Our Fall/Spring Rising Stars League caters to boys aged 12-14 and girls aged 14 and under. The Fall session begins in late October and runs through mid December. Play resumes in mid April with a Spring session that concludes at the end of May.

The Spring only Rising Stars Program is for boy’s teams and girl’s teams whose participants are in grade 10 or 11 and a Senior League for those 18 years old and older.

FALL/ SPRING DIVISIONS 2010-2011

AGE ELIGIBILITY

All eligible players participating in this Fall/Spring’s Rising Stars League must fit without exception into one of the following age categories:

• Major Atom Boys – Born in 1998 (Age 12 or under as of December 31st, 2010).
• Bantam Boys – Born in 1997 (Age 13 as of December 31st, 2010).
• Midget Boys – Born in 1996 (Age 14 as of December 31st, 2010).
• Bantam Girls – Born in 1997 (Age 13 as of December 31st, 2010).
• Midget Girls – Born in 1996 (Age 14 as of December 31st, 2010).

The entire season will consist of 18 weeks of league games and playoffs. In the Fall, teams can expect to play 8 games in 8 weeks. Games are slated to be played on Sundays from late October through mid December. In the Spring, teams can expect 8 games to be played in 7 weeks. Games are slated to be played on weeknights with two weeks of playoff games from early April to the first week of June. Results from the fall session will carry forward to the Spring and will count toward playoff standings.

The registration for the Fall/Spring Rising Stars teams will be $2275 per team (entire team fee must be paid with one cheque made payable to the ‘WMBA’; payment should be coordinated through the team’s coach).

Rising stars athletes may not play on a WMBA Community Club team during the same season. Players are only permitted to play on one WMBA team at a time.

RSL Tournament - 2nd Annual

Since the Rising Stars League inception in the spring of 2007, the WMBA Board of Directors has continually tried to ensure that the there is a competitive level of play within the Rising Stars league including attracting all elite level club teams.  Therefore, the WMBA plans to host the 1st Annual Rising Stars Qualifying Tournament in September of 2009.  This tournament would serve to identify the province’s most elite teams in the following age categories: Major Atom Boys (Born in 1998 or earlier), Bantam Boys & Girls (Born in 1997), and Midget Boys & Girls (Born in 1996).

Roster Freeze Deadline-

The Rising Stars roster freeze deadline for Fall/Spring teams is March 15th.  Coaches must email the league office with any changes by March 15th NO EXCEPTIONS.  Each team’s official league roster on that day will stand for the remainder of the spring Rising Stars Spring season.  In order for a player to be eligible to be added before March 15th, they must not have appeared on any other Rising Stars roster throughout the previous fall season (e.g. If a player is released from “Team A” in November, they may not be added to another team until the following fall season).  Community club players may be added to Rising Stars rosters by March 15th, providing that they do not register with any community center for the spring.

SPRING ONLY DIVISIONS 2010

AGE ELIGIBILITY

All eligible players participating in the Spring Only Rising Stars League must fit into one of the following age categories:

• Juvenile Boys – Grade 10 & 11
• Juvenile Girls – Grade 10 & 11
  
• Senior Men - Born in 1992 to 1981 (Age 18 - 29 as of December 31st, 2010).
• Senior Women - Born in 1992 and older (Age 18 and up as of December 31st, 20010).

No new teams in the Major Atom, Bantam and Midget age categories can register for the Spring only.

Spring Only season will consist of 9 weeks of league games and playoffs. During Spring Only, teams can expect 8 games to be played in 7 weeks. Games are slated to be played on weeknights with two weeks of playoff games occurring from early April to the first week of June.

The registration for the Spring Only Rising Stars teams will be $1200 per team (entire team fee must be paid with one cheque made payable to the ‘WMBA’; payment should be coordinated through the team’s coach).

Rising Stars Coaches/Independent Organizers

People interested in forming a team for the Rising Stars League are asked to send an email to the league office before August 31st for the Fall /Spring league or March 9th for the Spring Only league. Emails will be used to project the numbers of teams in each division.

Teams will not be organized through Community Clubs or Districts, but rather by independent organizers within the community.

Anyone can assemble a team by providing:

• A minimum of 8 highly skilled players (12 recommended); players’ names and information must be specified on the official roster submitted to the league.
  
• An elite level coach; coaches’ information; specified on the official roster submitted to the league.
• One scorekeeper (and an alternate) specified on the official roster submitted to the league.
• Practice times and locations.
  
• Practice equipment.
• Uniforms.
• Complete team fees and registration information – one team cheque will be required to register a team.
  
• A team representative to attend WMBA Rising Stars meetings (one meeting per season).
  

The WMBA provides:

• Game facilities and referees.
• Insurance.
• Game equipment.
  
• Administration services.
• Gym supervision.
  
• Scheduling.
• Awards.
  
• An identification camp in early September for players and coaches not already associated with a team.
  

IMPORTANT DATES

Rising Stars Recruitment Code

1)    Recruitment of players during the competitive season shall be prohibited.  Any contact for the purpose of recruiting athletes or coaches from opposing teams between October 1st and June 5th is strictly prohibited.  Have respect for athletes and your fellow coaches alike.  Do not place either in positions of torn loyalties.  

2)    New Players can be added to a Rising Stars roster until the WMBA Roster Freeze Deadline as long as the player will not be registered for any other team in the league (this includes Community Club).   Players who appeared on a Rising Stars roster during the Fall season, but were released from that team, may not be added to another team’s roster until the following Fall season.  

3)    Recruit only for your own program and based off the merits of your program and accomplishments only.  Don't degrade opposing coaches or programs.  Cross recruiting is strictly prohibited.

4)    Allow a "cooling off" period (1 week) after a season before discussing a team change with a player.

5)    The use of individual sponsorships/scholarships or cash rewards as incentives to attract other players or coaches is considered bribery and is strictly prohibited.

6)    Have respect for fellow coaches and their programs, always show professionalism and follow the rules of the WMBA.  Interact with coaches, parents, players and administrators in the same fashion that you would want to be treated yourself.

7)    Let athletes and parents know how the player fits into your program in the short term and the long term.  REMEMBER THAT A PROMISE IS A COMMITMENT.

8) Rising stars athletes may not play on a WMBA Community Club team during the same season. Players are only permitted to play on one WMBA team at a time.

In addition, a Community Club League will also be offered for boys and girls aged 5-18 in the Fall / Winter and aged 7-18 in the Spring through WMBA Community Centres. Players not participating with a Rising Stars team are welcomed to get involved with a Community Club team in their area. Formal registration for the WMBA Community Centre Fall / Winter League will occur in September and the Spring League in March. CLICK HERE for details.

The WMBA welcomes your feedback on this and all of its leagues and programs! We hope to see you involved in the upcoming season as a player, coach or referee. Subscribe to the WMBA Net News at the left of the page to stay up to date on the latest league news.