Policy

School Sport Victoria Interschool Sport Invitations Policy

Published 15 April, 2026

The policy sets out the requirements for schools to apply for an invitation on behalf of their student(s) to School Sport Victoria (SSV) interschool sport events provided they meet the criteria set out below.

Details

School Sport Victoria (SSV) is responsible for the organisation and administration of interschool sport for members schools at the Primary and Secondary levels. SSV currently conducts State Championships in a number of sports at Primary and Secondary levels.

School Sport Victoria recognises that there may be circumstances where students are not able to follow the prescribed pathway for SSV competitions.

This policy allows schools to apply for an invitation for these students as long as they meet one of the criteria mentioned in this policy. If the student's circumstances do not meet one of the criteria, then an invitation cannot be granted.

Related Policies

This Policy is to be read in conjunction with:

    1. General Conditions of Competition 
    2. Competition Pathways and Progressions 
    3. Relevant Sport Specific Rules which are located on each sport page

Guidance

SSV Interschool Competitions
  1. Individuals must compete at each level of competition, as outlined in the SSV Competition Pathways and Progressions Policy, to reach the State Championships.
  2. Individuals may only miss one level of competition if granted an Invitation by meeting the Invitations Criteria as listed below.
  3. Invitations can only be considered for individuals in Cross Country, Swimming and Track and Field.
  4. Invitations will not be considered for Team Sports.
  5. Invitations will only be considered if space is available in the schedule/lanes at the event.
  6. An Invitation Request can only be submitted by a SSV Member school. Requests will not be accepted from students or parents.
  7. The School Sport Victoria Invitation Form must be completed and submitted to the relevant Region Coordinator, Region School Sports Officer or State Championships Officer by the timelines specified below.
  8. Invitation requests for District or Division events must be submitted to the District or Division Coordinator at least five (2) school days prior to the event.
  9. Invitation requests for Region events must be submitted to the Region Coordinator or Region School Sports Officer at least five (5) school days prior to the event.
  10. Invitation requests for State Championships must be submitted to the State Championships Officer at least ten (10) school days prior to the event.
  11. Application form must be accompanied by competitor's results at the previous level of competition or performance in the previous year's Championships (if relevant).
  12. To be granted an invitation, a student must meet one of the following criteria: a. Medical grounds (injury or illness) supported by a medical certificate. b. Competing at a School Sport Australia Championship or a recognized National/International event at the time of the previous level of competition. c. Bereavement or other exceptional personal circumstances. d. Clerical or administrative error by the school or event organisers that prevented the student from competing.
  13. The application must be signed by the School Sports Coordinator and either the Principal or Deputy Principal. Students requesting invitations must provide evidence (results, not just placings), from their District or Division and the previous year's Championship to show that they would be competitive in the event.
  14. Invitation competitors are eligible to receive medals but not to participate in other awards e.g. team aggregate. Official results will recognise any records established by such competitors.

Exceptions

  1. SSV reserves the right to grant an invitation for exceptional circumstances. These invitations must be approved by the SSV CEO.
  2. Any invitation request declined as it has not met the criteria above are not considered exceptions.

Interschool Sport Invitation Form

For SSV interschool competitions only

Notes to schools applying for an invitation, please read the SSV invitations policy prior to completing this form

In summary:

  • An Invitation can only be considered for individuals in Cross Country, Swimming and Track and Field and only if space is available
  • An Invitation Request can only be submitted by a SSV Member school
  • The form below must be completed and submitted to the relevant SSV Officer or Coordinator by the times specified in the Policy
  • Application form must be accompanied by competitor's results at the previous level of competition or performance in the previous year's Championships (if relevant)

Interschool Sport Invitation Form