At Ashwood Wolves, we assign volunteer Age Group Coordinators (AGCs) to manage team organisation across different age brackets for both boys’ and girls’ competitions. These coordinators play a vital role in overseeing the formation of teams each season, among other responsibilities.
Putting teams together is a detailed and often time-intensive task. Each new season brings a fresh mix of factors that must be considered, including:
- Enrolment of new players into the club
- Assessment outcomes from any grading sessions that may be conducted
- Returning players from previous seasons
- Movement of players into higher age groups or new competition levels
- End-of-season feedback submitted by coaches
- Performance observations by AGCs from previous games
- Additional insights such as representative basketball involvement or external coaching
- Input from coaches, development staff, and members of the selection team
- Requests for preferred teammates or friendship groups (noted at the time of registration)
AGCs often also need to adapt team structures in response to players stepping away from the club for various reasons—whether to pursue other sports, change schools, move house, or take a break from basketball altogether.
Despite requests and preferences, our top priority is player development. The club strives to place each athlete in an environment where they can grow their basketball fundamentals, improve teamwork, and play at a suitable level of competition.
How to Make a Request
All team placement requests from families, players, or coaches should be included within the notes section of the registration form. Given the size of the club and volume of communication, we are unable to reliably consider requests made via email, social media, text, or in conversation. Using the registration form ensures every request is documented and reviewed as part of the formal process.
Overview
Forming teams involves balancing numerous elements to give each player the best opportunity for growth. At times, this may mean prioritising development over friendship-based requests.
While we aim to take all feedback into account, not all requests can be fulfilled. Specifically, friend group requests are considered only after we have addressed factors such as skills, competitive balance, and equal playing opportunities.
Those involved in the selection process, including AGCs and committee members, have a strong background with the club. Many have previously taken on roles as coaches, team managers, or parents of players and are familiar with the challenges that arise with each new season. Their experience helps ensure decisions are made thoughtfully and in the best interest of all players. If a particular request cannot be honoured, there will always be a sound reason.
Although we value social connections, our primary commitment is to fostering skill development and fair play across all teams. Ashwood Wolves believes that basketball naturally builds new friendships, and many strong connections are made each season within new team environments.
We kindly ask for your support and understanding as we make decisions focused on ensuring all players enjoy a positive, developmental basketball experience.
You can contact our Age Group Coordinators:
| Registrar | Leanne Bates registrar@ashwoodwolves.com.au |
| Under 8/9 Coordinator | Matt Langhorn u8_coordinator@ashwoodwolves.com.au |
| Girls Coordinator (U13 – U19) | Michaela Kelly jnr_girls@ashwoodwolves.com.au |
| Junior Boys Coordinator (U11, U13) | Adrian Lovell jnr_boyscoordinator@ashwoodwolves.com.au |
| Senior Boys Coordinator (U15, U17) | Dean Arnott snr_boys@ashwoodwolves.com.au |