The West Ottawa Basketball League is open to participation of teams from the west end of the city and outskirts. The purpose of the league is to provide a safe and fun environment for recreational basketball teams and players to compete each season. The league includes divisions for both boys and girls from U10 age through to U19.
West Ottawa Basketball League operates on the experience and personal knowledge of long-standing volunteers. This document, the West Ottawa Basketball League Operations Guide, offers operating guidelines, program standards, and divisional rules so that the associations, coaches, officials and players have a common understanding of how the league will operate.

Resources
Ontario Basketball Rules and Regulations Manual
FIBA Official Basketball Rules
Canada Basketball Athlete Development Model

These documents are available online.
Coaches, referees, and West Ottawa Basketball League member associations are asked to familiarize themselves with these resources and this document.

Deviating from the Guidelines
It is important to recognize that a certain amount of latitude must be awarded to the actual operations of the various divisions. Limitations on available gym time, officials and the number of teams playing and other factors may require some deviation from these guidelines.
If the West Ottawa Basketball League feels there is a need to deviate from documented guidelines, the VP of the West Ottawa Basketball Association Recreational Program will identify the need and communicate the change to the league coaches and players thereby avoiding any confusion.

Operating Guidelines
The following are general administration and operational guidelines.
 
West Ottawa Basketball League Committee
Oversight and support to the West Ottawa Basketball League will be provided by members of the West Ottawa Basketball Association Executive.

List of Divisions
West Ottawa Basketball League offers the following divisions:

• U10 Boys and Girls
• U12 Boys and Girls
• U14 Boys and Girls
• U16 Boys and Girls
• U19 Boys and Girls

Team Registration Deadline
A team registration deadline will be set by the West Ottawa Basketball League. The deadline will ensure that the scheduler has sufficient time to create and distribute the schedule for their respective divisions. Each association must provide their list of coaches complete with contact information including telephone number and e-mail address by the set deadline.

Official Team Scoring
Coaches are responsible for updating scores on the West Ottawa Basketball League reporting system.

Team Players
A West Ottawa Basketball League recreational team must consist of players registered on their roster. A minimum of 5 players is required to start a game. Teams with less than 5 players will automatically forfeit the game.
Given that rosters are 10+ players and game schedules are released at least 2-3 weeks in advance, call ups will not be permitted. Please also note that players who are registered and rostered with any club as a competitive player, cannot play on a recreational team. Should West Ottawa Basketball League become aware of a competitive player or a non-rostered player playing on a recreational team, the result will be a forfeit of the game and a 2-game suspension for the Coach

 

Referees
Officials for all games shall be provided by West Ottawa Basketball League. Senior adult referees will be provided for U16 and U19 games. If Senior adult referees are not available, Ottawa Valley Board of Approved Basketball Officials (OVBABO) referees will be used.
Officials must familiarize themselves with the West Ottawa Basketball League Operating Guidelines.

Code of Conduct
Sportsmanship is the theme of the West Ottawa Basketball League. We provide a safe and fun environment for everyone. To help ensure this continues, the following values of conduct has been established and expected to be followed by each player, coach, referee, and parent (‘person’) participating in ALL Divisions.
Sanctions will be enforced if the rules are not followed. Repeat offenders may be banned from the West Ottawa Basketball League, as determined by the West Ottawa Basketball Association Executive Committee.
Please refer to the West Ottawa Basketball Association’s Code of Conduct for Recreational Players and Code of Conduct for Spectators included at the end of this manual.

Enforcement
Any suspected infraction should be reported the appropriate the West Ottawa Basketball League VP of the Recreational Program who will gather evidence and report the incident to the West Ottawa Basketball Association Executive Committee. The West Ottawa Basketball Association Executive Committee is required to review the event and administer the sanction. Sanctions may be administered to a person or team.
The coach is responsible for ensuring parents and other fans follow the Spectator Code of Conduct. The coach has the authority to enforce sanctions on fans. If the fan refuses to leave, the game must end and a forfeit will occur against the corresponding team(s).

Coach Attendance
A team without a coach present at the start of the game will automatically forfeit the game. We understand that, on occasion, conflicts will arise and the team coach may not be available. In those instances, a substitute must be identified and communicated to the West Ottawa Basketball Association VP of the Recreational Program in advance of the game. The team coach will take responsibility for the actions of the substitute during the game, and will share in any disciplinary action assessed to the substitute. We cannot have a random parent stepping in. There must be   a registered Head Coach or Assistant Coach with the team at the game.
 
West Ottawa Basketball League Values
a. There shall be no violent play. Fighting will NOT be tolerated.
Sanctions:
First offence

• Game ejection plus one game suspension.
• If deemed a serious infraction, the person may be suspended for the season.

Second offence

• Automatic ejections from the game and West Ottawa Basketball League.

b. Zero tolerance for any racial remarks.
Sanction:

• Automatic ejection from the game and WEBL.

c. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
No disrespectful comments or actions towards anyone will be tolerated. Dribbling of basketballs or running around in the hallways of the schools is not allowed. Children must be supervised at all times.
Sanctions:
First Offence

• Game ejection plus one game suspension.
• Referee may declare a technical foul on the coach.
• If deemed a serious infraction, the person may be suspended for the season.

​Second Offence

• Automatic ejection from the game and West Ottawa Basketball League.

d. Playing while injured is not permitted.
If a player is, or was injured, while playing basketball or for other reasons, the player may return to play in West Ottawa Basketball League when they are well healed. Parents and coaches must communicate together when a child is injured or presents symptoms of an injury. This is enforced for the well-being of the children.
Sanction:

• If deemed a serious infraction, the person may be suspended for the season or ejected from West Ottawa Basketball League.

​West Ottawa Basketball Association Player Misconduct Policy
West Ottawa Basketball Association Spectator Misconduct Policy

Rules and Regulations
West Ottawa Basketball League operates under the Ontario Basketball Association Rules and Guidelines and modified Ontario Basketball Association Rules and Regulations: Ontario Basketball 2023-24 Rules and Regulations Manual and references FIBA: FIBA Official Basketball Rules.
Age specific rules or regulations may align differently in the West Ottawa Basketball League. Please refer to the Division Rules and Guidance section of this manual.

Scheduling
 

Division	Ball Size	# of Games (min)	Year End Tournament	Scheduled Games
U10	Boys – size 5	12	Yes	Saturdays
	Girls – size 5
U12	Boys – size 5	12	Yes	Saturdays
	Girls – size 5
U14	Boys – size 6	12	Yes	Saturdays
	Girls – size 6
U16	Boys – size 7	12	Yes	Saturdays / Sundays
	Girls – size 6
U19	Boys – size 7	12	Yes	Weeknights / Saturday
	Girls – size 6			Sundays

September 2023
Revised 15/12/2023