Guide to Tournaments

What is a tournament?

A tournament is a type of Badminton competition. The tournaments are usually held on one day with the event finishing at the end of that day.
Tournaments are based on a knock out format. There are several rounds with a medal or trophy at the end. To progress through the tournament you need to win your games. If you do not win you are knocked out and take no further part in the competition.
Some tournaments have the first round as a group or box. This is where players play against everyone in the group and the top 1 or 2 players progress to the next round.
Some tournaments have a “plate” competition. So those who get knocked out in the first round go into the plate competition. However if they get knocked out there then they take no further part in the competition. The tournament rules will tell you more about the format for that tournament.
Players enter individually or as individual pairs rather than as a team.
Players can normally enter three events, singles, girls or boys doubles (2 boys or 2 girls playing together) or mixed doubles (1 boy and 1 girl playing together)
Players can enter all three events, two events or just one event. There is an entry fee for each event. The more events you enter the more you entries fees will cost.

Why would I want to play in a tournament?

Who organises tournaments?

A variety of people organise tournaments. In Devon, the Devon County Badminton association and the East Devon Junior League organise tournaments. Somerset and Cornwall Badminton Associations also run tournaments and Badminton England run a national tournament circuit.

Which tournaments can I enter?

Well, on the whole tournaments are open to everyone regardless of ability but it depends on the rules of the tournament and how old you are.

Tournaments are generally classified into junior and senior (adult) tournaments. Only people under 18 can enter junior tournaments whereas good juniors can enter senior tournaments if they so wish
On the whole junior tournaments also have age categories to ensure players of a similar age play against each other.
The most common age classifications are under 11, under 13, under 15 and under 17. The tournament rules will have a cut off date. If you are for example under 13 on 1 January 2013 you can enter the under 13 section. If not you will enter the under 15 section. Some tournaments have other age groupings and other cut off dates so you will need to check the specific tournament rules.
Tournaments can also be classed as open (where anyone can enter) or restricted (where there is a condition on who can enter).
Some tournaments will have novice sections or be a novice tournament. On the whole this means you can only enter if you have NOT played for your county.
The Badminton England junior circuit has 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Your results in the tournament will give you a grading which will then determine which level of tournament you can enter. All tournaments are open to anybody, provided their grading is not above that allowed for that tournament.

Tournaments can also vary in standard

If you are new to tournaments then select a tournament that is a novice or has a novice group. The Badminton England Bronze tournaments are a good place if you want some stronger competition.
A tournament list is below

Name of event	Type of event	Standard	Location	Approximate time of year (entries generally close 1 month before)
Somerset graded (SCAT)	Local event	Novice and higher	Taunton	Every half term holiday (October, February, May)
Badminton England Under 11, Under 15 Bronze and under 17 Bronze circuit event	National grading event	Anyone can enter but expect a strong field	Devon	December
North Devon Open	Local event	Novice and higher	Barnstaple	January
Badminton England Under 13 Bronze circuit event	National grading event	Anyone can enter but expect a strong field	Devon	February
Torbay Open	Local event	Novice and higher	Torquay	April
Devon Age Group Tournament	Local event	Novice and higher	Usually Exeter	April
East Devon Junior league tournament	Local event	Novice and higher	Exeter	May

When can I enter?

Tournament secretaries will issue forms usually through a website. You can enter from then but must enter by the deadline. The deadline will be specified in the tournament rules.

I want to enter a doubles event. How do I find a partner?

You need to ask people to play with you.
If you cannot find someone at your club, contact [email protected] and we can send an email round to see if anyone else is thinking of playing.
Some tournaments offer an option of putting “partner required” when entering a double event and they will try and find a partner for you but this is not guaranteed.

Is there anything else I should know?

Have fun!

Guide to tournaments