Braintree & District Badminton League

Rules for Individual Tournaments (September 2019)

1

Entries are open to members of affiliated Clubs who are fully eligible to play for that Club in League matches and those Clubs and their affiliated members who play in the neighbouring Leagues e.g. Chelmsford Federation, Colchester Federation. Entries from members of affiliated Clubs who do not comply with the aforementioned ruling may be accepted at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. In addition, entries from players who have played in the League up to 3 years previously but are not currently members of affiliated Clubs will be accepted at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. Inter-Club pairings are permitted.

2

Competitors in age restricted events must be of that age on the 31st October in the year of entry.

3

There will be a handicapped competition in events as decided by the Tournament Committee (typically Men’s singles & doubles, Ladies singles & doubles, Mixed doubles, Veteran Ladies, Men’s and Mixed doubles and other age restricted events as appropriate). These events will be detailed on the entry form.

4

If the format detailed in rule 3 is not feasible based on the entries, the Tournament Committee may revert to an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ Tournament, where the ‘A’ Tournament will be restricted.

5

The Tournament will be handicapped, typically in the format of the player(s) from the higher division typically starting on a negative score. Positive scores should be kept to a minimum where feasible to ensure the winner scores as close to 21 points as possible.

6

The Tournament Committee may cancel any event if less than 8 entries are received. Entry fees for such events will be refunded in full. If there are only 4 entries in an event there may be a ‘Round Robin’ event, where the winner and runner up will contest the final.

7

All games will be played best of 3 games to 21. There is NO SETTING in a handicapped event i.e. the winner of each game is the first to 21, there will be non- continuation of 2 clear points. If the Tournament has not been handicapped, normal setting rules will apply.

8

If entries for any event are heavy, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to play sections of the draw at a particular venue on a particular date. Should any person be unable to play on such a date, the entry fee for this particular event(s) will be refunded in full.

9

The entry fee for each event will be decided at the previous AGM.

Entries should be made on the entry forms or in writing/email and accompanied by the appropriate fee. Entries must be received by a date as agreed by the Tournament Committee in the year of entry, typically the first Friday in October.

10

All matches must be played on a court within the area covered by the League(s) or on the court of an affiliated League Club.

11

In the first playing round the players whose names are drawn first shall be called the home players and they will select the venue of the match. In the subsequent rounds the away winners of the previous round will have the right to select the venue for their match. If there are 2 away winners or 2 home winners those whose names are higher on the draw will have the choice of venue.

12

The home player(s) must within 7 days of the date of notification offer the away players at least 2 dates, the away player(s) have 7 days to respond to the offer. If the home player(s) do not offer dates as above, they forfeit the choice of date and venue, which passes to the away players. The away players then have until the closing date for the round to offer at least 2 dates to the home players and play the match. If either makes no offer, both may be scratched. In the event of a dispute or failure to agree a date, the tournament secretary must be contacted.

13

The draw will only be seeded if the event has NOT been handicapped.

14

The choice of shuttles (feathers or cork based plastics) shall be left to the home players in all rounds up to the Semi-finals. The choice of shuttles in the Semi-finals and Finals shall be decided by the individual players concerned. In the event of non-agreement a toss of coin shall decide. All shuttles must be of the appropriate speed for the venue.

15

The winning players must communicate the full score to the Hon Tournament Secretary as soon as possible, but in any case by the closing date of the round. Where no notification of a result is received both players may be scratched.

16

No extension to the time limit for each round will be given, unless exceptional circumstances.

17

All players eliminated in the first playing round of the Men’s Singles, Mixed and Evens Doubles (with the exception of seeded players if the draw includes seeds) will be automatically eligible for the Plate draw if there are sufficient entries.

18

After the draw has been made substitutes will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances before the first playing round.

19

All trophies are perpetual and shall be played for annually. Holders of all trophies will be responsible for their safe custody and for their return in clean condition to the Hon. Tournament Secretary 7 days before the annual Finals Night. If the holders move from the area they are responsible for returning the trophies immediately to the Hon. Tournament Secretary.

20

Competitors are requested to wear suitable sportswear on court.

21

The venue and date of Semi-Finals and Finals will be decided by the Tournament Committee.

22

The Tournament is run under the Laws of Badminton; non-compliance with these rules will be referred to the Tournament Committee, who reserves the right to scratch any player(s).

23

The event will be controlled by the Tournament Committee, whose decision will be final.

 

 

 Note:

There is no rule as to the sharing of court costs; however it is suggested that these are shared and that is agreed at the time of making the arrangement.
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