BSA Junior/Schools Committee

Information Document regarding Seeding, Grading, Grand Prix (Travel fund) and
Open Tournaments

Background. At the Managers Meeting held at the 2008 SA Under 15 Championships
and Inter-Provincial Tournament a request was made from the floor to compile a
document that will explain different terms like seeding, grading, etc. in terms that novice
parents and players can understand. This request was formally put forward during the
report-back meeting between the BSA Schools/Junior Committee held during the abovementioned
event.
Aim. The aim of this document is not to replace the relevant parts of the Junior Manual,
but rather to elaborate on certain terms and the difference between these terms as
commonly used.
Seeding. Seeding is done in order to ensure a fair tournament. Obviously, one does not
want the best two players at the tournament to meet in the first round. Seeding is based
on the reputation or past history of a player. There is no number of open tournaments
that a player must attend in order to bee seeded. Similarly, if a player attends all the open
tournaments in the relevant age group it is not guaranteed that the player will be seeded.
Not all players can afford to travel to open tournaments, thus a player may be seeded on
his or her reputation from the previous year. Seeding is done by the National Junior
Selectors. At least one National Junior Selector attends an open tournament. A simple
points system based on the results of a previous tournament is not used. The number of
seeds is based on the size (number of entries) of the draw and are according to
international standards. Sometimes only two players will be seeded, sometimes four, six
eight, etc. The National Junior Selectors have the right to ‘shadow seed’ or place certain
players if it is deemed to be in national interest that certain players meet. The place
where a player is seeded does not automatically reflect the position of a player, but rather
what is expected from a player. Especially in Junior Badminton, it is not uncommon for
a seeded player to loose in one of the earlier rounds. This does not mean that the player
will automatically not be considered for a team (if one is selected) or squad or be graded.
Draw. The draw is a process where players are allocated certain positions in the
tournament. It is done by the Tournaments Committee (or a designated member from the
Tournaments Committee) by the spin of a coin. Only the number one and number two
seeds have got pre- allocated positions. By the spinning of a coin it is decided if the
number one seed meets the number three or the number four seed in the semi-final,
provided that players perform up to their reputation. After the position of the 3rd and
4th seeds have been decided upon, again, by spinning a coin, positions 5 to 8 are decided.
It therefore does not mean that seed number 5 will always meet seed number 4. Again,
remember that seeding is based on reputation and does not necessarily mean that seed
number 4 is a better player than seed number 5. That can only be decided upon after the
tournament. After all, seed number 4 might loose in the first round! If there are more
than eight seeds, a similar procedure is followed to allocate positions to these seeds.
Depending on the size of the draw, the Tournaments Committee will try to prevent two
players from the same province to meet in the first round.
Grading. Grading is based on current form and generally reflects the current abilities of
a player. It is not a guarantee that the player will be selected for a team or a squad.
There are two different grading systems used for Junior Badminton.
1. National Grading. National grading in a certain age group is based on the
performance of a player in the three open tournaments, the SA Championships
as well as in the Inter-Provincial tournament. In order to be graded nationally,
a player has to play in the SA Championships and in at least two of the three
open tournaments in that specific age group. National grading is done by the
National Junior Selectors, of which at least two will be present at the National
Tournament for that age group. A simple points system will not be used.
Potential, commitment and dedication will also be taken into account.
Currently, national grading in Junior Badminton is an overall grading; singles,
doubles and mixed doubles are taken into account. National graded players
each receive a scroll.
2. Tournament-Specific Grading. Not all players can afford to travel to open
tournaments. Therefore a pure points system is used for grading the players at
the specific tournament. The system is based on the Woodroffe-Van Heerden
system. A copy of the grading form is available in the Junior Manual. This
grading system is done in the different sections of the tournament and
acknowledge players’ performances at the specific tournament. It is an
overall grading system and graded players receive no scroll. It is a good idea
if the managers involve the players in completing the grading form, as it will
give the players some indication of their relevant position.
Grand Prix (Travel Fund) All entry fees contains a levy payable to the
Schools/Junior Committee. This levy is placed in a kitty and paid out to the players
that traveled in order to attend open tournaments. The Grand Prix has got two
components: points for traveling and points for performance. Hence, the more you
travel and the better you perform, the more points you will accumulate. The Grand
Prix should not be confused with seeding and/or grading, players with more points
often accumulate more traveling points. It therefore stands to reason that that this
system can not reflect playing ability only.
Open Tournaments. In order to give junior players exposure and competition
practice, a series of open tournaments are organized and hosted by different
provinces. Allocation of open tournaments are done according to a matrix (see Junior
Manual) and provinces must apply in order to host a tournament (application form
available from the Tournaments Committee) Attending open tournaments can give a
player a better opportunity to obtain, but it will not guarantee, a seeded position, nor
will it guarantee a grading.

BSA National Junior Selectors

BSA National Junior Selectors

National Junior Selection Policy

Background: Currently there are several misconceptions regarding selection policy as
applied by the National Junior Selectors amongst Coaches, Administrators, Parents and
Players. This lack of understanding and communication results in rumors, leading to
mistrusts and questions about the integrity and impartiality of the National Junior
Selectors.
Aim of this document: This document aims to make the selection policy as applied by
the National Junior Selectors more transparent. It is according to the National Selection
Policy as applied by Badminton South Africa. The selection of representative Squads
and Teams are always controversial, even more so in Junior Badminton. By better
understanding the selection process, aims and principles, it is easier for Coaches and
Players to set specific goals. Thus this document is in essence a form of communication.

National Selection Policy
Selection criteria for teams representing (Badminton) South Africa
1. The mandate, pertaining to the composition of a specific national team, submitted to
the national selectors by the Executive Board will always be adhered to by the
selectors.
2. The objective of the Executive Board and National Selectors is always to win and do
their utmost to promote the standing of national teams on the international grading.
3. Players must be part of the National Squad to be eligible for a national team.
4. Players have to be eligible and available to represent a province in order to qualify for
selection to a national team; provided that players may be selected at the discretion of
the national selectors in the event of such players bona fide contributing to South
African badminton in another way; provided further that players residing in foreign
countries may only be selected to represent South Africa if they participate in either
the SA International or the SA Championships and attend at least one training camp
in that year.
5. Players will always be selected on merit, taking talent, potential, form, commitment
and dedication into consideration; provided that youth could get preference when
there is a marginal difference in the strength of specific candidates.
Selection criteria for National Squad
1. Players’ talent, potential, form, commitment and dedication as expressed in
compliance with the minimum standards requirements set by the National Coach.
2. Players’ consistent high performance in tournaments.
Terms and applications to Junior Badminton
1. Team. A team is a group of players that represents an entity for instance South
Africa; under 17 age group, etc. We distinguish between a National Junior Team,
selected by the National Junior Selectors and a Junior Team representing a specific age
group at a specific Tournament, for instance the National Club Championships.
1.1 National Junior Team. A National Junior Team is selected by the National
Junior Selectors on the mandate of the Executive Board, Badminton South Africa. The
size of the team (number of team members) will be according to the above mentioned
mandate. Obviously available funding will have an impact on the number of team
members, as well as the venue (South Africa, Canada, etc). Team members will receive
National Colours. National Selection Policy applies. The selection of a national team
also has to be based on the format of the competition for which the team is being
selected, i.e. you can't select four singles players for a competition requiring doubles and
mixed as well. The object of the team will also influence the selection of the team. For
instance, if the object is to win a specific event, the strongest available team will be
selected. On the other hand, if the object is exposure and to gain experience, youth,
potential and commitment will play a role.
1.2 Junior Team. It is tradition that a Junior Team is selected to represent an
age group at a tournament, for instance the National Club Championships and the annual
Parker-Meyer Tournament. Sometimes, even, a Junior Team can be selected to go on
tour, even overseas. The size of these teams is normally 4 male and 4 female players.
The team selection is based on the National Grading, although the National Junior
Selectors have the final say. Team members will not receive National Colours and the
National Selection Policy will not apply.
2. Squad. A squad is a group of players identified with the potential to make a team
3. Selection of a Squad. Normally a squad consists of 5 male and 5 female players,
but the object and size of a team will have a major influence on the selection of a squad.
If, for instance, the final team consists of 2 male and 2 female players, the rest of the
squad may be based on youth and potential for the next year and not necessarily on the
next highest graded player. Available funding will play a key role on the size of the
squad, high-performance training and other squad targets as set by the National Coach.
Junior Badminton is about developing future champions. It is also about nurturing,
gaining experience through exposure and talent identification.

SA Rankings

Player Name	Singles	Doubles	Mixed Doubles

National Selection Policy

 

Selection criteria for teams representing (Badminton) South Africa

1. The mandate, pertaining to the composition of a specific national team, submitted to the national selectors by the Executive Board will always be adhered to by the selectors.

2. The objective of the Executive Board and National Selectors is always to win and do their utmost to promote the standing of national teams on the international grading.

3. Players must be part of the National Squad to be eligible for a national team.

4. Players have to be eligible and available to represent a province in order to qualify for selection to a national team;     provided that players may be selected at the discretion of the national selectors in the event of such players bona fide; provided further that players residing in foreign countries may only be selected to represent South Africa if they participate in either the SA International or the SA Championships and attend at least one training camp in that year.

   contributing to South African badminton in another way

5. Players will always be selected on merit, taking talent, potential, form, commitment and dedication into consideration;

   provided that youth could get preference when there is a marginal difference in the strength of specific candidates.

Selection criteria for players taking part in IBF Grand Prix events

1. Players must be part of the National Squad to be entered into events by BSA.

2. A player who wishes to take part in IBF Grand Prix events at his/her own expense, may do so through BSA as long as the player adhere to the general IBF international rules and regulations for tournament participation.

Selection criteria for National Squad

1. Players’ talent, potential, form, commitment and dedication as expressed in compliance with the minimum standards requirements set by the National Coach.

2. Players’ consistent high performance in tournaments.

   Players carrying injuries are still eligible, as long they can prove they are following a serious rehabilitation program.

   Players living overseas for a period of time are still eligible for the National Squad, but have to prove their training commitment, and report all their tournament results to the Manager: High Performance.

   Any player who wants to be in contention for the National Squad must communicate his/her future plans on a regular basis with the Manager: High Performance.

   The National Squad will be evaluated every three months.   A new National Squad will be announced at the beginning of January, April, July and October.

Selection Policy: For University Sport South Africa Badminton

  

Introduction:

 

The document below outlines the policy and process by which Badminton South Africa's (BSA) National Selectors will select the USSA Badminton National Team.

 

2.     Eligibility:

a)    Bona fide higher education students who are officially registered for and pursuing a full course of study at a     tertiary institution whose status as a higher education institution is recognised by the appropriate national academic authority of South Africa, i.e. Department of Education.

 

b)    Former students of the institutions mentioned in (a) who have obtained their academic  degree or diploma in the previous year on conditions that such persons have fulfilled the selection criteria and have been included in the national squad from which the final team will be selected as per section 3.4.11 of the USSA Regulations.

 

c)     South African citizens in possession of a South African passport (Citizens with foreign passports will not be accepted);

 

d)    Students between the age of 17 and 28 on the 1st January in the year of which the championship take place.

 

e)    Students must be attending a tertiary institution that is affiliated to/ with USSA.

 

f)      To be eligible for selection students must have taken part in the USSA Badminton tournament, participate in their respective open or closed Championships and at least one Cat.1. tournament. Exception from such events may be made to the USSA Badminton Committee/ Selectors for consideration.

 

g)    Badminton players must be registered with Badminton South Africa (BSA) to be considered for selection.

 

3.     The Selection Process in accordance with BSA and USSA Requirements:

a)    Participation at the USSA Badminton Championship and SA Inter Union Championships is a compulsory prerequisite for selection consideration.

 

b)    BSA will preside over the final selection of the Team before submitting same to USSA NEC for acceptance

.

c)     In the event of a withdrawal of a player the replacement player will be selected according to the results of the current year's performance.

 

d)    The Final team will be announced at or after the prize giving of the USSA Badminton Championship if possible, or at the discretion of USSA NEC.

 

e)    The number of players selected in the Final Team is at the discretion of USSA NEC.

 

f)      The BSA transformation policy will be taken into account when the Final Team is selected.

 

g)    Selected Players are required to make themselves available for a Training camp/ Preparation Tournament (Dates to be confirmed) should one take place.

 

4.     Management:

a)    The Management Team and Coach will be appointed by USSA NEC in conjunction with BSA, from recommendations by USSA Badminton. The size of the teams selected will be at the discretion of USSA NEC.

 

b)    Team Managers will where possible, be nominated at the first meeting of the USSA NEC and will commence with the necessary planning and preparation until the team's departure.

 

c)     University Badminton coaches/administrators may apply to the USSA NEC to travel as observers to the international events at their own cost, after approval by USSA Badminton Committee.