GUIDANCE NOTES FOR PLAYERS ENTERING REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

 INTRODUCTION

 England Masters Squash (ESM) offers competitive opportunities for men and women aged 35 and over, in five year segments up to 75+ for men and 55+ for women. The British Open and British Closed (National) Championships (run by England Squash and Racketball) both have Masters categories. There are in addition five regionally based tournaments run by ESM. Participation in any of these seven tournaments earns players points which, in the case of players who qualify to play for England, count for selection for the England teams in each age band who play in the Home Internationals at the end of the season. The top four points holders in each age band are automatically selected. Qualification is dependent on playing in at least two of the seven events, one of which must be the Open or Closed (which carry double points). The Points Matrix can be viewed by clicking on Events, Home Internationals and Points.

 ENTERING REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

 Players must be registered with England Squash Masters (ESM) to be able to enter. Guidance on how to register, and how to enter tournaments and pay the entry fee, is elsewhere on the website.

1. All the Regional tournaments are open to any player aged 35 or over, regardless of location.
2. Players (men and women) can only enter one age group.
3. Players entry fee must have been received by the closing date, to be included in the draw.
4. The draws and playing schedule will be available on the website soon after the closing date for each tournament. Players should check them regularly up to and including the day before the tournament in case any alterations have been necessary. No alterations will be made after 12 noon on the day before the tournament except in very exceptional circumstances, in which case affected players will be notified individually.
5. Players who need to withdraw after the closing date must contact the Chairman immediately by telephone. Leaving a message is not sufficient. This may result in alterations to the draw if the withdrawal significantly affects the seeding or if it gives a player two byes. The entry fee will not be refunded.
6. Players who withdraw after the closing date will be excluded from entering the next tournament unless they provide the Chairman with an acceptable explanation, in writing through the post, within seven days. In the case of illness or injury, this must be accompanied by a note from an appropriate health professional (GP, nurse, physiotherapist etc.).
7. The ban from the next tournament will also apply to any player who leaves a tournament early without fulfilling his/her playing commitments and thereby inconveniences other players.
8. If there is any doubt about a tournament taking place (eg because of bad weather), a notice will be displayed on the web site not later than twelve noon on the day before the tournament confirming go-ahead or postponement. If a tournament has to be postponed, every effort will be made to re-arrange it.
9. The tournaments commence at 2.00 pm on the Friday. Every effort will be made to accommodate players who give a later arrival time, but this cannot be guaranteed. Players may be required to play twice on the Friday and/or Saturday depending on the size of the draw.
10. The playing schedule will stipulate the start time and court for each match. This may be amended by the tournament Manager in conjunction with the drawmaster (Chairman), but an earlier time will only be with the agreement of both players. There will be allowance, depending on court availability, for players who unavoidably arrive after their scheduled start time.
11. Every player is guaranteed at least two matches. In the case of draws of eight players or more, players who lose their first match will be offered the opportunity to play in a Plate event, but must opt in by telling the tournament Manager immediately after their match. Most Plate matches will be scheduled on the Saturday afternoon. All Plate matches carry points for England selection.
12. Players are required to mark matches. This will normally be the winner of the previous match on court, but may be varied at the discretion of the tournament Manager.
13. Scoring will be PARS to 11 for the Men’s Over 35 and Over 40 events, and traditional English scoring (HIHO to 9) for all the others.

 Revised version, agreed by the ESM Committee March 2011