North Somerset Badminton League Rules

1. Name
The League shall be called the North Somerset Badminton League
2. Boundary
The boundary shall follow the River Avon until it meets the A37. Then to the west of the A37 as far as Shepton Mallet and then to the north of the A371 continuing north of the B3139 to the coast at Highbridge.
3. Member Clubs
All member clubs shall be affiliated to the Avon or Somerset Badminton Associations. All member clubs shall have a club and match venue that shall lie within the boundary, as defined in Rule 2.
4. Committee
The affairs shall be managed by a committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, League Secretary, Match Secretary and Treasurer.
5. Annual General Meeting
The A.G.M of the League shall be held in the spring of each year to receive and approve the Officer's reports, to elect officers for the ensuing year, and transact any other business that may be necessary.
The League Secretary shall give at least 21 days clear notice of such a meeting, together with the matters to be discussed. Each club shall send at least one representative to the A.G.M. Only one vote per Club shall be allowed on issues taken. The League Committee shall be empowered to expel from the League any Club that is not represented at the A.G.M. Such a Club may apply in writing and by representation at the following A.G.M. for re-election to the League's bottom division.
6. Affiliation Fee
A League affiliation fee shall be reviewed annually at the A.G.M., and shall be paid to the Treasurer by October 30th each year.
7. League Matches
Each Club shall play matches home and away against every Club in the division. Feather shuttles are to be used in all matches.
8. League Fixtures Meeting
The meeting of club Match Secretaries shall be held during September of each year to arrange fixtures for the ensuing season.
The League Secretary shall give 21 days notice of and shall chair this meeting.
9. Composition of league teams
A league team shall consist of 3 ladies and 3 men. The match shall be decided over 9 rubbers, 3 to be mixed doubles, 3 to be ladies doubles and 3 men's doubles.
The mixed pairs shall be arranged as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on estimated strength and each pair shall oppose its opposite number. The order of play shall be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd mixed, 1st & 2nd ladies; 1st & 2nd men's; 1st & 3rd Ladies; 1st & 3rd men's; 2nd & 3rd ladies; 2nd & 3rd men's. This order of play may be changed by the mutual agreement of both of the captains prior to the match.
10. Registration of Players
Each season every Club shall register all its club members before 21st. October or the club's first League match if earlier. No subsequent member shall participate in a League match unless 10 day's notice of registration has been given. No registrations will be accepted after 31st January.
11. Eligibility of Players
All team members shall be bona-fide members of their club and shall be eligible to play for one club only during any one season.
12. Nomination of Team Players
Clubs with more than one team shall nominate their team players, with the exception of their lowest team, before their club's first league match each year. A lower team player may play two matches in the higher teams. Having played three matches in the higher teams he/she may not return to a lower team.
A higher team player can play in a lower team provided he/she has not played more than half of the total league matches for the higher team that season, but having played in a lower team he/she cannot play again in any higher team that season.
However, each player from the team immediately above the Club's lowest team may play down on one occasion during the season without penalty or loss of place in their normal team. This option may only be exercised when no other players are available to play in the bottom team. Only one player may play down on any one occasion and this option may not be exercised after 31st January in any season. Prior approval must be obtained from either the League Secretary or Match Secretary.
Non-nominated players would be deemed to be players of the Club's lowest placed team and the above rules apply.
13. Fixtures
All League fixtures shall be played. NO WALKOVERS are allowed (i.e. If one team consists of less than 5 players). If a team is unable to field at least 5 players then that match should be postponed or, if it has commenced, it may have to be replayed. The offending team will normally be penalised by the deduction of 9 points and may be liable for any additional expenses incurred.
Postponements will only otherwise be allowed if the intended venue becomes unavailable or weather conditions make travelling dangerous. No postponements shall be agreed until the League Secretary has been informed by both Clubs concerned and has accepted the change.
Postponed fixtures must be rearranged and the new date notified to the League Secretary within 14 days of the postponement. The home club must offer at least two alternative dates within 7 days of the postponement and the away club must accept one of the dates offered within a further 7 days. If clubs cannot agree on a date then the matter should be referred to the League Match Secretary.
14. Late Arrivals
If, without prior communication and mutual agreement of the Team Captains, a player arrives late and the first rubber(s) cannot start within 15 minutes of the starting time as indicated in the League Fixture Book, the opposing captain may claim the relevant rubber(s). Furthermore, should any player leave the match and not be available to play when required, the opposing captain may claim the relevant rubber.
15. Results
The results on the official score sheet shall be forwarded to the League Match Secretary by the home club within 3 days of a League match.
16. League Positions
League positions shall be decided on the basis of 1 point for each rubber won with 2 bonus points per match being added to the winning team's total. The losing team will also gain a point for each rubber won.
In the event of two teams having the same number of points then matches won will decide. If they are still level then (a) games won followed by (b) games lost will decide.
17. Complaints
Any club having a complaint to register shall do so in writing, within 14 days of the match being played.
18. Rule Violations
Complaints and Rule violations shall be judged and penalties decided by the League Committee comprising the League Officers plus, if deemed appropriate, one representative from each club in the relevant division. The decisions thus reached shall be final.
19. New Applications
The closing date for applications to join the League from new clubs shall be the A.G.M. each year. An existing member club may apply, subject to the approval of the League Committee, to include an additional team or teams up to 72 hours before the Fixtures Meeting in September.
20. Rule Change
No rule shall be made, amended or altered except with the consent of at least two-thirds of the voting representatives of the clubs present at the A.G.M.
21. Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by the League Secretary at the request of 25% of the member clubs, and 21 days' notice shall be given.