Badminton Plymouth & District Badminton League Constitution and Rules Revised 2013
PLYMOUTH & DISTRICT BADMINTON LEAGUE CONSTITUTION... 4 LEAGUE RULES... 6 1. Organisation of League... 6 1.1. League Membership... 6 1.2. Format of the Divisions... 6 1.3. Matches... 6 1.4. Points, Champions, Promotion and Relegation... 6 1.5. End of Season ties... 7 1.6. Date for end of Season... 7 1.7. Courts... 7 1.8. Start of Season Requirements... 7 1.9. Inter-Clubs within the same Division... 7 1.10. Other Problems... 8 2. Conduct of Matches... 8 2.1. Laws and Shuttlecock provision... 8 2.2. Match Start Times... 8 2.3. Umpires... 8 2.4. Makeup of teams.... 8 2.5. Injuries... 8 2.6. Incomplete matches... 9 2.7. Reporting Results... 9 2.8. Late arrivals at matches... 9 2.9. Conceded events... 9 3. Registration... 10 3.1. Player Affiliation... 10 3.2. Team Membership and Player Affiliations... 10 3.3. Mid-Season Affiliation changes... 11 3.4. Unregistered Players... 11 4. Postponements... 11 4.1. Postponements for League Matches... 11 4.2. Postponements due to Beckly Cup Matches... 12 5. Disputes... 12 5.1. Notice of disputes... 12 5.2. Settlement of disputes... 12 6. Finance... 12 6.1. Club Insurance... 12 6.2. League Trophies... 12 6.3. End of Season Presentation Dance... 12 7. Beckly Cup Rules... 12 7.1. Management of the Beckly Cup Competition... 12 7.2. Shuttles for the Beckly Cup Competition... 13 7.3. Competition Details... 13 7.4. Format of the Team and Match... 13 7.5. Format for each event... 13 7.6. Selecting a Team for the Beckly Cup Competition... 13 7.7. Ineligible Players... 13 7.8. League Rules that apply to the Beckly Cup... 14 7.9. Dates for the First Round of the Beckly Cup Competition... 14 7.10. Knockout Round Completion Dates... 14 7.11. Arranging a Beckly Cup Competition Match... 14 7.12. Other Problems... 14 Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 2
7.13. Beckly Cup Competition Trophy... 14 8. Tournament Rules... 14 8.1. Conduct of the Tournaments... 14 8.2. Management of the Tournaments... 14 8.3. Events featured in the various Tournaments... 15 8.5. Mixed Restricted Events... 16 8.6. Tournament Trophies... 16 8.7. Tournament Entry Fees... 16 8.8. Courts... 16 8.9. Reporting at the start of a Tournament... 16 8.10. Clothing for Tournaments... 17 8.11. Leaving the Tournament venue... 17 8.12. Participating in Tournament matches... 17 8.13. Tournament Play... 17 8.14. Other Problems... 17 8.15. The right to refuse or modify... 17 9. Men s and Ladies Divisions... 17 Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 3
Plymouth & District Badminton League Constitution 1 The League shall be named The Plymouth and District Churches Badminton League. 2 The objects of the League will be:- a) The promotion of good fellowship between members of various clubs. b) The arrangement of matches between affiliated clubs. c) The arrangement of individual tournaments in accordance with tournament rules. 3 All clubs within defined boundaries of the League shall be considered for membership. These boundaries are the Ordnance Survey lines 047 and 075 latitude and 235 and 266 longitude, or at the discretion of the Management Committee. 4 Each club shall attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held in September. Six elected representatives of each club shall be empowered to vote on behalf of their club for the consideration of the balance sheet and report and to elect officers and other League officials, as may be deemed necessary, and to discharge any necessary business. 5 The officers of the League should consist of a President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Press & Fixtures Secretary and Hon. Tournament Secretary. All officers shall be elected annually with the exception of the President who shall be elected tri-annually. 6 The management of the League shall be vested in a committee to consist of the officers of the League plus ordinary members sufficient in number to be able to out vote the officers by two votes. No club shall provide more than three ordinary members. The Chairman shall not have a vote other than a casting vote. 7 On joining the League each team shall pay the fees in force at that time. 8 Alterations to rules:- a) No revocation, amendment, alteration or addition to these rules shall be made except by resolutions passed by two-thirds of the representatives present and voting at the Annual General Meeting or Extra Ordinary General Meeting of the League. Notice of such proposed alteration to be received by the Hon. Secretary in time to ensure that fourteen days notice can be sent to the Secretary of each club of the terms of the suggested change. b) No proposal will be accepted unless it is presented on the official proposal form. The form should be sent to the League Secretary by the date written on the bottom Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 4
of the form. 9 All clubs in membership shall affiliate to their respective County Association via Badminton England. 10 Two auditors shall be appointed annually. 11 Vice-Presidents shall be proposed by the Management Committee and elected by simple majority of those voting at an AGM. The office of Vice-President shall be purely honorary and have no voting entitlement. 12 The League will make an annual donation to Plymouth & District Junior Badminton. The League will review the amount of the donation each year but it is expected to be in the region of 50. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 5
League Rules 1. Organisation of League 1.1. League Membership Membership of the League shall be automatic for continuing seasons unless the League Secretary is informed. Teams withdrawing after the AGM of a particular year shall be liable for the full subscriptions for the subsequent season. 1.2. Format of the Divisions 1.2.1. Should the number of teams make it necessary the League may consist of two or more divisions as may be determined by the Committee each season. 1.2.2. No division shall consist of less than five teams and normally, no more than seven. The constitution of each division shall be determined by the Committee each season 1.2.3. The constitution of any division shall be controlled so that it contains no more than two teams from any one club. 1.3. Matches 1.3.1. Each club shall play home and away matches with each other club in it s own division. In cases where sufficient time is not available for the full match to be completed on one evening, the respective captains of the club will arrange for another night for completion. 1.3.2. Clubs failing to complete any match on the date arranged must inform the League Fixtures Secretary with a re-arranged date for completion. Unfinished matches MUST be completed within thirty (30) days otherwise the Committee will award the points. 1.4. Points, Champions, Promotion and Relegation 1.4.1. Each contest between two pairs shall consist of the best of three games. The winning team to be awarded one league point. The club scoring the greatest number of points in Division One shall be the Champion Club for the ensuing year. 1.4.2. The club scoring the greatest number of points in each division below Division One shall be promoted unless prevented by Rule 1.2.3 in which case Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 6
the runners-up will be promoted. 1.4.3. The club scoring the least number of points in any division shall be relegated except in the following circumstances. If a team is relegated into a division containing two teams from that same club the lowest designated team of the club shall automatically be relegated in place of the bottom team in that division. 1.5. End of Season ties In the event of clubs completing the season each with an equal number of points, the winning club shall be the one gaining the greater number of wins, or if still equal the team with the least number of points scored against them and finally if still level then the better average of aces over the season. 1.6. Date for end of Season All matches must be completed by 31 st March. Continuation will be at the discretion of the Committee. See 2.6.2. 1.7. Courts Courts may be inspected by an appointed sub-committee with regard to faults and their decisions circulated to all clubs. Nets which have no posts standing on side lines shall carry two white tapes suspended vertically above each outside line. 1.8. Start of Season Requirements Each club shall forward the following items as soon as possible to the appropriate officer, before any match is played, unless indicated sooner as below:- 1.8.1. Fixture list within 14 days 1.8.2. Nomination and Affiliation List. 1.8.3. Fees due (i.e. team and insurance fees) 1.8.4. Confirmation that County Subscription has been paid Failure to meet any of the above obligations will mean forfeiture of all League points gained until the omission is rectified. 1.9. Inter-Clubs within the same Division Clubs with two teams in a division shall complete their common fixtures before Christmas. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 7
1.10. Other Problems Any problem not already covered by the rules shall be left to the Management Committee to adjudicate upon. 2. Conduct of Matches 2.1. Laws and Shuttlecock provision All matches shall be played under Badminton England Laws. Sufficient shuttlecocks of the correct speed to complete the match should be made available by the home club at the commencement at the match. All League competitions and tournaments to be played with cork based shuttles only. 2.1.1 Feather Shuttles will be used throughout the League. 2.2. Match Start Times The time for commencement of matches is to be arranged by the club secretaries and be rigidly adhered to. 2.3. Umpires All matches should be umpired and the umpire s decision must be regarded as final. However, as qualified umpires are not generally available, all matches should still be scored and if the scorer s decision cannot be agreed, a let should be played. 2.4. Makeup of teams. 2.4.1. Teams will consist of six players, three men and three ladies, each player being nominated in order of merit/strength. The matches shall consist of three men s doubles, three ladies doubles and three mixed doubles played in order of merit/strength as listed. The pairings for the mixed doubles need not reflect nominations in the order of merit/strength for the men s and ladies doubles, however the pairings shall be in descending order of merit/strength. 2.4.2. Players shall be nominated 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd player for each match and the players names and order of play shall be entered on the score sheet prior to commencement of play. If a team plays a match with only two men or ladies they shall play as 1 st and 2 nd men or ladies. Any discrepancies will be penalised in accordance with Rule 3.4 2.5. Injuries In the case of injury, a substitute may be introduced into the next event of the match, the event in which injury occurred going to the other side. A substitution can be made for an injured player between matches without penalties. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 8
Clubs should field the same team to continue any match that was unfinished after the first evening. However, where this proves to be impossible, substitutes may be used. The Committee will look carefully at the use of substitutes in general and will take action if it feels the rule is being abused. Also if a substitution is necessary during a match it should be for the injured player directly and no reshuffling of the team is allowed. No delay or alteration in the normal order of events is accepted due to the substitution. Teams are advised to have a substitute available for all matches. 2.6. Incomplete matches 2.6.1. If an event in a match is left incomplete in the middle of a game or at the end of a game, the event shall be restarted afresh. 2.6.2. If any club is unable to complete home fixtures by 31 st March the Management Committee shall have the power to award outstanding points according to the circumstances. 2.6.3. See also 1.3 regarding details for re-arranging incomplete events. 2.7. Reporting Results Each home secretary shall send to the Fixtures Secretary the result of each match played with full report on a standard score sheet, to be received by him within ten days following the match. Failure to do so will automatically produce a penalty of two points on the home team. Score sheets shall be signed by representatives of each club and taken as final. Note: scanned copies or images of score sheets can be submitted via email and should include both sides of the score sheet. If both sides of the score sheet cannot be returned electronically, then the paper copy must be returned within 10 days. 2.8. Late arrivals at matches In the event of late arrival at matches, the Committee may determine the facts and will deduct points as a penalty. 2.9. Conceded events 2.9.1. The reasons for conceded events must be put on the back of the score sheet or a letter from the offending team s secretary sent to the Press and Fixtures Secretary soonest. 2.9.2. The Committee will consider the reasons for conceding events and WILL deduct points. Any team conceding twelve (12) events or more in a season Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 9
WILL be relegated and all matches will be deemed null and void. 2.10. Venue Risk Assessment Both home and visiting team should complete a visual risk assessment of the venue prior to commencement of play. Any issues should be raised with the home team captain prior to commencement of the match. There will be a tick box at the top of the Score Sheet to confirm that this check has taken place. Anything untoward after match play has started can be noted on the score sheet. 3. Registration 3.1. Player Affiliation 3.1.1. The Press and Fixtures Secretary will provide each Club Secretary at the Annual General Meeting, a list of those players who were affiliated with the League at the end of the previous season. The Club Secretary need only inform the Press and Fixtures Secretary of any alterations to the list. Should a player wish to change affiliation from one club to another, the secretary of the club which the player is joining must send a statement to this effect to the above officer. 3.1.2. A player is not eligible to play for a team during the three days immediately following receipt of the affiliation by the above officer. The Club Secretary must confirm receipt of an affiliation before playing that player in a team. 3.2. Team Membership and Player Affiliations A club entering two teams in the League must submit the names of players nominated for it s A team. A club entering three teams must submit two lists of players nominated for its A and B teams respectively. Each list shall consist of a minimum of six players as detailed in Rule 3.2.4 below. These lists must be received by the Press & Fixtures Secretary before any team from the club concerned plays it s first League match of the season. A nominated player or a player who has played more than three matches in a team in a particular division may play for any team of the same club in the same or lower divisions provided that: (See N.B. below) 3.2.1. The Press & Fixtures Secretary is notified in writing and receipt is confirmed by the club secretary as in Rule 3.1.2. 3.2.2. There is a waiting period of two new team matches from the date confirmation of the change during which time the player does not play for either team. 3.2.3. The player has only one change in any one season and that no change takes place after February 1 st. However, a player automatically nominated under section 3.2.5. shall not be considered to have made a change and may thus be Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 10
denominated according to Rule 3.2.1. 3.2.4. Clubs with more than one team must always have a minimum of three ladies and three men nominated for each team requiring nominated players. Thus if a club denominates a player and brings the number below this minimum requirement, a replacement must be nominated at the same time 3.2.5. A nominated player must play for his / her selected team by the third match of that team in the season. Should he/she not do so then the players as listed for the third match will all be considered to be nominated players provided Rule 3.1 is observed. This will not denominate the originally nominated player who had not played for the selected team. 3.2.6. In the case of a club with three or more teams, compliance with Rule 3.2.5 may leave a vacancy in the nominations for the lower team (as per Rule 3.2.4). Any player filling this gap in the nominations shall be deemed not to have made a change and may be denominated according to Rule 3.2.1. N.B. A lower team (e.g. C team) player can only play three matches in higher teams without losing the lower (e.g. C ) team status. (i.e. not two games for the A team and two games for the B team.) 3.3. Mid-Season Affiliation changes Once a player has played in a Medley League match for a particular club, he or she cannot play for a different club in the same season, either Medley or Beckly Cup. 3.4. Unregistered Players Any club playing an unregistered player or players, or pairings of players, differing from the order laid down in Section 2 of these rules, shall be penalised. Games and aces gained by the offending player(s) shall automatically be deducted from that team s score. The games will then be awarded to the opposing team by 21 points to nil. 4. Postponements 4.1. Postponements for League Matches League matches should be played on the dates originally arranged by secretaries at the Fixtures Meeting at the start of the season, unless prevented by unavailability of the hall or extremely bad weather. However a league match may be re-arranged provided your opponent can agree a suitable date and with permission from the League Fixtures Secretary. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 11
4.2. Postponements due to Beckly Cup Matches A Beckly Cup match may take precedence over a previously arranged League match. 5. Disputes 5.1. Notice of disputes Notice of disputes between clubs shall be sent to the League Press & Fixtures Secretary within seven days of playing the match. 5.2. Settlement of disputes The decision of a disputes committee, in respect of each of the foregoing, shall be final. The disputes committee shall be convened by officers of the League as necessary and shall consist of the League Management Committee, as defined in the Constitution. 6. Finance 6.1. Club Insurance All Clubs must be adequately insured, either individually or through the League Insurance Policy. 6.2. League Trophies The League will be responsible for the engraving of all League Trophies. All League and Tournament Trophies must be returned in a clean condition to the Trophy Secretary at the February Secretary Meeting in the following season, with the exception of the Christmas Tournament trophies which should be returned at the November Secretary Meeting in the following season. 6.3. End of Season Presentation Dance Each team entered in the League shall pay 12.00 (Medley), 10 (Mens/Ladies) or whatever nominated sum towards the cost of the End of Season Dance. Every club member shall be entitled to a free ticket. 7. Beckly Cup Rules 7.1. Management of the Beckly Cup Competition The management of the Beckly Cup shall be vested in a committee comprising representatives from divisions throughout the League, together with the League Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 12
Secretary, Tournament Secretary and Press & Fixtures Secretary. The committee shall be elected at the AGM. 7.2. Shuttles for the Beckly Cup Competition All matches shall be played with feather shuttles to be provided by the home club for all rounds except the Final when the League shall supply feather shuttles. 7.3. Competition Details 7.3.1. The competition shall be played on a handicap to be set out by the committee. The handicap for each match shall be placed in a sealed envelope and only opened at the completion of a match by a member of the handicap committee or his nominated representative. In the event of a draw, the match will be replayed on the away team s court. The committee will provide a handicap for this possibility when the original one is being decided. 7.3.2. A separate draw shall be made for each round of the competition. 7.3.3. Handicaps shall be revised before each round up to and including the final. 7.4. Format of the Team and Match The team entered shall consist of three mixed doubles pairs playing nine mixed doubles events. 7.5. Format for each event Each event will consist of two games with no settings. 7.6. Selecting a Team for the Beckly Cup Competition 7.6.1. Club Secretaries must submit to the League Press & Fixtures Secretary by the second Saturday in October of each season, a list of players from which their Beckly Team will be selected for that season (NB. see rules under section 3 for registration) 7.6.2. Additional players may be registered for the Beckly Cup Matches, providing the registration is prior to that draw for the round taking place. 7.7. Ineligible Players Players not named in lists submitted will be ineligible for the cup matches although any club handicapped by loss of players through injury or other causes beyond their control may be permitted to submit names of additional players to the Beckly Cup Committee for consideration. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 13
7.8. League Rules that apply to the Beckly Cup League rules number 1.3.2, 1.7, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6.1, 2.7, 3.1.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 shall apply to the Beckly Cup Competition. 7.9. Dates for the First Round of the Beckly Cup Competition The first round of the competition shall be played in one week, the week being decided by the Management Committee (League fixtures shall not be arranged for this particular week. 7.10. Knockout Round Completion Dates All clubs will receive a copy of the knockout round completion dates at the start of each season. 7.11. Arranging a Beckly Cup Competition Match The home team must offer the away team two dates for the tie to be played. If neither is acceptable to the away team, the match will be awarded to the home team. 7.12. Other Problems The Beckly Cup Committee have the power to decide any matter not covered by the rules and their decision is final. 7.13. Beckly Cup Competition Trophy The League will be responsible for engraving the Beckly Cup Trophies, which should be returned in a clean condition to the Trophy Secretary at the February Secretary meeting in the following season. 8. Tournament Rules 8.1. Conduct of the Tournaments Tournaments will be conducted according to the rules of Badminton England. 8.2. Management of the Tournaments The management of the various tournaments is vested in the League Management Committee. Other interested parties may be elected onto individual tournament committees. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 14
8.3. Events featured in the various Tournaments 8.3.1. The End of Season main tournament will comprise the following events:- Ladies Singles Ladies Doubles Men s Singles Men s Doubles Mixed Doubles All open to any affiliated League player Mixed Handicapped Restricted (Division 2 and below) see Rule 8.4 8.3.2. The Junior League Committee will be responsible for organising Youth Tournaments, as follows:- U11 Boys Singles & Doubles U11 Girls Singles & Doubles U14 Boys Singles & Doubles Girls Singles & Doubles U16 Boys Singles & Doubles Girls Singles & Doubles U18 Boys Singles & Doubles Girls Singles & Doubles Mixed Doubles Open to anyone of the correct age group who resides within the boundaries that the League defined in Constitution Section 3 or who is registered with a Plymouth & District Badminton League Club which resides within the defined area. 8.3.3. A Mixed Doubles Handicapped Tournament known as the Christmas Tournament may be organised on a date near the Christmas season. Entry will be restricted to players affiliated to the League. 8.3.4. A Mixed Doubles Tournament known as the Summer Tournament may be organised during June or July each year. Entry will be open to anyone residing within the League boundaries, as defined in Section 3 of the Constitution. 8.3.5. A Mixed Doubles Handicapped Tournament known as the Veterans Tournament may be organised on a date near the end of the season. Entry will be restricted to players affiliated to the League who are aged 45 or over 8.4. The End of Season Handicapped Mixed Restricted Tournament will comprise the following events:- Ladies Singles Ladies Doubles Men s Singles Men s Doubles Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 15
Mixed Doubles This Tournament is confined to players who have not played in more than two first Division games during the current season prior to the Tournament entry closing date. Entry will not be accepted from nominated first division players or senior County players, except at discretion of the Committee. 8.5. Mixed Restricted Events The Mixed Restricted Tournament will consist of two completely separate sections as described in Rules 8.4.1 and 8.4.2. All players must be affiliated to the League and no players may enter both sections. 8.5.1. Mixed Restricted Upper Divisions Entry is confined to players who have not played in more than two first division games during the current season prior to the tournament entry closing date. Entry will not be accepted from nominated first division players or senior County players. 8.5.2. Mixed Restricted Lower Divisions Entry is confined to players of the teams in those divisions and to members of clubs who have players in those divisions, but who on merit or ability have not been able to gain a team place. Entry will not be accepted from players who have played more than two league matches for a team in higher divisions during the current season, prior to the tournament entry closing date. No Senior County player will be eligible. Entries will not be accepted from non-team members of clubs in higher divisions. 8.6. Tournament Trophies Perpetual trophies will be engraved and paid for by the League. All perpetual trophies must be returned to the Trophy Secretary in a clean condition at the February Secretary Meeting in the following season. Keepsake trophies are engraved at the winner s expense. 8.7. Tournament Entry Fees Entry fees for events are to be decided by the Committee. Club Secretaries to submit lists of competitors to the League Tournament Fixtures Secretary by a date to be decided upon by the League Committee. The appropriate remittance in respect of members fees for the Tournament shall be forwarded with entry lists. 8.8. Courts All matches to be played on nominated courts. 8.9. Reporting at the start of a Tournament All competitors report to the Referee immediately on arrival and be prepared to play at any time after the time quoted for the event. The Committee reserve the right to scratch any competitor not present when called. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 16
8.10. Clothing for Tournaments Competitors must wear suitable badminton clothing on court at all times. 8.11. Leaving the Tournament venue Competitors must not leave the hall during the tournament without the Referee s permission. 8.12. Participating in Tournament matches 8.12.1. Matches will be played as drawn. Substitutes will only be permitted in cases of sickness, injury or removal out of the district. Any such alteration will be subject to the approval of the Tournament Committee and must be notified to the League Tournament Secretary at least three clear days before the commencement of the Tournament. 8.12.2. A player or pair involved in the following match must be ready to play as and when required by the Tournament official in charge of the events. 8.12.3. Knocking up time must not exceed three minutes. 8.13. Tournament Play Play shall be continuous, no player being permitted to leave the court during the progress of the match. 8.14. Other Problems The Tournament Committee shall have power to decide any matters not covered by the rules and their decision shall be final. 8.15. The right to refuse or modify The Committee reserve the right to refuse entries without assigning reason, to add to or alter these conditions, or to withdraw or reduce any event if entries be deemed insufficient. Their decision in all matters will be final. 9. Men s and Ladies Divisions League Rules All League Rules apply with the following alterations 1.4.1 Each contest between two pairs shall consist of two games with a point awarded for each game won. The club scoring the greatest number of points in the highest division shall be the Men's / Ladies Champion Club for the ensuing year. Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 17
Conduct of Matches 2.4.1 Teams will consist of four players i.e. four men for the Men's Divisions and four Ladies for the Ladies Divisions. Each player being nominated in order of merit. Matches shall consist of six Men's / Ladies doubles. 2.4.2 Players shall be nominated 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th. The order of play will be as follows N os 1&2, N os 3&4, N os 1&3, N os 2&4, N os 1&4, N os 2&3 Conceded Events 2.9.2 The Committee will consider the reasons for conceding events and will deduct points. Any team conceding fifteen (15) events or more in a season will be relegated, and all matches will be deemed null and void. Team Membership and Affiliation A club entering two teams in the League must submit the names of players nominated for it s A team. A club entering three teams must submit two lists of players nominated for its A and B teams respectively. Each list shall consist of a minimum of four players as detailed in Rule 3.2.4 below. These lists must be received by the Press & Fixtures Secretary before any team from the club concerned plays it s first League match of the season. 3.2 A player affiliated to a club for the Medley Divisions will be allowed to affiliate to another club to play in the Men's / Ladies Divisions. 3.2.4 Clubs with more than one team must always have a minimum of four men / ladies nominated for each team requiring nominated players. Thus if a club denominates a player and brings the number below this minimum requirement, a replacement must be nominated at the same time Constitution and Rules. Revised 2013 18