Promotion and Relegation
Teams are promoted and relegated at the end of the season based on final table positions. In most cases one team will move up and one team down but sometimes 2 teams will move to balance out divisions. Teams will be informed of this before the new season starts.
Format
Each match is made up of 18 ties with each tie consisting of 2 sets to 21 with setting (win by 2 clear points up to 29-29).
A team is made up of 3 couples with fixed partnerships and each couple will play each couple of the opposing team. For a match to go ahead teams must have a minimum of 2 couples. A team can turn up with only 2 couples but will have to forfeit 6 games to the opposition.
Points
Teams get 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and none for a loss. There is a bonus point if the tie is won by more than 16 games. The League Tables are decided by BWF group rules ordered by points, sets won, sets lost.
Players
Players cannot play the same event (MD/LD/XD) for 2 different clubs. They can however play level doubles for one club and mixed doubles for another club.
Locking to Teams
For clubs with more than one team in an event, players can play up to 2 matches above but a player that has played more than 2 matches for a higher team cannot then play down. In exceptional cases where clubs are struggling to field a team, please submit a request to the League committee and this will be reviewed for fairness.
Please can clubs pick and play their teams in the best spirit of the competition.
Match Timings
Matches start at 8pm and finish at 10pm. Any games that do not finish by 10pm are not counted in the final result even if they have been started.
Teams must have 2 pairs ready to start by 8:15pm at the latest and the 3rd pair must be ready to play by the time either of the first 2 matches have completed. We expect clubs to be flexible and adjust playing order if required to begin the first 2 matches. If a team’s 3rd pair are not ready to play when either of the first 2 matches have finished and the match does not finish on time, all unfinished matches are forfeited to the opposition.
Match Cancellations
Waiting for information from Meadowbank to understand the lead time there is for cancelling matches without charge. To be confirmed.
Shuttles
Teams are responsible for supplying feather shuttles for the match and these shuttles should be of an appropriate standard – recognised brand. We will be reaching out to the teams to find out what shuttles you plan to use but please check with the Lothian League Committee if you have any doubts on the quality of the shuttles to be used.
Previous approved brands:
RSL Silver Feather
RSL Tournament
Ashaway Black
Yehlex Tournament
Yehlex Championship
Yonex AS50s, AS40s, AS30s and AS20s
Victor Gold Champion
Each team should put out 6 shuttles at the start of the match and an equal number following that if more shuttles are being used.
Scoresheet
Each team to sign the scoresheet following completion of the match. The winning team to take a photo of the sheet and send to Lothianleague@gmail.com.
Information
More information to follow but fixtures, results and league positions will be visible via the Lothian Badminton website.
Please send any queries or issues to Lothianleague@gmail.com.