2025/26 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 born on, or after, Sept. 1, 2011. The second pathway is the Traditional Youth Competition Categories which are designed for athletes 18 years and younger.
The first pathway is the Early Contact Initiative which is designed for athletes born on, or after, Sept. 1, 2011. The second pathway is the Traditional Youth Competition Categories which are designed for athletes 18 years and younger.
Age Categories - How It Works
Athlete age eligibility is determined by an athlete's year and, in some cases, month of birth. If your athlete is born between September 1 and December 31 of a given year, they are eligible to play at their Chronological Age Category as well as the age category younger. The latter is called the "Extended Age Class".
Step 1: Determine your athlete's "Chronological Age Class" based on their Year of Birth
Step 2: If your athlete is born between September 1 and December 31, they are additionally eligible to compete at the younger age category as per the Extended Age Class. (Athletes born between January 1 and August 31 are ONLY eligible to compete at their Chronological Age Class.)
For example, an athlete born September 15, 2010 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, 2010 is only able to play at their chronological age category of 16U.
Step 1: Determine your athlete's "Chronological Age Class" based on their Year of Birth
Step 2: If your athlete is born between September 1 and December 31, they are additionally eligible to compete at the younger age category as per the Extended Age Class. (Athletes born between January 1 and August 31 are ONLY eligible to compete at their Chronological Age Class.)
For example, an athlete born September 15, 2010 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, 2010 is only able to play at their chronological age category of 16U.
Early Contact Initiative |
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The Early Contact Initiative is designed for athletes born on, or after, Sept. 1, 2011. Within this age category, there are two Competition Streams that our teams compete in. The first is called 6x6 and the second, is called TLS "Traditional Limited Specialized". In a nutshell, these competition streams have been designed to facilitate the development of young athletes in the sport as they progress towards the Traditional Youth Competition Categories (starting at 15U).
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**Athletes born on, or after, Sept 1st, 2011 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. |
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Traditional Youth Competition Categories |
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The Traditional Youth Competition Categories are designed for athletes 18 years and younger.
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**Athletes born in the latter third of a year (Sept. 1 - Dec. 31) are additionally eligible to play at the age category below. For example, an athlete born on Sept. 15, 2009 is eligible to play 17U OR 16U.
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