REGULATIONS FOR ALL SENIOR COMPETITIONS

1) These competitions shall comprise such league competitions as the committee

shall determine, and shall be confined to clubs within the Mid Sussex area.
Competitions are restricted to affiliated clubs only.

2) The competitions shall be managed by one, or more, sub-committees of not more

than four Association officials, to be appointed by the committee. The sub-
committee(s) shall have the power to decide all questions relating to competitions.
Any club being dissatisfied with any decision shall have the right of appeal to the
committee, whose decision shall be final and binding.

3) Entry fees shall be fixed by the committee. Clubs wishing to compete must apply
to the League Secretary by the 15th of August each year or any alternative date
specifically announced by the League Secretary, giving information about the playing
strength of the team(s) they wish to enter, as will assist the sub-committee(s).
4) The arrangement of divisions in any of the league competitions shall be made by
the sub-committee(s), on or before the first of September in each season, and copies
shall be circulated to clubs as soon as possible thereafter. Current League scores
and positions will be available on the MSDBA Webite for all competitions as soon as
the first matches are played.

5) The League Secretary shall organise a Fixtures Evening to take place in

September each season. The Match Secretaries of participating clubs shall attend
and agree with the appropriate Match Secretaries of the other clubs, the dates, start
times and venues for all the matches to be played by clubs teams. The Match
Secretaries shall also pay their clubs affiliation and entry fees during the Fixtures
Evening.

6) Each club shall play home and away matches with each of the other clubs in the
same division. When a club has two teams in the same division, matches between
these teams shall be completed within three months of the Fixture Evening. Subject
to any regrouping that may be necessary, one club will be promoted and one club
relegated between all of the divisions in all competitions at the end of each season.
In the event of a club, with several teams in the league, withdrawing one or more of
these they shall remove their most junior team.

7) In all matches, each team shall score one point for each rubber won (ie .
maximum of three games between the same pairs). If two, or more, clubs have the
same number of points at the end of the season, final positions will be decided in
favour of the club winning the highest number of matches, then games and finally,
aces.

8) Qualification to play for a club shall be bona-fide membership of that club,

including payment of the usual subscription for playing members for the current
season. Except where clubs are entering a joint team with another club in the
MSDBA, in which case players must be bona-fide members of either club.

a) A player should not represent more than one club in any competition.
b) Club players must be entered onto the MSDBA Website or registered with the
League Secretary, at least seven days before any matches are played.

9) In each competition, participating clubs who enter more than one team in the
same league shall nominate the players they propose to play for their first team and
any lower team, except their lowest. Clubs who enter only one team shall nominate
the players they propose to play in it except for the mens and ladies combination
leagues, where clubs, with more than one team in the same league, must nominate
50% of the higher team who cannot play in the lower team but others may play up
into the higher team.

a) The names of the nominated players shall be forwarded to the League

Secretary before the club plays any matches in the competition.

b) The players nominated for a clubs first (or only) team shall be the best that
the club proposes to play in the competition. If three teams are entered, the players
nominated for the second team shall consist of the next best players that the club
proposes to play in that competition.

c) Nominated players shall not play in a team junior to the team for which they
are nominated.

d) Any player who plays on three (or more) occasions during the season for a
team in a higher division, shall not, subsequently, be eligible to play for a lower team.

e) When two teams from the same club are playing in the same division, a player
nominated for one team cannot play for the other.

f) All nominated players shall play at least 50% of their teams matches unless a
satisfactory explanation has been given to the League Secretary. If a player
becomes unable to fulfill their commitment, another player shall be nominated in their
place.

g) A list of nominated players will be made available to any affiliated club by the
League secretary on request.

10) The number of players required to be nominated for a team and the match
format of each competition shall be as follows :-

a) In the 3 Pair Mixed League competition, 3 men and 3 ladies shall be

nominated for every team that is required to be nominated (see Rule 9). A match
between two teams shall comprise 9 rubbers, a rubber being the best of three games
to 21 with setting. Each team shall consist of three mixed pairs. One pair from
each team shall play a rubber against all three pairs from the opposing team. The
other two pairs from each team shall play a rubber against only two pairs from the
opposing team and then split to play a ladies doubles rubber and a mens doubles
rubber. One point shall be awarded for each rubber won and the team winning 5 or
more shall be declared the winner.
b) In the Combination Mixed League competition, 2 men and 2 ladies
shall be nominated for every team which is required to be nominated (see Rule 9). A
match between two teams shall comprise 6 rubbers, a rubber being the best of three
games to 21 with setting. Each team shall consist of two mixed pairs. The two
pairs from each team shall play a rubber against the two pairs from the opposing
team and then split to play a ladies doubles rubber and a mens doubles rubber. One
point shall be awarded for each rubber won and the team winning 4 or more shall be
declared the winner.
c) In the Ladies League competition, 4 ladies shall be nominated for every
team which is required to be nominated(see Rule 9). A match between two teams will
comprise 6 rubbers, a rubber being the best of three games to 21 with setting.
Each team shall consist of two pairs and each pair shall play a rubber against each
pair from the opposing team (4 rubbers). The pairs in both teams will then switch
partners and each pair will play one pair from the opposing team (2 more rubbers).
One point shall be awarded for each rubber won and the team winning 4 or more
shall be declared the winner.
d) In the Mens League competition, 4 men shall be nominated for every team
which is required to be nominated(see Rule 9). A match between two teams will
comprise 6 rubbers, a rubber being the best of three games to 21 with setting.
Each team shall consist of two pairs and each pair shall play a rubber against each
pair from the opposing team (4 rubbers). The pairs in both teams will then switch
partners and each pair will play one pair from the opposing team (2 more rubbers).
One point shall be awarded for each rubber won and the team winning 4 or more
shall be declared the winner.
e) In all competitions, the visiting team will play in strict rotation unless otherwise
agreed by both team captains.

f) Rally Point Scoring System The side winning a rally shall add a point
to its score in every rally and keep or gain the service. The rules of play, lets and
faults apply. If the score reaches 20-all setting shall be used and the winning side
shall be the side that gains a two point lead. If the score reaches 29-all the side
scoring the 30th point shall win the game.

11) The first pairs shall be ready to play within five minutes of the start time and the
other pairs shall be ready to play within thirty minutes of the start time. Teams failing
to comply shall forfeit two games in each case, unless the captains mutually agree
otherwise. Teams failing to arrive after an hour will be regarded as absent and a
walkover awarded.

a) If a match is adjourned, it may, at the discretion of the sub-committee, be

replayed and the composition of the teams be changed.

12) Postponement of a match shall be made at least 7 clear days before the date
arranged, If a postponed match cannot be rearranged, points will be allocated by the
league sub-committee. Postponement of a match within 7 days of the date arranged
may result in a walkover for the opposing club. The home team must send an e-
mail or letter to the League Secretary explaining the reason for the postponement or
cancellation. In every case, costs incurred by a postponement or cancellation are to
be paid by the canceling club, unless shared by mutual agreement.

13) The home team must offer their opponents at least two dates. Offers to begin
before 6.45pm on weekdays or on Saturday and Sunday afternoons shall not be
regarded as an offer. The home team shall provide and bear the cost of the court and
shuttles. League matches shall be played with cork-based shuttles. All matches shall
be played according to the Laws of Badminton.

14) Secretaries, or match secretaries, of home teams are responsible for ensuring
that all match results are entered onto the MSDBA Website or sent by e-mail or post
(on MSDBA score sheets) to the League Secretary, within forty eight hours of the
match being played. Failure to do so may result in the loss of league points.

15) Secretaries, or Match Secretaries, of the home team shall confirm matches at
least three days prior to playing.

16) Membership
All clubs and players must be affiliated to Badminton England
(Updated addition to Rule 5 in the Constitution as voted during the EGM held on
22nd September 2015)
(A requirement of affiliating to Badminton England is that clubs
& players must also affiliate to their county association i.e. Sussex)

Regulation 7 revised June 2007, Regulations 4, 8b, 12 & 14

revised June 2011 Regulation 8 revised June 2014.
New Regulation 16 BE affiliation Membership requirement
added Sep 2015