Team Vic Bowls 18 Years and Under Selection Guidelines

Welcome to the Selection Guidelines for the Team Vic Bowls 18 Years and Under team! School Sport Victoria (SSV) proudly builds pathways that enable students to participate in high-level sports, champions the immense value of school athletics, and connects vibrant school and local communities.

Securing a place in a Team Vic team gives your child a wonderful opportunity to grow, build lasting friendships, compete at a national level, and take part in enriching educational and sporting excursions. Team Officials design and run a selection process that is completely fair and transparent, ensuring that students, parents and teachers are fully informed along the way.

Championship Details

We are thrilled to head to Ocean Grove, Victoria, for the upcoming School Sport Australia (SSA) 18 Years and Under Bowls Championships.

• Tournament Dates: Sunday, 6 September to Thursday, 10 September 2026.
• The Experience: This event brings together both educational and sporting components. Being part of a Team Vic representative team gives your child the opportunity to take part in all educational and sporting excursions and aim for national selection.

Checking Your Child's Eligibility

Before registering your child, please make sure they meet the following baseline guidelines:

• Age Limits: Open to students who are 18 Years and Under as of 31 December 2026 (born in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013).
• School Membership: Trialling for Team Vic is only possible if your child's school is a financial member of School Sport Victoria for 2026. Do not worry if you're unsure — SSV will contact you if your child's school is not currently a financial member.
• Official Endorsement: Selection isn't confirmed until your child's school endorses their participation in the SSA Championships as a representative of their school and SSV.

Selection Trial Dates and Venues

Please check the exact time and location for the upcoming selection session below. Trial participants are required to participate in all stages of the selection trial process.

State Trial

• Date: Friday, 3 July 2026
• Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm
• Venue: Ocean Grove Bowling Club
• Address: 18 The Terrace, Ocean Grove, VIC 3226

Please Note: School Sport Victoria always prioritises player safety and experience, and we reserve the right to adjust trial dates, times and venues if needed.

Understanding the Selection Process

Our Team Officials manage a selection pathway that is completely fair and transparent for your child. They design clear trial activities, assess every player fairly, and make sure families stay informed every step of the way.

What Selectors Look For

To build the best possible team balance, selectors focus on well-rounded, generic skills rather than specific positions alone. Selectors are looking for:

• Bowls Technical Skills: Draw: consistently drawing a bowl within a mat length at various lengths. Up shots: consistently hitting a target without losing their bowl. Drive: consistently hitting a target with enough weight to lose their bowl.
• Decision-Making and Communication: Decision making that benefits the team, teamwork that includes all team members and works towards a team goal, and the confidence to deliver clear instructions about shot selection.
• Tactical Execution: Solid attacking and defensive skills, knowledgeable positional and tactical play, and an understanding of the rules of bowls.
• Mindset and Teamwork: Concentration and focus during play, strong listening skills, the ability to follow instructions from Team Officials, and being a true team player.
• Positive Culture: Positive on and off rink behaviour, a strong sense of team spirit and good sportsmanship, and the ability to communicate and cooperate with teammates and Team Officials.
• Emotional Maturity: Leadership skills, and the ability to control emotions and carry out all of the above skills under pressure.
• Match Fitness: An adequate level of fitness to compete at the SSA Championships.

Squad and Team Selection Balance

• Squad Limits: We will choose a maximum of 10 players to form the Team Vic team.
• Emergency Positions: We may select up to 4 non-travelling emergency players. These players are offered the opportunity to train alongside the selected team.
• Fair Representation: Selectors consider team composition so players from the same school or team are not advantaged over individual representatives.

Attendance and Exemption Policies

• Trial Criteria: Selection is based on trial performance, with each trialist given appropriate playing time to be assessed. Your child must take part in at least one stage of the trial process to be considered eligible for selection.
• Final Trial Attendance: If your child progresses to the final state trial, they must attend in person to remain eligible for selection.
• Illness and Injury Exemptions: If your child can't attend a trial, you'll need to submit an exemption request to SSV for them to remain eligible — see the State Teams Trial Exception Policy for more information. Team Officials reserve the right to select a player who is injured or unavailable for an approved reason under this policy. You may be asked to provide a statutory declaration or medical certificate, and your child may still be required to attend the trial process.
• Managing Conflicts of Interest: If a trial coordinator has a perceived or actual conflict of interest — for example, assessing a friend or relative — this must be communicated to SSV, and a plan to manage the conflict will be developed and put in place.

Player and Family Commitments

Representing Victoria is an honour that calls for real commitment from both your child and your family. By taking part, you agree to the following shared responsibilities.

Compulsory Events and Attendance

• Full Program Engagement: Your child must attend all sessions Team Officials deem compulsory, including training, practice sessions, uniform presentation, the team photo, and online professional learning sessions.
• Championship Attendance: Your child must attend all SSA Championship sessions, including the opening and closing ceremonies and the championship team experience, as set out in the SSA Championship Attendance Policy.
• Respecting Leadership: The SSA Championships are school activities. All decisions about your child's participation in these activities, and in preparing for them, rest with Team Officials — please respect their role in making these decisions.
• Health and Safety: Follow and comply with any health or safety advice that is issued.

Financial and Travel Responsibilities

• Championship Supervision: A parent or carer must accompany your child to the 2026 Championships.
• Travel Costs: You are responsible for the travel, meals and accommodation for yourself and your child.
• Official Kit: You will need to purchase the compulsory uniform, which costs approximately $300.00 to $450.00.
• Administration and Levies: Complete and return all team documentation to the Team Manager by the due date, and pay all team fees by the due date (approximately $800.00 to $1,300.00).