Laois Badminton

GENERAL RULES

1. Cups and plaques to be back before a date set by the Hon Secretary, or else the club in question will be fined £10.
2. The Executive Committee shall have the power to suspend or fine any Club or individual within the organisation for breach of rules governing the Laois Badminton Association
3. The Executive Committee shall have the power to recommend to the Executive Committee of the Leinster Branch that the affiliation of any Club in the County’s remit be refused, or suspended, or terminated and shall give its reasons for such contentions. The Executive Committee shall require an explanation from the Club concerned and shall adjudicate. The Association shall accept such adjudication.
4. Where under the foregoing Rule any Club is refused affiliation, or it’s affiliation is suspended or terminated, all the members thereof shall suffer the same disability as the Club itself, that is to say neither the Club nor its members as such shall be entitled to play in any Badminton competition

organised by any County Association, nor by the Badminton Union of Ireland.

5. Any grievances / appeals must be dealt with by the Executive Committee in advance of this topic being discussed at any General Meeting.
6. Any dispute or enquiry in reference to the interpretation or observation of the rules of the Association or otherwise in relation to the game of Badminton or any matter arising thereat, shall be referred to the Executive Committee. An appeal may be taken from the said Committee to the Counties Appeals Committee. From there to the appropriate committee of the Leinster Branch.
7. Any dispute arising between Clubs in these Competitions shall be referred to the Executive Committee within 3 days of completion of the match and such complaints must be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary.
8. The Chairperson and Secretary of the Club must sign all objections lodged.

9. In a dispute involving any Club, all members from that Club are bared from voting.
10. On receipt of a official complaint from an affiliated Club that any members neglected or refused to pay any moneys due to the Club, either as subscription or otherwise, and on receipt of satisfactory evidence that such sum is due and has been demanded, the Executive Committee shall have power to call upon such defaulting member for an explanation. Failing the receipt of a satisfactory explanation or the receipt of the monies due within a reasonable time the Executive Committee shall report the matter to the Executive Committee of the Branch, which has power under it’s rules to suspend such person from being a member of an affiliated Club and to notify all Clubs within the Branch area of the suspension. No affiliated Club may allow a suspended person to become a member while he or she remains suspended.
11. Each club to provide 3 people to officiate at a final each year. Clubs that fail to do so when requested pay a fine of £10.00.
12. A draw will be held each year at the presentation night. Each club must sell 60 tickets for the L.B.A. for this draw. The club can keep anything sold over and above £60.00.
13. All tickets sold must be returned before the date of the draw.
14. A minimum of £60 must be returned within 14 days of the draw.
15. The Rules of the Association may be altered only by a resolution of a General Meeting. Any alteration or amendment thereto, shall not be passed unless supported by at least two – thirds of the recorded votes.
16. Any member of an affiliated club may propose or second an alteration to the rules. Any proposed alteration in the rules, together with the name of the proposed and seconded must reach the Hon. Secretary of the Association at least 5 days before the Annual General Meeting, to be dealt with at the AGM.
17. Members of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to free admission to all matches and tournaments played within the county under the auspices of the Association.
18. The Executive Committee shall have power to forbid the playing of matches on such dates as they may from time to time demand.
19. All Clubs may be requested to provide the Executive Committee with free use of the hall for one match.
20. Suppers, i.e. – tea and sandwiches only to be provided by the home team.
21. A player shall not be permitted to play for any more than one Club affiliated to the "League" in any one Season. (With exception to the Ladies and Men’s League).

22. Registration sheet must show player’s and sub’s full names.
23. Both teams should make sure that the score sheet is properly completed in all headings as per rules 13 (Competition) and 4. (Substitution).
24. "Whites" must be worn on the court at all times. N B the interpretation of "Whites" means acceptable sports wear.
25. Score sheets must show players full name. The score sheet must be signed by the Captain.
26. Each team Captain to forward a signed original score sheet to the County Secretary within 9 days of the due date.
27. If a count of aces becomes necessary, aces are to be counted from scratch, irrespective of whether teams concerned are carrying plus or minus handicaps.
28. This count of aces also applies to the handicapped League Competitions.
29. If a game is declared a walkover or claimed the score for that game is 15-0,15-0. This also applies to handicapped events.
30. Players may only play on teams one grade below their individual grade.
31. If a Team or individual wins a county title in a grade it does not mean upgrading automatically.
32. A fixed penalty of £25 will be levied on Clubs, which pulls out of any competition after the draws are made.
33. A further fine of £5 per match played is added to the fixed penalty.
34. All Halls used for the Knock-Out Cup and League semi-finals and finals must conform to measurements as follows:

Minimum height over entire court area 17 feet

Minimum with of court 20 feet

Minimum length of court 44 feet

Minimum clearance between court walls 1 foot

35. No coaching is allowed from the time that the game commences until it is completed. Players are not allowed to leave the court without the umpire’s consent. No one is allowed on the court during play and at the intervals between sets. If the umpire suspects that the above rules are being breached, the hall is cleared of everyone except the players, umpires linespeople and the caretakers of the hall. If this does not happen then the game in question is postponed to another night. The committee will determine the time of the event, and the date that is given is final. This game will be treated as a "neutral venue". If the umpire is definite as to what side is coaching the game is automatically awarded to their opponents. I.E. a walkover is given. In the event that this rule is enforced the umpire submits a report to the County Board within 9 days of the match.
36. In all matches, the Captain of the team shall, prior to commencement of play, exchange a score-sheet with a list of players in order of merit.
37. No alterations in order of play or personnel of a team can be made after the exchange of Match sheets.
38. Minimum number of teams to form a Grade Competition to be decided by the Executive.
39. At a semi-final or Final only, should a player become incapacitated after play in an event has begun, so that he/she cannot continue playing the Captain shall be entitled to include a substitute in any subsequent event in which such an incapacitated player should have taken part provided that:-

1. The event is a semi-final or Final only.
2. The opposing Captain is consulted and if any dispute arises it will be determined by the Referee for that day.
3. The injury or other incapacity was caused entirely after play in the event had begun and was not due to tiredness or worsening of an existing ailment.
4. The relevant rule regarding substitution will apply.

40. All neutral venue matches to be played in order of games on score sheet.
41. Hon. Secretary, on the approval of the Executive Committee usually arranges neutral venue matches.
42. League semi-finals and Finals and Cup finals, dates to be set before Christmas by the Executive. These dates are binding and cannot be changed except under rule 16. In section entitled Competitions.
43. For Play Off’s, League semi-final’s and all finals played in a neutral hall, no return match is necessary and the match is decided on the night as per rule 47 below.
44. Neutral venue match is any match played at neutral venue, whether it be one of the following:

Play off of a section of any League.

QuarterFinals, semi-finals or Finals of any League.

Finals of Knock – Out Cup’s.

45. Both teams share shuttles for neutral matches.
46. Neutral observes will normally take charge of the match. If, however, for any reason no neutral observer is present both team captains should take responsibility for each alternative game.
47. If neutral venue match is drawn sets to count. If still equal, aces to count and if a count of aces becomes necessary, aces are to be counted from scratch, irrespective of whether teams concerned are carrying plus or minus handicaps. If still equal first mixed to play again and the outcome of the first set decides the winners.
48. Home Club of neutral venue will usually supply supper, for which a charge will be made to all teams who partake. This charge belongs to the club.
49. No stoppage of play is allowed for tea or other beverages, (exceptions only for Semi – Finals and Finals when the normal 15-minute break is allowed).
50. Both teams pay appropriate hall fee to club hosting the event.

51. An admission fee is usually charged at all neutral venue match. The admission fee is for the"LBA".

52. All matches shall start not later than 8.00 p.m.
53. Whichever team is unable to provide a game as requested that team shall forfeit one game from the list, the choice of game of the Ladies and Men’s doubles to be left to the opponents.
54. If only mixed is available then this game can be played, if a team facilitates another team by playing games out of sequence that team would normally have the right to arrange the sequence of the mixes to suit themselves. It should however be agreed at the outset between the opposing Captains.
55. Games can be claimed every half-hour, e.g. 8.30pm 9.00pm, and so on.
56. Games can only be claimed at the point in which that game is due on court. (I.e. a half-hour after previous games ends).

MAIN LEAGUE COMPETITIONS

1. League Competitions usually start during the first week of November and finish as near as possible to the second week of February.
2. Half of the matches must be played before Christmas.

3. Fixture lists of the League Competitions will be forwarded to each Club Secretary, after which date no postponements of fixtures are permissible, except where hall is not available.
4. Teams shall consist of 4 Ladies and 4 Gentlemen in grades 4 to 7 inclusive and 3 ladies and 3 men in grades 1 to 3 inclusive.
5. All matches to consist 2 Ladies doubles, 2 Men’s doubles and 2 Mixed doubles for grades 1 to 3 inclusive and 2 Ladies doubles, 2 Men’s doubles and 4 Mixed doubles for grades 4 to 7 inclusive.
6. Games to consist of the best of three sets of 15 aces. A point is awarded for the winning of each game won in the match. Maximum number of points to be won is 8 in grades 4 to 7 and 6 in grades 1 to 3.

7. Finals of the Leagues to be decided by the Executive Committee as to the dates of each match.
8. In a league competition where there is a single group of:

1. Top two teams to the final
2. Top two teams to the final
3. Top team to the final – 2^nd V 3^rd in the semi-final.

7. With two groups containing 4 to 6 then winners "A" V runners up "B" and winners "B" V runners up "A" in semi-finals.
8. If teams finish level in the league standings then the two matches between them to apply as per Rule no. 10 in Section entitled "Cup Competitions". If three teams finish level then results against the opposing two are added to get qualifier. If games, sets and aces are equal then a play off to take place in a neutral hall. Where this is not possible then games, sets and aces in all league games to count.
9. Each team shall play one Home and one Away match against each team entered in their League, or Section where the League is divided.
10. No alterations in order of play or personnel of a team can be made after the second match in the League. This does not apply to substitutes.

13. The order of play is 1^st Ladies, 1^st Men, 2^nd Ladies, 2^nd Men, 1^st mixed, 2^nd Mixed, 3^rd Mixed and 4^th Mixed. However if there is mutual agreement between the Captain’s the game can be played in the following manner. All of the Doubles played first and then the mixed, or in any order they care to play. If there is a disagreement then the game is played down the score-sheet. This agreement between Captain’s must take place before the game commences and whatever decision is reached stands for the entire game. This rule does not apply to semi-finals or finals as the match is played down the score-sheet.

14. Each team Captain to forward a signed original score sheet to the League Secretary within 9 days of the due date.
15. All breaches of rule 14 above will result in the deduction of 2 points from the overall league standings of the offending team.
16. Any club/group which plays an illegal player or does not accurately return names of players taking part in matches shall be liable at the discretion of the Executive Committee, to have the team concerned disqualified from "The League".
17. If a team is disqualified, all points awarded for and against that team shall be declared null and void for that particular season.
18. The Executives have the power to withdraw from the League and deduct all points gained by other teams against them.

Ladies and Men’s Leagues

This is a 4-person league played by 4 Ladies in the case of the Ladies League and 4 Men in the Men’s League.

1. All players must be registered with a Laois affiliated Club and be graded by the computer. The penalty for a breach of the above rule is that the player is treated as an "illegal player" .
2. To following is the allotted points to each grade:

Grade 7 Team Max 6 Points

Grade 6 Team Max 13 Points

Grade 5 Team Max 18 Points

Grade 4 Team Max 26 Points

Grade 3 Team Max 36 Points

Grade 2 Team Max 52 Points

Grade 1 Team Max 67 Points

3. The rule’s relating to "Substitution" applies with this League.
4. No alterations in order of play or personnel of a team can be made after the second match in the League. This does not apply to substitutes.
5. The order of strength is as follows:-

(A) The team’s two strongest graded players will play the first game.

(B) The second game by the remaining 2 player’s.

(C) The third and fourth games must be a mixture of partners from "A" and "B".

6. Each team Captain to forward a signed original score sheet to the League Secretary within 9 days of the due date.
7. All breaches of rule 7 in this Section will result in the deduction of 1 point from the overall league standings of the offending team.

1. At the secretaries meeting held before the 31^st of January, apart from any other business, all Club secretaries (or a nominated person) decide the date in which they will play each other in the Cup Competition only. These dates are final and are given to the Cup Secretary before the meeting is concluded.

2. Club’s with a hall that is banned from the Cup competition that cannot find a hall in which to play their game must inform the Cup Secretary within 7 days of the date. The Cup Secretary will find a hall in which to play the game and the cost of the hall will be born by the Club in question. While every effort will be made to secure a hall with costs in mind, the cost and distance of the hall will not be used as a reason to cancel the game.

3. KnockOut Cup Competitions start after Christmas.
4. Two weeks usually allowed for each round to be played.
5. Teams cannot be changed after the first match in the K.O. Cup.

7. Onus on home teams to get each round played.
8. KnockOut Cups charts will be forwarded to each club Secretary.
9. Teams having priority in the order of draw for 1^st. 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th rounds have home venue, i.e. each team is given a number and whichever number comes up first of any matches being played has home venue.
10. In the event of matches being drawn – return match has to be played at venue of team playing away in drawn match. If match is still drawn, sets to count on both matches, if still equal aces to count on both matches. If still equal, first mixed is replayed, and the outcome of the first set decides the winners.

11. Knock Out Cups Finals dates to be set before Christmas by the Executive Committee.
12. Teams shall consist of 3 Ladies and 3 Gentlemen in grades 1 to 3 and 4 Ladies and 4 Gentlemen in grades 4 to 7.
13. The order of play is 1^st Ladies, 1^st Men, 2^nd Ladies, and 2^nd Men, 1^st mixed, 2^nd Mixed, 3^rd Mixed and 4^th Mixed. However if there is mutual agreement between the Captain’s the game can be played in the following manner. All of the Doubles played first and then the mixed. If there is a disagreement then the game is played down the score-sheet. This agreement between Captain’s must take place before the game commences and the decision reached stands for the entire game. This rule does not apply to semi-finals or finals where the match must be played down the score-sheet.

14. All Halls used for the Knock Out Cup competitions must conform to Measurements as follows:

Minimum clearance between court walls 1 foot

GRADING

1. All persons affiliated to Laois will be individually graded before the season starts. Every Club will receive a grading list based on the previous season before the league commences.
2. In order to assist the Grading of teams / players, all club Secretaries must forward a list of any players who are not present on the grading list and have not played in any competition under the auspices of the B.U.I. over the previous 3 seasons, together with their grades. The grading of these new players is the responsibility of their clubs. A player who is graded by the computer and has not played in any competition under the auspices of the B.U.I. for the previous 3 seasons will only be allowed to drop one grade from the grade stated by the computer. If any player is graded too low then penalties will be imposed on the club concerned, (See rule 7) A special form for this purpose to be provided by the league secretary to all clubs in advance of the starting of the league. This form must be returned before any player not present on the seasons grading list plays in any competitions.

3. Each individual grade is allotted a certain amount of points, and a maximum allotted to each grade for a team.

Grade 7 1 point per person Team Max 14 points

Grade 6 3 points per person Team Max 24 points

Grade 5 4 points per person Team Max 32 points

Grade 4 6 points per person Team Max 48 points

Grade 3 8 points per person Team Max 48 points

Grade 2 12 points per person Team Max 72 points

Grade 1 16 points per person Team Max 96 points

Inter Provincial Player 19 points (Senior)

International Player 28 points (Senior)

4. A team or players can play in more than one grade if they so wish provided they observe Rule 3 above.

5. Only 2 Grade 5 players may play on a Grade 6 team.

6. A player registering after competitions begin and who is not present on the season’s grading list will be considered a late registration. Such individuals may not play on any team in any grade until the club has informed the County or League Secretary in writing. The Club as per 2 above must supply the grade of these individuals. If, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Club requires this player to fulfil a fixture then the club must inform the County or League Secretary by telephone before he/she plays and written details of the player including grade must be received by the League Secretary together with the relevant score sheet within the time limits as per rules.

7. The penalties for rules 2 and 6 of this section are as follows:

1. Deduction of all points gained by the individuals concerned.
2. The Club in breach will be fined a minimum of £10 per player or £3 per performance point above the limit, whichever is the greater.
3. The new grade applies to the individuals for the rest of the season.
4. The individuals are only allowed to play on a team of their proper grade or higher in any competitions the following season only.

This rule can only be applied once to a player in a season.

7. A 6-person team who win’s a County title and plays in the Inter County Competition have to increase their team numbers by 2. The conditions in which they do so are as follows:

1. Players must be registered with the County before 31^st of January of the current season.
2. Have to be graded by the computer system. In other words must have played at least 3 matches in a season to register a grade. The current season will not suffice.
3. The team points are increased to represent an 8-person team. E.G. Grade 3 is now 64 points.

7. The computer will run its program before the New Year and at the semi-final stage of the Main League and at the end of the season and new grading sheet is issued. The New Year grades only apply to the Cup and Championship Competition. Rules 2 and 6 (above) apply to the "League" and "end of season" grading.
8. A player will only be allowed to change by one grade from their league grading in the Knock-Out Cup and Championships

Substitutions

1. In the event of a substitute being necessary he/she must play in the absent players position. A substitute cannot be of a higher individual grade than the person he/she is replacing.

2. If rule 1 above is broken the team in question will automatically loose any points gained by the incorrect substitute, will be deducted one point from overall standings, plus a £5 fine payable within 14 days of notification of the breach of rule.
3. All subs must be graded for the season and clubs to be informed as to their grade if it is different from that specified by the Club Secretary.
4. Where a substitute player is being used for a match then this must be marked on the score sheet. The name of the player being substituted must be written on the score sheet. Any breach of this rule will result in any points gained by the substitute being deducted from the team in breach.

1. Only players graded by the computer are allowed to partake in the Championships.
2. The rules of the International Federation will be observed.
3. Only players affiliated to the Laois Badminton Association may take part.
4. The running of any event is at the discretion of the Committee.
5. All entries must be on Official entry forms. (Photocopies will suffice)
6. Any change of partner after the closing date must be of the same grade or lower than the person

he/she is replacing.

7. Winners umpire the next game.
8. All entries must be accompanied by the relevant entry fees.
9. Players who are not in the hall when required to play their games automatically forfeit their games.
10. Players cannot play below their individual grades.
11. Plate competitions will take place depending on entries.
12. No extension of the final date for the receipt of entries set by the Championship Committee is allowed.
13. Semi-finals will be the minimum to make a competition.
14. No entries are accepted over the phone.
15. Winning a county title in the Championship, e.g. Men’s Doubles in a grade may not affect his standing in Mixed or Singles, the following season he may remain at that grade.
16. County Championships may be played in Multicourt halls.

Juveniles

1. All Juveniles have to be graded. A juvenile can only partake in any senior competition under the following conditions:

1. Already graded by the computer.
2. Must have the relevant financial payments made.

2. A juvenile player may play for two clubs in one season only if his home Club is unable to provide an appropriate team for him at juvenile level.