It is important to have a thorough consultation with BD members regarding the most significant proposals for rule changes in 2009. As a result of this, a new rule book implementation strategy has been put in place.  

 

It is proposed that the 2009 Rule Book will be sent to members by September 2008 in order that there is plenty of time for the rules to be read before they come into effect on the 1 December 2008.

 

The most significant potential rule changes for 2009 are outlined below and we would very much welcome your feedback and value contributions from everyone in the sport. Please note that these are still potential changes and a final decision will not be made until the Rules & Fixtures Committee meet in early July.

 

 

Under the current rules, organisers may choose whether to give prize money, vouchers and/or rosettes. There have been suggestions that prize money should be mandatory and that vouchers/prizes in kind alone should not be permitted.

 

 

It is proposed that a short-term adjustment within the current qualifying system should be made for 2009, while considering the longer-term options for a more significant change – (see Strategic Plan below). The options would include a possible move to:

a)   Win two qualifiers or

b)     Win one qualifier and two non-qualifiers

The intention of the above is to encourage competitors to enter the non-qualifying sections while continuing to maintain a high standard for the regional championships.

 

Additionally consideration should be given to bringing qualification for prelim into line with the above.

 

 

It has been suggested that riders should be allowed to achieve 14 points at PSG before having to move to advanced medium open. The reason for this is that there is no championship for advanced level and that some of the content in advanced tests is similar to the higher advanced medium tests.

 

 

It is proposed that only the winner of each qualifying class will qualify directly to the national championships with the remainder of the premier league places being allocated on a ‘league’ basis, taking those combinations not qualified with the best average percentage from two different premier leagues. Qualification to the national championships via regionals at PSG and int I will continue.

 

 

It is proposed that from July 2009 the tests used for qualifying classes will be stipulated in order to ensure that those who qualify do so using higher level tests. Therefore they are able to cope with the higher level tests used at the championships.

 

 

Under the strategic plan, we will also be taking a much longer-term view of qualifications for the regionals and how many regionals there should be as part of the competition/championship strategy. 

 

There are no plans to make drastic changes in this area for 2009, but consultation documents will be published throughout this year in preparation for a move in 2010.

 

Any change to qualifications needs to be considered alongside a long-term strategy to provide suitable championship opportunities for all levels of the BD membership.