​Regulations Regarding the Doubles Qualifier in November 2016

THE FIPJP IS PLANNING to hold multi-format championships in the 2nd Quarter of 2017 in Belgium. The planned formats include Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. In preparation for these International tournaments, the FPUSA will hold National Men's and Women's Doubles Qualifiers on November 5–6, 2016, at Oh-La-La Pétanque Association, Orlando, Florida. Participation in the November Men's and Women's Doubles Qualifiers in Orlando will be established based on the results of the Inter-regional Men's and Women's Doubles Tournaments held in each of the Regions.
All licensed players are free to participate in the Inter-regional Doubles Tournaments. Players are not obligated to go to the National Tournament even if they finish high and earn a guaranteed spot. The document below outlines the FPUSA policies regarding the Qualifiers.  Click the button for a downloadable PDF version. Photo by Coast Multimedia.

FPUSA 2016 WORLD QUALIFICATION
FOR THE FIPJP 2017 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BELGIUM

I. BACKGROUND
  1. FIPJP is planning to hold multi-format championships in the 2nd Quarter of 2017 in Belgium.
  2. FPUSA expects to have a position in this event, comprised of 2 men and 2 women players.
  3. The planned formats include Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
  4. FIPJP ‘s current plan is to allow each player to participate in a maximum of two tournaments.
  5. Unlike the Triples World Championships, accommodations and meals are not provided by the host organization.
 
II. NATIONAL MEN’S DOUBLES AND NATIONAL WOMEN’S DOUBLES QUALIFIERS
  1. FPUSA will hold National Men’s Doubles and National Women’s Doubles Qualifiers in order to select the four players who will represent the USA in the 2017 FIPJP Singles and Doubles Championships.
  2. National Men’s and Women’s Doubles Qualifiers will be held on November 5–6, 2016, at Oh-la-la Orlando P.A., Orlando FL.
  3. These tournaments will have two-day formats and follow FPUSA Qualifier regulations.
  4. The winners will be held to the same commitment standards for US Team representatives as in the Triples Qualifier regulations.
  5. All purse money will be set-aside for the eventual FPUSA representatives.
  6. FPUSA will give each player a share of the international travel budget based on our 2016 income.
  7. These tournaments can be held separately or together, depending on host club capabilities.
 
IIIA.  PROPOSED FIPJP TEAM ELIGIBILITY (TO BE CONFIRMED, &/or SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
  1. Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles: two citizens per team, or one citizen and one resident per team.
  2. Men’s, Women’s Singles: the assumption is citizens only, per the 2014 and 2015 Singles Championships.
 
IIIB. FPUSA NATIONAL DOUBLES QUALIFIER ELIGIBILITY
  1. Two citizens per team, or one citizen and one non-citizen resident per team (subject to change according to IIIA above).
  2. 90-day membership and other relevant FPUSA qualifier eligibility rules apply.
 
IV. PARTICIPATION IN THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DOUBLES QUALIFIERS WILL BE ESTABLISHED THROUGH THESE CRITERIA:
  1. Four guaranteed positions for teams placing 1st thru 4th in any Inter-regional Doubles Tournament.
  2. Extra positions according to availability for teams placing 5th thru 8th in any Inter-regional Doubles Tournament.
  3. Extra positions according to availability for teams placing in the concours of any Inter-regional Doubles Tournament.
  4. Extra positions according to availability open to all members via a separate first come/first served registration process.
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NOTES ON ITEM IV:
  1. Items IV.2, IV.3 and IV.4 are subject to the number courts at the host club.
  2. Extra positions from Items 2 and 3 will be assigned in order of number of teams that participated in the respective Inter- regionals. (Example, if a team finishes 9th in a 30-team inter-regional, it will have higher priority than some of the teams in the 5–8 slots in a 15-team regional.
 
V. INTER-REGIONAL MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DOUBLES
All licensed players are free to participate in the Inter-regional doubles. Players are not obliged to go to the National Tournament if they finish high and earn a guaranteed spot. Normal regional entry fees and prize structure apply. Please see items below for further information.
 
VI. PLAYER PARTICIPATION IN INTER-REGIONAL MEN’S AND WOMEN’S DOUBLES
  1. 30-day membership in advance of the tournament date is required of all members.
  2. Players may compete in as many Inter-regional Doubles as they like until they are qualified, that is, place 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. Once qualified for the National, no player may enter another Inter-regional Doubles Tournament.

VII. PLAYER COMMITMENT TO THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S NATIONAL DOUBLES QUALIFIERS
  1. All teams who place 1st thru 4th in an Inter-regional Doubles must declare their intent to play in the National Doubles Qualifier no later than June 15th. There is no penalty for not participating in the qualifier if declared before June 15th.
  2. After June 15th, FPUSA will announce the teams who have committed.
  3. By June 25th, FPUSA will prioritize the field of teams who finished in the concours across all the regions. These teams will be notified and have until July 15th to make their commitment.
  4. Absent a valid emergency (as determined by the Sport Committee), players who declare by the established dates but do not follow through on their commitment will be ineligible for the following National Doubles Qualifier.
VI. SUBSTITUTIONS
  1. Prior to July 15th, if one player from a qualified team cannot commit to go to the National, the remaining player may team up with another player from a qualified team from any Inter-regional whose partner also cannot commit.
  2. After July 15th, there can be no substitutions. If there are positions available, they will be open to all players via a separate first come/first served registration process (by team).