Gradings

Competitors are reminded that the closing date for entries is at least three weeks before the start of a tournament.

Latest information and entry forms to National, BE Gold, Silver and Bronze tournaments can be found on the BADMINTON England website under Young People and Schools: http://www.badmintonengland.co.uk

 

The preliminary round of the singles and level doubles in all circuit tournaments will be played in groups. The group size will depend on the size of entry. For Gold events the average size group will be three, for Silver events the average size should be four and for Bronze events the minimum group size will be four. Group winners only qualify for the knock-out stages. Mixed doubles will normally be knock-out format.

In some areas of the country (in particular at Under 13), there are insufficient entries to support separate Silver and Bronze Events. For this reason in 2009-10 where a silver and bronze tournament are planned for the same day, if the entry in some disciplines is such that it will not be viable to run separate events, the Tournament Referees may at their discretion combine Silver and Bronze entries in some or all disciplines.

If this happens in the singles events, the entry will be drawn so as to ensure that the grade 2 players are spread equally throughout the draw. The winners of each group will then play off for silver medals and the second in each group will play off for consolation bronze medals.

For future grading and ranking purposes those playing off for silver medals will be treated as if they were playing a silver tournament and those in the consolation play-off will be treated as bronze. Ranking points for group matches will be allocated as if the event was a bronze event.

 

These tournaments are run by BADMINTON England or by Counties on behalf of BE. Any grade of player may enter these events. Valid entries received from all Grade 1 players within their own age group will be given priority over all other graded players. When the entry is over-subscribed, entries will be restricted by the seeding committee using the criteria given below. Average anticipated entry will be 70 singles players. Games will be best of 3 to 21 rally points, extended to 30 if necessary. All disciplines will be seeded by the seeding committee. All Gold Tournaments will be two day events with the Semi-finals and Finals at least being played on the Sunday. 

 

These events are part of the BADMINTON England Junior Circuit, run on our behalf by County BAs. Any grade of player (except for Grade 1 players from within the age group), may enter these events. Valid entries received from all Grade 2 players within their own age group will be given priority over all other graded players (average anticipated entry will be 80 singles players). Games will be the best of 3 to 15 rally points, extended to 21 if necessary. Events will be seeded by the tournament’s seeding group, using the latest ranking lists.

 

These events are part of the BADMINTON England Junior Circuit, run on our behalf by County BAs. Grade 1 and 2 players from within the age group are not permitted to enter these events. Where the entry to an event is over-subscribed, entries will be restricted by the tournament’s seeding group using a mixture of criteria (see below). Valid entries received from all Grade 3 players within their own age group will be given priority over all other graded players (average anticipated entry will be 80 singles players).  Games will be 1 game to 21 rally points. This is extended to 30 points in the knock-out rounds only. 

 

U11 SINGLES and DOUBLES EVENTS: All Under 11 tournaments are un-graded and will only include singles and level doubles. The initial rounds of these events will be played in groups, the size of which being as large as the entry will permit (Minimum group size should be 4). Each match will be the best of 3 games to 11 rally points, extended to 15 if necessary.

 

Where entries need to be restricted, the following criteria will be used:

I.      Late entries will be declined.

II.    Grade of Player

III.  Known form. Where appropriate ranking positions using the ranking lists see below) will be used.

IV.   Age. If the above three do not provide a clear list of withdrawals, those borderline players who fall outside the age group will be omitted first.

V.    In Bronze Events, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee, preference may be given to the more local players.

 

NB. The ranking list used for seeding and restricting a tournament entry will be the one as published on the website when the tournament’s entry closes.

 

Players are graded on their singles record only. The purpose of the grading structure is to provide players with a guide as to the appropriate level of play for their ability enabling them, together with their coaches and parents, to plan a structured Tournament Programme. A player of any ability may enter a Gold Event, Grade 2 and below may enter Silver Events and Grade 3 and un-graded players Bronze events.

 

 

The grade of a player is adjusted down a grade when playing up an age group. i.e. a Grade 1 will become a Grade 2 player.

NB: Any player not listed as Grade 1, 2 or 3 is advised to play in a Bronze event in order to establish a grade.

 

Upgrading: The upgrading process can be downloaded - Automatic Upgrade Regulations. Players will only be upgraded on the following dates throughout the season: October 23^rd 2009, December 18^th 2009, February 26^th 2010 and July 23^rd 2010. The lists will be placed on the website by the Wednesday in the week following the above dates.

 

 

 

Players may appeal against their grading within 14 days of the upgrade date, by writing to: Anna Gilbert, Competition and Events Co-ordinator, BADMINTON England, National Badminton Centre, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LA.

• Players who were a year younger last year (e.g. Under 14 in the Under 15 Age Group last year) retained the grade they achieved at the end of the 2008/09 season.
• The grade players had achieved in 2008/09 season was reduced by one if the player changed age groups (e.g. Under 15 grade 2 becomes an Under 17 grade 3). However if the player had, in the 2008/09 season obtained a higher grade in the age group above they retain this grade.
• Grades were modified using the results of the even age group tournaments.

 

Players are eligible to compete in age group tournaments if they were born on or after the 1^st January:

 

Under 19	1991	Under 18	1992	Under 17	1993
Under 16	1994	Under 15	1995	Under 14	1996
Under 13	1997	Under 12	1998	Under 11	1999

 

BADMINTON England will be adjusting the grading process to link with the ranking list for the start of the 2010/11 season. We will be publishing details for consideration during the year and would welcome your comments on proposals as they are published. Some parents will be selected at random and asked for their comments.