Northumberland County Club League
Rules and Regulations

1.

Leagues

The Leagues shall be known as the Northumberland Badminton Association Inter-club Leagues

2.

The Leagues shall be composed exclusively of teams from clubs affiliated to the Northumberland Badminton Association or to the Durham County Badminton Association.

3.

Fixtures

3.1

Each club shall send a copy of its league fixture list to the League Secretary not later than fourteen days after the Annual League Fixture Meeting.

3.2

If a club is not represented at the Annual League Fixture Meeting, then a fine to be set by the League Secretary will be imposed on that club. It is the responsibility of the non-attending club to contact the opposition in order to arrange its fixtures. Any fixture not arranged by the non-attending club will be forfeited.

3.3

It is the responsibility of the home club to confirm the date, time and venue of each match with the visiting club not later than seven days before the fixture date. (See note A1).

3.4

Matches shall be played as arranged at the Annual League Fixture Meeting. A match may be postponed for the following reasons only:

a) Inability of the home team to obtain a suitable hall

b) Non-availability of players due to representative commitments (e.g. county matches or equivalent)

3.5

In exceptional circumstances a match may be postponed for other reasons provided this is agreed by both clubs and approved in advance by the League Secretary. (See note A2).

4.

Organisation of leagues

4.1

There shall be three leagues: Ladies, Mens and Mixed Doubles. Feather shuttlecocks shall be used for all matches.

4.2

Each League shall consist of one or more divisions.

4.3

A club may enter any number of teams in any combination of leagues. Within a given division a club shall be represented by ONE team only, except in the lowest division where a maximum of TWO teams will be allowed.

4.4

Teams shall play one HOME fixture and one AWAY fixture against each of the other teams in the division during the course of a season.

4.5

In each division ONE team shall be promoted to a higher division and ONE team shall be relegated to a lower division at the end of each season. In the event of the team finishing first in a division being ineligible for promotion (because another team from the same club is playing in the higher division) then the most highly placed eligible team shall be promoted provided that it has won more matches than it has lost during the course of he season.

In the event of the team finishing last in a division being relegated to a lower division in which there is a second team from the same club, then the second team shall be relegated also.

EXCEPTION: When a sixth team is included in a division (as a result of uneven numbers of teams in the league) TWO teams shall be relegated whenever reorganisation into divisions of five teams occurs.

4.6

A match won shall count one point for the purpose of calculating league positions.

4.7

All matches shall be played before March 31st. Permission should be sought from the League Secretary for any matches to be played after this date . (See note A3).

5.

Eligibility of players

5.1

In a given league a player shall represent ONE CLUB ONLY during the course of a season. A player may represent different clubs in each of several leagues provided that he or she is a bona fide, subscription-paying member of each club represented and is affiliated through that club to the Northumberland Badminton Association.

5.2

Where a club has two or more teams in a given league the following rules should be followed;

For all teams except the lowest team in each league the club must nominate four members of each of its proposed teams before the team's first match of the season (In the case of mixed 2 men and 2 ladies). A nominated player must play a minimum of 2 of the first 3 matches for the team to which he or she is nominated in the season, unless the player concerned has played for a team in a higher division in the same league, otherwise the League Secretary must be notified immediately. Failure to nominate players for a team will result in the first 4 players on the first scorecard of the season being the players nominated for that team.

Nominated players may not play for a team below that to which they are nominated.

A player who has played a total of THREE times for a higher team in the current season shall not be eligible to play for a lower team .

Players it is intended to play regularly in that team should be nominated. Clubs should make their nominations in the spirit of the competition. (See note A4).

6.

Courts and Halls

6.1

Badminton courts used in league matches shall be of regulation size and have a minimum clearance of 300mm between court and any wall or obstruction and a minimum height of 5.5m between floor and any ceiling, beam or other structural feature which could give rise to a "fault " if struck by the shuttlecock during play.

6.2

A minimum period of FOUR court hours shall be made available for each match. Except by mutual agreement, the starting time shall be such as to permit a match of minimum duration to be completed by 10.30pm. Before play commences the home team shall inform the visiting team of any time limit in force.

6.3

A visiting team shall comply with any local rule in force, and any such rule shall be explained to the visiting team before play commences.

7.

Matches

7.1

Matches shall be played in accordance with the laws of badminton as published by the Badminton Association of England.

7.2

In mixed doubles leagues each club shall be represented by three mixed doubles pairs, in ladies' doubles leagues by three ladies' doubles pairs, and in men's doubles leagues by three men's doubles pairs.

7.3

A completed match shall consist of nine rubbers in which each pair plays against each of the three opposing pairs.

7.4

A rubber shall consist of the best of three games to 15 points, setting as appropriate.

7.5

Matches shall start promptly at the time arranged. (See note A5)

7.6

In the event of a match being terminated before completion but after more than four court hours of play, the team leading at the end of play shall be the winner. Unfinished rubbers shall not be counted. Should the number of rubbers won be even, then the team leading in the unfinished rubber(s) on (1) games, (2) points shall be credited with the deciding rubbers.

7.7

In the event of a match being terminated before completion because of unforeseen circumstances and after less than four court hours play, the match shall be replayed unless one team has already won five rubbers. Unplayed rubbers shall not be counted.

7.8

In the event of a team being unable to fulfil a fixture, the opposition shall be awarded the match with 9 rubbers, 18 games, and 270 points. The club in default shall score nothing. (See note A2)

7.9

Both teams shall send a fully completed score card to the league secretary not later than 48 hours after a fixture. (See note A3).

8.

Queries and Complaints

Any query or complaint relating to inter-club league play should be referred to the league secretary whose decision in every case shall be final.

A

NOTES

A1.

A genuine misunderstanding can sometimes prevent confirmation of a fixture in the normal way. Should the need arise a visiting club is advised to contact the home club in order to avoid the possibility of inconvenience to players.

A2

Since an unplayed fixture may compromise the fairness of competition between other clubs in the division , it raises serious questions about the standing of a club in default. It is essential, therefore, that the abandonment of a fixture be considered as a last resort.

A3

Final league placings , promotions and relegations are calculated on March 31st. Clubs are credited with scores received by the league secretary on or before this date.

A4

The fairness of inter-club competition depends heavily on the a strict observance of rule 5.2. Clubs with teams affected by changes in membership, long-term injury to players, change in player's form etc. are strongly advised to consult the League Secretary who will offer guidance on the re-nomination of players to teams.

The League Secretary has the right to query any club, who do not appear to have nominated teams in accordance with the spirit of the competition.

A5

It is anticipated that all teams will adopt a responsible and considerate attitude towards the opposition with regard to match starting times. Should a team feel that it has cause for complaint it is recommended that , firstly, the fixture be played if a start can be made within 30 minutes of the arranged time; and secondly, that the duration and cause of any delay are communicated to the league secretary as soon as possible. All relevant factors will then be taken into account in deciding to what extent a team at fault is to be penalised by amendment of the match score.If a team is late for a match, rubbers may only be claimed at the END of the evening if the match is not completed. Both teams must be in agreement to the number of rubbers claimed otherwise (as stated above) the league secretary must be consulted.