Welcome to the National Competitions for 2024-25
This page is for ALL Companies that have entered this sessions national competitions – from this page you will be able to find out all you need to know about your participation.
Firstly, we would like to say welcome, it’s fantastic that your Company is participating in this year’s competitions. We hope that your young people will enjoy travelling across the UK and meeting other BB members as they strive to progress through the competition rounds.
Each competition will initially operate more locally (generally rounds 1 and 2), to help reduce travel times, and then moves to be on a more regional basis (round 3 and 4). When the regional rounds have been completed, they will give rise to the top teams coming together for the National Final. There are six national competitions taking place this session, with the National Finals spread across the Regions.
Based on entries received we are pleased to announce that a total of over 150 Companies are participating in this sessions competitions, with the most popular competition being Masterteam, closely followed by the Fifa. Table Tennis, Football (Company and Senior), Chess and Badminton all have a good number of entries too.
The draws for the first rounds of all competitions have now been made and full details on can be found below under each of the competitions. This page will be the place to come for any updates and information along the way, so please do keep the link handy.
If you do have any questions about anything related to National Competitions please contact the Programme Team at programme@boys-brigade.org.uk
We wish you safe travels and hope you have a great time participating in this sessions National Competitions.
You can find out more about each competition below (including all draws): UPDATED 07/11/24. 17:10
Masterteam (Quiz)
This session Masterteam has provided the option for some Companies to participate in the competition virtually. Whilst the majority of entries will participate face-to-face, some groups (in rounds 1 and 2) will also have teams taking part virtually.
There will be two to three rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The number of teams qualifying may differ between rounds and regions, this is clarified in the draw for each region. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can find the Round 1 Draws here:
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on a team of 4 (plus 1 reserve player permitted).
- The dates of the rounds are set as follows:
- Round 1 – 9th November 2024
- Round 2 – 7th December 2024
- Round 3 (Regional Finals) – 18th January 2025
- National Final – Saturday 1st March 2025 (hosted in Scotland @ Carronvale House)
- The Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This Company is responsible for contacting all other Companies participating in the group at least 14 days before to confirm location/arrangements. The Host will receive more details directly about arrangements they should have in place for the Question Master, etc.
- The start time for rounds will normally be 7pm, except where all participating Companies have agreed to an earlier start time. All rounds MUST take place on set dates above.
- There are no specific rounds which require any revision or preparation for Masterteam for this session.
- Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make the Host Company aware at the earliest opportunity. This is a courtesy to those that are making arrangements to host teams.
- The draw for round 2 will be announced by 15th November 2024, based on all results for round 1 being received by 12th November 2024.
National Final Team Information
The National Final is to be hosted in Scotland at Carronvale House (Larbert, FK5 3LH). This will take place during the evening on Saturday 1st March 2025. Dinner will be served at 6pm with the competition starting at 7pm (concluding around 9pm). Accommodation will be available to book at Carronvale House overnight for teams who need to stay over, either the night before or the night of the competition.
Football (Company)
There will be two to three rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The number of teams qualifying may differ between rounds and regions, this is clarified in the draw for each region. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can find the Draws below:
- England & Wales (23rd November. Draws/Locations being released in October)
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on Company age group all players MUST be under 15 years as at 31st August 2025.
- Team based on 5 from a squad of 8 players.
- The Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This Company is responsible for contacting all other Companies participating in the group at the earliest opportunity to confirm date, time and location. The Host will receive more details directly about arrangements they should have in place including a referee and how to notify results from the round.
- All Companies included in the draws are expected to share the costs of hiring the venue with the Host Company. Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make contact with the Host Company as soon as possible. Once the venue is booked and costs incurred, you will be expected to share the costs even if you do not participate.
- Where a Company has multiple teams in the competition, a young person can only play in one team throughout this sessions competition. It is not permitted for young people to transfer between teams or play in more than one team.
- Team Line should be completed and handed to the Host on arrival. Download Team Line sheet
- The draw for round 2 will be announced within 5 days of the closing date (please note this differs between regions based on the number of rounds), subject to all results being submitted.
- Red Cards MUST be reported using Referees Incident Form
National Final Team Information
The National Final will be hosted in Northern Ireland on Saturday 22nd March 2025 alongside the Final for Seniors 5-a-Side Football.
Football (Seniors)
There will be two to three rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The number of teams qualifying may differ between rounds and regions, this is clarified in the draw for each region. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can find the Draws below:
- England & Wales (23rd November. Draws/Locations being released in October)
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on Seniors or Amicus age group all players MUST be 15 to 18 years as at 31st August 2025.
- Team based on 5 from a squad of 8 players.
- The Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This Company is responsible for contacting all other Companies participating in the group at the earliest opportunity to confirm date, time and location. The Host will receive more details directly about arrangements they should have in place including a referee and how to notify results from the round.
- All Companies included in the draws are expected to share the costs of hiring the venue with the Host Company.
- Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make contact with the Host Company as soon as possible. Once the venue is booked and costs incurred, you will be expected to share the costs even if you do not participate.
- Where a Company has multiple teams in the competition, a young person can only play in one team throughout this sessions competition. It is not permitted for young people to transfer between teams or play in more than one team.
- Team Line should be completed and handed to the Host on arrival. Download Team Line sheet
- The draw for round 2 will be announced within 5 days of the closing date (please note this differs between regions based on the number of rounds), subject to all results being submitted.
- Red Cards MUST be reported using Referees Incident Form
National Final Team Information
The National Final will be hosted in Northern Ireland on Saturday 22nd March 2025, alongside the Final for Company 5-a-Side Football.
Badminton
There will be two to four rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can find the draws and latest results below:
- England & Wales (11th January 2025. List of teams/locations to be released in October)
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on team of 4 (plus 1 reserve player permitted).
- The nominated Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This is based on the preference for hosting, as indicated on the entry form, although either Company can host the match.
- The draws for some regions will mean that some teams get a ‘bye’ in round 1 and go straight into round 2. Where this is shown the round 2 matches can take place at any point from date of issue of the draw, up to the deadline date for round 2.
- Please contact your opponents at the earliest opportunity to organise a date and time for the match to take place. All matches must be completed by the closing date for each round (see draw for details), failure to play the match and notify the result by the closing date may result in both teams being eliminated from the competition.
- Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make contact with their opponent as soon as possible.
- Companies hosting will need to provide a badminton court, where this is not possible at your own meeting space, the cost of this is usually absorbed by the host Company. Where possible the host Company should provide appropriate referees, although through consultation with opponents refereeing may be shared between the participating Companies.
- The Host Company is responsible for completing the Result Notification Form within 3 days of the match taking place (and always by the closing date).
- Where a Company has multiple teams in the competition, a young person can only play in one team throughout this sessions competition. It is not permitted for young people to transfer between teams or play in more than one team.
- Results will be updated online within 72 hours of notifications being received and the where matches for the next round are confirmed these can then be played a.s.a.p.
In Scotland, this session we have grouped entries into groups of up to 4 teams. From this there will be the option to play a tournament as a group of 4 Companies at one venue all-together on the same day. This option has been introduced based on feedback received and will reduce the number of rounds in the competition as well as provide other known benefits around travel/commitments/drop-outs. There will also be the option (where the above is not possible) for paired teams to play separately (as in previous sessions) with a Company team of 4 taking on a team of 4 from another BB Company. The host company will be required to organise badminton courts/hall with any costs split between Companies participating. Dates for rounds will be set by the host Company, in agreement with other Companies.
In England & Wales the tournament will take place on the 11th January 2025 across two locations as part of ‘England Badminton Championship’. This session we are trialing running Badminton as an centrally coordinated competition, with Companies not needing to host locally. The championship will be taking place at King’s Park in Northampton and Dolphin Centre in Darlington, on Saturday 11th January 2025. Both centres have a large number of courts available enabling us to have a good number of teams taking part on the day. The winning team from each of the locations will go through to represent England & Wales in the UK Final to be held on 15th March 2025.
In Northern Ireland the tournament will take place on set dates (given below).
- Round 1 – Saturday 16th November 2024
- Round 2 (NI Regional Final) – Saturday 15th February 2025
National Final Team Information
The UK National Final is to be hosted in England in Hertfordshire on Saturday 15th March 2025. The final will be starting at around 11am and finishing around 4pm.
Some group accommodation will be available in the local area for participants needing overnight accommodation.
Table Tennis
There will be two to four rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can find draws and latest results below:
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on team of 3 (plus 1 reserve player permitted).
- The nominated Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This is based on the preference for hosting, as indicated on the entry form, although either Company can host the match.
- The draws for some regions will mean that some teams get a ‘bye’ in round 1 and go straight into round 2. Where this is shown the round 2 matches can take place at any point from date of issue of the draw, up to the deadline date for round 2.
- Please contact your opponents at the earliest opportunity to organise a date and time for the match to take place. All matches must be completed by the closing date for each round (see draw for details), failure to play the match and notify the result by the closing date may result in both teams being eliminated from the competition.
- Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make contact with their opponent as soon as possible.
- Companies hosting will need to provide at least one table tennis table, but ideally two tables will mean that the match (round) can be played in a timely manner. It is usually expected that Companies would host at their own premises. Where possible the host Company should provide appropriate referees, although through consultation with opponents refereeing may be shared between the participating Companies.
- The Host Company is responsible for completing the Result Notification Form within 3 days of the match taking place (and always by the closing date).
- Where a Company has multiple teams in the competition, a young person can only play in one team throughout this sessions competition. It is not permitted for young people to transfer between teams or play in more than one team.
- Results will be updated online within 72 hours of notifications being received and the where matches for the next round are confirmed these can then be played a.s.a.p.
- Please note: The national final of Chess & Table Tennis will take place at the same time. Please consider this when choosing your teams & competitions for the 2023/24 session.
Download Match Score Sheet
National Final Team Information
The National Final is to be hosted in Scotland at Carronvale House (Larbert, FK5 3LH). This will take place during the day on Saturday 1st March 2025. The competition will start at 11am and finish by 5pm. Some accommodation will be available to book for teams who need to stay over, either the night before or the night of the competition.
Please note: The national final of Chess & Table Tennis will take place at the same time. Please consider this when choosing your teams & competitions for the 2024/25 session.
Fifa
There will be two to five rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can see how teams progressed through the regional rounds below:
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on team of 3 (plus 1 reserve player permitted).
- The nominated Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This is based on the preference for hosting, as indicated on the entry form, although either Company can host the match.
- The draws for some regions will mean that some teams get a ‘bye’ in round 1 and go straight into round 2. Where this is shown the round 2 matches can take place at any point from date of issue of the draw, up to the deadline date for round 2.
- Please contact your opponents at the earliest opportunity to organise a date and time for the match to take place. All matches must be completed by the closing date for each round (see draw for details), failure to play the match and notify the result by the closing date may result in both teams being eliminated from the competition.
- Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make contact with their opponent as soon as possible.
- Companies hosting will need to provide at least one console (Playstation or Xbox), but ideally two consoles. The consoles and versions of the game should remain consistent for each match (round), but may change between rounds based on the console available.
- The Host Company is responsible for completing the Result Notification Form within 3 days of the match taking place (and always by the closing date).
- Where a Company has multiple teams in the competition, a young person can only play in one team throughout this sessions competition. It is not permitted for young people to transfer between teams or play in more than one team.
- Results will be updated online within 72 hours of notifications being received and the where matches for the next round are confirmed these can then be played a.s.a.p.
Download Match Score Sheet
National Final Team Information
The National Final is to be hosted in England in Hertfordshire. This will take place during the evening of Saturday 15th March 2025, starting at around 5pm and finishing around 9pm.
Some group accommodation will be available in the local area for participants needing overnight accommodation.
Chess
There will be two to five rounds (this may differ between regions), with the last round being the Regional Final. The top two teams from each region will progress to the National Final.
You can see how teams progressed through the regional rounds below:
A full copy of the competition rules can be viewed/downloaded at National Competition Rules 2024-25.
All teams should be aware of the following:
- Based on team of 3 (plus 1 reserve player permitted).
- The nominated Host Company for each group is indicated in bold and has (H) next to their Company Name. This is based on the preference for hosting, as indicated on the entry form, although either Company can host the match.
- The draws for some regions will mean that some teams get a ‘bye’ in round 1 and go straight into round 2. Where this is shown the round 2 matches can take place at any point from date of issue of the draw, up to the deadline date for round 2.
- Please contact your opponents at the earliest opportunity to organise a date and time for the match to take place. All matches must be completed by the closing date for each round (see draw for details), failure to play the match and notify the result by the closing date may result in both teams being eliminated from the competition.
- Any Company that is now NOT able to participate should make contact with their opponent as soon as possible.
- The Host Company is responsible for completing the Result Notification Form within 3 days of the match taking place (and always by the closing date).
- Where a Company has multiple teams in the competition, a young person can only play in one team throughout this sessions competition. It is not permitted for young people to transfer between teams or play in more than one team.
- Results will be updated online within 72 hours of notifications being received and the where matches for the next round are confirmed these can then be played a.s.a.p.
National Final Team Information
The National Final is to be hosted in England at Carronvale House (Larbert, FK5 3LH). This will take place during the day on Saturday 1st March 2025. The competition will start at 10am and finish by 6pm. Some accommodation will be available to book for teams who need to stay over, either the night before or the night of the competition.
Please note: The national final of Chess & Table Tennis will take place at the same time. Please consider this when choosing your teams & competitions for the 2024/25 session.
Download Match Score Sheet
Company Directory
To enable you to get in touch with Host Companies and/or your opponents you can find details of contacts for Companies in the Company Directory. The directory is protected for GDPR purposes (password is in email sent out to Company Contacts listed in the directory), and details MUST be strictly for the purposes of National Competitions only.
There are separate Company Directories for each region:
- England & Wales (password protected)
- Northern Ireland (password protected)
- Scotland (password protected)
If you are having any issues contacting another Company please get in touch with us at programme@boys-brigade.org.uk and we may be able to provide alternative contact details.
Notifying Results
Host Companies should notify the result of the competition for each round within 3 days of playing the match, and always by the closing date (as per the specific draw for that competition and region).
If you have any other queries please contact us at programme@boys-brigade.org.uk
Competition Rules & Information
The Competition Rules clearly set out how the games are to be played and the co-operation of Companies is essential to generating a competitive, but friendly environment.
Please remember that teams in all competitions must consist of current registered members of The Boys’ Brigade. This means that they should be registered as members on Online Brigade Manager (OBM). Failure to ensure this may lead to disqualification from the event. Furthermore, all Companies that take part must have completed and submitted their statistical returns in order to play.
The competition rules for 2024-25 session are available National Competition Rules 2024-25..