1. Each provincial team consists of twelve players, one in each school grade. Except as noted in rule 6, players must compete in their own grade.
2. All players must be residents of the province they represent (at the time of their provincial championship).
3. Age restrictions are based on a player's age as of the preceding January 1 (same year as national finals). Grade 1 participants must be under 9 years old; grade 2 - under 10; grade 3 - under 11; ... ; grade 12 - under 20.
4. All players should be selected by qualification at a grade-based provincial championship tournament.
5. Kindergarten (or younger) children may not participate in grade 1 at the national or provincial level. Provinces may have a separate kindergarten section at their provincial tournament, but the winner of this section does not qualify for the national finals.
6. If the provincial grade champion is unable to attend the nationals, or declines to attend, the runner-up (in the same grade) qualifies. If the runner-up declines, qualification then passes to the 3rd place finisher, then the 4th, etc. As a last resort, if no player in the correct grade can be found to participate, then qualification goes to the runner-up in the next lower grade, and then the 3rd place finisher in the next lower grade, etc. These players are eligible for prizes at the national finals.