The SBA Grading Committee in conjunction with the Junior Delegates Committee has been working diligently for several years to ensure our domestic competition promotes both growth and competitiveness across all age groups. As our association and competition continue to expand, we are evolving our processes to better meet the needs of our players. To support this, we are aiming to create a more competitive environment that will strengthen our teams and support player development.
A key step in this process is broadening the number of teams in each Division to establish a stronger foundation for SBA talent. Here’s an overview of the grading process we follow at the start of each season:
Grading Review: For the first three rounds of grading, we review results after each round, focusing on wins and losses by 20+ points, player movements, and opportunities for team challenges.
Fixture Adjustments: Each round’s fixture is based on the previous round’s results and recommendations from the Grading Committee.
Final Recommendations: At the end of the grading period, we submit final team placements and competition structures to the Junior Delegates for approval.
Long-Term Strategy: Our goal is to have at least one team from each club represented in Divisions 1, 2, and 3.
Current Trends:
There are currently too many teams in the lower divisions and a shortage in Division 1.
In Winter 2024, 6 out of 8 Division 1 competitions had six or fewer teams.
For the Summer 2024/25 season, a maximum of five teams have been nominated for Division 1 in each age group.
Focus Areas:
Grading will concentrate on ensuring up to 12 teams are placed in Division 1.
Where there are six or fewer Division 1 teams, Division 2 teams best suited for promotion will be considered.
A new approach will focus on promoting up to the top 12 teams to each division, applying this across all age groups and Divisions.
Where there have been teams promoted into a Division above, a second finals series will be created, such as 1 - 4 and 5 - 8.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we work through the grading process and implement these improvements for the future success of our competition.
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