As part of the overhaul of the structure of JPL, BACT has discontinued allowing JPL players to transfer to a team which has qualified for the Winter Season. Therefore there are many players who are of JPL Standard, who will be left to play in Div 1 for the Winter Season. This includes players who are in the BACT Representative Teams. 

Therefore, BACT Rep players who play for a team who did not qualify for JPL for winter, will be demoted to Div 1.

This is unacceptable, as these players will not have the development opportunity to play at the highest level available in Canberra on a weekly basis. 

The centre of junior sport is development. Players who have been selected to represent Canberra must be given the opportunity to develop on a weekly basis by playing at the highest level available to them in Canberra.

BACT reasoned that reducing the JPL Winter competition to 8 teams and not allowing transfers will create a stronger JPL, and Div 1. This argument is flawed. Players who are in weak teams will transfer to a stronger team in the Winter-Summer transition, for the Summer Season.  As they will not risk the chance of being demoted to Div 1 for the Winter Season. Thereby, weakening the weak teams for Summer and strengthening the strong teams. This makes the divide wider and competition more lopsided. 

It should be noted that under the current Policy, "Restricted Players", who have been selected in the Territory Team to represent ACT, are given permission to transfer to a JPL club during the Summer-Winter transition, if their team is demoted to Div 1. This policy should extend to Players selected in the Canberra Team, therefore ensuring they are playing at the highest level available to them on a weekly basis. 

Therefore, we urge BACT to reconsider and revise the policy to allow all BACT Representative player transfers between the Summer and Winter JPL seasons. This amendment would significantly benefit junior players, improving the quality of basketball in the ACT and nurturing the next generation of athletes.

Sign this petition to push for a policy change that supports the dreams and development of our young basketballers in the ACT. Let's create an environment where they can thrive and reach their full potential in this beloved sport.