Adriana “Play ‘Til 80 yo” Inaugural 5v5 Amateur Women's Basketball Spring League

Many people may wonder why some people would get so excited and look forward to a friendly basketball match on a Saturday morning, or why a group of amateur female ballers would get up earlier than usual for a friendly basketball game. It's not like they are training or playing games to train up for the Olympics. Well, of course they are not. They will never get to play in the Olympics, well, at least in this life...But they can play in the World Masters Games in 2021 in Kansai, Japan if they want to! (Though unfortunately the minimum age requirement is 30 years for basketball... 

Like the Olympics, the World Masters Games are held every four years for those who have retired from playing professional, semi-professional, and amateur players at four different levels at many age categories starting at 30+yo, 35+yo, 40+yo, etc. Several sports are available for play, just like the Olympics. This year it is going to be in Auckland, New Zealand next month from April 21-30. 

For someone who has just turned 31 years old, left school years ago, and maybe one day will start a family; where can she play, train, and compete? What about someone who goes to a middle school, high school, college, or university that does not have a girls' or women's basketball team? Someone who comes from a different city or country living in Shanghai? Where can we play? Well, luckily we now have many platforms to play in Shanghai. But what about the games, tournaments, and leagues?

No one can stop me from playing basketball...

Those who are in school without a team do not get to play, those with school teams may not be allowed to play due to certain restrictions, those who have left school may not have a team to train with? Even for those who are in a team may not have many games to play. We can train year long, but what is the point if we do not have games to practice what we have trained?

Maybe representing your country to play in the Olympics has never been your dream or motivation to play basketball. Maybe you are not interested to take part in the World Master Games in 2021 in Japan. Maybe you do not want to travel out of the city to play basketball. Maybe you just want to make the first step of playing in the city where you are now. Or maybe...it may change as time goes by, who knows?

Established in December 2016, Adriana is organizing a 5v5 amateur women's basketball league spring league soon! For more information, please see below:

1. Objective of the league:

To create a platform for female ballers to play basketball and develop amateur women's basketball in Shanghai and nearby regions.

2. Registration period :

Registration will commence on 3pm, March 14, 2017, and close on 11pm, March 20, 2017. Registration form will be given to the participating team manager via email.

3. League period:

On the weekends, April-May, exact time will be confirmed once registration closes. If enough school teams sign up for a league, games may be organized during the school days after school.

4. Location:

Various venues in the city.

5.  Fee:

1rmb*No. of players/per team + find a sponsor for your team to sponsor your gear (each team is required to have two sets of gear, one light and one dark colored jerseys)

6. Deposit:

300rmb/player (Deposit will be collected by the team manager and given to the Organizer)

This deposit will be refunded after the league if the team does not commit any violation of the rules and regulations of the league.

7. Requirements:

a.Minimum 10 players and maximum 25 players can be registered in the team;

b.Once a player has registered under a team, she is not allowed to represent another registered team in the league;

c.No more than 12 players are allowed to be registered to play for each game;

d. Each participating team must be able to host half of the round robin games, which include the venue (28m * 15m indoor basketball court) for two hours, 2 referees with min 3 years refereeing experience, 2 table officials with min 1 year table officiating experience, 1 on site first-aid support, and 1 volunteer from the team to write about her/his team's games for the Organizer; (if your team requires support to host games, please contact the Organizer); 

U19 participants will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to participation.

8. League game rules:

FIBA 5v5 rules excluding the 24 seconds rule during round robin games, including the 24 seconds rule for the games after.

9. Different divisions: the information below are just some guidance to have a better idea of which division would be better suited for you/your team, you can choose to join any division.

a. The Happiness Division (Min 4 teams, max 6 teams）

-majority of the players (70% and above) are over 28 years old

-majority of the players (70% and above) have played structured and organized basketball full court for over 7 years in a team with a professional coach

-majority of the players (70% and above) know the rules of the game

-majority of the players (70% and above) have experience playing formal 5v5 full court basketball games for over 7 years

b.The Hygge Division (Min 4 teams, max 6 teams）

-majority of the players (70% and above) are over 21 years old

-majority of the players (70% and above) have played structured and organized basketball full court for over 3 years in a team with a professional coach

-majority of the players (70% and above) know the rules of the game

-majority of the players (70% and above) have experience playing formal 5v5 full court basketball games for over 3 years

c.

The Felicita Division (Min 4 teams, max 6 teams）

-majority of the players (70% and above) are under 25 years old

-majority of the players (70% and above) have played structured and organized basketball full court for less than 2 years in a team with a coach

-majority of the players (70% and above) are have recently learnt the rules of the game

-majority of the players (70% and above) does not have much experience playing formal 5v5 full court basketball games

Note: If you are unsure which divison fits you/your team best, please speak to the Organizer.

10. Others :

If you do not belong to any team or your team does not have enough players, please look out for the post early next week to join a group where you can find team mates to join a team or form a team.

Who is Adriana? Adriana is a sports company established in December 2016 that focuses on serving the women’s sports community. With experience in amateur women’s basketball for over 12 years and having travelled to 53 countries around the world to see the women’s sports in these countries; she wants to provide more opportunities for this group of sports enthusiasts to participate in sports. Through the Adriana’s platform, she hopes to improve the quality of life of women and girls through sports participation, development and education. Founded in Shanghai, China, Adriana’s vision is to connect women’s sports around the world so that you can find a place to play and meet people who share the same passion for your sport wherever you go.

Contact Details：

Contact Person ：Virginia Chai Zheng

WeChat ：virginia_zheng

Mobile ：1381 720 3586