Zitina Aokuso, Inspiring the Young
2017 has brought about some significant changes to the Australian junior Pathway, including the way in which teams qualify for the Junior Championships. As of November 2017, Australia will remain in the FIBA Oceania zone, but will qualify through the Asia-Pacific region, with 15 months of qualifying ahead of the 2019 World Cup in China.
Pathway explained:
Phase 1: Oceania Championships are played every 2 years. Teams are created based on performance at 15-and-Under and 17-and-Under Junior Championships. The top 2 teams will progress into Phase 2 and 3rd/4th will progress to Phase 2A.
Phase 2: Asia Championships – Level I consist of 16 team tournament (Men) and 8 team tournament (Women) all of whom have qualified from the Sub-Zone (ie: Oceania, East Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Gulf, South Asia, South East Asia). The top 4 teams will progress into Phase 3.
Phase 2A: Asia Championships – Level II consist of 8 team tournament which is open to 5 countries + host + 3rd/4th place Oceania.
Phase 3: World Cup is a 16 team tournament played every 2 years.
How to qualify:
15 and Under: Athletes born in 2003 or later are eligible (13 & 14 year olds)
Athletes are selected from the U14 Club Champs in 2017 with the help of State High-Performance Directors and will attend trials before final team selections are made.
17 and Under: Athletes born in 2001 or later are eligible (15 & 16 year olds)
Athletes are selected from the U16 Australian Junior Championships with the help of State High-Performance Directors and will attend trials before final team selections are made.
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