*
banner

Major rule changes for National Championships of Great Britain

New borrowed players rules and qualification numbers for Cheltenham and London come into force from 1st January.

Rules
  New rules come into force from 1st January

Major rule changes to the National Championships of Great Britain have been confirmed by Kapitol Promotions following the latest meeting of its National Forum which is made up of the seven Regional Secretaries plus representation from Scotland.

The November meeting decided to confirm a number of proposals that will come into effect from 1st January 2025.

Borrowed players and qualification numbers

The major changes apply to the introduction of new player borrowing for the Regional Championship series of contests and with the qualification numbers for the National Finals in Cheltenham and London.

The major changes apply to National Rules 8 and 13. The new National Rules can be found at: www.nationalbrassbandchampionships.com

The new rules (in bold) are set out follows with amended existing rules.

8. a) All players taking part in the Contest must be registered with only ONE accredited Registry, and may only compete with the band that holds their Registration.

It is the responsibility of the band secretary to apply to the relevant registry for the necessary registration documentation and to comply with the Registry Rules and procedures.

b) The deadline for New Player Registrations and Transfers to be fully received and processed by the Registry is the Friday one week before the contest. (For clarity: transfers will become effective 5 days later i.e. the Wednesday before the contest).

c) As a trial for the 2025 Regional Championships: bands competing in Sections 3 & 4 only are allowed to borrow up to two players, regardless of reason.

The borrowed player/players must be registered with an accredited Registry (BBP/Scottish Registry), and can be registered with a band in any region of Great Britain.

The borrowed player/players can be from another band in the same section or section below the borrowing band. i.e. Section 3 bands can borrow from bands nationally-graded Section 3 or Section 4. Section 4 bands can borrow from bands nationally-graded Section 4 only.

d) A player may play with a maximum of THREE (3) bands in the 2025 Regional Championships series. The only exception is for the application of the provisions of Rule 15.

e) A player may play with only ONE (1) band in any ONE (1) series of Finals' Championships. The only exception is for the application of the provisions of Rule 15.

13 a) Qualification to the Finals
i) In respect of sections 1-4, qualification for an invitation will depend on the number of bands entered in the sections at the Regional Championships:

Up to and including 6 bands entered 1 band qualifies
7-14 bands entered 2 bands qualify
15 to 19 bands entered 3 bands qualify
20 to 24 bands entered 4 bands qualify
25 or more bands entered 5 bands qualify

ii) In respect of the Championship Section, the first three placed bands in the previous year's 'Final' will qualify for an invitation to the following year's 'Final', subject to the band competing in their respective Regional Championships.

Entry to the 'Final' of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain is at the sole discretion of Kapitol.

iii) In each of the Championship Section Regional Championships, the two highest placed bands will qualify for an invitation to the 'Final', in addition to those already invited under ii) above.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Wallace and Gromit

A Grand Day Out for bands

April 24 • Another fantastic collaboration opens the door for bands to entertainment with Wallace and Gromit


Europeans

Willebroek to showcase muscial transitions

April 24 • The Belgian champion will give its supporters a sneak preview of its Stavanger preparations.


Smiles

All Scottish smiles in Strathallan

April 24 • The youngsters and staff on the recent National Youth Brass Band of Scotland Easter Course certainly enjoyed themselves.


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: 'Mid all the traffic (Traditional arr. Andy Wareham)

April 24 • An inventive new arrangement of a classic work to add to any concert programme


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Stan Lippeatt

BA, LRSM
Conductor, adjudicator, tutor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd