Cambridgeshire Junior Badminton Leagues
After the successful inaugural junior badminton league held last season there will be two junior badminton leagues running again in the 2010/11 season, in Cambridgeshire, consisting of an under 18´s and an under 14´s league. Players must be of the correct age on 1st October 2010 (i.e. 13 years and under on 1st October and 17 years and under on same date) although if the age limit in their league is exceeded during the season then that player may still continue to compete in that same league for the rest of the season.
Divisions
Each league will be run in divisions. A division will contain 4 teams only, (some divisions may have only 3 teams if there are not enough teams to make a division of 4 teams). In this case byes will be implemented.
Teams
Due to the shortage of girls playing badminton a team will consist of 4 players and can have any combination of boys or girls within that team. The intention is that clubs and schools will be able to pick teams where all members of a team are roughly of the same level of ability, regardless of sex. Girls and boys will play with and against each other and teams will be positioned within divisions based upon their combined ability.
To enter the league all players must be a member of the junior club or school that their team is representing. All team members will play as a team but will also play as individuals. See below for more information.
The leagues are open to all junior clubs and schools in Cambridgeshire. There will be a maximum of 16 teams per league for this coming season. The organisers reserve the right to change this limit depending on the number of entries received.
Division placement
Following the difficulties, last season, of placing teams within divisions that were best suited to their ability the organisers have decided to run an ability assessment event early in the season to determine the team placements within divisions. This will take the form of a team doubles tournament which will create an ability ladder after 6-8 rounds of games - number of rounds played will depend on however many teams enter the league. Players 1 & 2 and players 3 & 4 will play against corresponding doubles partnerships in other teams and these team pairs would ideally remain in place throughout the league.
Matches
Following the assessment tournament matches held will involve all divisions within the leagues, and will be held in one particular venue in the county on a weekend day. All teams will play each of the other teams within their division at the same match event so effectively playing 3 matches at the same time. This removes the requirement to try and organise home and away matches for each round. There will be three match events across the season as well as the initial tournament.
Each player will be numbered within their team and shall remain in that position throughout the league. He/she will play 1 singles and 1 doubles game against each of the other teams. Therefore, in a division of 4 teams each player will play a total of 3 singles games and 3 doubles games in a single match.
Games played in matches
| Singles | Team 1 | Team 2 (same applies to team 3 & 4 in division) |
| Player 1 | v | Player 1 |
| Player 2 | v | Player 2 |
| Player 3 | v | Player 3 |
| Player 4 | v | Player 4 |
| Doubles | Team 1 | Team 2 (same applies to team 3 & 4 in division) |
| Player 1 & 2 | v | Player 1 & 2 |
| Player 3 & 4 | v | Player 3 & 4 |
Games played to 21 points, no setting.
Substitutes can be nominated at the beginning of the league or can be introduced during the league if necessary as long as age and county residence criteria are met and the organisers are informed.
Match Organisation
Each division within a league will be given a time slot at the event in which to play their games. Due to the large number of games to be played in one match event players will be asked to be at the venue with plenty of time to spare and warmed up in time to play in their allotted time. Two minutes warm up time will be allowed at the beginning of each game. Plastic shuttles will be used.
Locations and times
Matches will be played at different locations across the county where at all possible. Venues and times will be advised as close to the start of the season as possible to ensure that everyone knows dates of matches in advance. Matches will be held at weekends only.
Entry Fees
Entry fees will need to be increased from last year´s due to the fact that we had the luxury of one match event generously funded by Papworth junior club and the medals paid for by Living Sport and Badminton England. This season we are going to have to entirely fund the leagues ourselves from entry fees with the possibility of some help from Badminton England towards the medals. We are also finding that court costs are being increased as well. To be able to fund this year´s leagues we shall need £12 per team member which covers all four matches (£3 per event each).
Cost breakdown for all four match events:
Each division requires 7 court hours per match event @ approximately £5.50 per court, per hour = £154 per division Medals´ costs: £30.50 per division Shuttles: £18.00 per division Costs per division £202.50 per season (four matches). This works out just over £50 per team.
Should any team, club or school wish to contribute towards the league by providing reduced cost courts then this will mean that costs will be reduced and entry fees can be set lower. These leagues are run entirely by volunteers, at cost, and an enormous amount of work goes into the organisation of them. Any contributions towards reducing costs would be gratefully received. Please consider helping if at all possible.
Kit
Only suitable badminton sportswear and court shoes will be permitted during the match events.
Photographs and Important Information
Every entrant will be asked to provide contact information in the case of emergency and any important information on health, etc. This, and consent (or not) for photographs (to be taken by league organisers or local press), must be supplied on the form provided before the start of the league.
League Organisers
The Cambs Badminton Academy is the organiser of the Cambridgeshire Junior Leagues.
David Shepherd, on behalf of the League Secretary Co-operative. : David Shepherd
All correspondence will be carried out primarily by email.
