School Community Club

The Downball Australia School Community Club initiative aims to build community spirit and encourage physical activity among primary school students through Downball competitions. This initiative is unique as it invites not only students but also their parents to participate actively. Parents are encouraged to engage in informal games with their children and other community members before and after the official 30-minute game sessions. The club marks the beginning and end of each season with a significant community celebration, featuring BBQs and activities to foster team spirit, family involvement and community engagement. Initially targeting primary school-aged students, the program plans to expand, offering competitions for secondary school-aged students in subsequent terms, broadening its impact and inclusiveness.

The inaugural Downball Australia School Community Club competition is open to primary school-aged students, specifically targeting those in Grades 3 to 6. To accommodate different skill levels and ages, the competition is divided into two competitive sections: Grades 3/4 and Grades 5/6. Downball Australia is actively working with schools to help form teams, ensuring students are placed in teams that best match their skills and age, fostering an inclusive and enjoyable environment for all participants.

Parents will register their children for the Downball Australia School Community Club competition using an online registration link, with teams primarily based on school affiliation. Downball conveners will collaborate closely with schools to assist in forming teams, ensuring a balanced and fair competition. The ideal team size is five players, although teams of four may be registered to play (a minimum of three players is required to compete in a game). This structure is designed to encourage participation, teamwork, and a sense of belonging among students from the same school, while also facilitating a manageable team size for the competition.

Uniforms for the competition will consist of simple, colored t-shirts allocated by Downball Australia to each team (both a home and an away T-shirt), ensuring distinct team identification during matches.Teams will be assigned specific colors for their t-shirts by Downball Australia to ensure each team is easily identifiable. Players are encouraged to enhance their game day attire with personal flair, such as headbands, armbands, face paint, and even “Top Gun” aviators (if they have them), to bring their unique "Downball vibe" to the court. Additionally, a specially designed ‘Downball Australia Kid’s Crew T-Shirt’ is available for purchase. This branded t-shirt is optional and can be bought online at the Downball Australia shop, offering participants a way to show their pride and support for the Downball community outside of the standard team uniform requirements.

The sign-up process for the Downball Australia School Community Club competition is straightforward and conducted via the Downball Australia website. To register, navigate to the specific competition you are interested in, such as the Maroondah competition, and select the "sign up" option. During registration, you'll be asked to provide essential information for participation. The registration costs cover various aspects of the competition, including player registration, insurance, and participation in a number of games per term, ensuring a comprehensive and enjoyable experience for all participants. Terms and conditions are also available during the registration process. A link to the T&Cs can be found here.

Matches involve two teams facing off in a 30-minute match per week, with a six-square format and a specific scoring system based on player eliminations. For a detailed overview of the competition format, including the specific rules, scoring system, and match setup, participants are encouraged to refer to the "School Community Club Logistics" document, which offers comprehensive information to ensure a clear understanding of the gameplay structure. A link to the logistics document can be found here.

The Downball Australia School Community Club competition emphasizes community participation. Parents are encouraged to arrive early for warm-up sessions with their children and other community members, fostering community spirit. Following the games, the atmosphere remains vibrant, with opportunities for socializing and informal play, reinforcing community bonds. Significantly, safety and accountability are prioritized; parents must sign out their children at the end of their competition session. It is mandatory for parents to physically pick up their children, ensuring a safe departure from the competition. This process not only ensures the safety of all participants but also strengthens the community aspect of the event, making each competition day a comprehensive and engaging experience for families.

Our referees, known for being the most enjoyable officials you'll meet, act more like coaches than traditional referees. They ensure fair play, can explain the rules during gameplay as needed, and are dedicated to maintaining the fun Downball vibe, making every game a fantastic experience by enforcing our core values. Additionally, a competition convener is always on hand to answer questions and provide assistance wherever needed, ensuring that both players and spectators have support throughout the competition.

We are committed to continually improving the Downball Australia School Community Club experience and highly value feedback from our community. The best initial contact for feedback is directly with the competition convener available at each game. They are well-placed to receive your insights, suggestions, and concerns in real-time, ensuring that your feedback is heard and considered as we strive to enhance the competition for everyone involved.

Absolutely! During the signup process, please ensure you select the school you are from, and we look to allocate your child to a team of students for their school, otherwise one of our many teams. Downball Australia is committed to inclusivity and will ensure these players are placed in the most appropriate team before the season starts, allowing everyone keen to play Downball the opportunity to participate and enjoy the competition.

Without a Doubt! When completing the registration form, please select the school ‘Z-Other’ in Section 1. Later in the form, you will be asked ‘Selected Other as your School?’, select ‘Yes’, and list your school name in the pop-up box. From here, Downball Australia will add your school as a participating school in the association, and you're in!