Regulations for the Cyprus Women’s Amateur Basketball Championship 2025-2026
This document outlines the rules for the 2025-2026 Cyprus Women’s Amateur Basketball Championship. It sets out the necessary procedures and regulations for participating teams. The championship aims to promote basketball and encourage participation among women amateur athletes. The organization of the tournament will be based on the principles of transparency, ethics, consensus, and sportsmanship.
Article 2 – Standard References
In addition to the provisions of this Proclamation, the Championship will also take into account the following regulations and legislation (the latest version always applies):
- The Cyprus Basketball Federation General Regulations for Championships 2024-2025.
Article 3 – Team Participation
Teams with women amateur basketball players are eligible to participate, provided they register by September 15, 2025.
Teams must submit their roster beforehand, which should include up to twenty (20) players. Rosters must be submitted to the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Winter Championship by October 27, 2025, for approval.
The Board of Directors will review and approve all rosters. It may deny a player’s participation if they do not meet the participation regulations, in which case the team can replace them if necessary. The Board may also reject any player it deems appropriate for competitive reasons or any other reason, for the good of the Championship.
During the tournament, teams are not allowed to use players who have not been declared on their roster and approved by the Board. Roster changes are not permitted at any time during the season.
Article 4 – Player Participation
Players participating in the Championship must meet the following criteria:
- They must be at least 28 years old before the official start of the Championship (i.e., before the first game of the season).
- The participation of players between 25 and 28 years old will be allowed in exceptional cases. However, teams are only permitted to list a maximum of two (2) players from this age group on their roster for any given game.
- They must be registered on the official team roster before the Championship begins.
- They are not allowed to be paid for their participation.
- They are not allowed to play or coach for more than one team in the Women’s Championship in the same season.
- They must have a valid KOA Health Certificate before their first game.
- They must not have played for the Cyprus Women’s National Basketball Team or any other country’s national team, or in a Professional Women’s League in Cyprus or any other country, in the last five (5) years.
- This restriction does not apply to players 40 years or older. Additionally, teams are exceptionally permitted to have up to three (3) players on their roster who fall into the above category, but only two (2) of these players may be listed on the roster for any given game.
- Players who have previously participated in a professional basketball league in Cyprus or abroad must inform the Board of Directors when submitting their rosters.
Article 5 – Team Representatives – Decision Making
Each participating team must designate a Team Representative and a substitute to act as a liaison for coordination and communication. Decisions regarding the Championship will be made by the Board of Directors of the Winter Championship, in coordination with the Team Representatives. The Board operates under the statute of the “The Winter” Amateur Basketball Association.
Article 6 – Tournament Format
The Championship is expected to have seven (7) teams.
If more teams register, the Board will explore the possibility of including all of them. If that’s not possible, teams will be selected based on the date of their registration. If fewer than seven teams participate, the number of rounds and the playoff format will be adjusted accordingly.
Games will be held from Monday to Friday, starting at 6:30 PM. The official start date is November 17, 2025, with the first games taking place from November 17-21, 2025.
Regular Season
The Championship will be played in two rounds, with all teams playing each other over 14 rounds. The team that finishes in 7th place will be eliminated from the tournament and cannot participate in the playoffs. The playoffs will consist of single games, based on the final standings, as follows:
Quarter-final Phase
- Quarter-final A: 3rd ranked team vs. 6th ranked team
- Quarter-final B: 4th ranked team vs. 5th ranked team
The winners of these games, along with the 1st and 2nd ranked teams from the Regular Season, will advance to the Final Four.
Semifinal Phase (Final Four)
- 1st ranked team vs. Winner of Quarter-final B
- 2nd ranked team vs. Winner of Quarter-final A
Small Final
The losers of the two semifinal games will play a single game for third place.
Grand Final
The winners of the two semifinal games will play a single game to determine the champion.
Match Postponements
The game schedule is BINDING once announced. Teams do NOT have the right to postpone games. The games, times, and dates are binding and cannot be changed for any reason. In exceptional cases, the day, time, and venue can be changed, but only with the consent of the Championship’s organizing authority.
Article 7 – Courts
Teams must secure their own courts for home games, and any costs will be covered by the home team. The Board of Directors will decide the venues for the Final Four based on availability and cost. If a team’s court is unavailable, the game may be moved to the home court of another team in the Championship. Additional courts may be used if necessary, either free of charge or for a fee.
Article 8 – Game Procedures
Each game will have two (2) professional referees and two (2) officials. A professional nurse must also be present at every game.
All games will use a 24-second shot clock, an electronic scoreboard, and a 24-second display.
Statistics will be kept for all players’ performance, including points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and assists. The statistics will be kept via an electronic platform and will be available to all participating teams. All players must be registered on this platform before the season begins at their own expense. The annual registration costs 3 euros per player and is paid directly to the platform administrator.
Article 9 – Disciplinary Offenses / Penalties
- A team that does not show up for a scheduled game will be penalized with a forfeit (20-0 loss). If a team fails to show up for a playoff game, they are disqualified from the remainder of the Championship. The Board of Directors will then decide on their participation in the next season.
- Player Ejection: A player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., fighting with an opponent, referee, or official) will be suspended for their team’s next game.
- Irregular Player Participation: The team will forfeit that game and any others where the player participated irregularly.
- Repeated Irregular Player Participation: The team will be expelled from the Championship. The organizing authority will decide whether to replace the team with an alternate or continue with one less team. If a replacement is not made, the remaining games will be awarded to their opponents with a score of 20-0.
- Team Withdrawal or Expulsion: If a team withdraws or is expelled, the organizing authority will decide whether to replace them or continue with one less team. The remaining games will be awarded to their opponents with a score of 20-0.
- Altercation Between Teams: Both teams will forfeit the game. If a second incident occurs, the team will be expelled from the Championship.
- Any Other Disciplinary Offense: The penalty will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the organizers and will be enforced for any future repetitions of the same offense.
Article 10 – Participation Cost
The participation cost for teams will be determined after the registration deadline, as it depends on the number of teams. It is intended to cover the cost of organizing the Championship. Payment must be made in advance to the Treasurer of the Board of Directors before the start of the Championship.
Article 11 – Miscellaneous
- Communication activities, including social media promotion, will be carried out with the support of the Association.
- The voluntary contribution of team members to various aspects of the tournament organization is encouraged.
- After the Championship, trophies and/or medals will be awarded to the teams and players who finish in the top three positions.
