COMPETITIONS – Overview

The Galtres Centre (Easingwold) display and trophy cabinet

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS Our 7 County Championships started in 2003 when the U18 Singles was introduced. This was followed in 2004 with the Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours and the Mixed Fours was added in 2008. The latest addition is the Over55 Pairs introduced in 2018. From 2004 onwards, the Championships have also served as the qualifying competition for the Northern Championships and the heats for the National Championships. All the County Championships are open to any registered member with no cap to the number who can take part. They give those who choose to enter the chance to become our County Champion(s) in each of these disciplines. A handsome trophy is presented to the winning team and all team members and runners up also receive a keepsake trophy.
See NYSMBA | County Championships

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS The ESMBA National Championships started in 1985 with the Singles followed in 1986 by the Pairs and then the Triples & Fours in 1987. The U18 Singles was not added until 1992 and the Mixed Fours in 1999. Finally, in 2018 the Over 55 Pairs was added. Our County Championships double as National heats to determine who should attend the National Finals. Prior to 2004 the heats were held on a straight KO basis played in the entrants own clubs (home or away after a random draw). The National Finals are currently held over 6 days at venues determined by the ESMBA (currently Solihull and Melton Mowbray). There are 64 places available (24 in the U18s and 32 in the Mixed Fours and Over 55 Pairs) and the number of places allocated to each county varies according to the total number of entries.
See NYSMBA | National Championships

NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS These Championships are organized by the NESMBA and have been running since 1992. Originally held in Newton Aycliffe, they moved to Barnard Castle in 2001 and from 2023 they are to be held in York. There are 32 places in each of the 4 main disciplines and counties are automatically allocated 4 places in each with extra places added depending on the take-up from the other NESMBA counties. Since 2004, qualification for a place in these championships has been via participation in our own County Championships. Prior to that, a separate qualifying competition was held over a single weekend at the St. Albans Centre in Ampleforth.
See NYSMBA | Northern Championships

THE LITTLE CUP This competition is run towards the end of the season with cash prizes totaling £150. It involves teams of 4 players playing in mixed disciplines and the entry is limited to 24 teams.
See NYSMBA | Little Cup

NYSMBA CLUB OPEN COMPETITIONS Several of our clubs hold annual open competitions.
See CLUB OPEN COMPETITIONS

ESMBA OPEN COMPETITIONS For the dates and entry forms for their Open Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours competitions
See ESMBA OPEN COMPETITIONS

SMPT COMPETITIONS The “Short Mat Players Tour” (an independent body not associated with the ESMBA) runs about 10 open competitions each year. One of these, the British Open (Singles) is currently held annually in York at the York & District IBC in January. For details and entry forms.
See SHORT MAT PLAYERS TOUR
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ORDER OF MERIT (OOM) Started on 2007 by Roger Green (Secretary). Those achieving a level of success in the 3 major competitions were awarded points that were accumulated over the course of the season. At the end of the season a trophy and certificate was awarded to the most successful male and female player over the season. Discontinued after 2020.
See NYSMBA | Order of Merit

THE CAMEO SHIELD In 2002 the Little Cup day at the Y&D IBC was followed by a match on the Sunday for this shield. This was a challenge match in which 8 NYSMBA triples played against 8 from the Y&D IBC membership. Each triple played 2 games on the Short Mats and 2 games on the full size indoor rink. This ran for 4 years with a victory for the hosts in the first match (38-26) and then wins in the last 3 years by the NYSMBA (33-31, 38-26 and 35-29). By mutual agreement, this novel contest was discontinued after 2005.