2023/24 Club (Rep) Age Categories
The Ontario Volleyball Association has defined two "Age Category Pathways" for competition as outlined below. The first pathway is the Early Contact Initiative which is designed for athletes 15 years and younger. The second pathway is the Traditional Youth Competition Categories which are designed for athletes 18 years and younger.
How It Works
Within each of the Age Category Pathways, athlete eligibility is determined by an athlete's year of birth (chronological age class). In addition, for athletes born in the latter third of a year (September - December), they are also able to play at the age category "younger". This is called the "Extended Age Class". For example, an athlete born September 15, 2008 is eligible to play at their chronological age category of 16U OR, at the younger age category of 15U. However, an athlete born August 15, 2008 is only able to play at their chronological age category of 16U.
Exception for athletes born July 1 - December 31, 2009:
At the "transition point" between the OVA's Early Contact Initiative and the Traditional Youth Competition Categories, there is additional flexibility for athletes born in 2009.
Exception for athletes born July 1 - December 31, 2009:
At the "transition point" between the OVA's Early Contact Initiative and the Traditional Youth Competition Categories, there is additional flexibility for athletes born in 2009.
- Athletes born in the the latter half of 2009 (July 1 - Dec. 31), have the option to play at either the 15U age category OR the 14U age category.
Early Contact Initiative
The Early Contact Initiative is designed for athletes 15 years and younger.
Age Category |
Chronological Age Class |
Extended Age Class |
12U |
2012 or younger |
Born between September 1st 2011 and December 31st 2011 |
13U |
2011 |
Born between September 1st 2010 and December 31st 2010 |
14U |
2010 |
Born between July 1st 2009 and December 31st 2009 |
**Athletes born on or after July 1st, 2009 have the choice of playing in the 14U Early Contact Initiative or the 15U Traditional Youth Competition Categories.
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For more information on the OVA's Early Contact Initiative please refer to their website. Please note that date of birth references are for the 2022/23 season. |
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Traditional Youth Competition Categories
The Traditional Youth Competition Categories are designed for athletes 18 years and younger.
Age Category |
Chronological Age Class |
Extended Age Class |
15U |
2009 |
Born between September 1st 2008 and December 31st 2008 |
16U |
2008 |
Born between September 1st 2007 and December 31st 2007 |
17U |
2007 |
Born between September 1st 2006 and December 31st 2006 |
18U |
2006 |
Born between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2005 |
**Athletes born in the latter third of a year (Sept. 1 - Dec. 31) are eligible to play at the age category below. For example, an athlete born on Sept. 15, 2007 is eligible to play 17U OR 16U.