CONTENTS
1. Format
2. Commencement
3. Eligibility
4. Entry
5. Handicap
6. Match Dates
7. Result Sheets
8. Matches
9. Shuttles
10. Costs
11. Format
Handicap Tables

1. Format

1.1 The competition shall be organised on a knockout basis incorporating a handicap. It will be co-ordinated by an appointed committee member who will be responsible for informing the home team of their next round opponents.

2. Commencement

2.1 The competition will start on the 1st November each season. Clubs entering must submit at least ONE HOME date per team for the month of November.

3. Eligibility

i. Only member clubs of the PDFBL are eligible to compete and they are subject to the acceptance of these rules.

ii. A player can only play for the same club as his/her league team. This team must not be of a lower division than the player’s current divisional play.

iii. A player can only play for one team in any one season.

iv. Where a club has two or more teams Rule 3 (ii) will apply.

v. The playing of a non-eligible player will result in the disqualification of the offending club team and the match awarded to their opponents.

4. Entry

4.1 Entry is voluntary. All matches are drawn without seeding and are to be played on a mutually agreed date between the dates set out in the competition rules (see draw sheet).

5. Handicap

5.1 The Handicap is on a divisional basis and set out with the draw at the start of each season. (See TABLE 1)

5.2 Each game starts at 0 -2, 3 - 0 etc. serving from the right hand side. Normal badminton rules follow but no setting is allowed.

5.3 In a three game rubber, ends are changed when the scratch pair reaches 8 or when the handicap pair reaches the appropriate number of points as indicated in TABLE 2, whichever is reached first.

5.4 Any player who has two or more matches at County 1st or 2nd team level, either during the previous or the current season, will be handicapped at Premier Division standard irrespective of their team or partner’s divisional level.

5.5 Any player playing with the wrong handicap will forfeit the games won.

6. Match Dates

i. Match dates must be agreed before the 5th day of the stated period in which the match is to be played. The home club must offer two dates and the visiting team must accept one. The HOME TEAM must inform the co-ordinator of the agreed date or any problems by that day.

ii. The only valid reason for non-acceptance is a PDFBL fixture on the same day. Failure to comply will result in automatic withdrawal of the offending team.

7. Result Sheets

i. The winning team must return the match result sheet to the KO co-ordinator within 48 hours of playing the match. This sheet must be fully completed and signed by both captains. Penalty: 25p per day.

ii. The winning captain should collect the unused result sheet from the losing captain for use in the next round.

8. Matches

8.1 Matches are played on a knockout basis with the team drawn first as the home team.

9. Shuttles

9.1 Shuttles (cork base) are the choice of the home club except in the case of the final where it is by mutual consent. Failure to reach agreement will be decided by the toss of a coin.

10. Costs

10.1 Costs of the courts are shared by the clubs (except in the case of the final, which is paid for by the PDFBL and played at a Sports Centre). Payment should be made on the night of the match.

Knockout Co-ordinator: Gary Parris
Telephone: 01202 248264