Jr. Braves Tryouts 2024/2025 (now closed)

any eliagable athletes for phase 2, or for any questions, please contact 

The Jr. Braves program runs for boys and girls from under 12s to under 18s.

In response to the high volume of athletes participating in the Junior Braves tryouts in previous years, we have implemented changes to the process to ensure that each athlete has the best opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities.

For the upcoming 2024-25 season, the tryouts will be divided into three distinct phases:

Phase 1:

This phase is specifically designed for new athletes who were not chosen for a Junior Braves team last season or were placed in the 4th or 5th (development) team.

Athletes who were selected for the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team are not eligible to participate in this phase.

Only selected athletes from Phase 1 will progress to the subsequent phases, with communication regarding selection status sent out after the session.

Phase 2:

Comprising of two sessions, Phase 2 is open to athletes selected from Phase 1 as well as those who were part of the Junior Braves 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team in the previous season.

Phase 3:

Athletes who did not make it to the top 20 in their age group and gender will attend the final tryout session.

Those selected in the top 20 will participate in a separate session involving training and an intra-club game, from which the 1st and 2nd teams will be chosen.

If an athlete is moving up to an older age group for the next season, the above wording still applies.

Important Dates: (session times per age group TBC @REA)

– Phase 1: Sunday, July 21st (All age groups*except Under 12 & Under 14 Girls)

– Phase 2: Sundays, August 4th & 11th (all age groups)

– Phase 3: Sunday, August 18th (all age groups)

For Under 12 & Under 14 Girls, the tryout session will be rescheduled due to a clash with the Under 12 Country Skills Day.

– Phase 1: Saturday, July 20th (Under 12 & 14 Girls session times per age group TBC @CMC).

In case an athlete is unable to attend the scheduled dates due to exceptional circumstances but wishes to be considered for a team, a written request outlining the circumstances must be submitted to Joe Hurst, Director of Coaches & Athlete Development (DOCAD) at https://forms.monday.com/forms/b3cd246f0f996a17d41c84c99e50e4e1?r=use1 for review.

Please be advised that the Junior Braves program will introduce a new fee structure for the 2024-25 season. Details regarding the fee structure will be provided during the tryout registration process, with payment required shortly after the announcement of the Junior Braves teams for the upcoming season.

Note - tryouts is a closed door session, spectating will not be permitted.

Teams are made of 10 athletes, 2 coaches and 1 team manager. 

Most of the head coaches will already be assigned to their teams and unless assistant coaches are already selected, it's likely a parent will be asked if they can assist the head coach once teams are selected. 

Team managers are more often than not a parent who has been asked by the head coach. Team managers can not be selected until the teams are completed. 

Although this is never set in stone, the standard available teams to be selected for are below. Additional teams are based off talent pool, coaching staff and other factors. 

The 2024-25 season will see the implementation of a new Season Fee structure to the Bendigo Junior Braves program.

 The new fee structure is a consistent and fair approach for all families with the cost for each athlete in the program exactly the same. 

The Season Fee is paid over multiple instalments throughout the season and covers costs such as:

• Registration fees
• Domestic game sheet fees, and
• Contribution towards travel and accommodation costs for team staff (previously reimbursed).

• Uniform clothing - items are purchased directly through Breach Apparel
• Fundraising
• Photo - these will be ordered either directly through the JBC or the photographer
• Game incidentals such as lollies, fruit, water etc. - If a team wants any of these items (decision for the Head Coach), then a roster system will be developed by the Team Manger for families to bring items to each game.

For VJBL teams, sponsorship will continue to be a crucial component of our program funding that every athlete will be required to secure.

Payments & Dates

Important Points to Note

There are no payments required for athletes to attend a tournament outside of the payments listed above. 

Families will pay these fees directly to the JBC via the Majestri CRM software, removing the need for our Team Managers to manage the funds.

The below points are taken from the Junior Braves Operational Policies & Guidelines:

• Athletes will not be able to participate in any games for the Junior Braves until each payment is paid
• There will be no refund on any payments once made to the JBC.
• Athlete's families that are experiencing final hardship are encouraged to speak with the Treasuer or Chairperson to discuss possible options and assistance. Any issues will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence. 

Note - tryouts is a closed door session, spectating will not be permitted.

Click here to register and follow the prompts