Inner West Bulls

May 2025

Download PDF > IWB Domestic Competition By-Laws (May 2025)

1. GENERAL RULES

Basketball is a family-orientated sport and basketball related activities are conducted by Inner West Bulls Basketball Ltd (IWB) primarily to promote teamwork, sportsmanship and community spirit for all participants. With this in mind, Inner West Bulls expects all participants to adhere to the spirit of the rules, with fun and healthy recreation as the primary goals rather than displaying a win at all costs attitude.
IWB shall be the governing body for the authorisation, implementation and enforcement of the By-laws.
These by-laws should be considered in conjunction with the FIBA Rules of Basketball & the Official Rules of Basketball. Where a conflict exists between these documents, these by-laws shall take precedence. FIBA, Basketball Australia & NSW Basketball Association Ltd (NSWBAL) shall contribute as governing bodies in relation to their relevant areas of responsibility.
Inner West Bulls Basketball Ltd maintains a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding:
1. Persistent and/or wilful challenging of the decisions of referees
2. Abuse of referees, players, officials, spectators or other members
3. Violence against players, officials, spectators or other members
4. Conduct deemed inappropriate for a community sporting environment
These by-laws shall apply to the operation of any local competition(s) and participants therein, operated or directed by IWB
By participating in any role within a competition operated or directed by IWB or entering a venue under the control or direction of IWB, any individual agrees to abide by these by-laws, IWB Codes of Conduct and/or IWB policy as stated or implied.
It shall be the responsibility of any participant in any role within any competition operated or directed by IWB, or entering any venue under the control of IWB, to be aware of the most recent version of the by-laws and/or codes of conduct.
In these by-laws, an authorised representative of IWB shall refer to:

A current member of the IWB Management, including local competition manager; head of basketball operations or general manager
A current member of the IWB Administration team including office staff, Court Supervisors and Referee Supervisors
A current member of the IWB Board of Directors

For the purposes of the by-laws, the term “registration” shall also include affiliation except where specifically stated.
For the purposes of the by-laws, the term sport shall refer to “Basketball” in any format conducted by IWB or other governing bodies of the sport.
Team benches are to be occupied only by team members who are suited up and eligible to play, a Head Coaches and Assistant Coach. All spectators, injured or non-playing team members are required to be in the spectator seating areas provided.
Team benches including players and Team Coaches will refrain from addressing opposition players whilst they are on the court.
Team captains act as representatives of the team during the game. Captains are permitted to make enquiries of game officials on behalf of team members provided such enquiries are made in an appropriate manner. Continual questioning of game officials is not permitted. Captains are required to provide reasonable assistance to game and IWB officials in ensuring teams behave in an appropriate manner.
Coaches and team managers are required to provide all reasonable assistance to game and IWB officials in ensuring teams behave and participate in an appropriate manner.
Team members and/or spectators must not approach officials to discuss any aspect of officiating at the end of a fixture. All queries relating to officiating must be made through the Court Supervisor or Referee Supervisor.
The final grading of teams shall be at the discretion of IWB. Where a team is considered to be too strong for a particular grade or competition, IWB reserves the right to move the team to a more appropriate grade/competition as a condition of entry.
In the event of injury, it is the responsibility of the injured party to notify IWB administration of the circumstances of the injury as soon as possible.
IWB may conduct Competition Briefing Sessions prior to or during the season. IWB reserves the right to require certain teams to attend these sessions as a condition of entry or during the season as deemed necessary by IWB.
Three-point baskets will count as two-point baskets in competitions up to and including U/12s.
As IWB encourages all junior teams to play man to man defence, there is a formal ‘Zone Rule’ in IWB local competitions. Up to and including Under 14 age groups must not play a zone defence at IWB run competitions.
For the purpose of the By-Laws, the term “scoresheet” shall also include electronic scoring programs such as Stadium Scoring and Courtside
Mercy rule: To promote enjoyable basketball, in junior competitions where a team leads a team by 20 points or more the referee shall direct the leading team to employ a half-court defence. The sanction for failing to do so after notification by officials of such a rule being invoked is a Technical Foul on the player defending in the frontcourt.

2. PARTICIPATION

All players must have their name entered on the scoresheet or on the electronic application and must be entered into the playing group on the application.
Players shall only register with one (1) team per competition unless they apply for, and receive, approval from IWB to represent 2 teams and permission from both teams to do so and clearly indicate also clearly indicate a primary and secondary team affiliation where conflicts occur.
Players whose names are pre-printed on the scoresheet or electronic application may join the game at any time up to the final buzzer. Players joining the game after the start of the second half must report to the Court Supervisor prior to doing so.
Where a name is not pre-printed on the scoresheet or on the electronic application, that player must print their full name on the scoresheet and register or present proof of registration to the Court Supervisor before taking the court.
Unregistered players will not appear on the scoresheet. Unregistered players will be refused entry to a game if adequate proof of registration is not furnished to the Court Supervisor before taking the court OR at the discretion of the Supervisor may be allowed to take the court upon signing a waiver and commitment to rectify registration by the following game.
Unregistered ‘fill in’ players may be used in up to 3 games each. Representative players are prohibited from filling in with other teams under any circumstances and Play-off games can only involve eligible players who have qualified through an appropriate level of game splayed through the season

Fill-in’s must sign a participation waiver each time prior to taking the court unless fully registered.
A $20 fee may be applied and must be paid prior to taking the court at the discretion of the Supervisor
Upon playing a 4th game, they must register with IWB and NSW Basketball prior to taking the court.
This by-law applies within the grounds set in section 7.5 of these by-laws.
If a team has insufficient players to field a team, they may recruit players as fill ins from another team subject to:

Where a team is aware ahead of time that they are required to borrow a player, they can gain pre-approval from the Competition Managers at basketball@innerwestbulls.com
Where a team is short at the time of the game and has not received approval from the competition manager they must seek:

Approval of the Court Supervisor
Permission from the opponent team to do so

If the opponent team refuses permission the game result will be a forfeit although the game itself can be played as a scored scrimmage under game conditions with no limitations on borrowed players

All substitutions, time outs, etc must be directed through the score table.
Fingernails extending beyond the end of the finger must be trimmed or taped with a soft material-style tape for the duration of the game. Sports gloves are not permitted.
Any visible body piercing jewellery must be removed or taped before taking the court. All necklaces and bracelets must be removed before taking the court. IWB accepts no responsibility for body piercing jewellery not visible or any injury resulting from said jewellery. Wristbands, other than sweat bands made of a suitable material, are not permitted.
Any other equipment that may potentially injure other participants in any way or that does not comply with any other regulations in the sport must be removed.
Any player suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or any illicit substance will not be permitted to take the court. Any player displaying behaviour deemed by game officials or a Referee or Court Supervisor to be caused by being under influence of any such substance during a game shall be removed from the court immediately.

3. UNISEX RULES FOR COMPETITION OPEN AND OVER 14

Unisex is a social competition and players must play within the spirit of the competition.
Any player wishing to take part in the Open Unisex Competition must be turning a minimum of 14 years of age in the year the competition commences.
A maximum of two male players is permitted on court at one time.
If a team is unable to field a third female player during a game, this vacancy on the team may not be filled by a male player.
A male player may take a defensive position in front of a female player but must not attempt to block her shot. The male player’s feet must remain on the ground and his hands within his cylinder. Infractions of this rule may be penalised by the shooter receiving two (2) free throws.
Unisex will be played with a size 7 ball.

4. REGISTRATION

All players must register online and pay the appropriate fee before taking the court for their first game.
It is the player’s responsibility to always maintain current registration. IWB reserves the right to refuse participation to any unregistered person/s.

5. TEAM ENTRY

Teams must submit the official IWB Team Entry Form (either hard copy or online), accompanied by the appropriate entry fee, on or before the date specified on the entry form.
It is a condition of entry that the manager and coach provide a working with children check number and date of birth on the IWB Team Entry Form if they are associated with children under the age of 18.
Entries will only be accepted if signed by a responsible adult who is prepared to act as team manager or Coach. These signatories shall be held responsible for the conduct of the team.
Teams may nominate a maximum of 9 players per team to ensure player experience is positive.
Any late player nominations must be registered (as per by-law 4.1) and listed on a Team Addition/Deletion form before taking the court. At the discretion of IWB and its officials new players may be allowed to play if they:

Indicate a commitment to complete registration prior to following week
Sign the IWB Waiver form before taking the court

For Junior competitions:

Teams with four representative players on the roster must play at least one age group higher than that for which they are eligible OR can only field 3 representative players on court at any one time. One additional Representative player is allowed to be on court if they are underage. i.e. Playing in an age group older than their Representative eligibility. At all times a team must have a minimum of one (1) non-representative player on the court at all times
Representative players must play in their own age group as a primary competition and are then able to enter older age groups competitions in addition to their primary competition entry at their own age level
Representative players must wear a rep tag on their uniforms.
Breach of this rule will be a Technical Foul levied against the Coach. Representative players are deemed to be any player representing an Association in a Waratah League Representative Competition sanctioned by Basketball NSW. Development players training with the Representative teams are not deemed Representative players for the purposes of this by-law.

IWB reserves the right to waive or alter By-Law 5.6 in the interest of placing a team in an appropriate grade/competition.
IWB is not bound by any offer of entry to accept nomination by any team or individual to any competition under its control. Where a team entry is not accepted by IWB the entry fee shall be refunded.
IWB reserves the right to restrict junior players from playing in older age groups at its sole discretion where the situation is deemed to be contrary to the best interests of the individual and/or the competition.
Any team withdrawing from the competition after the close of nomination within 5 weeks of the competition commencement will forfeit their nomination fee and pay a withdrawal fee equal to three forfeit fines, along with any outstanding court fees of games already played.
Any Team that withdraws after 5 weeks of the season must pay all remaining court fees for the remainder of the season.

6. COURT FEES

Court fees schedules will be published on the club website.
Team court fees are payable by Cash, EFTPOS, Online payment or Bank Transfer:

One invoice will be issued in competitions of 11 or fewer weeks
Two invoices will be issued in competitions of 12 weeks or more length. Approximately half the total value each.
Invoices payments are due within 2 weeks of issue
Junior Court fees are determined based on the length of the competition and charged per player.
Junior fees are due by week 4 of the competition.
IWB reserves the right to modify the amount for players who join mid-season.

All team or individual payments must be made by the due date. Non-payment of court fees by the due date may result in being refused
permission to take the court, loss of competition points or removal from the competition.
IWB reserves the right to utilise the services of a third party to recover any unpaid debts.

7. ELIGIBILITY

A competition shall be defined by age/day for Juniors and grade/day for Seniors
Once a player has played for one team in a particular competition, they may not transfer to another team in that competition without written permission from IWB.
Players may participate in several competitions (e.g.: Senior Men Monday and Senior Men Wednesday or U/13’s and U/14’s)
Exceptions to 7.3 will be allowed where a player is filling in for a team in a higher grade. Once a player has played three games in the higher grade, they will be considered ineligible for the previous lower grade. Once a player has played for a particular team in a higher grade, they may only play for that team in that competition.
Where a team is fielding players who are not on its regular roster a) a minimum of three (3) players from the regular roster must participate in the game and b) it may only do so where the total number of players for that game does not exceed six.
Where a player is participating in two competitions and games are scheduled for the same timeslot, the player may only play in one game in that timeslot.
In all age-governed competitions, players will become ineligible to participate where that player achieves the upper age listed during any calendar year in which the competition is played (e.g. players nominated in the U/16 competition for the 2017 Summer Competition may turn a maximum of 15 in 2017 Calendar year). This is subject to IWB management.
Teams fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit each game where the team is found to be in breach of these by-laws.
Players are eligible to play one age group older than their age group. They must nonetheless play in their age group and playing up will be in addition to this entry. Under no circumstances can a player be eligible for a competition for age groups more than on level above their age group.

8. UNIFORMS

Uniform tops must be matching. Uniform bottoms may be a different colour to the tops, but must all be matching. Minor variations in trim may be acceptable. Variations in the form of additional colour panels are not acceptable. Assessment of variations will be undertaken on a case-by-case basis and IWB’s ruling shall be final.
A different one- or two-digit number (00, 0 – 99) must be displayed on the front and back of each playing top. Numbers must be clearly legible, of a contrasting colour to the uniform top and must be fixed to the uniform. The sole exception is for the Under 10 competition where numbers are not mandatory. Numbers taped or pinned are not considered to be fixed.
All players must be attired in the correct uniform by the fourth week of competition. Requests for an extension must be made in writing to the Competition Manager. Players not in correct uniform by the fourth week of competition (without valid exemption) will not be permitted to take the court or 4 points will be awarded to the opposition.
No part of the uniform may feature external pockets or any other feature with the potential to cause injury.
Bandanas, beanies and other similar headwear are not permitted.
In the event of a clash of colours, the team listed as Team A shall be required to wear alternative uniforms. If these teams meet in the next round, the other team shall be required to change.
Teams refusing to change uniforms, as per by-law 8.8 shall be assessed a forfeit loss.
If deemed necessary, officials may instruct players to tuck in uniform tops.
Footwear must be purpose-designed for use on the playing surface used for the competition. Any damage caused by inappropriate footwear shall be the responsibility of the wearer.

9. TIMING REGULATIONS

In the absence of a time display on a scoreboard, officials may use the adjacent court’s scoreboard or other alternate device to determine the duration and/or termination of a playing period.
Standard timing regulations for round games shall be:

1 x 2-minute warm-up period
2 x 19-minute halves for running clock games.
1 x 2-minute half time break
The final minute of the game shall be fully timed if the points differential is 7 or less in senior games

IWB reserves the right to alter these regulations (and the timing of specific games) when deemed necessary to allow games to be commenced in a timely fashion.
During games with a running clock, teams shall be permitted 1 x 1-minute time-out per half. The clock will NOT stop during the timeout.
In the event of a tied score at the end of regulation playing time:

In a round game, the result shall stand as a draw
In a Quarter Final, Semi Final or Grand Final, such 3-minute periods of extra time (running clock) shall be played as are required to obtain a result.

Standard timing regulations for grand finals for competitions using a running clock:

1 x 5 minute warm-up period.
2 x 19 minute halves.
1 x 2 minute half time period
Each team is permitted one time out in the first half.
Each team is permitted two time-outs in the second half, only one may be used in the final 2 minutes of play.
The final minute of the game shall be fully timed.

Domestic Competition By-laws

May 2025