Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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WHEN DOES REGISTRATION OPEN?

The OSBA is pleased to announce our 2025-26 registration I will be open 17 May 2025 on our website under the Programs submenu refer to that portion of our website for more details.

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WHEN AND WHERE ARE COMPETITIVE TRYOUTS?

Competitive try-outs will be held in early September 2025. A schedule will be posted in late August. Please see our Competitive Tryout Schedule for details. Players MUST BE REGISTERED in order to attend tryouts.

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WHEN AND WHERE ARE PRACTICES

Practice gym locations can be found in Findley Creek, Riverside South, Kars, Manotick, and Metcalfe.
For 2025-26 it is our expectation that new contracts for High School and Middle School in Riverside South and Findley will add to our current gyms.
For team-specific details, please see our Team Practice Schedule. Teams will be formed once Competitive try-outs and Houseleague Sort-outs have completed.

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WHEN AND WHERE ARE GAMES?

Specific times, games and locations will be announced at the beginning of the season.
For planning purposes Competitive Players can expect home games in our boundaries but can expect out of town tournaments and tri-meets
House League players will compete in the EOBA and games can be in various gyms throughout central Ottawa and Nepean
Boys U12/U14/U16 Boys we are exploring a trail with Nepean to run our programs together to reduce travel.
Unfortunately the registration numbers for other house league divisions do not permit in house programs due to insufficient player registrations.

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I'VE BEEN OFFERED A SPOT ON THE COMPETITIVE TEAM. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT THE OFFER?

After Competitive tryouts, selected players will be sent a link to register onto a competitive team. These players will have 24 hours to register and confirm their place on a team. The OSBA is much aware of the current practice of players trying out for multiple Associations. Players/parents engaging in this Competitive team shopping will only be provided 24 hours to respond to offers before they are pulled and new offers sent out.

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I'M NOT SURE I'LL PLAY ON A COMPETITIVE TEAM. WHAT DO I DO?

For players registering for competitive tryouts who are unsure whether they will play on a competitive team, we recommend you also register separately in House League to hold a space in House League. Paid House League fees will be transferred if a player makes a competitive team.

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WHEN CAN I REGISTER FOR THE SMALL BALL WINTER SEMESTER?

Small Ball players can be registered for both the Fall and Winter semesters when registration opens in May 2025. You will have to put both semester registrations in your cart and pay to be registered for both.
Spring Small Ball will open in Jan 2026.

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DOES OSBA OFFER MARCH BREAK, SPRING, AND SUMMER CAMPS?

We DO NOT offer March Break Camps
Spring sessions running from early April to end May include: Gym Jam (U14/15/16) Boys and Girls 3x3 Academy runs in May.
We are exploring a 3v3 program at all ages and this would involve in Ottawa tournaments. If this runs you will see announcements on our social media sites and website.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMPETITIVE AND HOUSE LEAGUE PROGRAMS?

Competitive Teams:

Formed as a result of formal tryouts ($50 non-refundable fee) that are held in early September;
Players have 24 hours to accept an invitation to a competitive team after tryouts;
Practice twice per week;
Travel to tournaments outside of the National Capital Region (NCR);
Pay an registration fee that includes participation in the Eastern Ontario Basketball League (EOBL) and Basketball Canada.
Pay a team fee to participate in tournaments;
Must pay for a team uniform.

House League Teams:

Have a formal sort out process and players are placed into balanced teams at the start of the season (please see our Sort-Out Schedule);
Practice once per week (12 min);
Do not travel outside of the NCR for any games or tournaments;
Pay an OSBA registration fee that includes participation in the EOBL House League/ or local league.
Players are provided a reversible basketball jerseys, as a part of their registration fee, to be used as their game uniform.
Players participate in a early December Tournament and end of season playoff weekend in late March or early April.

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WILL BALLS BE PROVIDED? WHAT SIZE?

Age divisions are formed according to policies established by Ontario Basketball.

Minor and Major age groups may be combined, in any given season, depending on the number of registrants, available gym times and number of coach volunteers.

For example, the following divisions may be separated or combined each season:

U11 (Atom) and U12 (Major Atom)
U13 (Bantam) and U14 (Major Bantam)
U15 (Midget) and U16 (Major Midget)
U17 (Juvenile) and U19 (Junior)
2024-25 Season Birthdates / Age Groups
Birthyear Age in 2024 Program
2019 5 U7
2018 6 U7
2017 7 U8-10
2016 8 U8-10
2015 9 U8-10
2014 10 U11 or U11/12
2013 11 U12 or U11/12
2012 12 U13 or U13/14
2011 13 U14 or U13/14
2010 14 U15 or U15/16
2009 15 U16 or U15/16
2008 16 U17 or U17-19
2007 17 U18 or U17-19 or U18-19
2006 18 U19 or U17-19 or U18-19
2005 and before 19 and over Graduates

BALL SIZING

Players are required to have their own ball for the age group that they are registered in.

Coaches do not have spare balls for participants.

Age Group Sex Ball Size/Diameter

U11/12 Male/Female Ball Size 5 (27.5 cm diameter)
U13/14 Male/Female Ball Size 6 (28.5 cm diameter)
U15/16 Male Ball size 7 (29.5 cm diameter)
U17/18/19 Male Ball size 7 (29.5 cm diameter)
U15/16 Female Ball Size 6 (28.5 cm diameter)
U17/18/19 Female Ball Size 6 (28.5 cm diameter)

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

IS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

Financial assistance for registration fees is available through charitable organizations, such as Jumpstart and KidSports.

Through available corporate sponsorship the OSBA may also be able to offer limited financial assistance to qualifying families, if needed. Please contact the OSBA Administrator should you require further financial assistance beyond Jumpstart or KidSport.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

Families are required to apply for assistance from one of these funding sources before, or immediately after, registering for an OSBA Program.

I'VE APPLIED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

After applying for financial assistance, please send an email to the OSBA Administrator to advise that you have applied. This will ensure that your spot is secured in the program you have registered for, and when funds are received, they are applied to your registration fees. Please be assured that all information will be kept confidential.

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