Basketball Tournament Rules and Regulations

Our Core Values

First Nations Polynesian Basketball is guided by the following six core values (not limited to):
1. Whakapapa (Genealogical connection to our ancestors)
First Nations Polynesian Basketball is all about giving our Pasifika basketball players an opportunity to represent their heritage in the hopes that our players learn more about themselves, their family, and their culture. All participants are encouraged to use this opportunity to connect with their Pasifika heritage, reflect on who they are as Pasifika peoples and be proud of their culture.
2. Fa’aaloalo (Respect)
As a Pasifika-run tournament, it is of paramount importance that all participants (players, coaches, managers and spectators) at all times show respect for each other, the officials and the operations team.
3. Tauhi Va (Maintaining the relational space between each other)
All participants are expected to do their best in maintaining good relations between each other, the officials and the operations team. This is shown through good comradery, fair play and respect.
4. Loto Holoilalo (Humility)
All participants are expected to practice humility in their interactions with each other, the officials and the operations team. This is shown through respecting each other, having a positive attitude and not looking down on other teams or players.
5. Loloma (Love)
For all of our Pasifika cultures the heart of all our cultural values is love. Love will always result in peaceful and joyful experiences with those around us. First Nations Polynesian Basketball recognizes this value to be the heart of all our core values and is what bounds us together as people of Oceania.
6. Lotu (Faith)
Our faith is the foundation of our Pasifika nations. First Nations Polynesian Basketball acknowledges that our faith is the foundation on which all our core values stand upon.
Acknowledgement:
First Nations Polynesian Basketball acknowledges and recognizes the special place of Maori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa. As manuhiri we recognize and support the role of mana whenua to manaaki manuhiri in a way that best expresses their cultural identity. We acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We stand with tangata whenua acknowledging that their rights must first be recognized in order for our rights as manuhiri to be properly acknowledged in Aotearoa.

Code of Conduct:

1. ALL participants (players, coaches, managers and spectators) are expected to uphold the values that underpin First Nations Polynesian Basketball during the three-day tournament.
   1. Unacceptable Behaviour
      1. There is zero tolerance for any behaviour that does not align with the core values of First Nations Polynesian Basketball. In particular (but not limited to) foul language, and disrespect towards other participants, officials or the Operations team.
      2. Any derogatory or abusive remarks on social media in reference to the tournament or the Association.
   2. Failure to comply may result in ejection from the venue, issuance of trespass notification from the venue by venue management, and where warranted notification to NZ Police.Furthermore, this may further result in being banned from participating in future First Nations Polynesian Basketball tournaments.
      1. The First Nations Polynesian Basketball Committee has the right to eject ANY participant (players, coaches, managers and spectators) whom at any time has displayed serious UNSPORTSMANLIKE conduct such as (but not limited to) verbal or physical abuse towards other participants, officials or tournament operations team or any conduct that does not align with the core values of First Nations Polynesian Basketball. Failure to cooperate may further result in notification to NZ Police.
2. Social Media/Media/Sponsorship of Companies
   1. Photographers/Videographers of any team must first seek approval from the First Nations Polynesian Basketball organisers as there is already a tournament photographer supplied by First Nations Polynesian Basketball.
   2. Any arrangements made by individuals or team(s) with ANY MEDIA group must first seek approval from First Nations Polynesian Basketball.
   3. Failure to do so will result in the media group being escorted out of the building and will not be allowed to enter for the remainder of the tournament.
3. Eligibility
   1. Each team may have a maximum of 12 registered players.
   2. All players must be registered before the commencement of the tournament and must have their name printed on the scoresheet of their first game to be eligible to participate in the remainder of the tournament.
   3. Any names that are handwritten on the scoresheet will not be valid unless done so by or with the approval of the tournament Operations team.
   4. First Nations Polynesian Basketball strongly encourages players to play for one team only.
      1. Players may play both in their age group team and in an age group team above.
      2. This is with the understanding that they are helping the other team from their nation association make up the numbers for their team roster.
      3. Both teams must be from the same nation association.
      4. Player registration fees for both teams must still be paid in full.
      5. The player must be registered for both teams before team registration closes.
   5. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in the team being immediately disqualified from the tournament with all games forfeited and table points adjusted.
4. Age Groups
   1. Players must be the correct age in the age grade they are playing in – e.g 15U grade, player can turn 15 years old in the year of the tournament but cannot be turning 16 years in the same year of the tournament.
   2. All Elite grade teams:
      1. Minimum age 16 years or over on the first day of the tournament.
   3. All A grade teams:
      1. Player restriction: representative players are not permitted to play in any A grade team, regardless of minutes played.
   4. Masters Grade:
      1. Players must be turning 40 years old in the year of the tournament.
      2. One player on the team roster can be 39 years old in the year of the tournament.
   5. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in the team being immediately disqualified from the tournament with all games forfeited and table points adjusted.
5. Heritage
   1. Players MUST have heritage to the country they are representing
   2. Players may play for the nation of their spouse or partner’s heritage ONLY in the A grade or Masters’ grade.
   3.  A player who is Fai, Whangai (adopted) may play for their family’s heritage.
   4. Exceptions are extended to invitational teams that may have multiple ethnicities.
   5.  Heritage eligibility is based on HONESTY and INTEGRITY. This will not be monitored by the tournament Operations team or officials. It will be left to the Committee or the Head of each Nation Association to monitor.
   6.  A breach of honesty and integrity may result in the team being immediately disqualified from the tournament.
6. Disputes and Complaints
   1. A protest no longer exists. If there is a dispute, complaint, judicial matter, the complainant must either; resolve the issue with any of the tournament staff during the game as the issue happens; or have the complaint in writing, which will be passed onto the nominated Judicial Officer. The Judicial Officer can hear or waive the complaint/dispute.
7. Refunds
   1. First Nations Polynesian Basketball holds a NO REFUND policy.
      1. Exception: If the event is cancelled due to force majeure [eg. natural disaster, global pandemic, venue disruption, etc] – A partial refund may be considered.
      2.  The amount will be determined by the date of the cancellation in relation to financial commitments incurred at that time. – Uniforms will still be issued to all teams.
   2. Once team registers are final, player registration fees cannot be transferred to another team for any reason. If a player chooses to play for a different team, they will still need to pay the registration cost for that team.
      1. Only Exception: a player may play for another team without having to pay the registration cost if they are replacing a player and using their uniform to play in.
   3. Tournament Registration Includes fees and uniform and are not separate e.g A person or Team cannot buy only uniforms, if a player pulls out, the team will still be liable for outstanding fees, it is not the responsibility of First Nations Polynesian Basketball to follow up individuals.
   4. First Nations Polynesian Basketball reserve the right to reject a team from registering if any fees from previous First Nations Polynesian Basketball tournaments are still owing.
8. Invitational Teams
   1. For the integrity of the tournament, invitational teams are excluded from medal contention.

Game Rules and Regulations:

 

FIBA rules apply with the following First Nations Polynesian Basketball Tournament Amendments:

9. Uniforms
9.0 All participating teams must wear the uniform supplied by First Nations Polynesian Basketball.
Last updated November 2024
Uniform exceptions may be made only by the tournament Operations team.
9.1 Team A (first team on the scoresheet) plays light strip, occupies left-hand side of the scorebench.
9.2 Team B (second team on the scoresheet) plays dark strip, occupies right-hand side of the scorebench.
9.3 Teams must wear full one-colour kit.
9.4 NO tee shirts are to be worn under uniform.
9.5 Only compression short-sleeved tops and shorts are allowed.
9.5.1 Exception: Long compression leggings or sleeves will be permitted if due to religion reasons or a medical/health condition such as severe acne or eczema.
9.6 All compressions worn must be either all black or the same colour as the uniforms.
9.7 Failure to adhere to these rules will result in players being subbed off until the correct uniform is being worn.

10. Mouthguards
10.0 All youth division teams (9U – 19U).
10.0.1 Players without mouth guards will not be able to take the court.
10.0.2 Mouthguards must be worm properly as designed.
10.0.3 Officials may sub out players who do not have their mouthguard on while playing.

11.  Game time and Timeouts
11.0 9U/10U/11U Grade
11.0.1 15-minute halves.
11.0.2 1-minute halftime break.
11.0.3 Running clock.
11.0.4 One (1) 30 seconds timeout per half. Game clock does not stop.
11.0.5 No timeouts are allowed in the last two-minutes of each half.
11.0.6 Deliberate delays may result in the official playing the ball without the delaying team being on the court or giving the ball to the opposing team who is not delaying play.
11.0.7 No warm-up time is guaranteed.
11.0.8 In the case of a DRAW during pool play/round robin results stand as DRAW.
11.0.9 Table points: Loss – 0, Draw – 1, Win – 2.
11.0.10 If at the end of pool play/round robin there are multiple teams with the same number of points, there will be a countback of for and against points ONLY between the teams with the same amount of table points.

11.1 12U/13U/14U Grade
11.1.1 8-minute quarters.
11.1.2 1-minute quarter period breaks.
11.1.3 2-minute halftime break.
11.1.4 Running clock.

11.1.5 NO stop-clock in the last two-minutes of the last quarter during pool play/round robin.
11.1.6 The last two-minutes of the last quarter will be stop-clock during play-off games and finals.
11.1.7 One (1) 30 seconds time-out per quarter (non-cumulative). Game clock does not stop.
11.1.8 Deliberate delays may result in the official playing the ball without the delaying team being on the court or giving the ball to the opposing team who is not delaying play.
11.1.9 No warm-up time is guaranteed.
11.1.10 In the case of a DRAW during pool play/round robin results stand as DRAW.
11.1.11 Loss – 0, Draw – 1, Win – 2.
11.1.12 If at the end of pool play/round robin there are multiple teams with the same number of points, there will be a countback of for and against points ONLY between the teams with the same amount of table points.

11.2 15U – Masters Grades
11.2.1 10-minute quarters.
11.2.2 1-minute quarter period breaks.
11.2.3 2-minute halftime break.
11.2.4 Running clock.
11.2.5 NO stop-clock in the last two-minutes of the last quarter during pool play/round robin.
11.2.6 The last two-minutes of the last quarter will be stop clock during play-off games and finals.
11.2.7 One (1) 30 seconds time-out per quarter (non-cumulative). Game clock does not stop.
11.2.8 Deliberate delays may result in the official playing the ball without the delaying team being on the court or giving the ball to the opposing team who is not delaying play.
11.2.9 No warm-up time is guaranteed.
11.2.10 In the case of a DRAW during pool play/round robin results stand as DRAW.
11.2.11 Loss – 0, Draw – 1, Win – 2.
11.2.12 In the case where table points are equal at the end of pool play/round robin, there will be a count back for and against between ONLY the teams with the same amount of table points.
11.3 Extra Time – In the case of a draw.
11.3.1 No extra time during pool play/round robin. A draw will result in both teams gaining two (2) table points.
11.3.2 For the youth divisions and Masters – Extra time during playoff games and finals will be two-minutes. If at the end of the overtime, it is still a draw a shoot-out will then proceed with all players taking a turn to shoot from the free-throw line. The first player to successfully make the shot will result in their team winning.
11.3.3 For the Elite and Open Grades – Extra time during playoff games and finals will be fiveminutes. If at the end of the overtime, it is still a draw a shoot-out will then proceed with all players taking a turn to shoot from the free-throw.

12 Coaches, Managers and Player coaches.
12.0 All age-group grade teams must furnish a coach.
12.1 Open grade teams are not required to furnish a coach. Teams are not required to furnish a manager.
12.2 Teams are only permitted to have a coach, assistant coach and a manager on their bench during their game.
12.2.1 Any additional coaching or management members who are on the team bench may be asked by an official or Operations team member to move off the bench and back to the spectators’ area.
12.3 If an adult team does not have a coach, a player on the team may register themselves as ‘coach’ provided that:
12.3.1 The player/coach ensures that their dual role is recorded on the scoresheet prior to games.
12.3.2 A player who does not record their dual role as player/coach at the beginning of the game forfeits any privileges as coach for the duration of the game.
12.3.3 In the event the player/coach is the antagonist in a dispute or altercation, they forfeit their role as coach, therefore, cannot address officials or bench personnel in the coaching capacity for the remainder of the game being played.
12.3.4 In the event of an altercation on court, the player / coach may assist officials in their role as coach, however, must adhere to all officials’ instructions.
12.3.5 No other player can assume the role of coach if the player/coach has forfeited this role in any one game due to their behaviour.

13. Defensive Rules’
13.0 NO zone defence is allowed for age groups 15U and below. 13.1 15U and below must play man to man defence at all times.
13.2 16U and above – normal FIBA rules apply.

14. Score bench
14.0 Each team MUST provide 1 person to score bench their team’s game. Failure to do so may result in table points deductions.
Last updated November 2024
14.1 Both teams and officials must agree if both score benchers are from one team only. Once it has been agreed upon by both teams and the officials no game discrepancy complaints can be made during or at the end of the game.

15 Ejections
15.0 Any player who is ejected by a game official must leave the building immediately
15.1 The operations team will review the reason for ejection and then decide on an appropriate penalty e.g one game suspension, a suspension for the remainder of the tournament etc.

16 Game Officials
16.0Game Officials will be qualified, independent basketball referees supplied by First Nations Polynesian Basketball.

17.Miniball (9U/10U/11U) Rules:

17.0  Basic basketball rules apply. Referees will be more lenient on violations and penalties.
17.1 Boys and Girls may play in the same grade.
17.2 Games are played with a size 5 ball with lowered basketball hoops.

17.3 Half-court defence only.
17.4 Only Man-to-Man defence is allowed.
17.5 Back court violation does not apply.
17.6 AThe three second rule does not apply.

17.7 Rolling subs are allowed with a maximum of two players subbing at one time.
17.8 Each team must have a minimum of four players take to court to start the game.
17.9 The game is defaulted if a team is not on the court ready to play within five minutes afterthe start of the game.

17.10One coach per team is permitted on the court to help direct players during the game.
17.11 For U11 grade – A shooting foul will be penalized as a normal shooting foul. However, the distance will be one to two metres before the free-throw line.
17.12 The exact distance will be at the discretion of the referee
17.13 For 9U grade – There will be no free throws. On a shooting foul, two points will be awarded to the team who has been fouled and possession of the ball will go to the opposing team at baseline. If the basket is made on a shooting foul, three points will be awarded to the team who has been fouled and possession of the ball will go to the opposing team at baseline.