Seasons and game schedules

Autumn Season

Runs: Late Jan – Late June
The Autumn Season runs through the first half of the year, beginning with the new school term and finishing before the winter holidays.

Spring Season

Starts: Late July – Ends: Mid-Dec
The Spring Season covers the second half of the year, concluding before the summer break.

Age Groups and Competitions

The SBA runs two key competition streams:

Junior Competition

For players aged Under 8s through to Under 23s. Age eligibility is based on the player’s age as at 31 December in the year the season ends.

Open Competition

A separate competition designed for adult players no longer eligible for junior age groups.

Grading Rounds

Each season begins with four grading rounds, where teams are provisionally placed in divisions based on a nominated grade. During this period: Teams play competitive matches that are assessed by SBA-appointed graders. Based on game results and performance, teams may be moved up or down a grade to ensure fair and competitive balance. Teams may also request a grade change if they feel the nominated grade isn’t the right fit. Once grading is complete, teams are placed in their final divisions for the remainder of the season.

Finals Format

At the conclusion of the regular season, eligible teams enter the finals series: Standard Divisions: The top 4 teams in each grade qualify for finals. A/B or A/A Reserve Divisions: The top 8 teams qualify for finals. Finals typically follow a knockout format, culminating in the Grand Final.

Grand Final Weekend:

Grand Finals are held over a dedicated weekend, separate from the regular game schedule. This special event brings together the community to celebrate the culmination of the season.