Starting out First-timer
The trial classJoins a session and follows the coach's instructions.
How players progress
The Dragon pathway
Every player grows through five levels, like a dragon growing up: from the egg at their trial class to Elder Dragon. Stars inside each level mean there is always something to earn this term.
Five levels
What each level means
Skill decides the level, not age. A teenager who already plays school basketball can start at Young Dragon or Dragon.
Starting out 
Level 1 Hatchling
Dribbles with either hand while walking, holds a defensive stance, makes a chest pass, uses layup footwork.
Level 2 Young Dragon
Dribbles at speed with either hand, finishes layups on both sides, defends one-on-one, plays by the rules.
Level 3 Dragon
Reads the game, shoots with consistent form, plays a full game in the team's system.
Level 4 Elder Dragon
Squad, leader, coachPlays in the competition squad, helps coach the younger groups and sets the standard at training.
Step by step
Ten steps after the trial
Early stars come quickly. Later ones take a year or more. That is roughly one step for every year a child could stay with us.
Trial Start 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 
Elder 10 Moving up
How stars and levels are earned
Assessed every term
At the end of each term or package, the coach checks every player against the same skills checklist.
Three stars per level
Each star is one part of the checklist. Three stars and the coach's sign-off move a player up.
A certificate to keep
Moving up a level earns a certificate and, with parent consent, a shout-out on our channels.
Sessions and levels
Two different things
Sessions decide who trains together: by level, with J1 for primary school children aged 5 to 12 and A2 with priority for girls. Levels track each player's own progress inside their session.
So one session can have Hatchlings and Dragons in it, and every player sees their own next step.
A1A2J1B1B2B3
What parents see after each term Level 1 · Hatchling
Level 1 · Hatchling Next star: dribble with the weaker hand at walking pace, around the cones, without losing the ball.
Example only. Every parent receives their child's scorecard at the end of each term.
Badges
Something to earn every term
Badges sit alongside levels: for showing up, passing skills tests and coach awards.
On fireAttend 8 sessions in a row
First gamePlay your first match in Dragons colours
Camp graduateAttend every day of a holiday camp
SharpshooterMake 7 of 10 free throws in a coach test
Ball handlerBeat your level's dribbling circuit time
Lockdown defenderCoach award, one per group each term
Team playerCoach award with teammates' votes
Most improvedBiggest rise in the group each termStart at the egg
Every Dragon starts with one trial class. The coach places your child at the right level from day one.