M.B.B.U.I
Welcome to the Munster Badminton website where we will bring you news of all thats happening in the province.
Munster Badminton are a competitive but friendly organisation that welcomes players both young and old of all skill levels. We have some of the best facilities in the country providing our members with badminton courts, high ceilings, shower and changing rooms.
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Badminton Union of Ireland
Munster Branch Constitution & Rules:
1. The Branch shall be called the Munster Branch of the Badminton Union of Ireland Ltd. (hereinafter called ‘the Branch’).
2. The responsibilities of the Munster Branch shall include but are not limited to the following:
a) The promotion and development of the game at all levels within the Counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
b) The running of events suitable to the widest range of its membership.
c) The operation of squad programmes which will assist players to reach their potential.
d) The raising of funds in liaison with the BUI Board to fund its programmes.
e) The giving of an account of its activities to the BUI Board on a regular basis and the Company’s Annual General Meeting on an annual basis.
f) The forwarding annually to the Company office a copy of its Rules and current bye-laws.
g) The notifying forthwith in writing to the Company of any disciplinary action whatsoever taken against any member.
h) Generally the running of its affairs in accordance with the over all strategy as announced from time to time by the Board and specifically in accordance with the National Strategic Plan in place from time to time and the specific needs of its region.
(Source: Memorandum of Association of Badminton Union of Ireland Limited Rule 40)
3. It shall consist of the following affiliated organisations conforming to its rules:
a) The County Associations within the Branch area
b) The Badminton Clubs which may affiliate as follows:
i. In the areas not covered by the County Association direct to the Branch.
ii. In areas where a County Association exists through the County Association.
4. The Annual Affiliation fee shall be fixed by the Branch.
5. On a date decided by the Branch each year all the County Associations affiliated to the Branch must register a list of its Club Secretaries with the Hon. Secretary of the Branch and the Clubs affiliated direct to the Branch must register a full list of its members with the Hon. Secretary of the Branch.
6. The Government and Management of the Branch shall be vested in a council which shall be constituted as follows.
i. Three delegates from each County Association, each of whom shall be a member of an affiliated Club. From that 18 the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the County Representatives at the Annual General Meeting of the Branch to be held before October 31st each year.
ii. Should the Council fail to elect officer(s) from among the members of the Council, the Council shall have the power to co-opt said officer(s). In the event of any vacancies occurring in the elected officers, the Council will have the power to co-opt an officer. The Chairperson to have a casting vote if there is a tie on any voting.
iii. The position of the Branch Honorary President may, or may not, be filled by one of the nominated Branch delegates. If the appointed President is not a Branch delegate he/she may attend Branch meetings but will not be entitled to vote at said meetings.
7. The Quorum of the Council shall be seven (including ex-offico) providing 3 County Associations are represented. The Chairman shall preside or failing him/her the meeting shall elect a Chairperson. The Council shall meet as often as may be necessary or on a requisition shall set out the purpose of the meeting at which no other business shall be transacted. Such meeting shall be convened by the Hon. Secretary within 10 days of receipt of the requisition. Such a requisition to be included with a fee of €150.00 Seven days notice of all meetings shall be given by the Hon. Secretary.
8. At the Annual General Meeting the Quorum shall be 10, if the quorum is not reached the AGM shall be refixed. If there is no quorum within 15 minutes of the appointed time for the recalled meeting, then the business of the meeting may be conducted without a quorum. To the AGM each club affiliated to the Branch shall be entitled to send one representative to vote in addition to any member who shall be on the Council of the Branch. The report of the Council and a duly audited Statement of Accounts shall be submitted and any other business necessary may be transacted.
9. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be requested by three clubs Secretaries jointly with the approval of their County Associations (if any). Such requisition to be accompanied by a statement of the business concerned and with a fee of _€75.00______, refundable if the requisition is considered feasible. No other business will be transacted at the meeting.
10. Any member of the Council or any club affiliated to the Branch, desirous of proposing an alteration, amendment or addition to the rules shall submit same in writing not later than 30 days prior to the AGM that year to the Branch Hon. Secretary. A majority of not less than two-thirds of those present and voting at the AGM shall be required to carry any resolution involving such alteration, amendment or addition.
11. The notice convening the AGM shall be sent out to those entitled to representation at least 14 days before the date fixed for such meeting together with notice of motion for alterations, additions or amendments to the Rules.
12. (a.) All Tournaments, competitions and Leagues shall be subject to the control of the Council who shall be empowered to lay down such regulations and conditions relating there to as they from time to time deem expedient.
(b.) Persons who are not registered members of an affiliated Badminton Club shall not be permitted to take part in any Open Tournament or other competition of any nature held under the auspices of or under the sanction of the Branch or County Association.
13. The Council may at any time, appoint and delegate powers to a subcommittee for any desirable purpose, provided clear terms of reference and guidelines have been drawn up.
14. The Council shall have the power to draw up bye-laws for inter-club matches and for any competitions held under the auspices of the Branch.
15. The Council shall appoint an ‘Emergency Committee’ at the first meeting of the Council after an AGM and confer any special powers they may consider necessary on such committee. The Secretary shall have the power to call a meeting of such ‘Emergency Committee’ at shortest possible notice. Such ‘Emergency Committee’ shall submit for approval any action taken by them to the next Council meeting.
16. The Council shall have the power to refuse any application for affiliation to the Branch from any Club or County Association assigning their reason.
17. (a). Each County Association formed with the sanction of the Branch shall be entitled to nominate three members to represent such County Association on the Council of the Branch.
(b); Each County Association shall also nominate a substitute who shall be entitled to attend a Branch meeting in the absence of the Regular Representatives. No other person shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Branch as a County delegate.
18. Any affiliated Club or County Association shall before holding an Open Tournament obtain permission from the branch.
19. On receipt of a complaint from a club that any member has neglected or refused to pay any monies due to the Club, either by way of subscription or entry fees for a Tournament or otherwise and on receipt of satisfactory evidence that such sum has been demanded the Council shall have the power to call upon such defaulting player for an explanation. Failing the receipt of a satisfactory explanation or the receipt of the money due within a reasonable time, the Council shall have the power to:
a) Endorse suspension of such player
(b) To notify all affiliated Clubs of the suspension of such player by a circular sent to the Hon. Secretary of each affiliated club. Such suspended player shall not be allowed to become a member of an affiliated Club during such suspension.
20. The crest of the Branch shall be the Munster Arms.
21. All selection Committees shall consist of one selector from each of the six Munster Counties.
22. The Munster Branch shall compile a fixture list for the ensuing season. This fixture list to be made available to each County Association and if possible to each club not later than the first week of November each year.
23. The Chairman does not hold office for more than three years. A former holder of the position of Munster Branch Chairman cannot be re-elected again to that position. (E.G.M. 2007)
24. (a); Any player who qualifies through birth or residence can play for Munster.
(b); Any player who has left Munster, i.e. declared for or represented another province cannot play in any Munster close competition unless they formerly re-declare for Munster.
25. The Council shall have the power to deal with or give a decision on any matter not expressly provided for in these Rules in such a manner as they shall think fit.
26. The Council, all Sub-Committees and persons duly authorised to act on behalf of said Council and Sub-Committee shall be indemnified to the extent of the assets and property of the Association against all and any liabilities, expenses, actions, claims, costs, damages and demands incurred or occasioned in good faith by them or in pursuance of their authorised activities on behalf of the Association.
27. The Branch shall have the power to suspend the affiliation of any member affiliated to the Branch whose conduct is found to have prejudicial to the interests of the Branch or the Game. The said suspension shall operate to suspend all rights and privileges normally attaching to such affiliation. Including suspension from all levels of competitive and representative Badminton and the holding of any office. This power of suspension may also apply to any County Association and affiliated Club. The Branch shall have the power to impose such or other penalties as it may think just, which may include reprimand, fine, exclusion and disqualification as well as the power of suspension. These powers shall be exercised procedures on disciplinary matters adopted by the Branch.
MUNSTER BRANCH:
Butterfield Brewster Cups and all Under age Team Events.
County Competition Rules:
1. The competitions shall be competed for annually in accordance with the following regulations or such other regulations as the Council of the Munster Branch of the BI hereinafter referred to as the Branch, or a sub-committee duly appointed for the purpose, may from time to time approve and the laws of Badminton as adopted by the BUI.
2. Each County shall be entitled to enter a team in the Butterfield and Brewster Cups and all under age team events.
3. Counties entering for Division 1 shall play for a Cup presented by the late TG Butterfield, late President of the Munster Branch, and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Butterfield Cup Competition.
4. Counties entering for Division 2 shall play for a Cup presented by Munster Branch in memoriam of the late TJ Brewster, who was the first Hon. Secretary and late President of Munster Branch and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Brewster Cup Competition.
5. All players selected to play for a County must be affiliated to the Munster Branch of the BI. Players shall play for the County through which their Club is affiliated and through which they are members of the Branch and Union. In the case of dual affiliation the Branch shall decide for which County they may play.
6. All players are eligible to represent their County in the Butterfield Cup Competition unless they are to be deemed to be a higher standard by the Munster Branch.
7. The following are not eligible to represent their County in the Brewster Cup Competition:
a. All players graded Senior 1 and 2 with the exception of 1 nominated Snr. 2 Lady and one nominated Snr. 2 Man who must play at first doubles or singles.
b. Winners of the Brewster Cup (Eligibility may be reviewed after 3 years).
c. A player who wins a Munster Senior Championship or who is selected on a Munster Junior Inter-provincial team.
(d) All players under 17 years of age.
8. A team shall consist of four, five or six men and four, five or six ladies. A player may not play more than once in each type of event and in not more than two events. The double Pairs shall play in order of merit.
9. All matches shall consist of nine games – one Ladies Single, one Men’s Singles, two Ladies Doubles, two Men’s Doubles and three Mixed Doubles to be played in that order unless otherwise agreed by the Counties concerned. Each game shall be decided by the first two sets won.
10. Before commencement of a match a list containing names of the players in the order in which they shall play, shall be handed to each other by the Captain or Branch Representative and no change in the order will be allowed even in the event of the withdrawal of a player for any reason whatsoever.
11. One point shall be awarded per game, 9 points per match.
12. In the event of a tie on points, sets shall decide the issue then aces.
13. That where possible the two strongest teams in the Brewster and Butterfield series do not meet until the final round.
14. That the teams for the Brewster Cup matches be nominated by the counties for which they play and if substitutes play twice, they are to be regarded as full members of the team concerned.
15. Entry fee, date and conditions to be fixed by the Munster Branch.
16. The Council of the Branch to be notified as to the Hall to be used and their sanction for use to be obtained.
17. Shuttlecocks as sanctioned by Munster Branch to be used or as otherwise agreed to by the participating counties.
18. The County Association that win the Cups to be responsible for the safe custody of same. The Cups to be returned to the Secretary of the Munster Branch on demand.
19. Any County or County Association desiring to enter a protest must lodge same in writing with the Branch Hon. Secretary posted within 48 hours of the playing of the match; together with a fee of €25.00 which may be forfeited should the Branch Council consider the protest frivolous.
20. The Council of the Branch shall have the power to decide any other point or points arising and for which these rules make no provision.
21. Any revision of the above rules can be made by notice of motion to the Hon. Secretary of the Munster Branch.
22. All players must play in clothing as sanctioned by Munster Branch.
23. The first game/s shall be arranged for any appointed time. If the players involved are not present within 15 minutes of the starting time, they shall forfeit the game/s to their opponents, provided they are present to claim the game.
24. In the event of a team withdrawing or conceding a WO all points scored by the other team against that team shall be disregarded.
25. Where a player has to retire due to injury or illness and forfeits the game, he/she can be substituted in that match with the approval of the match referee.
MUNSTER INTER COUNTY
CLASS 5
(Rules to be finalised)
MUNSTER BRANCH
HAYNES CUP RULES:
1. The Cup shall be called the ‘Haynes Challenge Cup’, presented to the Branch in 1930 by the then Hon. Sec. of the Branch, Mr. Wm. Haynes, and shall be open for Annual Competition to all Clubs affiliated to the Munster Branch.
2. The Competition shall be on a handicap basis, and on a ‘knockout’ principle. Handicaps to be arranged by the Munster Branch Council or the appointed Committee.
3. The entries may be divided into areas, and the draw for the Competition shall be made by the Council or the Council Representive(s), the first drawn in each match being the ‘Home Team’ except in the final for which the hall will be a neutral hall and fixed by the Council. Any club may apply to the Council to be placed in a particular area draw, provided they are prepared to travel to that area for all their area matches.
4. To represent a Club, a player must be a bonafide member of that Club on the closing
date of entry to the competition.
5. Teams shall consist of four men and four ladies who play two ladies doubles, two men’s doubles and four mixed doubles in order of merit. One or two matches to be arranged for a fixed starting time by the Council or earlier, and any pair not present within 15 minutes of the time for starting shall forfeit the points to the other pair if present. If neither pair is present the points shall be lost to both sides. IMPORTANT: It is insisted that these points shall be rigidly enforced by Home Club secretaries. Also players cannot leave the court during a match without the permission of the Umpire.
6. a. Teams shall play as directed by their Captains provided no stronger pair plays below a weaker pair. Each team must fill in a score sheet and exchange same with opponents before play commences, after which no alteration of team will be permitted. Order of play to be as per score sheet unless otherwise agreed by the Captains.
b. The Captain or Club Secretary of the winning team of each match shall forward to the League Secretary a fully completed Score Sheet signed by both Captains. This score sheet must reach the League Secretary within THREE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE MATCH. The League Committee shall have the power to penalize teams for failure to comply with this rule.
7. In the event of any team being short a player or players, they shall give a walk-over to their opponents in the set or sets in which the absent player or players would have participated, unless a substitute or substitutes shall play in the actual position of the absent players or players as shown in the exchanged lists. No substitute shall be allowed take the place of a player who for any reason is unable to finish a game or set
8. In the event of a match resulting in a tie on games, sets shall decide the issue, and if a tie on sets also, aces shall decide the issue. If a tie on games, sets and aces, the match shall be replayed. The venue of such replay will be fixed by the Council.
9. Umpires shall be mutually arranged by the two Clubs engaged except in the finals when umpires shall be appointed by the Branch.
10. The Club winning the Cup each year shall be responsible for its safe custody and shall return it in good condition to the Branch Hon. Secretary on demand.
11. Umpires shall have control of the shuttles and shall not sanction a change without good reason.
12. Any Club desiring to enter a protest must lodge same; in writing with the Branch Hon. Secretary not later than 5pm on the second day following the match together with a fee of €15.00 which shall be forfeited should the Branch Council consider the protest frivolous.
13. A Club that withdraws a team or does not fulfill all its fixtures shall be fined €50 and suspended until the fine is paid.
14. Home Clubs are compelled to give a choice of two separate nights to the visiting Club, giving a minimum of 4 days notice.
15. Any matters not covered by the foregoing Rules shall be decided by the Munster Branch Council whose decision shall be final.
16. All players must play in clothing as sanctioned by Munster Branch.
MUNSTER BRANCH
MUNSTER COUNTIES INTER LEAGUE RULES
1. The competition shall be open to Club teams from all Munster Counties. The winners of the Leagues, divisions one to six in the Counties will represent their County in whatever grade or division it won unless the Branch decides otherwise. To represent a Club, the player must be a bonafide member of that Club.
2. The competition will be on a knockout basis and the draw will be made by the Branch.
3. A team shall consist of 3 or 4 ladies and 3 or 4 men.
4. A player graded Senior 1 by the Munster Branch cannot play below Division One in the Munster Inter League. Senior 2 players may be reviewed by Munster branch but cannot play below Div. 2.
5. A player who has played in either the Butterfield Cup or the Brewster Cup competition cannot play below Division Two in the Munster Inter League unless special permission is granted by Munster Branch.
6. All under 16 players are debarred from playing Division 6 (or lower) in the Munster Inter Leagues. A player under sixteen years of age cannot play below Division 2 in the Munster Inter League unless he/she plays in at least 2 events in the Munster Championships in his/her relevant age group in the current season and is granted special permission by Munster Branch.
7. A match shall consist of seven games, one ladies singles, one men’s singles, one ladies doubles, one men’s doubles and three mixed doubles to be played in that order unless otherwise agreed by the teams concerned. Pairs must play in order of strength. A player may not play in the same event more than once or in more than two events.
8. Shuttles to be provided by both teams in each match. Feather shuttles to be used in Division One, Two, Three, Four and Five. Plastic shuttles to be used in Divisions Six.
9. A player may not play lower than the highest grade he/she was ever graded unless special permission is granted by Munster Branch.
10. Venues in each County must be passed as suitable by the Munster Branch.
11. A county that does not run a league in a particular Division cannot nominate a team to represent them in the Munster Inter League in that Division.
12. A team from one County that plays league with another County may apply to the Munster Branch for permission to represent their home County in the Munster Inter League in the Division in which they played.
13. A fully completed score sheet signed by both Captains must reach the Munster Secretary within three days of the match and any complaints or objections that may arise must accompany same.
14. If a team plays an illegal player, the team shall be suspended, the match shall be forfeited and the club shall be fined by the Branch.
15. The Branch have full powers to decide on any points not covered by the foregoing rules, which may be changed or added to at any Branch meeting.
Munster Badminton Association
(Revision of various Championships Rules)
Senior Championships (Senior 1)
1. Open to all players affiliated to the Munster Badminton Association, except those who are deemed to be of a higher standard by Munster Branch, and who are eligible to play on Munster teams, if selected.
2. Any player graded lower than Snr. 1 and who may reach a Snr. 1 championship final are automatically upgraded to Snr.1, to take immediate effect at the discretion of Munster Branch.
3. For all grades of Munster Championship events venues in each County must be passed as suitable by the Munster Branch.
Senior 2 Championships
1. Open to all players affiliated to the Munster Badminton Association except those who are graded at Snr. 1 and players must be eligible to play on Munster teams, if selected.
2. Previous winners cannot play together.
3. If singles are played, players who win 2 singles titles are debarred from playing singles at Snr. 2 again.
4. Any player graded lower than Snr. 2 and who may reach an Snr.2 championship final can be upgraded to Snr. 2, to take immediate effect at the discretion of Munster Branch..
Junior championships
1. Open to all players affiliated to the Munster Badminton Association with the exception of the following;
(a) Players graded at Snr.1 and Snr.2 by Munster Branch.
(b) Munster under 19 championship finalists may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of Munster
Branch for the Munster Junior Championships..
(c) Players under 17 on the 31st Dec. prior to the competition date.
2. Any player who is eligible to play in the Junior Championships and who may reach the final of a higher-grade championship event (namely Snr.1 and Snr.2), can be upgraded to take immediate effect at the discretion of Munster Branch.
3. Munster Junior winners to be considered for regrading by the grading committee at the commencement of the following season.
4. Previous winners cannot play together.
Graduate Championships
1. Open to all players affiliated to the Munster Badminton Association with the exception of the following;
(a) Those graded at Snr.1 and Snr.2.
(b) Those that have played on Butterfield and Brewster Cup teams.
(c) Those who have played Inter County at Class 1, 2 and 3 level. Class 4 players would be deemed eligible to play.
(d) Players under 19 on the 31st Dec. prior to the competition date.
2. Previous winners cannot play together.
3. Singles winners are debarred from playing singles again.
4. Players who have won 2 graduate titles are ineligible to play graduate again.
5. Players who are eligible to play graduate but who may reach the final of a higher grade championship event (namely snr.1; snr.2; Junior) are automatically upgraded to that grade to take immediate effect.
6. Players who may not be covered by 1 (a); (b); (c), namely college students, new residents to Munster, etc., must be an affiliated bona fide member of a Munster Club for two full seasons before he/she would be deemed eligible to enter the Graduate Championships and only then if he/she are graded at Div. 3 or lower in their adopted County.
Butterfield and Brewster Cups
As per rules on official Rule Book.
Addendum to Brewster Cup rules passed 16/6/1997;
(a) All players under 17 years of age are ruled out of the Brewster cup;
(b) Counties may play one Snr.2 Lady and one Snr.2 man on their Brewster cup team. Both names must be submitted to the competition referee prior to the commencement of the competition.
(d) Snr. 2 Ladies and Men must play singles-first ladies/men; mixed.
(e) Brewster Cup players may re apply to the Munster Branch for re-eligibility to enter in the Munster Graduate Competition.
MUNSTER BRANCH COMPETITION GUIDELINES:
The Executive Committee of the Munster Branch have adopted the following Competition Guidelines. Organisers are requested to have these Guidelines implemented for all Munster Branch events. It is hoped to have a referee appointed for each event.
1. Entry forms for all competitions to be distributed one month prior to competition date.
2. Halls to be open and playable, with knock-up shuttles available half an hour before commencement time.
3. Amplification to be used when possible, especially for all championship events.
4. The host county to have a minimum of 3 people officiating, including at least one Munster Branch delegate.
5. Championship draws to be inserted on official tournament sheets, with one set on display, adjacent to the main hall.
6. Full accounts to be furnished by the host county to the Munster Branch Treasurer within one week of competition date.
7. Results and score sheets to be returned to the Branch Hon. Sec. within one week of competition date
8. Rest period allowed only between semi-final and final where the same player is concerned, and this is to be a maximum of 15 minutes.
9. When making competition draws, players from the same county are not to meet in their first game.
