Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria for Matches and Team Events (excludes ICT) Selection priority goes to players that attend Team Squad Training, followed by Squad players. Players opting out of Team training are not excluded but take a lower priority compared to those players that have committed to the “Team Ethic” when invited. Selection shall be based on the requirements of the event to be played and known strength of the opposition. Only those players who have paid their subscriptions in full by 31st January shall be considered for selection for events thereafter. Selection shall be based on ability and not age and according to the subjective opinion of the coach and/or the coaches' sub-committee. Tournament results and National Ranking will form part of the selection process but is not as important as the coaches' subjective opinion. The strongest available team shall be selected subject to the points above and below. Should a player be selected from a lower squad, consultation and approval shall be undertaken with that age group’s coach beforehand. Disputed selection shall be dealt with firstly by the coaches' sub-committee and thereafter by the SCJB committee. Any dispute should be raised in writing to the Secretary if it is not resolved by the coach on the ground in the first instance.

County Colours 

SCJB awards County Colours in the form of a sewn on badge relevant to the age group. To be entitled to Colours, your child must represent Sussex in TWO first team representative county matches in the current season. A certificate is awarded for representing Sussex in a “B” match or for representing Sussex for ONE match in the current season. These awards will be presented to players at the end of the season.

Complaints and Standards

Parents should recognise that there may be circumstances where you feel, in your oppinion, a complaint should be made. In the first instant, minor complaints or issues should be addressed via the Parent Rep to the coach/manager on the ground. Under no circumstances must a coach/ manager or official be approached during an event or in front of players and/or other parents. Officials of SCJB must not be verbaly abused in any way at events. Standards of conduct apply to both players and parents and complaints should be dealt with in a professional manner at all times. Should any matter not be resolved by the officials on the ground, then at this stage a formal letter should be writen as detailed below.

Issues of a general or minor nature, which may affect a squad as a whole, should be addressed via the Parent Representative who may raise the issue with the SCJB committee.

Formal complaints should be made in writing and forwarded via the SCJB Secretary. Formal complaints are dealt with in accordance with guidelines laid down by BADMINTON England. Most complaints can be dealt with by SCJB; however, complaints of a serious nature may be dealt with by BADMINTON England under their disciplinary proceedures. This may incur costs should your complaint be unfounded. Information is available on the BADMINTON England Website. 

Loyalty and Priority

Parents and players should recognise that in badminton the order of loyalty of play is Country-County-Club-School. Of course, education may take priority over sport; however, there may be times where there is a conflict with other sporting groups and organisations. County matches and team events are considered of very high importance and should be given the highest priority.

It is an honour to be asked to represt your county and turning down an invitation must be for a very good reason. Older players may be asked to represent senior county. Should a clash occur, priority is always given to your junior squad unless agreed by your squad coach/manager in liaison with senior county. This is partly in the interest of the development of a child and in accordance with BADMINTON England’s Long Term Athelete Development. Playing senior badminton too soon may have a detrimental effect in some cases and parents are advised to liaise with coaches before undertaking such events. In most cases a mutually agreeable solution can be found.