Indoor Youth Competition Division Split Manual
Updated February 2026 — Supporting clubs and members in understanding the Division Split and the rationale behind its implementation.
This Handbook is to be used until the Youth Competitions Manual is posted in August 2026
Table of Contents
Introduction
This document has been developed to support clubs and members in understanding the Division Split and the rationale behind its implementation. The changes outlined in this handbook are informed by the findings and recommendations of an independent third-party consultation conducted by Sport for Life. (Sport For Life Final Report)
Within this document, you will find:
Evidence & Reasoning
The evidence and reasoning that led to the division split decision
Structure Explanation
A clear explanation of how the structure will function moving forward
Eligibility & Rules
Division eligibility and operating rules
Annual Movement
Annual movement between divisions
Switch Requests
The process for submitting division switch requests
The goal is to provide transparency, clarity, and practical guidance to ensure clubs can confidently plan, register, and operate within the new structure.
Purpose Behind Splitting Divisions
The continued and substantial growth of volleyball in Ontario has created new operational challenges across the youth competition structure. Significant expansion within the 6v6-16U Girl's age groups have increased demand for competition space and facilities.
Facility Pressure
This growth has made it increasingly difficult to secure sufficient facilities on a single weekend to accommodate all registered teams.
Ontario Championships
It has also limited the ability to host all teams within an age category under one roof at Ontario Championships.
Structural Response
The Division Split is a structural response to these capacity constraints while supporting the continued growth of the sport.
Key Features to Be Preserved
Based on feedback from stakeholders and survey findings, several essential aspects of the OVA's competition structure will continue to be part of the experience during the transition to a streamed format for the Girls competition structure. While many rules and processes will remain unchanged, the focus here is on the core characteristics that define playing in the OVA.
The following elements will continue throughout the transition to the Girls Divisional split competition model:
Variety of Event Types
The OVA will maintain its variety of event types, including 9 on 3 courts, convention centre events, and two-day tournaments.
Tiering with Promotion & Relegation
Tiering of teams with promotion and relegation (Premier, Select, Championship, and Trillium) will remain in place.
Consistent Rules Across Divisions
Both divisions within an age group will follow the same set of rules.
Play Outside Age Group
Teams will retain the ability to play matches outside of their declared age group.
Consistent Tournament Count
The number of tournaments offered within each division of an age group will stay consistent.
What the Division Structure Means
Beginning in the 2026–27 season, select Girl's age groups (6v6 through 16U) will operate with two distinct divisions within the same age category: Division 1 and Division 2.
Each division will function as its own competition stream throughout the season. Teams will compete and be re-aligned within their assigned division, but movement between Division 1 and Division 2 will not occur during the season.
Divisional Split Example for 15U Girls
Division 1
Division 2
The remainder of this document outlines how the division structure will operate in practice, including placement processes, administrative procedures, competition regulations, and any changes or areas of continuity that clubs and teams should be aware of for the upcoming season.
Club Administration
Cost for Regular Season Events and Ontario Championships
Event fees will remain consistent across Division 1 and Division 2. The implementation of the Division Split does not impact the cost of participation for clubs.
Both divisions will receive the same standard of event delivery and competition experience, and fee structures will remain aligned within each age group.
Specific event fees are outlined in the Youth Competition Manual on an annual basis.
Membership Level
All athletes will still be required to register as Volleyball Canada Competitive members. Since teams from either division are permitted to attend VC Nationals should they choose, it is important to maintain a consistent membership across both divisions.
Access to Nationals
Teams from both Division 1 and Division 2 will continue to have equal access to Volleyball Canada Nationals each season. The Division Split does not provide additional weight or priority to Division 1 teams. All teams will follow Volleyball Canada registration and draw procedures.
For the purposes of pre-event seeding and reporting final Ontario Championship results to Volleyball Canada, teams will be listed with Division 1 teams first, followed by Division 2 teams. Within each division, teams will be ordered according to their Ontario Championship finish.

Example: There are 75 16U Girls teams from Ontario attending VC Nationals – 45 from Division 1 and 30 from Division 2. The Division 1 teams will be listed 1-45 in the results in order of their OC's finish in Division 1, followed by the Division 2 teams listed 46-75 in order of their OC's finish in Division 2.
Other Club Administration Policies
All other existing club administration policies will remain unchanged under the Division Split. This includes, but is not limited to, eligibility requirements , athlete transfer policies, club team organization guidelines, and team roster limits.
All provisions outlined in the Club Administration section of the Youth Competition Manual continue to apply equally to both Division 1 and Division 2. The Division Split does not alter these administrative standards.
Competition Rules & Regulations
Competition rules will remain aligned between Division 1 and Division 2 within each affected age group. The Division Split is not intended to create fundamentally different rule sets across divisions.
Any rule modifications approved for the 2026–27 season will apply consistently across the age group. Where appropriate, minor division-specific adjustments may be implemented to reflect the structure or objectives of each division.
As part of the annual review cycle, the OVA will evaluate potential rule changes in collaboration with membership and the Indoor Volleyball Development Committee following the completion of the current season. Any approved updates will be communicated through the annual What's New document released in the summer.

Fair Play: Fair Play requirements will remain in place across all applicable age groups and competition formats. This includes 6v6 divisions, TLS, 15U pool-play formats, and the current 16U Girls Trillium tier. Under the new structure, the existing 16U Girls Trillium Fair Play requirement will transition to apply to 16U Girls Division 2. No additional Fair Play modifications are being introduced as part of the Division Split.
Age Eligibility
Age eligibility will remain the same as previous OVA seasons and will apply to both divisions within affected age groups. The following chart shows the breakdown of the age groups for the 2026/27 season:
Chronological Age Classes
Extended Age Classes
Individual Player Movement
Individuals are permitted to move between teams in their club within the age eligibility guidelines found in the Youth Competitions Manual. Athletes are permitted to be listed on multiple rosters, with the following restrictions:
01
No Same-Event Dual Roster
A player may not compete on two different rosters within the same event.
02
Lateral Movement Rules
Lateral movement (within the same age group) is permitted only between teams competing in the same division and only prior to the roster lock date.
03
Roster Lock
After the roster lock date, athletes are locked to one roster per age group and may only compete for the team to which they are officially rostered within that age group.
04
Cross-Age Group Rostering
Roster lock applies by age group only. An athlete may be rostered on a team in their own age group and also be rostered on a team in an older age group, subject to standard eligibility requirements.

Example: Prior to the roster lock date, a 16U athlete registered with the Bears (16U Division 1) may move laterally to the club's other 16U Division 1 team (the Lions). However, the athlete may not compete for both teams within the same event and is not eligible to compete for the Rockets, the club's Division 2 team within the same age group.
OVA Points System
Since Division 1 and Division 2 will operate completely independently of each other, the two divisions will feature the same Points System as outlined in the Youth Competitions Manual. This system will remain unchanged from previous seasons and will continue to adapt based on the number of teams registered under a given age group and division.
Ontario Championships Eligibility & Tournament Formats
Ontario Championships Eligibility
Teams that wish to compete at Ontario Championships must compete in 2 of-age events within their respective division during the OVA regular season. This also applies to underage teams who are hoping to compete at an age-up Ontario Championships. (see playing up section).
Tournament Formats
Tournament formats will remain largely unchanged in each division. The standard 9 teams on 3 courts remains the best format for combining OVA competition requirements:
  • Maximizing teams at a venue
  • Single day event
  • Efficient schedule
  • Minimum 4 matches per team
  • Clean re-alignment protocol
  • Maximizes usable facilities (plenty of 3-court venues)
6, 8 and 12-team formats will still be used as needed. There is a strong avoidance to 10 team formats, however, they may be used on rare occasions based on team registrations.
Playing Up
Teams will still be permitted to play up in OVA competitions. However, teams must only play up in the Division that they compete in at their respective age group level.
Examples:
Division 1 TLS Girls Playing Up
A Division 1 TLS Girls team would like to play up in the 15U Girls Provincial Cup. They are permitted to do so, but are only eligible to compete at the 15U Girls Division 1 level. Within that Division, they will be initially placed based on the Initial Placement Adjustment protocol for underage teams found in the Youth Competitions Manual.
Division 2 16U Girls Playing Up
A Division 2 16U Girls team would like to play up in the 17U Girls Challenge Cup. They are permitted to do so, and since there are no divisions at the 17U Girls level, there is no restriction for them. They will be placed based on the Initial Placement Adjustment protocol for underage teams found in the Youth Competitions Manual.
Teams are also permitted to play up at Ontario Championships, as long as there are vacancies in that age group. Teams will be accepted to play-up at Ontario Championships events using the same process as usual.
Division Split Process and Season Details
6v6 Girls
Initial Division Split Method
Self-Declaration
Division 1 Team Target
No target capacity
For 6v6 Girls, the Division Split will be determined through a self-declaration process. Clubs will select the division that best aligns with their team's competitive objectives and development pathway. This Self-Declaration will be permanent for the duration of the 2026/27 season.
For the first two events, teams will self-declare their tier of competition within their chosen division. Each division will offer two tiers of competition for teams to choose from.
Teams may adjust their tier selection for the second event following the completion of the first event. However, division placement remains fixed for the entire season and may not be changed.
2026-27 Seasonal Structure for Divisional Split in 6v6 Girls
*7th–9th place teams moving down and 1st place teams moving up for Bugarski Cup

6v6 Ontario Championships: The 6v6 Ontario Championships will continue to operate under the traditional three-day format. Within each division (Division 1 and Division 2), teams will be placed into Flights (formerly known as "Divisions"). Each flight will conclude with tiers of 8 or 16 team playoff bracket, depending on the size of the flight. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded within each flight. The champion of Flight 1 within each division will be recognized as the official Division Champion and will receive the Championship banner and t-shirts. Both Division 1 and Division 2 will crown their own Division Champion.
TLS Girls
Initial Division Split Method
Self-Declaration
Division 1 Target
80–112 teams
Division 2 Target
97+ (dependent on Division 1 final numbers and new teams joining the age group)
For TLS Girls, the Division Split will be determined through a self-declaration process. Clubs will select the division that best aligns with their team's competitive objectives and development pathway.
Division 1 has a target capacity of 80 to 112 teams. Final placements will reflect both declared preference and the requirement to meet this target range.
If Division 1 Declarations Exceed 112 Teams
If more than 112 teams declare Division 1, adjustments will be required. In this scenario, previous season rankings will be used to determine final Division 1 placements in a fair and transparent manner. Teams not meeting the placement threshold will be assigned to Division 2.
If Division 1 Declarations Are Below 80 Teams
If fewer than 80 teams declare Division 1, adjustments may also be required to reach the target capacity. In this scenario, previous season rankings may be used to identify additional teams for placement in Division 1 in order to meet the 80 to 112 team target and support appropriate competitive balance.
The first two events will operate under a self-declaration model within each division, offering two tiers of competition for teams to select from. Teams will declare both their division and tier at the start of the season. Division selection remains fixed for the entire season and cannot be changed. Following the first event, teams may adjust their tier selection for the second event if desired; however, movement between Division 1 and Division 2 is not permitted at any point during the season.
2026-27 Seasonal Structure For Divisional Split in TLS Girls
*7th–9th place teams moving down and 1st place teams moving up for Bugarski Cup

TLS Girls Ontario Championships: The TLS Girls Ontario Championships will continue to operate under the traditional three-day format. Within each division (Division 1 and Division 2), teams will be placed into Flights (formerly known as "Divisions"). Each flight will feature tiers with 8 or 16-team playoff bracket, depending on the size of the flight. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded within each flight. The champion of Flight 1 within each division will be recognized as the official Division Champion and will receive the Championship banner and t-shirts. Both Division 1 and Division 2 will crown their own Division Champion. Please note - Division 1 and Division 2 will take place on different event days and potentially different venues due to event capacity.
15U & 16U Girls
Initial Division Split Method
Previous Season Rankings
Division 1 Team Number Target
96–112 Teams
Division 2 Team Number Target
97+ (dependent on Division 1 final numbers and new teams joining the age group)
For both the 15U and 16U Girls age groups, the Division Split will be determined based on final rankings from the previous season's Ontario Championships in the corresponding category. Teams will be placed into divisions according to their Ontario Championship finish.
There will be two streams of competition for each age group – Division 1 and Division 2. Division 1 features a target number of 96 to 112 teams for the 2026/27 season, with Division 2 consisting of all remaining teams within the age group.
15U & 16U Girls Division Placement Process
Upon the conclusion of the 2026 Ontario Championships, an official ranking list will be posted on the OVA website. The following placement process will apply to both age groups:
This structured process ensures fair and transparent division placement for all 15U and 16U Girls teams heading into the 2026–27 season.
2026-27 Division Placement for 15U & 16U Girls
Initial Ranking Publication
In May 2026, all participating teams will be listed in rank order based on final Ontario Championship results. 2026 TLS Girls results will inform 2026-27 15U Girls placement; 2026 15U Girls results will inform 2026-27 16U Girls placement. A clear cut-off line will be shown at the 96th team. Division placement is assigned to the club, not to an individual team roster.
Bubble Teams
The 12 teams immediately above and the 12 teams immediately below the 96-team cut-off (24 teams total) will be designated as "bubble teams." Bubble teams must submit a Statement of Preference to the OVA once they have a minimum of eight (8) signed athletes and no later than September 20, 2026. Preferences will be reviewed and considered by the OVA Competitions team when finalizing division placements; however, placement in the requested division is not guaranteed.
Locked Teams
All teams outside of the 24-team bubble range will be considered "locked" into their assigned division for the 2026–27 season. A locked team may request consideration for a division change by submitting an Exceptional Request for Division Change form. Requests must be received no later than September 20, 2026. Approval is not guaranteed and remains at the discretion of the OVA Competitions Team.
New Teams
All new teams entering the 15U or 16U Girls competition structure will be placed in Division 2 of their respective age group by default. A new team may request consideration for placement in Division 1 by submitting an Exceptional Request for Division Change form, following the same process, requirements, and deadlines outlined above for locked teams.
Final Division Confirmation
Following the September 20, 2026 submission deadline, the OVA Competitions Team will complete its review of all Statements of Preference and Exceptional Requests for Division Change. All teams that submitted a request will receive written confirmation of their final division placement for the 2026–27 season no later than September 25, 2026. Once confirmed, division placements and Pre-Season Rankings for the 2026–27 season will be posted on the OVA website and considered final.
Seasonal Structure — 15U & 16U Girls
Each division will build to a minimum of three tiers of competition throughout the season. At the start of the season, teams will be assigned to a tier based on their Pre-Season rank. Teams will be re-aligned using the regular protocol found in the OVA Indoor Youth Competitions Manual.
2026-27 Seasonal Structure For Divisional Split in 15U Girls
*7th–9th place teams moving down and 1st place teams moving up
2026-27 Seasonal Structure For Divisional Split in 16U Girls
*7th–9th place teams moving down and 1st place teams moving up

New for 2026/27! Top teams from both Division 1 and Division 2 for the 16U Girls Age Group will feature a Fall Classic event at the EY Centre in Ottawa for their Provincial Cup and a 2-day Grand Prix to conclude the regular season.

Ontario Championship: The 15U and 16U Girls Ontario Championships will continue to operate under the traditional three-day format. Within each division (Division 1 and Division 2), teams will be placed into Flights (formerly known as "Divisions"). Each flight will feature tiers with 8 or 16-team playoff bracket, depending on the size of the flight. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded within each flight. The champion of Flight 1 within each division will be recognized as the official Division Champion and will receive the Championship banner and t-shirts. Both Division 1 and Division 2 will crown their own Division Champion. Please note - Division 1 and Division 2 will take place on different event days and potentially different venues due to event capacity.
Post-Season Movement
For 2027-28 Season and Beyond
The same processes and procedures outlined for the initial season will apply to future division splits within the 6v6–16U Girls age groups.
Division 1 target capacities may be adjusted in future seasons based on overall participation numbers. Any revised target number for an age group will be communicated to clubs no later than two (2) months prior to that age group's Ontario Championships event for the applicable season.
The established target number will determine the division cut-off line and, accordingly, the number of bubble teams identified between Division 1 and Division 2 each season.
Implementation & Adjustment Authority
The Division Structure for 6v6–16U Girls has been developed to support the continued growth of youth volleyball in Ontario. While every effort has been made to establish clear and stable processes, participation numbers and facility capacity may require operational adjustments.
OVA's Reserved Right
The OVA reserves the right to modify division sizes or realign teams prior to the start of the season if necessary to ensure appropriate capacity, scheduling feasibility, and successful event delivery, including regular season weekends and Ontario Championships.
Communication Commitment
Any such adjustments will be communicated to clubs and stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner. Changes will only be made where required to maintain the integrity and sustainability of the competition structure.
Appendices
Appendix I – Statement of Preference
(Official Form will be submitted via Cognito Forms)
STATEMENT OF PREFERENCE (Team inside "bubble" for 15U/16U Girls Age Group)
TEAM NAME:
COACH NAME:
PREFERRED DIVISION FOR 2026/27 SEASON:
  • Division 1
  • Division 2
REASON FOR CHOICE:
LIST OF ATHLETES ON ROSTER:
  1. ATHLETE NAME – PREVIOUS OVA TEAM – PREVIOUS OVA TEAM RANK
Acknowledgement that they are submitting their preference for the 2026/27 season, this request is not guaranteed. The OVA Competitions Team will review each request and notify all teams by September 25th, 2026.
SIGNATURE ____________________________
Appendix II – Exceptional Request for Division Change
(Official Form will be submitted via Cognito Forms)
EXCEPTIONAL REQUEST FOR DIVISION CHANGE
TEAM NAME:
COACH NAME:
CURRENT RANK (Put NR if new team):
REASON FOR REQUESTING DIVISION SWITCH: (list of valid reasons below)
  • Significant roster turnover (better or worse) (need 8 athletes that create an average within the top 50% for Division 1, or for Division 2 they need over half their roster to be new to OVA + remaining average within the bottom 60% of the age group (a.k.a 80 or lower in an age group of 200 teams)
  • Results that show they overperformed/underperformed — Need proof of results to confirm (i.e won/lost against comparable teams in higher/lower division)
LIST OF ATHLETES ON ROSTER:
  1. ATHLETE NAME – PREVIOUS OVA TEAM – PREVIOUS OVA TEAM RANK
Acknowledgement that they are submitting their request for the 2026/27 season, this request is not guaranteed. The OVA Competitions Team will review each request and notify all teams by September 25th, 2026.
SIGNATURE ____________________________

NOTE: All new clubs are automatically placed in Division 2 for their first season.
Appendix III – Self-Declare Guide for Teams
To support clubs in the self-declaration process for the 6v6 and TLS Girls age groups, the OVA will provide age-specific Self-Declaration Guidelines in advance of the submission deadline. These guidelines are intended to assist coaches in evaluating the most appropriate division for their team.
6v6 Girls Self-Declaration Guidance
Division 1 May Be Appropriate For Teams That:
  • Have more than half of the roster previously competing at the 6v6 level.
  • Have an average roster ranking within the top 60% of the previous 6v6 Ontario Championships results.
  • Demonstrate early comprehension of team play, including strong ball control skills, developing attacking fundamentals, and understanding of offensive and defensive systems.
  • Include athletes demonstrating advanced physical development for their age (e.g., height, physical literacy, overall athleticism).
Division 2 May Be Appropriate For Teams That:
  • Are new to OVA competition.
  • Require additional time for technical and tactical volleyball development relative to their peers.

These guidelines are advisory in nature and are intended to support informed decision-making. There is no requirement to strictly adhere to these indicators. The OVA remains confident in clubs and coaches to determine the most appropriate competitive environment for their athletes.