Updates
The eyes of the badminton world will be on Auckland next week during the Auckland International, with the event one of the first in the world to trial a proposed new scoring system.
The level four International Series event, which carries a prize purse of USD $5000, will be played from September 18-21, and has attracted a quality field of international players from 11 countries.
But the biggest talking point will be the scoring system, which has sparked plenty of debate throughout the badminton world.
Historically badminton has been played as the best of three “first to 21 point” games, with “extension” taking place at 20-20 with players having to win a game by a clear two points (23-21 and so on).
The new system will be decided on a best of five “first to 11 points” games, with no extension – creating a sudden death game winning point at 10-10.
Badminton New Zealand event manager and former international player Julie Carrel said the reaction of players and fans will be fascinating to watch.
“The Badminton World Federation is looking for ways to further speed up the game and create more critical and exciting moments within matches,” she said. “The argument is that the tone of a match or a game can be set very early on, rendering the middle or latter parts of a 21-point game as a bit of a procession.
“The thinking around playing a higher number (best of five as against best of three) of shorter games is that players cannot afford lapses in concentration and that fans will remain engaged in a game throughout, knowing that a run of two or three points to either player or combination at any time can prove crucial.
“This is very early in a three-month trial worldwide and we are among the first to test the waters. It will be fascinating to see how the players and spectators react but it will also test the mettle of the officials who are equally new to this scoring system. There will be reports heading to the world body in Kuala Lumpur from Gillies Ave during and after the tournament, putting us in the spotlight for sure.”
All players, officials and spectators can also have their say, with a feedback form being handed out at the tournament to gauge reaction.
The Kiwi contingent will be headlined by world championship team members Kevin Dennerly-Minturn, Oliver Leydon-Davis and Susannah Leydon-Davisfirst two seeded top in the men’s doubles and the latter two top in the mixed doubles
