The solution is ... promotion/relegation.

Which club...div...player age...players selected ahead of you...your experience as a player...attitude...work ethic...skill level compared to others..what were the reasons for opportunity not going your way.

Someone thinks they are a better player than they really are I think....

Anon 54130, I think that Darth was having a go at the fact that some people's answer to everything is pro/rel. Have a good look around the forum and you might get the joke.

By the way, have you ever played any other sport at a Club level. From what I have heard form friends in Footy and Netball Clubs, I think you might find it is all the same.

This is a emotional issue from players and parents in particular. There are always favorites in clubs who seem to get a div 1 spot in every year level but spend most of their careers on the bench. I am of the belief that you are better off in a division where you can competently dribble, shoot, rebound and score occasionally than in a division (eg div 1), where you are under so much pressure you can't confidently do any of these. The only proviso is that ideally you are training with the best people you can. This works for Div 2 players who get 25-30 minutes a game and enjoy it because they are at the correct level for them (ie first five) but they train with the div 1 div 2 squad. This is better than being number 9 or 10 in a div 1 team and getting 5 or 10 minutes where you are continually under pressure ?? In many cases this is the parents pushing their kids. No easy answer.

According to many parents, this is why you should play Junior Basketball first- then you would be prepared for the big let-down.
You mention you have been "pushed away from 'ball by the way some clubs run themselves".
Have you tried many? Not being nasty, but perhaps the problem, and answer, is staring at you when you shave each morning

if you love the game and want / think you can be the best - and your club doesn't think / feel that as well

move now! - you never know

it is clear the club doesn't share the same thing - you are more important than some club

player = person
club = organization

we were at a middle of the road club - gave blood for the cause

and subsequently treated woefully for no reason than poor management and aimless B grade club politics.

So we changed to a stronger club (dropped a division or two) - and never been treated better / been happier

A lot of disgruntled ex-juniors blame politics at their respective clubs for stopping them from playing basketball at the level they think they should be. I could choose to trot the "politics" chestnut out, but i prefer to believe that the older I get the better I was! (joke)

I believe that parents of junior District players have a lot to answer for in this regard:
1 - basketball as a sport provides recreation, physical exercise and social skills at an early age.
2 - as children get older, they may choose to continue on into district basketball (which is great!).
3 - THE PROBLEM - Parents often are unrealistic in their understanding of how capable a player their child is, and want TOO MUCH say in their childs basketball pursuits. Rose-coloured glasses! Just as every kid won't be Prime minister of Australia (although I wish I could choose one to be!), not every kid is gonna play D1, ABL, NBL or NBA. (I hope this doesn't suprise the majority of readers!!!)

Politics is evident in every basketball club in SA, it is more prevalent in some clubs compared to others, but it is out there.

The best changes i've seen in basketball clubs have been the ones made from within - get on board!!!

I think i can best sum up my p.o.v. as thinking of Basketball as a user-pays system like your electricity or home phone - if you don't like the service you are currently getting, change provider(=club)

Peace.

Some interesting points made here, but call me old fashioned but arent you supposed to enjoy the game as well.

I agree that not every child will be a superstar, but why stop playing if you love to play the game. Find a club you like, and play the game and enjoy it and stop worrying about politics. Play it because you enjoy itand who cares about the rest!!! Its a great sport and has lots of benefits so enjoy it