2026 PTP Selection & Evaluation Criteria

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE  

Each year, Canada Basketball hosts a Nationwide competition for provincial and territorial U15 and U17 teams. Nova Scotia has been proud to field teams for the last 25 years. Our Provincial Teams are formed and trained through the Provincial Team Program (PTP). The purpose of this document is to set out the process that will be used by Basketball Nova Scotia (BNS) to select athletes as part of the PTP. 

This selection process has the following objective:  

Select the best number of quality athletes at each age group that will allow us to effectively compete and reach our highest standards at the National championships. While some objective criteria will be used to select members of our PTP, it is also recognized that there are subjective elements to the selection process, including:

• Previous and current performance
• Experience
• Positional requirements
• Leadership
• Team cohesion

SECTION 2 - ELIGIBILITY  

An athlete is eligible for selection to the PTP so long as they are: (1) in good standing with BNS, and (2) fall under the eligibility as defined by Canada Basketball here:

Athletes can compete at the National Championships (and participate on a BNS provincial team) if they are:

• A Canadian citizen
• A permanent resident, as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or
• A visitor, as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, who is the holder of an Employment or Student Permit
• The holder of a Minister’s Permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

SECTION 3 - AUTHORITY FOR ATHLETE SELECTION  
Final athlete selections for the PTP will be made by a selection committee comprised of any combination of the following:

• BNS Technical & Performance Staff
• PTP Head and Assistant Coaches
• Other PTP Coaching Staff
• Independent evaluators selected by BNS

PTP Head Coaches have final authority for the following:

• Athlete selection decisions
• Selection of replacement athletes where applicable

NOTE: BNS has the authority and discretion to work with and select athletes who may have tryout scheduling conflicts due to attending school and playing out of province. 

NOTE: In making selection decisions, the Head Coach will consult with the Manager of Sport Technical Programs/Executive Director of Basketball and with the coaching staff, defined for the purposes of this document to include assistant coaches, and evaluators as designated by BNS. 

SECTION 4 - ATHLETE SELECTION PROCESS  

1. The first PTP tryout will be open to all athletes.
   
2. The next phase of tryouts will be an invite only session and all athletes moving on to the next phase of tryouts will be contacted. 
3. Once final rosters have been selected from the invite only group, PTP coaches will contact both successful and unsuccessful athletes through email, in person, phone, or via online meeting platform.
4. PTP rosters will be announced via BNS communication channels within one (1) week of team selections. 

BNS prides itself on an efficient and unbiased evaluation process. BNS will recruit a minimum of 2-4 independent evaluators for each age group. ‘Independent’ is defined as no immediate connections to the athletes or coaches being evaluated. 

All evaluations will be tracked via paper or phone/technology and maintained in a record with BNS.
Open tryouts are available to any athlete who meets the aforementioned criteria and is born within the birth years set forth by Canada Basketball. 

Decisions on final PTP athlete selections will be based on one or more of the following criteria: 

• Previous and current performance
• Future potential 
• Physical components
• Age 
• Height/Wingspan
• Explosiveness and speed/quickness/agility
• Endurance/Fitness
• Strength

• Mental components
• Focus
• Perspective (mistake response, self belief)

• Social/Emotional
• Connections/Relationships
• Leadership

• Basketball IQ
• Fundamental skills
• Offensive awareness
• Defensive prowess

SECTION 5 - TRAINING PLAYERS

As part of team selections, and in consultation with the BNS staff, coaches may choose to select a maximum of two (2) training players. Teams are not required to select training players. The final decision remains with the coaching staff. 

1. Training players will have the opportunity to train and develop their skill with the team.
2. Training players will be identified following the same timeframe as the roster selection.
3. Training players will not take part in any competitions unless otherwise identified as a need of the coaching staff.
4. In the event that a roster athlete becomes injured and cannot compete at the National Championships, a training player may be asked to join the roster.
5. Training players must commit to:
1. A reduced training fee
2. Attendance at 75% of training sessions
3. Completion of all applicable forms

SECTION 6 - REMOVAL FROM PROGRAM 

An athlete may be removed from a tryout or from the PTP where the athlete: 

1. Is unable to meet performance expectations;
2. Is unable to perform due to injury, illness or for other medical reasons as determined by BNS medical staff;
3. Is unable to commit to the required PTP activities (note: that an athlete may obtain an exemption from the Head Coach and BNS).
4. Violates team rules and/or BNS policies and procedures; or
5. Exhibits conduct that violates the Code of Conduct.

Removal from the team must be discussed (in writing/email) with the BNS Executive Director before a final decision is made. Where necessary and appropriate, an athlete removed from the PTP may be replaced by a training player by the Head Coach.

SECTION 7 - UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES/CHANGES TO THE DOCUMENT  

If unforeseen circumstances arise which do not allow for the selection process or the above timelines to be implemented as outlined in this document, BNS reserves the right to identify an alternate process or alternate timelines. Should this occur, all athletes in the selection process will be notified of these changes in a timely manner.