available. It doesn’t take long to make friends — we aren’t known as the friendly club for no reason!

I can’t find the Play with Friend option. What do I do?

Please email admin@ballinabasketball.com.au with your child’s name and the names of a few friends they would prefer to play with. We do our absolute best to place players with friends.

Can my child try the competition before joining?

Yes — but there are a few steps. Your child must be a member before taking the court. To trial, you’ll need to complete the paperwork and pay a non-refundable $10 fee. This allows your child to play for up to two weeks.

Your child will be placed on a team with a space available. To check availability, please email admin@ballinabasketball.com.au before attending. Please don’t arrive at the courts without emailing first, unless your child is happy to watch from the sidelines.

Do I have to stay at the courts with my child?

Your child must have a known adult at the courts who can be responsible for them in case of injury or emergency.

Does my child need to know how to play basketball before joining?

No. It can feel like a steep learning curve at first, but learning to play at a young age builds skills and confidence quickly. Our coaches will support, encourage and guide your child — it doesn’t take long to pick up the basics.

My child complains about not getting the ball. What can I do to help?

This often means your child is still learning court positioning. Encourage them to move into open space, get in front of the ball and be within passing distance.

They also need to lose their defender — if they are being closely marked, it’s difficult for teammates to pass to them. Moving without the ball is key to getting the ball in your hands.

Does my child stay in the same team each term?

New teams are formed in Term 4 each year, as Year 6 players move into the 6–7 competition. We aim to keep teams together as much as possible for the following year.

Some player movement may occur to balance skill levels between teams. We are still refining this process! If your child may need to change teams, you will be contacted by email.

Can I use my Active Kids vouchers?

Not yet. We are currently working through the process to become a registered provider. Please watch this space for updates.

Why do I have to pay a membership fee?

The membership fee covers insurance costs. Players cannot take the court unless they are insured.

Why is the membership fee so much?

The annual membership fee consists of three parts:

• $5.50 Basketball Australia Game Development Levy (an increase from $4.40 last year)
• $15–$65 Basketball NSW fee (BNSW Membership Explained)
• $30–$60 contribution to Ballina Basketball to support administration, referee coordination and year-round running costs. This fee has increased by $10 for 2026.

Should I choose a 6-month or 12-month membership?

If your child is trying basketball for the first time or only playing one season (for example, basketball in summer and soccer in winter), the 6-month membership is ideal.

If your child plays representative basketball, a 12-month membership is recommended. This saves $16.50–$21.50 plus additional online payment fees. Please note that membership renewals are not managed by Ballina Basketball — if your child is not registered, their name will not appear in the scoring system and they cannot play.

What does the competition fee cover?

The competition fee covers court hire through Ballina Shire Council, scoreboard use, referee payments, loan singlets, game and warm-up basketballs, bench and scoring equipment, championship medals and MVP awards. We work hard to keep costs as low as possible for our basketball family.

Why doesn’t the competition run every week of the school term?

Competitions align with school terms and begin when public schools return. Some weeks may be missed due to representative trials, finals preparation or weeks where some schools are already on holidays.

What is the difference between Miniball and Primary competitions?

Miniball is the fun-sized version of the primary competition 🙂 The court feels bigger, the hoop higher and opponents more skilled, so it can take time to adjust. Remind your ex-miniballer how far they’ve come — with coach support, they’ll find their feet in no time.

When is my child ready to move to the High School competition?

In Term 4, we run a 6–7 competition for Year 6 players to experience high school basketball while still playing against players their own age.

Players in our U14 Breakers representative teams may be offered the opportunity to play in the high school competition instead. If you feel your child may be ready, please email admin@ballinabasketball.com.au.