Statewide schools competitions are for schools who nominate teams. Find out the sports, costs and how to nominate for the School Sport SA statewide schools competitions.

Who can enter statewide schools competitions

To enter statewide schools competitions

• schools must be affiliated with School Sport SA.
• students must be in years 4 to 12.

Specific sport age groups are listed with the competitions offered.

Curriculum opportunities

Schools are encouraged to utilise statewide schools competitions for explicit teaching and learning opportunities such as

• moderations
• diagnostics
• analysis
• student officiating
• specialist sport program experiences
• group dynamics
• culminating practical assessment

Contact your convenor or School Sport SA for assistance in facilitating this.

Gender

Statewide schools competitions are played as either

• boys
• girls
• mixed (year 7 to 12 competitions only)

The intent is that girls may not play in boys' teams and visa versa as competitions are offered for both genders. Where there is no reasonable opportunity for a player to participate in an appropriate competition then approval can be requested by submitting a statewide schools competition request form prior to participation and is subject to approval from the School Sport Team.

Age groups

Year 4 to 6

Students must be in year 4 to 6 for all statewide schools competitions.

Year 7 to 12

Competitions will be offered in the below age categories depending on the sport.

• Year 7 and 8
• Year 7 to 9
• Year 9 and 10
• Year 10 to 12
• Year 11 and 12

Students who are enrolled in year 6 or younger are not eligible to compete in year 7 to 12 statewide schools competitions.

Lower level secondary students can be selected in year 9 and 10, year 11 and 12 teams if there are insufficient numbers.

Combined schools

A statewide schools competitions: request to combine schools in a competition must be submitted prior to nominations closing for that sport and approved prior to the team being able to participate. The intent is for each school to enter their own team. Each request will be considered on its merit.

School responsibilities

Each school has the duty of care responsibility of their students who take part in statewide schools competitions. Please make sure that the department policies and procedures are followed.

Fixtures and conditions

Choose a sport then select your specific sport to find the fixtures and specific rules for your sport. Fixtures will be available on the sports specific pages as soon as possible after nominations have closed.

View the statewide schools conditions of the competition.

Competitions offered, fees and finals dates

Competitions will only proceed if sufficient nominations are received. Statewide schools competitions are played during school hours and schools negotiate appropriate times to play within the due dates.

For 2026 nomination fees are calculated based on the number of players starting on the field or court

• Year 4 to 6 is $5.50 per player. Basketball has an additional cost due to the structure of the competition.
• Year 7 to 12 is $5.50 per player. Futsal, touch football and volleyball division 2 have an additional cost due to the structure of the competition.

Country schools do not pay the nomination or finals fee. Where possible, School Sport SA will subsidise the travel cost of country schools playing in the finals.

Finals participation, late nomination and withdrawal fees for 2026 are

• $75.00 per team for the finals.
• $55.00 per team for late nominations.
• $55.00 per team for a minor round forfeit or withdrawal.
• $110.00 per team for a finals round forfeit or withdrawal.

All minor round and finals dates listed below are subject to change.

How to enter and nomination due dates

School sports coordinators submit a nomination form by the due date.

• 2026 early term 1 competitions (year 10-12 baseball, year 9 to 12 cricket, year 10 to 12 softball, year 11 and 12 tennis) - Have closed
• 2026 term 1 competitions. Nominations are due Wednesday 11 February (Term 1, Week 3) - Have closed
• 2026 term 2 competitions. Nominations are due Wednesday 25 February (Term 1, Week 5) - Have closed
• 2026 term 3 competitions. Nominations are due Wednesday 27 May (Term 2, Week 5) - Have closed
• 2026 term 4 competitions. Nominations are due Wednesday 18 August (Term 3, Week 5)