Team Vic Softball 12 Years and Under Boys Selection Guidelines

Welcome to the Selection Guidelines for the Team Vic Softball 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 students a wonderful opportunity to grow, build lasting friendships, compete at a national level, and participate 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.

Important Championship Details

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

• Championship Dates: Sunday, 25 October to Friday, 30 October 2026.
• The Experience: This incredible event brings together elite sporting action with fantastic educational excursions. Selected players can look forward to participating in all team excursions and striving for national selection opportunities.

Checking Your Child's Eligibility

Before registering your child, please review these essential entry guidelines:

• Age Requirements: Open to girls who are 12 years old and under as of 31 December 2026 (specifically children born in 2014, 2015, and 2016).
• School Membership Status: Trialling for a Team Vic team is only possible if your child’s school is a paid, financial member of School Sport Victoria for 2026. If the school your child attends is not currently registered, SSV will contact you directly to discuss this.
• Official Endorsement: Please note that selection is not fully confirmed until schools officially endorse their student's participation as a representative of their school and SSV.

Lock in Selection Trial Dates and Venues

Please check the exact times and locations for the selection sessions below. Please note that trial participants are required to participate in all stages of the selection trial process to remain eligible for the final squad.

Trial One

• Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
• Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
• Venue: Knox Softball Association
• Address: Gilbert Park Drive, Knoxfield VIC 3180

Trial Two

• Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
• Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
• Venue: Waverley Softball Association
• Address: 2-30 Jells Road, Wheelers Hill VIC 3150

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

Understanding the Selection Process

Our Team Officials manage a selection pathway that is completely fair and transparent for every child. We outline clear trial activities, assess all players equally based on performance, and ensure families stay updated every step of the way.

What Selectors Look For

To establish the absolute best team balance, selectors focus heavily on discovering overall generic skills rather than focusing only on tight, single positions. Selectors are carefully looking out for:

• Physical Power and Control: Great arm power, throwing strength, and pin-point accuracy. Excellent bat speed, hitting power, and general strength. Unwavering ball control with safe hands and feet on the diamond.
• Athletic Brilliance: Excellent agility, sharp balance, and physical poise during play.
• Tactical Execution: Highly reliable attacking and defensive skills. Smart positional awareness, deep tactical play, and a thorough understanding of the rules of softball.
• Mindset and Teamwork: Deep concentration and focus under match pressure. Wonderful listening skills, a team-first attitude, and the ability to follow official coaching instructions and advice.
• Positive Culture: A genuinely positive attitude both on and off the field. Fantastic team spirit, exceptional sportsmanship, and a passion for active cooperation with teammates and Team Officials.
• Emotional Maturity: Solid leadership abilities, a strong capacity to manage emotions during intense game moments, and an ability to handle pressure.
• Match Fitness: An adequate level of physical fitness to excel across a major national tournament.

Squad and Team Selection Balance

• Squad Limits: We will choose a maximum of 15 talented players to form the ultimate Team Vic team travel squad.
• Emergency Positions: We may select up to 4 non-travelling emergency players. These athletes are offered a magnificent chance to train alongside the selected Team Vic team to build their skills.
• Fair Representation: Selectors look at the big picture so that team composition is managed fairly and players coming from the same school or local team are not advantaged over individual school representatives.

Attendance and Exemption Policies

• Trial Criteria: Selection is strictly based on performance during active trials where trialists receive appropriate playing time. Your child must participate in at least one stage of the selection trial process to be considered eligible.
• Final Trial Attendance: If your child progresses to the final state trial, they must be in attendance in person to be considered eligible for selection.
• Illness and Injury Exemptions: If your child cannot attend a trial due to an approved reason, you must submit an official exemption request to SSV for the student to remain eligible. Team Officials reserve the right to select an injured or unavailable player under the approved rules of the State Teams Trial Exception Policy. Parents may be requested to provide a medical certificate, a statutory declaration, or have the player attend the trial venue.
• Managing Conflicts of Interest: If a trial coordinator has an actual or perceived conflict of interest (such as assessing a family member or friend), this must be immediately flagged with SSV so a fair management plan can be actioned.

Player and Family Commitments

Representing Victoria is an honour that requires great dedication from both the athlete and their support network. By participating, families agree to look after these shared team responsibilities:

Compulsory Events and Attendance

• Full Program Engagement: Your child must attend all mandatory team sessions. This includes training, practice sessions, uniform presentation events, professional team photography days, and critical online professional learning courses.
• Championship Attendance: Players must fully participate in all official tournament elements, including the opening and closing ceremonies, plus the core championship team experiences as per the SSA Championship Attendance Policy.
• Respecting Leadership: Understand and respect that the SSA Championships are official school functions. All final decisions regarding tournament activities, preparation, and player participation rest entirely with our expert Team Officials.
• Health and Safety: Promptly follow and comply with any official health or safety advice that is issued during the program.

Financial and Travel Responsibilities

• Championship Supervision: A parent or carer must accompany every student athlete to the 2026 Championships.
• Travel Costs: Parents and carers hold full responsibility for planning, booking, and funding all travel, meals, and accommodation for themselves and their child.
• Official Kit: Families must purchase the compulsory uniform, which costs approximately $300.00 to $450.00.
• Administration and Levies: You must complete, sign, and return all team documentation to the Team Manager by the strict due date , and pay all program fees on time (fees are approximately $800.00 to $1,300.00).