Reading Badminton Association
League Rules 2012-2013

1.	The League Competition shall provide for the following: Ladies Doubles, Mens Doubles, Mixed Doubles and such other events as the Sub-Committee may introduce at their discretion.

2.	The Mixed League will be split into one Premier Division, two Division 1's, two Division 2's, two Division 3's, etc. .  Each Division shall consist of approximately seven teams .  Two teams will be promoted and two teams will be relegated except from Division 1, where one team will be promoted from each.  Vacancies that arise in higher Divisions may be filled by the League Sub-Committee, at their discretion, by promoting additional teams or by relegating fewer teams. The Ladies/Mens League shall be structured at the discretion of the League Sub-Committee to accommodate the number of entries.

3.	Each team shall consist of three pairs, each pair to play best of three games to 21 points (with setting) against each pair of the opposing team (as per Badminton England Rules).
The order of play shall be:

Home Team	123	213	231	
Away Team	123	132	312	

The terms ‘123’ for the pairs do not denote the strength of the teams, but only the order of play.  Providing that if at the conclusion of six rubbers there is less than one hour’s court available for play (40 mins on each court for matches played on two courts), the remaining rubbers shall be played as ‘Best of 3’ games to 11 (rather than 21) with no setting with the agreement of both captains.
 
4.	Match points will be awarded as follows:

Rubber Score	Points	
	Winner	Loser	
9-0, 8-1, 7-2 or 6-3	2	0	
5-4	2	1	

In addition, one point will be awarded for turning out a full, eligible team.  A conceded match will be scored 4-0 on points. The final league placing will be decided by these points.  In the event of a tie, the better team shall be decided by the ratio of rubbers won to rubbers lost.  Should this result in a further tie, then the ratio of games won to games lost shall decide and, if necessary, the ratio of points won to points lost.

	For Mens and Ladies matches, in the exceptional event where both teams only field 2 pairs, as long as both team captains agree, the match can be played in a 4’s format, as follows:

	All rubbers consisting of best of 3 games to 21 points (with setting) 
	Players AB v AB
	Players CD v CD
	Players AC v AC
	Players BD v BD
	Players AD v AD
	Players BC v BC
	
5.	Clubs entering more than one team in any League shall nominate six players (A-B-C-D-E-F) for each senior team before any matches are played by any of those teams.  In the case of a mixed team, three of the nominated players shall be ladies and three shall be men.  The six nominated players must intend to play 50% of the matches, for their nominated team, in the same season.  Of the six nominated players, E & F will be allowed to play for a less senior team a maximum of twice each.  No player having played in a senior team on three or more occasions, shall be permitted to play for a less senior team in the same season, without prior permission from the League Secretary. However nominated players may be allowed to play for a less senior team at the discretion of the League Secretary or the Chairman. Also, any player who has played three matches for one team shall not thereafter play for another team playing in the same / lower division.

Any club having more than one team in the same Division or Sub-Division of the League must play the matches between those teams before those teams play any other matches.

6.	The qualifications to play for a Club shall be a bona fide full playing membership of such Club and an Affiliated Member of a County Association at least fourteen days prior to the playing of each tie.  A player shall not represent more than one Club in the Mixed League, a lady shall not represent more than one Club in the Ladies League, nor shall a man represent more than one Club in the Mens League, during any one season.  No one team may consist of more than three regular County Players.  A regular County Player is defined as any person who has played for a First or Second County team, on four or more occasions in each of the previous two full seasons.  No more than two teams from any one Club may be in the top Division of any League.  Any competing team which shall include a player not qualified in accordance with these Rules may be disqualified/penalised at the discretion of the League Sub-Committee. If an ineligible player is used to make up the numbers, this must be declared at the start of the match and all that pair's scores must be entered as 21-0 on the results card.

7.	New Clubs joining the Leagues will be placed in Divisions, as vacancies occur, at the discretion of the League Sub-Committee.  Generally they will be expected to join in the lowest Division. If you wish to play a new player you (or your club's secretary) must register him/her with Badminton England and then notify the RBA League Match Secretary BEFORE playing them in ANY league matches.

8.	The competition should be played on standard sized courts.  Clubs not having standard sized courts must advise their opponents of the fact on arranging the match, so that the opponents may decide whether they will play the match away on this non-standard court or on their own home court.  In such cases, the Home Club shall be responsible for expenses.

9.	The expenses of the fixture shall be borne by the Home Club (except when Rule 20 may apply).  The shuttlecock to be used in any match shall be decided by the Home Club, provided that it is cork-based and meets the requirements of Badminton England.  Except all Premier and Division 1 matches in the Ladies, Mens and Mixed Leagues, which shall use only Feather cork-based shuttlecocks.

10.	Both teams involved in a fixture are required to have one pair (two pairs or three pairs if the match is planned to start on more than one court) available to play at the agreed start time.

If one team is ready to play and the other is not rubbers may be claimed 21:0, 21:0 according to the table given below:

	Single Court Hall	2-Court Hall	3-Court Hall	
No Opposition After 15m	Claim rubber 1	Claim rubbers 1 & 2	Claim rubbers 1,2 & 3	
One Opposition Pair After 15m	N/A	Claim rubber 2	Claim rubbers 2 & 3	
No Opposition After 35m	Claim rubber 2	Claim rubber 3*	Claim rubbers 4, 5 & 6	
One Opposition Pair After 35m	N/A	Claim rubber 3	N/A	
No Opposition After 45m	Claim match	Claim match	Claim match	
One Opposition Pair After 45m	N/A	Claim rubber 4	N/A	
(*i.e. no 3rd pair )

This rule should not be invoked unnecessarily, e.g. If there is sufficient time at the end of a match and both captains agree, earlier rubbers which would otherwise be claimed, may be played.

On condition that at least four hours scheduled playing time is provided, the home team shall not be required to concede the unplayed rubbers or games.  The result shall be taken on the rubbers and games played, provided that completed rubbers only shall be counted in a match where the captains have agreed to play three-game rubbers.  

The League Sub-Committee consider that Rule 10 should be applied as follows:

(a)	If any member of the offending team is present, warning should be given of the intention to claim.
(b)	The home team should declare any finishing time at the start of the match.  The match should not continue after that time without the agreement of both captains.

11.	The fully completed and dated FREE POST match result card signed by the Captains of both teams is to be forwarded by the winning team or, in the event of a draw, the home team, to be received by the League Secretary, or other official nominated by the League Sub-Committee within FIVE days of the result of the match.  However, if the fully completed and dated Match Card is not received by the League Secretary within one calendar month of the match being played or essential information is missing (e.g. names &/or scores), ONE point will be deducted from the offending team. Alternatively, a scanned image or digital photograph of the completed and signed match card may be emailed to the match secretary within 14 days if more convenient. The original match cards should be returned to the RBA League Match Secretary before the end of the season.

12.	Clubs scratching a fixture shall forfeit the match, subject to appeal to the League Sub-Committee.  It is expected that postponements will be re-arranged by mutual consent between Clubs whenever possible.  Where such postponements are arranged, the Honorary League Secretary must be notified immediately.  Inability of a particular player or players to represent the Club on the date arranged will not be considered a sufficient reason for postponement.

13.	Closing date for entries to the League will be arranged by the League Sub-Committee, who will give Clubs at least 3 weeks notice of the date.

14.	All play will be in accordance with the Laws of the Badminton England.

15.	The Committee of The Reading Badminton Association is empowered to deal with any points concerning these competitions not dealt with by, or arising out of, these Rules or the Rules of the Reading Badminton Association.
Appeals must be made in writing to the Association Secretary within one calendar month of notification of the decision.

16.	Clubs entering the Competition will be expected to arrange matches with their opponents.  This will be on the basis of one home and one away fixture.  A Fixture Meeting will be arranged on a date to be decided by the League Sub-Committee.  This may be incorporated with the General Committee Meeting in September.

17.	The League Sub-Committee shall arrange a date by which all League matches shall be completed.

18.	Final League positions shall be sent to all Clubs not later than three weeks after the end of the competition.

19.	An entry fee for the competition shall be decided at each Annual General Meeting.  This must accompany the League entry form which shall be sent to the Honorary League Secretary.

20. 	If a team fails to fulfil an away fixture, unless at least 7 days' notice is given, the home team may be entitled to claim the cost of booking their hall for the match.  However, if the initial cancellation is outwith of the 7 days’ notice and additional court time is required to fulfil the fixture, the away team may be required to pay the court costs up to a maximum of £40.  Any such claim shall be made to the League Sub-Committee and their decision shall be final.

If a team fails to fulfil any fixture, the League Sub-Committee may, instead of a financial penalty, impose a penalty involving a deduction of points, relegation, expulsion, or any other penalty they see fit.

All clubs must submit their fixture list to the League and Match Secretaries in the required format before the first match is played. A fine will be imposed by the League Committee should the fixtures not be received by the League Secretary.

	

Key Rules for season 
BEFORE playing ANY league matches you must ensure that your Club / Match secretary has:

3.			
			
5.		 	
			
11.			
			
12.			
			
14.			
			
20.			

DURING the season you must ensure that the following actions are completed:

1.			
			
2.			
					
		b.		Any player who has played three matches for one team shall not thereafter play for another team playing in the same / lower division 	
		If an ineligible player is used to make up the numbers, this must be declared at the start of the match and all that pair's scores must be entered as 21-0 on the results card. 	
			
3.			

			
			
4.			
			
5.		. 
Alternatively, a scanned image or digital photograph of the completed and signed match card may be emailed to the match secretary within 14 days if more convenient. The original match cards should be returned to the RBA League Match Secretary before the end of the season.