The Shires Badminton League was set up in 1983 by
Malcolm Campbell of Northants to promote junior badminton in the Midland
counties. Until 2002 there were only approximately 8 members of the league,
mainly from central England. During the 2001 – 2002 season, the league
secretary (Ian Rizzotto) received three requests from other counties to join
the Shires League. He decided to find out whether other counties around the
country were interested in joining and carried out a feasibility study. This
turned out to be most successful and in 2003 the membership rose rapidly to 19
counties at age groups U13, U15 and U17. At the start of the 2002-2003 season,
about 14 more counties were approached by the League Secretary and asked to
join, with around half accepting the offer. This brought the total number of
counties in the league for 2003 - 2004 up to twenty-seven.
With the introduction of second teams in the
league during 2004-2005, the total number of teams taking part increased to 31.
In 2006-2007 all four groups reached the maximum number of 8 counties per group
and this has continued in 2007-2008.
The members have been split into four geographical
groups called A, B, C and D during the past few seasons. Counties play each
other at home or away, but not both. Ideally, half the matches will be home,
with no more than one “long distance” away match per season.
Teams consist of 4 boys and 4 girls, playing a
total of 20 matches, each match being the best of 3 games. The contest starts
with 4 mixed doubles matches, followed by 4 boys’ singles and 4 girls’ singles
running concurrently. Each player then plays two level doubles matches (cross
over doubles 1v1, 2v2, 1v2, 2v1), making 4 boys’ doubles and 4 girls’ doubles
and 20 matches in total.
Trophies are presented to the winners and runners
up of each group in the league.
The best two counties from each of the groups are
invited to the Shires League Finals, which takes place during April or May.
The cost of administration for 2008-2009 season,
including the cost of 10 trophies for the winners and runners up of each group
is £73 for three age groups, £57 for two age groups and £38 for a single age
group. However, counties involved in a “final” will have to contribute towards
the costs of such an event.
As the International Badminton Federation (IBF)
had adopted Rally Points for all international matches and senior county
matches were also being played using these rules, it was agreed that we would
follow their lead and hence Rally Points were introduced in September 2006.
Click here for a full list of Shires League Rules.
During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s members of
the league ran a “Shires League” Tournament on the 29th and 30th
December every year. In 1992 the event, ran at Coventry Racket Centre attracted
284 players aged 10 to 18, using 29 badminton courts. Perhaps a similar event
may be revived in the future. Looking back in my records I noticed that Nathan
Robertson took part in this tournament back in 1988, although I no longer have
the results of the matches. Tracy Hallam also took part in this event a number
of times, but then as a very supportive Staffordshire junior, she did this as a
matter of course.
If your county is not currently a member but would
like to be considered, please contact Mr I Rizzotto,
the league secretary as soon as possible. The full list of league rules
(guidelines) may be viewed on this website.
Minutes for the past eight years are available
below
2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 /
Ian
Rizzotto (Shires League Secretary)