To compete in a fun, fair and safe basketball environment that is focused on providing quality skill development, fostering good sportsmanship, respect for others, self-confidence, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle.
 

Program Vision: 

• play the game of basketball to their full potential

• sustain a healthy lifestyle that is well balanced with physical activity, learning, discipline, hard work, and dedication

• instill positive character traits such as self-esteem and confidence

• be a strong competitor with values such as teamwork and respect for others
   

Competitive (Ottawa Next Level) teams for the 2024-25 season:

Tryout Process:

Tryouts (skill evaluation) are used to select the players for competitive teams (Ottawa Next Level).  ALL PLAYERS wishing to play on an ONL team must try out.  All players interested in trying out must be registered for tryouts in order to attend.

2024-25 ONL Tryout Registration Form

• Tryouts take place in September. 
• Tryout schedules are released in August.

Evaluations for each team are conducted by ONL coaching staff.  Non-parent coaches, former coaches, and other neutral local basketball experts are called upon to assist with evaluations.  Players are evaluated on a combination of athletic and basketball skills appropriate to their level, as well as game situations (assessed through scrimmages). Coachability is also important (do they listen well, do they interact with other players well, do they communicate well).

Player selection is the sole responsibility of the appointed coaching staff and their decision is final.

Competitive coaches or members of the KYBA Board of Executives will not engage in any debates with players and/or parents over competitive team rosters unless clear evidence of bias/discrimination is presented in writing to our appropriate VP ONL Girls / VP ONL Boys.

​Players released from the competitive tryouts will be eligible to register for the house league program, and may be interested in House League Selects - Cavaliers teams.  See the following for a flowchart comapring the programs:  KYBA Program Comaprison

**House league spots are not guaranteed to those released from ONL tryouts.  For players trying out for an ONL team that are concerned whether they will be named to a roster, we recommend you register for house league to guarantee your spot should you require it.  If named to an ONL roster, you will complete a top up to ONL registration to pay the difference in registration fee and you will then be transferred from house league to your ONL team.**
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*Players must first try out and be named to a roster before they can register for ONL for the season*
Players will be given further guidance on registration steps once named to an ONL team.
 

Cost of the competitive program:

The fees involved with playing competitive basketball are significant.  This includes a club registration fee of $575 for the 2024-25 season (no fee increase from the 2023-24 season), as well as Team Fees* ($TBD), which are determined by each team based on the scope of their season plans.  

Time commitment involves three 2-hour practices per week (including at least 1 on Saturday or Sunday), plus games and out of town tournaments.  Novice, Atom and Bantam teams will have practices on weeknights in the 6-8pm timeframe, while Midget and Juvenile teams will have practices on weeknights in the 8-10pm timeframe.  While the majority of ONL practices are in the Kanata region, some may not be, but will be within a 30 minute drive of Kanata.

During the tryouts, the Head Coach will be able to give an estimate of additional fees (sample team budget)  for the upcoming season. 

All players as part of the team might be required to accomplish the goal of collectively raising a minimum of $1500 (or other amount set forth in each team's budget in order to balance their budget with season plans) in support of various team needs that may be identified, and which differ from season to season.

Additional individual costs not captured under the team budget are player travel costs. An individual budget can be arranged at the beginning of the season with the team manager for any player needing to plan out incremental payments.

In building our program, we recognize student-athletes may also have financial or academic needs, and our aim is to remove barriers where possible.

To this end, the KYBA wants to ensure that all player’s have equal opportunity to participate in our programs, even those who may be financially less fortunate. To this end, KYBA offers a financial assistance program.  Parents of our student athletes may seek, in confidence, financial assistance from KYBA.  For further program information or to receive an application, please contact our Administrator.  Applications, along with proof of income, must be provided to our Administrator.  Our Subsidy committee then meets early in the season to review applications and grant subsidies to those in need. 

Additonally, opportunities exist starting at the beginning of each season for athletes to receive training as an official in order to referee KYBA house league games throughout the season. This opportunity provides a source of income for athletes who may need extra cash, and is a great opportunity to give back to the game of basketball as well. For further information contact our Chief Referee, and see our Referee Program Page.

Other Competitive Program Commitments:

Any player who accepts a position on an ONL Competitive team is making a firm commitment to the team, and all that it entails FOR THE FULL SEASON. 
In a normal season, tryouts begin in early September and the season can run into late Spring.  Provincial Championships (Ontario Cup) for younger age groups are held in April, while for older age groups, the Ontario Cup is held in May-early June.  Commiting to an ONL team is therefore a long-term commitment.  As such, competitive program fees do not qualify for a refund.  We encourage all potential competitive team players and parents to ask questions of the coaching staff before and during try-outs and to consider their commitment to playing at this level before being selected for a position on a team.  This policy is intended to ensure those who really want to commit to the team and play are not displaced by those without a firm commitment to participate.

All ONL teams practice three times each week (2 hours each time).  Most gym locations are in and around the Kanata area, but at times our ONL teams do travel into Nepean and Ottawa for practices.  In addition, there are weeknights/weekends throughout the season where the team will play games against other local teams in Eastern Ontario, as part of the EOBL (Eastern Ontario Basketball League).  EOBL involves teams accross the region, from Belleville to Cornwall to the National Capital region.  There can therefore be some day travel to these games.  EOBL will also host a Championship weekend at the end of the season for each division.  Teams may also arrange for exhibition games at their own discretion.  Some of our teams may also choose to compete in other leagues, such as OBL, CYBL or MBL; which all include more extensive travel.  You can also expect 2-4 tournaments a season, depending on the season plan for each team. Some of these will be out of town tournaments.

Parental involvement is central to a smooth season for ONL teams.  Volunteers will be required to act as Manager, Trainer, Scorekeepers, Canteen work, etc.. All parents are expected to be a big part of the team infrastructure.

Due to the level of commitment expected, no refunds are offered for ONL registrations.  Families/Players offered roster spots are asked to not take the decision lightly, and instead discuss and confirm that they can follow through on the full season's commitment that is expected.

Our ONL teams end their seasons with Provincial Championships / Ontario Cup.

Rules and Regulations:

The KYBA (Ottawa Next Level Competitive programs and Kanata Cavaliers House League and Selects progams) is affiliated with Ontario Basketball (OBA) and follows and adheres to OBA's policies and procedures.  All ONL teams are registered with OBA, and as such, subscribe to OBA's Rules and Regulations, which can be found here.  This outlines age-specific rule modifications, such as the required equal participation playing time for novice and atom levels.  In addition, KYBA has an 8 minute minimum playing time policy for the bantam level.

Note: *Players must first try out and be named to a roster before they can register for ONL*