Team Vic Cricket 12 Years and Under Boys Selection Guidelines

Welcome to the Selection Guidelines for the Team Vic Cricket 12 Years and Under Boys 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.

Before You Register

• Pathway Level: This is a highly competitive pathway for students who are already performing at an advanced representative level beyond local competition. It is not designed as a developmental, preparatory, or ‘come and try’ opportunity.
• School Endorsement: Please notify your school Principal or Physical Education teacher of your intention to register your child for this team. Each school can endorse up to 3 students to participate in the selection trials. If more than 3 students from your child's school register, your child may not be selected to trial, and a refund of your registration will be provided. For further information, read the guidance in the Student Endorsement Process.

Championship Details

We are thrilled to head to Newcastle, New South Wales, for the upcoming School Sport Australia (SSA) 12 Years and Under Cricket Championships.

• Tournament Dates: Saturday, 24 October to Friday, 30 October 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 boys who are 12 Years and Under as of 31 December 2026 (born in 2014 or 2015). Students born in 2013 or 2016 are not eligible to trial.
• 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.
• Finding Your Region: For more information about your child's school region. 
• 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 times and locations for the upcoming selection sessions below. Trial participants begin their selection trial process at Stage 1 — Region Trials, and are allocated to the most suitable trial venue based on their school location. We will let you know if your child has progressed to the next stage.

Stage 1: Region Trials

Please Note: Up to a total of 15 students may progress to the next stage per region. These numbers are subject to the discretion of SSV and may be altered without notice.

Stage 2: Conference Trials

Please Note: Student progression numbers to the next stage are subject to the discretion of SSV and may be altered without notice.

Stage 3: State Trials

• State Trial 1: Friday, 14 August 2026. Time and venue to be confirmed.
• State Trial 2: Friday, 21 August 2026. Time and venue to be confirmed.

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:

• Ball Skills and Control: Strong ball control and safe hands. Bowlers who consistently hit line, length and targets. Batters who hit the ball hard, look to score runs, play appropriate defensive shots, and run between wickets with intent and voice. High standards in the basics of fielding or wicketkeeping.
• Athletic Brilliance: Agility, balance and poise.
• Tactical Execution: Solid attacking and defensive skills, knowledgeable positional and tactical play, and a thorough understanding of the rules of cricket.
• 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 field 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 13 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).