To that end, the club will organize tryouts in the following age groups (cohorts) for both boys and girls. Age groups are defined on an annual basis by Ontario Basketball.

• U12

• U14

• U16

• U17/U19

Teams will be formed within these cohorts and will organized in a manner that is in the best interests of the athletes of each cohort.

To guide that process, a Competitive Selection Committee will be formed prior to the tryouts composed of:

• Director of Competitive (Chair)

• 1 executive member

• 1 experienced coach who has more than 2 years of selection experience with the Kingston Impact.

For each cohort, if a member of the Selection Committee has a personal connection, they will be replaced by another member of equal standing without a personal connection as follows:

1. Director of Competitive - replaced by either the President or Vice President for that cohort. If all 3 have a personal connection, then it may be any other executive member.

2. Executive member - replaced by any other.

3. Experienced coach – any other experienced coach with 2+ years of selection experience with the Kingston Impact.

With input from the coaches and evaluators, the committee will determine:

1. The best way to form teams within the cohort.

2. Approve any requests to “play up”

“Playing up” for the purpose of this policy is defined as playing in a cohort that does not match their birth year.

The club believes that for the development of our players athletically, socially, and emotionally that it is in the best interest of an athlete to play with other athletes within their natural cohort.

The Impact does not encourage “playing up” but we recognize in some situations players are ready and need to play at an older age group to develop appropriately and have a positive experience. 

For a player to be recognized in this way, the player must demonstrate a level of social maturity, athletic ability and skill level required to contribute “significantly” to the older team. They also must exhibit a strong desire to develop their skills and become an elite player.

We also recognize that to create viable teams, there are situations when players may be requested to play up. In situations like this, the club will only request this, if the player in question has been deemed to have the necessary physical ability, skill level and maturity to play at the older age group. The club and coaches will also work to ensure that this player will receive significant playing time and opportunities to develop. Playing up in this situation will be voluntary.

Each situation will be looked at on a case-by-case basis but in situations regarding the formation of #2 teams, the club will strive to include as many players of that age group as possible. Therefore, even if a younger player is deemed “stronger” than some of the older players, the club will not support playing up if it means an older player who meets the minimum ability requirements will not have another opportunity in the club to play.

To request “playing up”:

1. Coaches (not parents) from the older cohort may request a player to “play up” through the selection committee for that cohort.

2. If the cohort selection committee approves the request, it will go to the younger cohort’s selection committee for review.

3. If that cohort’s selection committee also approves, the player will be given an offer to “play up” that will include details regarding role, playing time, fit etc.

4. If the player accepts the offer, they will be allowed to “play up” with the older cohort.

Note: it will be only under very exceptional circumstances that an athlete will be allowed to play up between U12 and U14 or U14 and U16. The reason for this is the social aspects of that move are significant. There is large difference between those age groups and based on the LTAD, it is better for those players to continue to play within their appropriate age group than seek higher levels of competition.

Questions about this policy are to be directed to competitive@kingstonimpact.ca or president@kingstonimpact.ca.