PORTLAND BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION INC.

BY - LAWS
Introduction
These By Laws are made under Article 3 (13) of the Constitution of the Portland Basketball
Association Inc. (“PBA”) and are known as “the PBA By-Laws”. The PBA By-Laws have
been divided into 3 parts as follows:
PART 1: General By Laws – applicable to all members.
PART 2: Senior By Laws – applicable to the Senior Competition.
PART 3: Junior By Laws – applicable to the Junior Competition.

PART 1: GENERAL BY LAWS

1. No balls are allowed to be brought into the stadium on game nights – the PBA will
provide balls.

2. Playing shoes MUST be carried into the Stadium at all times.

3. Net or ring hanging is NOT permitted in this stadium. Net hanging during a game is
the responsibility of the Referee. The penalty for net or ring hanging is automatic
suspension for 4 weeks for 1st offences and the remainder of the season for 2 nd
offence to the player involved.

4. All areas within the Stadium are non-smoking, this includes any type of Vapour
cigarette. In compliance with BVCC regulations and Victorian Health legislation,
there is to be NO SMOKING WITHIN 10 METRES OF ANY ENTRIES OR EXITS or
food preparation areas involving the Portland Basketball Stadium.

5. Jewellery Use: The BVC ruling will be strictly enforced. Wearing of jewellery is not
permitted during games.

6. Membership: Membership of the PBA will comprise of:

i) All life members of the Association;

ii) All current registered playing members of the Association; and
iii) All members of the PBA Social Club.
iv) 2 nominated executive members of each Club.
v) 1 nominated person for each individual team.

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7. Members who would like to use the Portland Basketball Stadium for extra
training/coaching will be required to pay $15.00 per hour. Any individual member under the
age of 18 MUST have a responsible adult in attendance at the training. All sessions MUST
be half court lighting. All non Basketball activities will be required to pay $30.00 per hour
and no other balls, apart from Basketball’s are allowed in the Stadium unless otherwise
agreed with the PBA.

Clubs/Individual teams which consist of 1-5 teams are entitled to 3 free training sessions, 6-
10 teams to 7 free sessions, 11-15 teams to 10 free sessions, 16-20 teams to 12 free
sessions. Any further training sessions for that season will cost $5.00 per session. All
training sessions will be half court lighting. All training sessions must be supervised by a
responsible adult. PBA representative teams will not be required to pay for training
sessions.

8. The PBA BoM has the discretion to change, alter, delete or create By-Laws, as it
sees fit and to address all situations as necessary.

9. Any alterations or additions to these by-laws will be posted on the notice board and
copies sent to the Club Secretaries, individual teams and the Junior Sub-Committee
within seven days.

10. Any complaints should be in writing and addressed to the PBA Administrator of the
Portland Basketball Association. The complaint MUST be signed by the Complainant
& their club rep. Any unsigned correspondence will be disregarded.

11. Any player who gains selection to a Basketball Victoria Country (BVC) State
representative team will be paid a recognition award of $300.00 by the PBA. This
award is payable upon their return from competing in the National Championships.

12. Ineligible players:

An ineligible player is deemed to be

 a junior player who has played in the senior competition without playing in the junior
competition;
 a primary school student playing in the senior competition without the consent of the
BoM
 a player playing outside their grading except where permitted under these By-laws
 A player who has not obtained a proper clearance when changing clubs/individual
teams.

13. A player wishing to file a complaint against a referee, player or an official regarding
any matter concerning a game may do so in writing to the PBA Administrator within
24 hours of the game being completed. Two officials of the player’s Club/individual
team MUST endorse the complaint. The complaint will be heard by the PBA BoM and
referred to the Tribunal if necessary. A deposit of $50.00 must accompany the
complaint. If the complaint is deemed frivolous the deposit will be forfeited to the
PBA.

14. Club Grants:

Basketball Clubs under the Portland Basketball Association banner may apply for
player’s uniform grants, providing all details of the grant application, and a request for
an auspice letter are submitted to the PBA Board for approval, if their request is

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 granted, the PBA will submit their application on their behalf including the written
auspice letter for processing.

PART 2: SENIOR BY LAWS

1. PBA and BVCC Registration Fees

Registrations will be done via online payment and Registration through the Sports
TG website.

http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-843-0-0-0&assoc=843

BVC Insurance is payable per annum per player.

All fees must be paid online 48 hours prior to game time. Any player needing
assistance must contact the PBA Administrators at least an hour prior to game time.

If, in any event, the PBA office at the Portland Basketball Stadium is unattended and
either of these fees are to be paid, ALL PLAYERS must put the amount due in an
envelope with all relevant details.

If either of these fees is not paid before a player takes the court the following points
deduction will apply:

For unpaid registration:

Loss of all premiership points for the team for the games the player has played in
until the registration is paid in full.

For unpaid insurance:

A loss of three premiership points for the team for the games the player has played in
until the insurance is paid in full

NO warnings given - there will be an instant loss of points.

A Club/Individual team which fields an ineligible player in any game during the season will,
 in case of a win forfeit four (4) premiership points earned for that game
 in case of a draw forfeit three (3) premiership points
 in case of a loss forfeit two (2) premiership points for that game. A Club/Individual
team which fields an ineligible player during finals will be disqualified and not
permitted to participate further in the finals.

2. BVCC registration fees cover compulsory insurance and BVCC affiliation fees.
Players wanting higher insurance (above that provided under BVCC) must arrange
and take out their own additional insurance cover.

3. Games: Players must be selected on the computer prior to starting time of game.
Any players who are not there but are arriving after half time may be selected but
Referees and opposing team must be notified prior to the start of the game.

Game Fees: All players must record their name on the slip provided in the money
bag and pay their game fees before taking to the court. If the team’s games fees do
not add up to the number of players listed on the score sheet, then the team will be
liable for the game fees which are to be paid prior to the teams next scheduled game.

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4. Registration and Refund: Players who register and do not complete the season due
to unforeseen circumstances may upon written application to the PBA BoM be
granted a refund, or part thereof. Applications for a refund must be submitted to the
PBA Administrator by Grand Final Day of that season. Thereafter, NO requests will
be considered.

Non eligibility for finals:

(a) If a player wishes to register late in the season when the total number of matches
remaining to be played is less than the number required to qualify for finals, a
registration fee of $3.00 per match together with the game fee must be paid prior
to playing the game. Not withstanding this, all players MUST have proof of BVC
Insurance.

(b) Casual Registration – If a player wishes to play on a casual basis, then a casual
registration fee of $3.00 per match together with the game fee must be paid prior
to playing the game. Once 4 casual games have been played then the player
must pay the balance of full registration to continue playing. Not withstanding this,
all players MUST pay their BVC Insurance, or verification document from BVC of
current insurance MUST be produced.

Each player is required to play 5 games to qualify for finals during any given season.
Once a player has played 5 games they are eligible to play in any grade above the
one they qualified in but not below.

Premiership Points: 3 – Win, 2 – Draw, 1 – Loss, 0 - Forfeit

Finals criteria: At the end of the round robin stage of the season:

If there are 6 teams or less in a division the Top 4 will qualify for finals.
If there are 7 teams or more in a division the Top 5 will qualify for finals.

Byes: 1 point will be given to each team for a bye. A bye is not counted as a
qualifying game for finals.

Junior representative teams (Coasters) are NOT eligible to play season finals
unless they have sort permission from the BOM and it has been granted.

5. A new individual team can be entered in the competition provided they have a
minimum of seven named and registered players. Entries must be in by the closing
date that is current for the relevant season. It is at the discretion of the Board of
Management to decide which Division the new team will play in.

6. Uniforms: Players must wear correct uniforms (shorts and tops) when competing in
the domestic competition.

Registration of Colours: All Clubs and Individual Teams are required to identify what
their colours are and register their Club/Individual Team colours (including alternative
colours for extra teams if required) with the PBA at the start of each season.
Notification of club/individual team colours must be made in writing at the time of
registering the entry of each team into the competition for the season. Entries from a
Club/Individual Team will not be accepted without registration of their colours.

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 Clubs and individual teams must play only in their registered colours.

All Changes to Clubs and individual teams colours must submit a request to the
Board of Management for the approval of their colours. A new Team or Club colours
cannot clash with existing registered Club or individual team colours.

Compression shorts the same color as the uniform shorts may be worn underneath.
Wearing of incorrect uniforms after one week of the competition commencing will
incur a penalty of five points per player in incorrect uniform to the opposing team for
that game.

Numbers on Playing Tops: All Clubs/Individual Teams are required to use the correct
legal playing numbers on their playing tops. Legal playing numbers in Australia are:
00-99.
A Club/Individual Team which uses any other numbers will be penalised three (3)
premiership points per game in which illegal numbers are used and may, at the
absolute discretion of the Board of Management, be disqualified from participating in
the season competition.

7. Scoring: Each team must supply a competent scorer for their game. Two points per
minute after the commencement of the game clock is awarded to the opposing team
until a scorer is found. If the Referee is not satisfied with the scorer’s ability, another
scorer must be found. Similarly, two points per minute is awarded to the opposing
team until a new scorer is available.

Only two scorers are allowed on the score table at any time, other than appointed
games and/or where scorers are under instruction.

A player or coach can score for his/her game if there is no scorer present. A coach
cannot coach from the score bench other than at half-time and time- outs. A coach or
player who is scoring may during half-time and time-outs go to the players bench.
However, if they fail to return to the score bench on time, two points per minute will
be awarded to the other team until they return or a competent replacement scorer is
found.

If a replacement scorer is found, the coach or player can return to the players bench.
However, they must be present for the remainder of the game.

8. Gradings:

a. GRADING REVIEW PANEL

A grading review panel will be appointed by the BoM to consider disputed gradings
and any down grading requests from players. The membership of the review panel
will be (i) one club /individual team representative; and (ii) the PBA BoM President
(or his delegate). The PBA BoM president (or his delegate) will chair the grading
review panel and in the event of a tie will have the deciding vote.

b. CURRENT PLAYERS

 Individual Player:

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 An individual player is limited two permanent club team games per week, can fill-in
for a third club game, but when the player has played their fifth qualifying game for
the third club team , they will incur one division upgrade immediately of their current
grading.

 Every season all players competing in the current senior season will be graded by
the clubs and individual teams.

 Each club/individual team is entitled to 1 vote per player. Clubs and individual teams
must only grade players playing in the current season and if they feel the players
grading needs to change. In the event of a tie on a players grading then the players
current grading will be deemed valid. Players in conjunction with their club or
individual teams may make an appeal for this to be reviewed by the grading review
panel.

 Grading Process: Current gradings for all players are to be sent to the Clubs and
individual teams by the PBA Administrator at least three (3) weeks before season
finals commence. The Clubs and individual teams will be required to grade all
players. One week before season finals commence, there will be a grading meeting
between all the Clubs and individual teams to discuss and finalise the gradings of all
the players. The final gradings will be published by the PBA at least one (1) week
before the season Grand Finals.

 The end of season gradings will be put on the notice board and a copy sent to all
Clubs and individual teams.

 Grading Appeals: An appeal to do with gradings must be made in writing to the PBA
Administrator by the season Grand Final Day. The appeal must be signed by the
player concerned and the nominated Club/individual team official. Grading appeals
will be dealt with by the grading review panel within two (2) weeks of the season
Grand Final Day.

 Any players following major surgery may be downgraded for the following season. A
letter and/or records confirming circumstances must be forwarded to the PBA and
signed by the qualified treating person. This applies for the season following on from
the date of the surgery. The PBA BoM will consider each application on its merits.

c. RETURNING PLAYERS

 These players will be required to play at the same level as their last grading. A player
who wishes to be re-graded MUST submit a letter in writing to the PBA in a 4 weeks
before the commencement of the new season - any re-grading requests after this will
be considered at the absolute discretion of the PBA. All re-grading request letters
must be signed by the individual and a Club/individual team official. The re-grading
request will be considered by the grading review panel and the player notified of the
outcome prior to the commencement of the new season.

d. No player is permitted to play below their grading without the specific consent of the
PBA BoM. However, all divisions in which clubs do not have a team in the immediate
division below may take one player from the division above but only as a fourth
player to prevent a forfeit. If the fourth player turns up to play, the fill in player must
leave the court. If they do not leave the court there will be a loss of any points for that
game. This will NOT be permitted in any finals.

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9. Players that have been allocated to a team in a Division cannot play in the Clubs
second team in the same division. A loss of three premiership points will be automatic
and the matter will be referred to the PBA BoM.

10. A Club that has more than one team may use players from a lower division to fill in
for either of these teams until such time as a player qualifies (5 games) for one of
those teams. Once they have qualified with one team they CANNOT play for the
other. Once a player has played for one team in finals, they cannot play in another
team in finals. Players can ONLY play one game per night in the same division.
Normal game fees apply.

11. Referees must confirm the game at the end of each match.

12. A player suspended by the Tribunal during the season is ineligible for the end of
season Best and Fairest award.

13. Forfeits: (i) An un-notified forfeit will incur a fine of $35-00; a notified forfeit will incur
a fine of $20-00. Notification must be given to the PBA Administrator by 1pm on the
day of play (unforeseen circumstances will be considered by the PBA BoM). The PBA
Administrator will notify the opposing club by phone or text via their Club Rep. The
PBA Administrator will also notify the relevant Referee Co-ordinator of the forfeit. The
PBA Referee Co-ordinator must notify the game referees by 4.30 pm on the day of
the forfeit or else it will be counted as a game. All referees are to supply current
contact numbers and e-mail addresses to the PBA Administrator and relevant
Referee Co-ordinator.

(ii) In the case of a notified forfeit, the previously listed players from the team who
has not forfeited will be marked by the referee as having played.

ONLY PLAYERS PRESENT in uniform and whose names are entered on the
Computer and marked off by the PBA Game Referee will be counted as a game. The
team that has forfeited loses any rights to have that game counted. Forfeit fines will
be waived only for the first week of each new season due to players pulling out of
teams and as a consideration to the Clubs/Individual Teams.

Payment of Forfeit Fees

a. Regular Season: Forfeit fees must be paid to the PBA Administrator no later than 14
days after the initial forfeit match. An invoice will be issued to the Clubs and a receipt
written out for monies received. If the forfeit fees are not paid by the due date, it will
be regarded as another forfeit fine and forfeit fees will continue until all outstanding
forfeit fines are paid. If a team forfeits three times in a season, they may be
withdrawn from the season’s competition, at the discretion of the BoM.

b. Season Finals: Forfeit fees must be paid to the PBA Administrator within 24 hours
after the initial match. If the forfeit fees are not paid by the due time, other teams from
the same Club will not be permitted to take to the court for other finals games until
the forfeit is paid.

c. All monies owing for any purpose (including fees and fines) must be paid prior to the
commencement of season finals. No team from a Club/Individual Team will be

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 permitted to play in season finals if monies owed by the Club/Individual Team are not
paid prior to the season finals. Clubs and individual teams that did not play in the
season finals must pay all monies owing before the new season commences,
otherwise teams will not be accepted.

14. Clearances:
a. Any player who has played basketball with an affiliated Club or individual team of the
Portland Basketball Association at any time MUST obtain a clearance from that Club
or individual team before playing with their new Club or individual team. A clearance
will not be given if the player owes funds or has not returned his/her uniform – if this
is in dispute an independent appeals process must be satisfied. The player cannot
play for their new Club or individual team until the clearance is lodged with the PBA
Administrator. Clearances will not be required from Clubs or individual teams that
have disbanded.

b. Each clearance application shall be signed in their own handwriting by the player and
lodged with the PBA Administrator, who shall forthwith date the application and
forward it to the Secretary of the Club/individual team from which the clearance is
desired. Within 14 days of the PBA dated receipt, the clearance application shall be
completed with all the necessary endorsements and returned by the Club/individual
teams to the PBA Administrator. If the Club/individual team does not return the
completed documentation within 14 days, then on the 15 th day the PBA Administrator
will grant the applicant the necessary clearance.

c. i) If a clearance is refused the player has seven days in which to lodge a written
appeal with the PBA Administrator.

ii) If an appeal is lodged prior to (other than in Clause 14 (c) i above) or during the
season a deposit of $50.00 must accompany the appeal and such an appeal will be
heard within 10 days of receipt of the appeal. The defendant Club/individual team
must also lodge a deposit of $50.00 with the PBA Administrator when notified of the
appeal by the PBA Administrator. If the deposit is not lodged with the PBA
Administrator at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, the PBA BoM will
automatically grant the clearance application. Any deposit may be forfeited either in
whole or part, if the Tribunal hearing the case rules the appeal as frivolous. In all
instances, the decision of the PBA Independent Tribunal shall be final.

d) Clearances for current players will not be granted if lodgment of an application is

after the sixth round of the season unless the two Clubs/Individual Teams agree. Any
player who has not played for the previous season and is not playing the current
season may obtain a clearance at any time during the season.

15. (i) During all PBA competition games including season finals, the penalty for a
Technical Foul, Unsportsmanlike Foul and Disqualification Foul will apply. The
penalty after the third foul of any of the above per team is a loss of 10 points. The
penalty after the fourth foul of any of the above per team is a further loss of 10 points.
Finally, the penalty for the fifth foul of any of the above per team will be
Disqualification and Reporting of the Team to the PBA BoM.

(ii) Sin Bin Rule: a player who is sent to the Sin Bin (the player may be substituted)
twice in one game, will be ejected from the game and incur a penalty of a suspension

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 from partaking in any form of basketball activity within the PBA for the following 7
days.

16. Permits: Permits are only issued for Division 1 and are only valid for a maximum of 1
season. The permit must be dated and signed by the player and both clubs. A club
can only grant permits to a maximum of 2 players per season.

17. PBA Board of Management/Club and Individual Team delegate meetings: Any club or
individual team which does not send at least 1 delegate to an official Board of
Management/Club and Individual Team delegate meeting will be penalised 1
premiership point per team entered into the season competition. The PBA must give
Clubs and Individual Teams at least 14 days notice via email or the Club/Individual
Team mail boxes located in the PBA stadium.

Juniors playing seniors:

 Junior registered players playing in the senior competition must pay the additional
registration fee after having played five games (qualified to play in finals). The
additional registration fee will be set by the BoM.

 Primary School children are not eligible to play in the Senior Competition of the PBA,
without the specific consent of the BoM.

 The season in which a player turns 15 years will be their last season in the junior
domestic competition. The player will be required to register in the junior domestic
competition and complete the season to be eligible to play in seniors.

18. A player who is eligible to play in any nominated age group of Portland Coasters
representative team MUST first play for that team before being eligible for selection
of any Portland Coasters Senior representative team.

19. The office of a Committee Member will become vacant if a Committee Member:
(a) Is incapacitated by ill health for a period of three months, or;
(b) Is absent from more than three Committee Meetings in a financial
year, without reasonable excuse, will be asked to resign.

20. Disciplinary Committee:

The Disciplinary Committee shall have jurisdiction over matters relating to reports of
offences arising from issues deemed not appropriate to be dealt with by the Tribunal.
Board of Management members will be appointed to the Disciplinary Committee
following the Annual General Meeting with three persons to act.

21. An Independent Tribunal, consisting of six persons, shall be appointed by the Board of
Management, within 28 days following the Annual General Meeting, with three persons
to act.
The members of the Tribunal shall not hold office of the Association or be connected
with any Club, Individual Team, etc in the Association.
Non-playing Life Members may be appointed to the Tribunal.
The Tribunal shall control:-
(a) All business pertaining to reports of misconduct received from referees and
officials (scorers, Board of Management members, Junior Sub-Committee
members).
(b) Refused clearances.

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 (c) Any other matters referred to it by the Association.
(d) Appeals – eg – Match situations
No legal person may represent a person at a Tribunal hearing.

PART 3: JUNIOR BY LAWS

1. Registration and Insurance:

Registrations will be done via online payment and Registration through the fox
sports pulse website.

BVC Insurance is payable per annum per player.

Late registrations: A player who is registered late will be placed in a team if a position
is available. If a position is not available then the player will be placed on a waiting
list and when a vacancy arises will be placed in a team.

Junior players who are registered late will be eligible for the following discount on
their registration fee.

From 6 to 8 weeks after commencement of the season: 15%

From 9 weeks after commencement of the season: 25%

Injured players: A player who is injured at the time of registration and is unable to
commence playing within 2 weeks of the first night of competition of the junior
domestic season will not be registered until they are fit to play. If a position is not
available when the player is fit to play, then the player will be placed on a waiting list
and when a vacancy arises will be placed in a team.

Any request to refund registration fees must be made in writing to the JSC and will be
at the discretion of the JSC. An appeal may be made to the BoM.

2. The Committee aims to place 7 players in each team, but have the discretion to
make teams of 6 for the best of the competition.

3. To be eligible for finals, a player MUST have played at least 5 games.

4. A) Lower grade players are eligible to fill in to make 6 during the regular season.
These players are not guaranteed equal court time as court time must be given
priority, to the regular members in the team first.

B) Fill ins may only play to make 5 in all Finals.

b) A player who fills in for another team must pay game fees.

5. A player is required to notify their coach if they are unable to play. If a player is
absent without reason or notification for more than two weeks in a row or 4 games
the JSC will contact the player/parent to determine reasons for the player’s absence.

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 At the discretion of the JSC the player’s position may be terminated. The player will
be notified of this in writing by the PBA and the player must return their uniform
immediately upon receipt of this written notification. The player will then be ineligible
to play in the senior competition.

6. Weekly game fees are to be collected by the coach prior to the commencement of
the game. Player’s names are to be recorded and the money placed in the bag
supplied. The total game fees will be collected by a member of the JSC at half time.

7. If a player fails to pay, the JSC will follow up on the payment.

8. a) If a team has only 4 players the opposing team can only play ½ court defence and
must pick up their player in the defensive half of the court.

b) If a team is leading by 20 points or more, that team must play ½ court defence and
pick up their player in the defensive half of the court.

c) A player who is named in a team may be placed on the score sheet and take to the
court at any time during the game.

d) If only 3 players are present from one team, the other team will receive 2 points per
minute up to 10 minutes. After 10 minutes the game will be classified as a forfeit and
a scratch match of players present shall be played. Game fees will apply for the
players present.

9. If a junior team forfeits, no fee will be incurred. The team with the appropriate
player numbers will be deemed the winner and receive the points applicable.

10. All junior players MUST be accompanied by an adult. The PBA will take no
responsibility for children who are left at the Stadium unsupervised.

11. All teams are selected at the beginning of each season by the JSC. Individual
requests will be taken into consideration. While the JSC will make every endeavour
to accommodate requests, it MUST be clearly understood that the JSC is under no
obligation to comply with every request. Teams will be reviewed after 1 full round or
the 4th week and players will be changed at the discretion of the JSC. Notification of
player changes will be done by Phone and email any queries MUST be referred to
the JSC or the PBA Administrator.

12. Each player will receive a playing top at the beginning of the season. It will be the
responsibility of the player to return the top at the end of the season. The top must be
returned in good condition (excluding fair wear and tear) else the JSC will require
compensation for the damaged top.

13. All players MUST receive an equal amount of court time regardless of their ability or
grade. This includes finals.

14. Junior coaches must be at least secondary school age and have preferably spent
one season assisting an adult on the bench. A child can not coach their own age
group.

15. For a player to be eligible to play with the Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 Portland
Junior Coaster Representative team they MUST be a registered playing member of

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 the junior competition of the Portland Basketball Association as per BVCC eligibility
requirements. In case there are insufficient Portland registered players to make up a
team, the PBA may at its discretion, select players from neighbouring associations.

16. Referees should mark off players present at half time.

17. Technical fouls will be used in Junior competition matches as follows:

1st foul: Warning combined with 5 minutes on the bench

2nd foul: Player to leave the stadium.

18. The season in which a player turns 15 years will be their last season in the junior
domestic competition. The player will be required to register in the junior domestic
competition and complete the season to be eligible to play in seniors. Depending on
circumstances, the JSC may at its discretion permit a player to continue to play in the
junior competition past their last season.

Updated – 18th August 2016

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