KKBC Equal Court Time Policy
At Kuringgai Kangaroos Basketball Club, we believe every player deserves the opportunity to develop their skills, enjoy the game, and feel part of the team. As a community-based club, our focus is on participation, development, and inclusion.
To support this, KKBC has an Equal Court Time Policy that applies to all junior teams.
1. Equal Court Time Principles
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Equal opportunity: Coaches are expected to provide all players with fair and balanced court time across the season.
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Development focus: Court time is not just about winning—it’s about learning, teamwork, and building confidence.
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Season balance: Equal minutes may not always be possible in a single game due to fouls, illness, late arrivals, or other factors. However, across the season, court time should be shared fairly.
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Positive environment: Parents and players are expected to support this approach by encouraging effort, teamwork, and respect for all.
In short: At KKBC, every player matters. Equal court time ensures that all players have the chance to learn, compete, and love the game.
2. Policy & Procedures
Flexibility for coaches
Coaches have discretion to adjust playing time in individual games for reasons such as fouls, injury, illness, discipline, player fitness, or unavoidable game circumstances. While equal minutes may not always be possible in every game, fairness must be achieved across the season. Player ability or skill level is not a reason to reduce or increase court time.
Concerns about court time
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Parents/carers or adult players should consider court time across several games (or the season to date) before raising concerns.
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A player receiving less time for one or two games is not, on its own, a reason to escalate.
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If concerns remain after several games, parents/carers should raise this respectfully with the coach.
Game-day boundaries
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Do not raise concerns during or immediately after a game. Please wait at least 24 hours before approaching the coach.
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Parents/carers must not approach the team bench during a game unless a child is injured or visibly upset.
Protection of under-18 coaches
If your team’s coach is under the age of 18, you must not approach them directly or make any critical comments about their coaching. Instead, raise concerns with the Team Manager, who will then contact the Age Manager.
Escalation process
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Step 1: Raise your concern with the coach (after 24 hours).
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Step 2: If unresolved, speak with the Team Manager (or, for under-18 coaches, start here).
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Step 3: If still unresolved, the Team Manager will escalate the matter to the Age Manager.
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Step 4: If no satisfactory outcome is reached, the Age Manager will involve the KKBC Committee, and all further correspondence will go through the Committee, not directly with the coach.
Documentation
If a matter cannot be resolved, the coach will document the concern, discussion, and attempts at resolution. This record will be provided to the Age Manager for consideration.
If a matter is resolved, the Team Manager or Coach should notify the Age Manager of both the issue and the outcome.
3. Frequently Asked Questions
Does equal court time apply in finals?
Yes. The principle of equal court time applies throughout the season, including finals.
What if my child arrives late or leaves early?
Court time will be adjusted fairly, taking into account the player’s availability for the full game.
Can the best player stay on the court for the whole game?
No. KKBC’s Equal Court Time Policy applies to all players, regardless of ability. While coaches may make short-term adjustments in certain situations (such as foul trouble, injury, illness, or very short benches), no player should play the entire game at the expense of others. The goal is for every player to share court time fairly across the season, ensuring that all players develop, feel included, and enjoy the game.
What if my child is in foul trouble or injured?
Court time may be reduced for safety reasons, but this should not disadvantage the player over the long term.
Who do I speak to if I’m unsure about the policy?
Your first point of contact is always the coach (unless they are under 18, in which case start with the Team Manager).
