The following rules apply to both Nova Scotia Championships and VC National Championships:

18U**: Athletes born between September 1, 2005 and Dec 31, 2006 (16 months)
17U*: Athletes born between September 1, 2006 and Dec 31, 2007 (16 months)
16U: Athletes born between September 1, 2007 and Dec 31, 2008 (16 months)
15U: Athletes born between September 1, 2008 and Dec 31, 2009 (16 months)
14U: Athletes born between September 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2010 (16 months) 
13U: Athletes born on September 1, 2010 or later.

* Athletes born September 1-December 31 of the previous year, on a current CCAA or USports volleyball roster, will not be permitted to play in the 17U age class.

**For 2024 VC Club Nationals & VNS Provincials, 18U Age Category ONLY:

• A team roster for the 18U category can include 2 athletes born from Jan 1 - August 31, 2005, with the following restriction:

  • Athletes are NOT permitted to be part of any USport, CCAA or other Post-Secondary volleyball program for the current season (Sept 2023-May 2024)

  • Athletes within the appropriate age category above (16-month window) are not restricted by post-secondary participation.

Definition of Post-Secondary:

• Part of a Post-Secondary Volleyball program is defined as training in whole or part with team members of the post-secondary institution that they are attending, beginning October 1, 2023. Athletes are permitted to tryout/train with a post-secondary team in September 2023. This would include any athlete regardless of their post-secondary eligibility, including those commonly referred to as red-shirts. This does not include intramural programs or club programs within a post-secondary institue. If an athlete is attending a post-secondary institution, the Head Coach of the program shall confirm verification.

           Guiding Principles:

• Long Term Development research demonstrates the flaws of placing athletes into their birth year for participation in sports. In short, the discrepancies that can occur between youth within the same birth year create significant disadvantages for late developing male athletes, and to a lesser degree early developing female athletes. Therefore, providing a range of months (16) within a competitive division gives athletes greater flexibility to choose a level that best suits their needs. Athletes, parents, and coaches should consider the short term and long term benefits of playing in different age categories. It should be noted that each club may have their own policies regarding playing up/down.

 

Download full policy HERE.