GLASGOW AND DISTRICT CHURCHES' BADMINTON ASSOCIATION

GLASGOW AND DISTRICT CHURCHES' BADMINTON ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

(Revised 1992/93 Amended 4/9/2008)

(1) The Association shall be called "Glasgow and District Churches' Badminton Association".

(2) The objects of the Association shall be to foster and encourage the game of badminton, and to do everything necessary or desirable for the promotion of the game among Christian agencies and other groups.

(3) Affiliation will be open to all churches, kindred Associations and other groups in Glasgow and District.

(4) The Annual General Meeting will be held in the first week of September. Each affiliated club will have a maximum of two votes.

(5) The following Senior Office-bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting: President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant General Secretary, and shall be considered as not representing any club in the Association. The President is eligible to hold office for only two seasons. The retiring President will hold the office of Immediate Past President.

(6) The following office-bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting: Divisional Secretaries for League Competitions, Tournament Convener, Selection Committee Convener, Badminton News Sheet Convener, Social Convener, Minute Secretary and Maxwell Memorial Conveners (4).

(7) The following members of Committees shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting: Tournament Committee (maximum of 3 members), Selection Committee (maximum of 3 members). The President, General Secretary, and Treasurer shall be ex-officio members of all Committees.

(8) The Executive Committee will consist of all Office-bearers and members of Committees and will meet as considered necessary. The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt further members.

(9) Life Members of the Association may be nominated at the Annual General Meeting. These Life Members shall have the right to attend and speak at all Association meetings, but shall have no voting rights. All Past Presidents shall be nominated Life Members automatically.

(10) The Executive Committee will attend to all routine work of the Association and will be responsible for the carrying into effect of the Constitution and Rules. One third of number shall form a quorum and a bare majority shall carry a motion.

(11) The Executive Committee shall have power to set Rules for the Association League and Tournaments; the Swan, Jack and Reserve Swan Trophy Competitions, Jubilee Trophy Competition, the Stevenson Trophy Competition; and the Maxwell Memorial Inter-Group Championship.

(12) The Executive Committee shall have the power to resolve any question arising which is not provided for by the Constitution and Rules.

(13) At the Annual General Meeting of the Association, the Balance Sheet for the financial year ending on 30th April shall be presented by the Treasurer. It shall have been passed by the Auditors, who are to be appointed annually.

(14) At the Annual General Meeting of the Association, alterations to the Constitution shall be considered, provided twenty-eight days notice has been given to the General Secretary; or at a specially summoned meeting, provided fourteen days notice has been given to all Clubs. To carry a motion to change the Constitution, two thirds of the votes cast must be in favour.

(15) The Chairman at all Association meetings shall have a deliberative vote, and, in the case of equality, a casting vote.

(16) Clubs and players found to have violated the Constitution or Rules will be dealt with by the Executive Committee. Members of clubs involved will retire before discussion, but, if desired, will be recalled to make a statement.

(17) Clubs who wish to protest about a violation of the Constitution or Rules should do so in writing to the General Secretary, who will forward a copy of the protest to any other club or individual involved.

(18) Appeals against decisions of the Executive Committee may be made to a General Meeting, provided the appeal is lodged with the General Secretary not later than fourteen days after the decision has been promulgated.

(19) On a requisition signed by half the clubs in the Association, a Special Meeting must be called.

(20) Clubs must notify the General Secretary in writing of any changes of address of their Match Secretary. Such notifications will be acknowledged in writing by the General Secretary.

(21) The Annual Affiliation Fee shall be fixed by the Executive Committee. Clubs must affiliate to the Scottish Badminton Union.

(22) The Annual Subscription for League Competitions shall be fixed as necessary by the Executive Committee.

(23) All subscriptions and Affiliation fees shall be payable to the Treasurer by 1st April, or on joining. If unpaid by 1st May a recorded delivery letter will be sent to the club's designated correspondent. After 1st May, affiliations and subscriptions will be accepted until 1st June. If unpaid by this date, payment of a late fee of £ 2 may be requested at the discretion of the Senior Office Bearers. The Senior Office Bearers shall have power to relegate defaulting clubs or to debar them from taking part in the Association Competitions if affiliation fees or subscriptions are unpaid by 1st June. Similar action may be taken against any Club which fails to meet its financial obligations to the Association.

(24) Affiliated clubs are eligible for and must take membership of one of the following: (1) The Mixed Doubles League; (2) The Gents Doubles League; (3) The Ladies Doubles League; (4) The Youth League. More than one team may be entered in any League. All clubs, including the clubs entering the Gents Doubles League, are eligible for entry to the Jubilee Trophy. Clubs must complete a membership form giving the name and address of their Match Secretary, day(s) of play, scheduled starting time and the location of their hall.

(25) When a club stipulates Sunday as its day of match play, all the other clubs within the same Division must notify the Divisional Secretary by 31st October if they do not accept the principle of Sunday play. Any club failing to comply with this will be deemed to have accepted this principle. If the principle of Sunday play is not accepted by a club, then the home club must agree an alternative day of play (Monday - Saturday) with the visiting club.

(26) (a) In the Mixed Doubles League all matches are to be for four mixed doubles, each to play one game with each opposing couples.

(b) In the Gents and Ladies Doubles Leagues all matches are to be for three couples, each to play one rubber with each opposing couple.

(27) The official playing season of the Association will start on 1st October and will end on the 31^st of March.

(28) All matches in the Association competitions shall be played according to the Laws of the Game as approved by the Scottish Badminton Union, with the exception that the minimum size of court shall be 40 feet (12.2m) in length, and 19 feet (5.8m) in breadth.

ASSOCIATION RULES (Amendment 2008)

THE MIXED DOUBLES LEAGUE

(1) (a) All players taking part in the League must be registered and the appropriate fees paid. This fee includes copy of the Association's Annual Handbook.

(b) Registrations are for one season only and must be sent to the Treasurer: incomplete forms will be invalid.

(d) Registrations must be received three clear days before they become valid, except that a maximum of twice per season per club, the registration of one player may be made by noting this fact on the score sheet. Such registrations will only become valid if the appropriate fee and forms reach the Treasurer within seven days of the match.

(e) (i) Clubs running a second team must, at all times, have three first team couples registered as such.

(ii) Players who have taken part in three or more first team matches will be considered first team players. Clubs may promote and demote players up to and including 31st December each season, providing they have not played in three or more first team matches, as above. Such promotions/demotions must be notified to the Divisional Secretaries involved.

(f) Any club playing an unregistered player or an ineligible player will forfeit the match to their opponents. In addition, the defaulting club may be fined two League points.

(g) When a player is registered by a club, he or she may not be transferred during the season, except in cases where a player joins another church, and the transfer meets with the approval of the Executive Committee.

(h) When a club has membership of only the Mixed Doubles League, any registered Gent of that club wishing to play in Gents Doubles League can either:-

(i) Register for a club with only a Gents Doubles League membership; or

(ii) If a club with dual membership of the League is chosen then the Club Secretary must clearly state on the registration form against that gent's registration, the Registration is for gents doubles only.

(i) When a club has membership of only the Gents Doubles League, any registered gent of that club wishing to play in the Mixed Doubles League can either :-

(i) Register for a club with only a Mixed Doubles League membership; or

(j) Where a club has a second team, the team playing in the higher division will always be recognised as the first team of that club.

(2) The order of play shall be as follows :

FIRST ROUND HOME VISITORS

1st Couple v 1st Couple

2nd Couple v 2nd Couple

3rd Couple v 3rd Couple

4th Couple v 4th Couple

SECOND ROUND 2nd Couple v 1st Couple

3rd Couple v 2nd Couple

4th Couple v 3rd Couple

1st Couple v 4th Couple

THIRD ROUND 3rd Couple v 1st Couple

4th Couple v 2nd Couple

1st Couple v 3rd Couple

2nd Couple v 4th Couple

FOURTH ROUND 4th Couple v 1st Couple

1st Couple v 2nd Couple

2nd Couple v 3rd Couple

3rd Couple v 4th Couple

The above order of play shall be strictly adhered to unless altered by the mutual agreement of the participating clubs, who should establish an amended order of play at the time of this agreement.

(3) (a) The formation of both teams will be entered on the score sheet and entry will be completed before the end of the First Round of play.

(b) If three couples only form a team the defaulting club will lose four games, each game 30 points to 0, for the couple short, but if fewer than three couples form a team, the match will be forfeited.

(4) Play in all matches shall be continuous and if any games cannot be fulfilled to the agreed order of play due to the absence of one or more players, these games will be forfeited by the defaulting club, each game 30 points to 0.

(5) When a match is forfeited, the score will be recorded as 16 games to 0, each game 30 points to 0.

(6) (a) Clubs must provide for all matches a minimum of three hours playing time for single court halls and three and a half hours court time for multiple court halls.

(b) The agreed match finishing time must be stipulated at the commencement of the match.

(c) In unfinished matches, the result of the games completed will be taken as the final score and League points awarded accordingly.

(d) Play in all matches and on all courts should commence not later than 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time. Clubs responsible for a later start will deduct one game, 15 points to 0, for each 10 minutes or part thereof, late for each court. The games will be deducted from the defaulting club's total of games won and the match result decided accordingly.

(7) (a) The home club should provide a minimum of eight feathered regulation shuttlecocks; if a less number than this is provided and the match cannot go on, the home club will forfeit the match.

(b) Where both clubs have agreed in advance the use of 6 nylon or plastic shuttles is approved.

(8) (a) All divisions will consist where possible of five clubs playing each other home and away.

(b) Two league points will be awarded for a win and one for a draw (only games being taken into consideration for this purpose).

(c) In the event of clubs tieing for the League Championship or for relegation, games difference will determine the positions. In the event of games being equal, points difference will determine the positions.

(9) Clubs which do not fulfil more than half of their arranged fixtures will have all results declared void, and will be treated as having withdrawn.

(10) Promotion and relegation will be as follows :-

(i) The winner of a Division will be promoted one Division;

(ii) The bottom club will be relegated one Division;

(iii) If a club has two teams in the same division the matches involving these teams must be played before any other matches are played by these teams.

(11) All games should be umpired; the clubs to make their own arrangements regarding same.

(12) In all League matches, both Match Secretaries must complete a score sheet and return same to the Divisional Secretary within 7 days. If the Divisional Secretary does not receive the score sheet within this time it may result in the offending team forfeiting the match. The club submitting the score sheet and the actual starting time must be noted on each score sheet.

(13) (a) The dates of the league fixtures can only be altered with the sanction of the Divisional Secretary who must be informed immediately by the home club of an agreed postponement. The alternative dates for the re-arranged fixture must be notified to the Divisional Secretary, and the away team, within 7 days of the postponement being granted. This will normally involve the home team offering two dates, which do not conflict with previously arranged G&DCBA fixture dates, for the playing of the match. It would be helpful if the away team could inform the home team of any G&DCBA fixtures not in the handbook. The away team, having been offered the alternative dates for the postponed match, will have 7 days to notify the Divisional Secretary, and the home team, of the acceptance of one of these alternative dates. Failure by either club to conform to these rules will result in the forfeit of the match.

(b) Where a club has two or more players selected for an Association Representative Match that club will be entitled to a postponement on request to the Divisional Secretary.

(c) In the event of a club failing to fulfil an arranged fixture without the sanction of the Divisional Secretary, such club shall be held liable for expenses.

(14) In cases where League fixtures are unplayed by the 31^st of March, and where fault for delay has not or cannot be determined, no League points will be awarded to either of the two clubs concerned in each case.

(15) Clubs considered to have acted unfairly, shall be reported to the Executive Committee, who will rule on the matter.

THE GENT'S & LADIES’ DOUBLES LEAGUES.

(1) The following rules of the Mixed Doubles League will apply:

(1) - except (e)(i), 3(a) 6(b), 8 except 8(c), 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

(e) (i) Clubs running a second team must, at all times, have four first team players registered as such.

(2) (a) The order of play shall be as follows:

FIRST ROUND HOME VISITORS

1st Couple v 1st Couple

2nd Couple v 2nd Couple

3rd Couple v 3rd Couple

after the first round the visiting club shall state which of the following orders of play will be used :-

SECOND ROUND HOME VISITORS

2nd Couple v 1st Couple

3rd Couple v 2nd Couple

1st Couple v 3rd Couple

THIRD ROUND 3rd Couple v 1st Couple

1st Couple v 2nd Couple

2nd Couple v 3rd Couple

OR SECOND ROUND 1st Couple v 2nd Couple

2nd Couple v 3rd Couple

3rd Couple v 1st Couple

THIRD ROUND 1st Couple v 3rd Couple

2nd Couple v 1st Couple

3rd Couple v 2nd Couple

(2) (b) The above orders of play will be strictly adhered to unless altered by the mutual agreement of the participating clubs, who should establish an amended order of play at the time of this agreement.

(3) If fewer than three couples form a team, the match will be forfeited except that on four occasions within the season a team may play with two couples. Jubilee Cup matches count towards this total.

(4) When a match is forfeited, the score will be recorded as 9 rubbers to 0, 18 games to 0, each game 21 points to 0.

(5) (a) Clubs must provide for all matches a minimum of three and a half hours playing time for single court halls four hours court time for multiple court halls.

(b) In unfinished matches, the result of the rubbers completed will be taken as the final score and League points awarded accordingly.

(c) Play in all matches and on all courts must commence not later than 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time. Clubs responsible for a later start will deduct one rubber, 2 games to 0, each game 21 points to 0, for each twenty minutes, or part thereof, late for each court. The rubbers will be deducted from the defaulting club's total of rubbers won and the match result decided accordingly.

(6) (a) The home club should provide a minimum of twelve feathered regulation shuttlecocks; if a less number than this is provided and the match cannot go on, the home club will forfeit the match.

(b) Where both clubs have agreed in advance the use of 9 nylon or plastic shuttles is approved.

(7) (a) Two league points will be awarded for a win and one for a draw (only rubbers being taken into consideration for this purpose).

(b) In the event of a tie for the League Championship or relegation rubber difference will decide the final position. If necessary games and then point difference will determine final position.

YOUTH LEAGUE

(1) The following rules of the Mixed Doubles League will apply:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

(1a) Couples can be any combination of mixed or level doubles partnerships.

(2) The Leagues will be arranged as considered best by the Senior Office-bearers.

(3) The age limit for players will be under 16 years on 1st January each season.

(4) A senior member of the club must accompany the youth team at home and away matches.

(5) The Match Secretary of the home club must write to the away club Match Secretary to confirm the fixture and give directions as to location of hall. All matches to be played on Saturday afternoons, unless alternative arrangements are made in advance.

(6) Teams must register a maximum of 20 Players before their first match. After this, the only way a player can be registered is by playing him/her in the team before 31st January.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

(1) All players must be registered in accordance with Rule 1 of the Mixed Doubles League.

(2) Entries received late, or without fees ,will be refused.

(3) Partnerships in all Doubles events are confined to players registered for the same Club.

(4) Competitors will be given a time for First Round ties only.

(5) Competitors absent when called upon to play will be scratched.

(6) All Championship events will be the best of three games of 21 points.

(7) All competitors must be prepared to umpire games if called upon.

(8) All points regarding play or any disputes will be decided by the Honorary Referee at the Hall, whose decision on all matters will be final.

DR. ROBERT MAXWELL MEMORIAL INTER-GROUP CHAMPIONSHIP.

(1) The Competition will be known as the "Maxwell Memorial Inter-Group Championship".

(2) The definition of each of the Groups will be determined by the Executive Committee and is shown in the Handbook.

(3) All players must be registered. Junior players (born 1982 or later) and Senior players (born 1962 or earlier are eligible to play. No player can play for more than one group.

(4) Composition of teams to be two Senior ladies, two Junior ladies, two Senior gents and two Junior gents. They will play two Senior and two Junior mixed doubles, one Senior and one Junior ladies’ doubles and one Senior and one Junior gent’s doubles all to the best of three games.

(5) Teams will be selected by the Group Conveners.

(6) The Senior Office-bearers will make the draw and decide the venue for each tie; the Competition will be knock-out.

(7) The Group winning the Competition will hold the trophy for one season, and the players of the winning Group will receive a Badge or some tangible recognition. The Convenor of the winning Group will be awarded the trophy, and will be responsible for its safe custody.

(8) Couples must be arranged in order of merit, and any disputes between the Groups will be decided by the Executive Committee.

THE STEVENSON TROPHY.

(1) All teams in the Youth League will be entered in this knock-out competition.

(2) Ties will be played at the hall of the first named club, or elsewhere by mutual consent.

(3) Ties must be played by the date stated in the Handbook, the date for playing each tie to be arranged by the clubs.

(4) The Final will be arranged by the Executive Committee.

(5) Each tie will consist of eight rubbers (4 Mixed, 2 Ladies' and 2 Gents' Doubles). No player can participate in more than two rubbers which must be different events.

(6) The home club will provide shuttlecocks and the away club will pay half the cost.

(7) A senior member to accompany Youth League teams at all home and away ties.

(8) Only players who have played in a Stevenson Trophy or Youth League Match before 1st February shall be eligible to play on or after that date.

THE SWAN AND JACK TROPHIES.

(1) (a) The First Round of the Swan Trophy will contain all clubs in the Upper Divisions.

(b) The First Round of the Jack Trophy will contain all clubs in the remaining Divisions.

(d) A second team Swan player would be tied to the first team Swan on the second appearance for the first team Swan.

(2) Ties will be played at the hall of the first named club, or elsewhere by mutual consent.

(3) Ties must be played within the period arranged, for the first two rounds of the trophy. In later rounds the home club must offer two dates within the stipulated period for playing the tie. The dates offered must be clear of opponent's fixtures as published in the Handbook, and advice must be given at least ten days prior to the first date offered. Failure to offer two dates, or to accept one of the dates, may result in disqualification.

(4) Each tie will consist of eight rubbers (4 Mixed, 2 Ladies' and 2 Gents' Doubles). No player can take part in more than two rubbers which must be in different events.

(5) (a) Clubs must provide for all matches a minimum of three and a half hours playing time for single court halls or four hours for multiple court halls.

(b) An agreed match finishing time must be stipulated at the commencement of the match.

(6) (a) The Captains of the teams must hand each other a copy of their teams and placings prior to the start.

(b) The order of play as stated on the score sheet must be adhered to unless mutually agreed by both teams prior to the match commencement.

(7) In all ties, clubs should play the Mixed, Ladies' and Gents' Doubles in their Correct order of merit.

(8) If, due to shortages of players, fewer than six rubbers are played, the match will be forfeited by the defaulting club.

(9) In the event of a tie in rubbers, games and then, if necessary, points will count to decide the match result

(10) The winning team's captain shall send the completed score sheet to the Assistant General Secretary within three days.

(11) As there is no entry fee for this competition, the home club must arrange to take a collection at each tie. The home club's secretary to send the amount of this collection to the Assistant General Secretary as soon as possible thereafter. Such collections, after meeting expenses incurred by the Association, will be devoted to charitable organisations as decided at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

(12) The home club should provide a minimum of ten regulation feathered shuttlecocks and the away club will defray half the cost of those used.

(13) In the event of a club withdrawing, they must notify their opponents and the Assistant General Secretary.

(14) The Association will arrange the Final. Clubs taking part in the Final will each pay half of the shuttlecock costs and a collection as detailed in Rule 11 will be uplifted by both team captains during the match.

THE RESERVE SWAN TROPHY.

(1) Rules of the Swan Trophy will apply with the exception of Rules 1(a) and 1(b).

(2) A club who is knocked out of the Swan or Jack Trophy in their first tie in either the first or second round will be entered into the Reserve Swan Trophy.

(3) The home club must offer two dates within the stipulated period for playing the tie. The dates offered must be clear of opponent's fixtures as published in the Handbook, and advice must be given at least 10 days prior to the first date offered. Failure to offer two dates, or to accept one of the dates offered, may result in disqualification.

(4) Recognised first team players are not eligible to take part in any second team matches.

THE JUBILEE TROPHY.

(1) The following clauses of the Constitution will apply: 26(b).

(2) (a) The following Rules of the Mixed Doubles' League will apply: Rule 1 (except e(i) and f 3(a), 6(b), 6(c), 11 and 15.

(b) Rule 1(f) will also apply excluding the last sentence: "In addition, the defaulting club may be fined two League points".

(3) (a) The following rules of the Gent’s & Ladies’ Doubles League will apply: Rule 1(e), 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 3, 5(a), 5(c) and 6.

(b) Rule 5(b) will also apply, excluding "and League points awarded accordingly".

(4) In all Trophy matches the Captain of the home club must complete the score sheet. The actual starting time must be stated on the score sheet.

(5) (a) Clubs must provide for all matches a minimum of three and a half hours playing time for single court halls or four hours court time for multiple court halls.

(b) An agreed match finishing time must be stipulated at the commencement of the match.

(6) In all rounds the home club must offer two dates within the period stipulated for playing the tie. The dates offered must be clear of the opponent's fixtures as published in the Handbook, and advice must be given at least ten days prior to the first date offered. Failure to offer two dates, or to accept one of the dates, may result in disqualification.

(7) In the event of a tie in rubbers, games and then, if necessary, points will count to decide the match result.

(8) The winning team's captain shall send the completed score sheet to the Assistant General Secretary within three days.

(9) The shuttlecocks will be supplied by the home club and the away club will defray half the cost.

(10) In the event of a club withdrawing, they must notify their opponents and the Assistant General Secretary.

(11) The Association will arrange the Final. Clubs taking part in the Final will each pay half of the shuttlecock costs.

(12) This competition is open to all clubs in the Association whether or not they have a team in the Gents League.