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

18U**: Athletes born between September 1, 2006 and Dec 31, 2007 (16 months)
17U*: Athletes born between September 1, 2007 and Dec 31, 2008 (16 months)
16U: Athletes born between September 1, 2008 and Dec 31, 2009 (16 months)
15U: Athletes born between September 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2010 (16 months)
14U: Athletes born between September 1, 2010 and Dec 31, 2011 (16 months) 
13U: Athletes born between September 1, 2011 and Dec 31, 2012 (16 months)
12U: Athletes born on September 1, 2012 and Dec 31, 2015 (40 months)

* 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 2025 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, 2006, 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 (October 1, 2024 - May 1, 2025)
  • A maximum of 2 current USport, CCAA, or other post-secondary*** athletes born from Sept 1 - Dec 31, 2006. Athletes born 
  • Athletes born in 2007 are eligble to ne a part of a team roster without any post-secondary restrictions.
  • The club and post-secondary coach should agree this is developmentally appropriate considering the season of play, training load, and circumstances of the post-secondary athlete.​

***Definition of Post-Secondary:

Part of a Post-Secondary Volleyball program is defined as rostered with a post-secondary institution that they are attending, beginning October 1, 2024. Athletes are permitted to tryout/train with a post-secondary team in September 2024. CEGEP Divison 1 athletes who are registered in the CCAA are considered post-secondary athletes. Post-secondary does not include intramural programs or club programs within a post-secondary institue. CEGEP athletes in Division 2 and 3 are not considered post-secondary athletes.

Upon request the 18U Head Coach and/or Club President shall provide eligibility verification of any athletes attending post-secondary institutions.
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           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.