How are team sports divisioned?

Q: How are team sports divisioned?

Under Sports Rules Article 1 (2024), section 10.4: Gender: female teams play female teams and male teams play male teams. Mixed-gender teams are divisioned with male teams unless there are enough mixed teams of similar ability for their own division. Age groups: 15 and under, 16-21, and 22 and over (another group can be added if there are enough 22+ teams). A team's age group is set by the oldest athlete on the team on the day the competition opens. Ability: every team-sport competition uses a sport-specific skills assessment and a divisioning round. Teams are grouped by those results. Each division has at least three and no more than eight teams. If divisions are still too small, age groups can be broadened first, then the ability range, and then genders combined, as long as health and safety are not put at risk. Competition management has the final say, and divisioning decisions cannot be protested.

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Sports Rules Article 1 (2024), section 10.4:

Gender: female teams play female teams and male teams play male teams. Mixed-gender teams are divisioned with male teams unless there are enough mixed teams of similar ability for their own division.
Age groups: 15 and under, 16-21, and 22 and over (another group can be added if there are enough 22+ teams). A team's age group is set by the oldest athlete on the team on the day the competition opens.
Ability: every team-sport competition uses a sport-specific skills assessment and a divisioning round. Teams are grouped by those results.

Each division has at least three and no more than eight teams.

If divisions are still too small, age groups can be broadened first, then the ability range, and then genders combined, as long as health and safety are not put at risk. Competition management has the final say, and divisioning decisions cannot be protested.