1. No player shall be eligible to compete unless he or she is in good standing with his or her national association, and has at least since 29th December 2007 been either (a) a playing member of a club affiliated (i) to BADMINTON England or (ii) to an association in membership with the Badminton World Federation; or (b) who is an Individual Associate Member of BADMINTON England. A declaration to this effect shall be signed by every prospective competitor and/or by his national association. (NB. Any individuals entering under (ii) above must submit written authorisation from their member association-see 3 below).

2. Entries will be restricted in accordance with the Badminton World Federation regulations for the Super Series. Players accepted for the championship events and those accepted for the qualifying rounds will be selected in order of strength as defined by the Badminton World Federation World Rankings. Nationality will have no bearing upon the selection. The Committee may also refuse entries in any event without assigning any reason. Notification of the decision on the acceptance of entries will be sent out as soon as possible after the closing date for entries.

3. Entries from competitors affiliated to BADMINTON England must be made on the official entry form. Entries from competitors affiliated to other National Associations which are members of the Badminton World Federation, can be accepted only when made in writing directly by their Association or accompanied by written authorisation from their Association. All entries must be received by the Entry Secretary, together with entry fees where appropriate, by first post on Tuesday 29th January 2008.

4. The Championships will be run in accordance with the competition regulations for the Super Series of the Badminton World Federation.

5. The draw will be seeded by the Badminton World Federation.

6. All competitors must be prepared to play at the times determined for the events for which they have entered. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE “ORDER OF PLAY” opposite.

Seedings and Draws will be conducted by BWF

Drug testing
I do not need to emphasise the importance which is attached to this.    You will all be aware of the BWF Anti Doping Statutes as set out in the BWF Statute Book.   Your continued co-operation is requested.

Scoring System

The scoring system will be as set out in the Laws of Badminton, best of three games to 21 points with extended play and rally point scoring.

REFEREES

• Referee of the Championship is Mr.Juniarto Suhandinata (INA).

• Deputy Referees of the Championship are Mr. Keith Hawthorne (England) and Mr.Ian Ross (England).

Withdrawls

Please note Condition 7 in the Prospectus.  Please ensure that I am informed BY TELEPHONE (+44 1908 268400) or BY FAX (+44 1908 268412) or BY EMAIL (Events@badmintonengland.co.uk) as soon as a player is forced to withdraw, giving the reason.  If withdrawal is notified by telephone it must be confirmed in writing.  If withdrawal takes place after the draw is made, any withdrawal for illness or injury must be supported by a medical certificate.  If withdrawal arises after your players arrive in Birmingham notification of withdrawal must be made by the Team Manager in person to the Referee, or to his deputies, Keith Hawthorne or Ian Ross, and must be confirmed in writing.

CLOTHING

Clothing must be suitable badminton clothing.  The Referees will strictly apply Condition 11 of the Prospectus.  Please pay particular attention to the BWF Regulations which require players’ names to be on the back of their shirts and give the option of also having their country and/or advertising beneath the name.  This Regulation also applies to the Qualifying Rounds.  Please also note the BWF requirement that doubles partners must wear the same colours from the Quarter Finals onwards, and the recommendation that at the same time pairs wear different colours to their opponents.  In particular you should be aware of BWF Competition Regulation 20.5 under which the player/pair placed lower in the draw will be required to change in the event that opposing player/pairs want to wear the same coloured clothing.

ADVERTISING REGULATIONS    

Please ensure that your players know and abide by Condition 12 of the Prospectus.   The Referee’s decision will be final.   Please note Competition Regulation 19.2 which makes it unacceptable to tape over or to pin on advertisements, nor in any other way to modify clothing to comply with advertising or other Regulations. Please note that if you intend to make use of Condition 12 (e) the BWF’s prior approval must have been obtained.

PRESENTATION CEREMONIES - IMPORTANT: 

Players must not wear hats or caps of any kind during the presentation ceremonies.  Rackets may not be carried during presentations.   Tracksuits, or clothing as worn during play, will be allowed.   No other form of advertising will be permitted.   This regulation will be strictly enforced by our stewards prior to each ceremony.

BADGES

Entry to the arena for players and officials will be controlled by colour coded name badges.   Badges will be issued to all nominated players.   Badges for team officials will be available on the following scale -

            Teams with up to 10 players                   3 badges
            Teams with up to 11-16 players              4 badges
            Teams with up to 17-25 players              5 badges
            Teams with over 25 players                    6 badges

Please complete and return the enclosed Officials’ Accreditation Form.    For the Referee's use for ease of identification please supply a photograph of the Team Manager with the form.   No other photographs are required.

For a very limited number of additional team officials or players guests we are prepared to sell additional badges at the price of £50.00 per person. Application with the full payment must be submitted with your officials’ accreditation form for passes.   Other visitors are welcome at the full price shown on the ticket order form.

PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES

It is essential that we do all we can to secure maximum publicity for our sport.  To help us in our efforts please send with your Team Manager biographies of all players entered in the Championships (qualifying as well as championship events) and arrange for them to be taken to the Media Centre on arrival.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

Press accreditation forms will be sent to our list of media persons.  If you know of anyone wishing to attend please send details to our Media Consultant William Kings:  wkings@btinternet.com

VIDEO RECORDING

    Video recording will not be permitted when matches are being recorded by the television production company (Friday – Sunday).  Video recording at other times will be permitted only by national associations from certain clearly defined points.  There are a limited number of these positions available.  Prior written authorisation for the use of any video equipment must be obtained in advance from the Championships Office which must be clearly displayed on the cameras.  NIA Security will confiscate cameras set up in incorrect positions or without a pass.   

TELEVISION      

       Sunset & Vine has been appointed as world-wide distributor of the 2008 Yonex All England Open Championships.  Full coverage of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals, either live or recorded, is being offered.  Other matches can be covered, depending on interest.

Interested broadcasters should contact:

Please pass this information on to the appropriate broadcasting organisation in your country

MEDICAL SERVICES

Full medical and physiotherapy services will be provided.We look forward to seeing your players in Birmingham.