WOMENS WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

NOTE: This issue of the Playing Rules and Format is applicable to the 2006 CHAMPIONSHIPS ONLY.

The qualifying conditions for the 2006 Championships were reviewed at the BDO Board Meeting held on the 16th April 2005.

In the Playing Rules and Format for the LAKESIDE World Professional Championships the term 'Promoters/Organisers' shall mean the British Darts Organisation Limited, or a subsidiary of that Company.

1.00 TOURNAMENT INVITATIONS

1.01 Invitations to play in the Lakeside World Professional Championships will be issued by the Promoters/Organisers to those players that have qualified and are eligible to play in the Championships, subject to their commitment to the BDO system, and BDO Eligibility Rule, or being a 'registered playing' member of a WDF Member Darts Body.

1.02 Such invitations will be issued directly to the players, with copies being sent to the player's respective National Darts Body for reference.

1.03 The consideration and determination of eligible players will be made by the Promoters/Organisers in a Meeting convened after the Europe Cup, or World Cup, whichever is applicable, in each Playing Season.
{IE: Late October/early November period.} In special circumstances preliminary invitations may be made prior to 1st September in any year.

1.04 Ideally the first round proper shall include '8' players which shall comprise of '5' Direct qualifiers, plus 2005 Winmau World Master and '2' Qualifiers from the International play-offs. These numbers are subject to the result of applying Clause No: 2.06

1.05 The '4' Seeded players in the first round proper shall be determined by reference to the BDO Women's Invitation Table which is issued on the 1st November in the current Playing Season.

1.06 The qualifiers in each category shall be determined in accordance with the qualifying conditions outlined below.

2.00 INVITATION FORMULA - 'DIRECT' QUALIFYING CONDITIONS

2.01 The qualifying conditions for the 2006 Championships were reviewed at a Board Meeting held on the 16th April 2005.

2.02 Players that reached the last '2' in the 2005 Championships shall be the first 'Direct' qualifiers to the 2006 Championships subject to their eligibility.

2.03 The next '3' Direct' qualifiers shall be determined from those players listed in the BDO Invitation Tables. {IE: 1st November 2005 issue for Women}.

2.04 In the instance that a 'listed' player has already qualified within the first '2' under Clause No: 2.02 then the next listed player shall be included until '3' additional players have been determined from the BDO Invitation Table.

2.05 If a number of players are listed at the same position then consideration will be given to 'other' systems to enable a decision to be made on which player, or players are to be included.

2.06 The winner of the 2005 Winmau World Masters Championship shall also be included as a ‘direct’ qualifier. A standby player determined during the International Play-offs shall be included in the instance that the 2005 World Masters is in the ‘5’ players determined under Clauses Nos: 2.02 to 2.05.

2.07 Each British player must have made a written commitment to the BDO system and be currently playing in the British Inter-County Championships/County Super league, and each Overseas player must be in the 'Top Ten' of her own Member Darts Body's Ranking System.

2.08 Consideration shall also be given by the Promoters/Organisers to those players that have been nominated by their National Darts Body providing that they comply with BDO Eligibility requirements.

2.09 Again if it is necessary to make a choice between players, the nominated orders of preference, or a Ranking System applicable to their country, or the BDO Invitation Tables will be considered to enable a decision to be made on which player, or players are to be invited.

2.10 If no decision has been reached under Clause Nos: 2.08 to 2.09 then reference to the WDF Ranking System shall be made in order to make a choice.

3.00 INVITATION FORMULA - 'INTERNATIONAL PLAY-OFF' QUALIFYING CONDITIONS

3.01 Invitations will be extended by the Promoter/Organisers to approximately '75' players who, upon acceptance, will be required to participate in an International play-off to determine two Qualifiers.

3.02 All the invited players shall have met at least ONE of the qualifying conditions listed below;

(a) Former World Professional Champions that have not directly qualified subject to currently playing in the British Inter-County Championships/County Super Leagues, or being placed in the Top Ten of her own Country's Ranking Tables.
(b) All players who were in the final eight (8) of the last Championship that have not already qualified.
(c) Players from the BDO recognised Champions list that have not already qualified providing that each British player must be currently playing in the British Inter-County Championships/County Super League, each Overseas player must in the Top Ten of her own Member Darts Body's Ranking System. {See Appendices One and Two - Lists of BDO recognised Champions}
(d) Full International Squad members from England, Scotland and Wales.
(e) The next '5' players in the June issue of the Women’s BICC DAVE and BDO Grand Prix tables that have not already directly qualified.
(f) Up to '4' representative players, or qualifiers, for the World Masters Championship, plus the listed Singles Champions, determined by a WDF Member Darts Body outside of the BDO.
(g) All the players that have qualified for the World Finals of the 2005 Winmau World Masters Championship through the ‘National’ play-offs held in England, Scotland, and Wales.
(h) '1' female player from each BDO Member County Regional play-off which shall be open to all registered County Super League players, subject to meeting their commitment to the BDO system.
(i) Winmau World Masters Champions for the last '5' years subject to currently playing in the British Inter-County Championships, or being placed in the Top Ten of her own Country's Ranking System.

(j) The 2003 and 2004 World Professional Champions subject to their eligibility and providing that they have not directly qualified.

(k) A player that has been nominated for invitation by a Sponsor or the IDPA must be able to comply with one of the above Clause Nos: 3.02 (a) to (j).

3.03 A Ranking System which is applicable to a Country, or the BDO Invitation Table shall be used to enable a decision to be made on which player, or players shall be invited into the International Play-off when more than one player is eligible to attend.

3.04 The current Winmau World Master will be considered for inclusion in the invitations issued by the Promoters/Organisers and if already qualified then a Standby Player will be invited subject to that player having met the commitment to the BDO system.

4.00 MATCH PLAY FORMAT

4.01 The BDO Playing Rules shall apply to all matches played in the Lakeside World Professional Championships, including the International Play-offs, plus any additional Rules that have been printed in the Championships programme.

4.02 Players must be in attendance at least 60 minutes before the commencement of a match play session in order to ensure the formal introduction on stage of all players involved in that session.

4.03 If a player fails to attend to meet the requirement in Clause No: 4.02 then an official warning will be issued by the Promoters/Organisers, and in the instance of a second offence the player will be automatically suspended from a BDO event.

4.04 Each match in the International Play-off format shall be the Best of '5' Legs, and each Leg shall be 501up, with a straight start, and a Double or Bull to finish.

4.05 The 4th and 5th Leg of each Match shall only be played if they do contribute to the result of that respective Match.

4.06 In the Womens World Championship the matchplay schedule shall be as follows;

All matches shall be the Best of 3 Sets, Best of 5 Legs per Set.

4.07 The Draw and the Schedule of Matchplay for each round shall be as indicated in the players briefing, and as laid down in the Championships programme.

4.08 The Bracket system will apply to the Matchplay Draw which shall be conducted at the discretion of the Promoters/Organisers in conjunction with the Sponsors.

4.09 The '4' Seeded Players shall be placed in the Draw according to the BDO Seeding Formula. {IE: 1; 4; 2; 3.}

4.10 The Promoters/Organisers reserve the right to alter the Playing Format, and the Matchplay Schedule to accommodate any circumstances that may occur during the Championships.

5.00 PRIZE STRUCTURE

5.01 In the International Play-offs each Qualifier shall be awarded with an invitation to participate in the First Round proper and are guaranteed a minimum of first round losers prize money providing that they participate.

5.02 In the Championships proper each player is eligible to receive a minimum of first round losers prize money.

5.03 Every other player is eligible to receive prize money in respect of the position attained in the Championships.

5.04 If applicable, prize money will also be awarded for the highest Check-out recorded in competitive Matchplay. {IE: The Highest possible Check-out is '170' - [Treble 20 + Treble 20 + Bull]}

In the instance of more than one player achieving the same highest Check-out, then the prize money will be divided equally between them.

5.05 A Special Prize for the first '9' dart leg in the Championships may be made available subject to Sponsorship negotiations.

5.06 A BDO Prize for the same achievement is £1000, plus a further £1000 if the achievement is transmitted by television.

5.07 The official stage presentations shall be to the Champions, and the Runners-up. The highest Check-out prize will be officially presented in the Sponsor's reception held after the event.

5.08 If a player is not present at the official presentation ceremony to receive prize money, or prizes, without the prior permission of the Promoters/Organisers then that player shall forfeit the right to receive such prize money, or prizes that may be due.

5.09 If a player does not fulfil all playing commitments within the Championships, without reasonable cause, then that player shall forfeit the right to receive any prize money, prizes, or trophies that may be due to that player in respect of the Championships.

5.10 If any expenditure is incurred as a result of such a default then the player, or person deemed to be responsible shall be held liable for the additional costs involved.

5.11 All players participating in the Championships must ensure that they do not play in any darts match, competition, or exhibition, without the prior permission of the Sponsor, at any venue within 100 miles radius of the playing venue during the period of the Championships.

5.12 In the instance that Clause No: 5.11 is contravened, then the Sponsor shall reserve the right to withhold prize monies from the offending player.

5.13 An Overseas player will be subject to UK. Withholding Tax on any prize money won, less an allowance for the cost of hotel and subsistence that is actually incurred by the player.

The allowance being for one day prior to the event, plus the number of days that the player is participating in the event.

6.00 PLAYING ATTIRE

6.01 All the terms of BDO Playing Rule No: 25.00 shall apply in all matches played in the Lakeside World Professional Championships, and are detailed for reference in the BDO Players Dress Code.

6.02 In the Lakeside World Professional Championships the Playing Attire of any participating player shall be subject to BDO approval.

6.03 Any unacceptable Playing Attire must be changed before that player can participate in any introductions, Matchplay on stage, interviews, and introductions.

6.04 Any player refusing to meet with BDO approval shall be liable to forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

7.00 ADVERTISING

7.01 All the terms of BDO Playing Rule No: 27.00 shall apply in all the matches played in the Lakeside World Professional Championships, and are detailed for reference in the BDO Players Dress Code.

8.00 SMOKING

8.01 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst engaged in a match played on stage which is being covered by television.

8.02 No smoking shall be allowed by any player, or match official, whilst, engaged in the televised introductions to Matchplay, during any televised interviews on or off the stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on the stage.

8.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause Nos: 8.01, or 8.02 shall forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

8.04 Any match official found to be breach of Clause Nos: 8.01, or 8.02 shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

8.05 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall reserve the right to prohibit smoking in any other matches under its jurisdiction, if it is considered in the best interests of the promotion of the Sport of Darts to do so.

9.00 DRINKING

9.01 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into the area covered by television, by any player, or match official whilst engaged in a match which is being covered by television.

9.02 No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed, or introduced into the area covered by television, by any player, or match official, during televised introductions to Matchplay, during any televised interviews either on or off the stage, and during presentation ceremonies made on the stage.

9.03 Any player found to be in breach of Clause No: 9.01, or 9.02 shall forfeit that respective match, and shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

9.04 Any match official found to be in breach of Clause No: 9.01, or 9.02 shall be reported to the appropriate darts body for Disciplinary Proceedings to be considered.

9.05 The British Darts Organisation Ltd., or any of its subsidiaries, shall reserve the right to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks in any other matches under its jurisdiction, if it is considered in the best interests of the promotion of the Sport of Darts to do so.

10.00 ANTI-DOPING POLICY

10.01 The terms and conditions laid down in the BDO Code of Practice No 6: Anti-Doping Policy shall apply to all players and officials participating in the World professional Championships.

11.00 OFFICIALS

11.01 The number of Officials required to organise the Lakeside World Professional Championships shall be determined and appointed by the Promoters/Organisers giving due regard to those persons previously appointed and to the budget for the Championships.

12.00 PLAYERS & OFFICIALS CONDUCT

12.01 Any player's, or match official's conduct which is considered to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute shall be liable to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken against that player, or that official.

12.02 Such Disciplinary Action shall be instigated by the Promoters/Organisers, and shall be conducted in accordance with BDO Code of Practice No: 3 as laid down in Volume One of the BDO Authorised Handbook.

12.03 Masters of Ceremonies and Referees shall not allow any player to use the microphone at any time during the Lakeside World Professional Championships without being officially invited to do so.

12.04 During Matchplay any player, or official, using offensive language, or seen to be 'mouthing' any offensive language, shall be deemed to have brought the Sport of Darts into disrepute, and shall the be subject to Disciplinary Proceedings being taken against that player, or that official.

13.00 INCIDENTS

13.01 When an 'incident' occurs which is not specifically covered within the Lakeside World Professional Championships Playing Rules and Format, or the BDO Playing Rules, then the Promoters/Organisers decision shall be final and binding.

13.02 Any decision made under Clause No. 13.01 shall be referred to an ensuing BDO Board Meeting, when that decision shall be considered for inclusion within a revised version of these Rules.

APPENDIX ONE - Lists of BDO Recognised Women's Champions

{Singles events Only - exceptions are listed below this table}

Exceptions to the Singles Criteria

British Open Pairs
British Gold Cup Pairs

Note

This list of BDO recognised Women's Champions is subject to a player's eligibility and may be augmented during the Season as new events become established and are formally recognised.