NEWS AND EVENTS
Loughborough 2024
This was the second year in which a big group of New Tricks kids took part in the Youth Bridge Challange at Loughborough Grammar School. This is the premiere national event for players of school age and provides a great experience of the joys of competition for the children.
The New Tricks kids had a fantastic day. Annabel and Sophia made up 50% of the team that won the Harry Scully Trophy (for teams consisting of children from more than one school) and our Acland Burghley boys finished 12th in a very strong field in the main event (dominated by independent schools with a long history of teaching bridge). In the event for less experienced players, New Tricks teams took first, second and third places. Well done to all.
EBU Year End Congress
One of the highlights of the year for bridge players in England, the English Bridge Union’s Year End Congress takes place in Earls Court and attracts many of the country’s top players. Five of our youngsters took part in the ‘Jack High’ event, playing a long day of highly competitive bridge against adult opposition amd performing very well.
Our saturday afternoon club goes from strength to strength in its new venue, with children from a variety of schools getting together to play . As you can see, a number of their parents have also been inspired to take up the game. Many thanks to Acland Burghley School for giving us the space to provide this great community activity.
AT CAMP, AND IN THE SQUAD
A group of New Tricks kids attended the two-day bridge camp run by English Bridge Education and Development at the beginning of September. As you can see from the photo above, all five attained their silver level certificates and three of the group have now joined the England Under 16 squad, despite being only 11 years old. We are confident that they will very soon be followed by others and we are extremely proud of all of them.
After a little over a year of running our Bridge for Schools programme, we took a group of 26 children from five schools to their first real tournament on Saturday 4th March. The kids, all aged 8-11 years, played competitive bridge for well over five hours and displayed all of the skills that we hope to see in future champions throughout. Well done all.
INTER-SCHOOL MATCH IN HISTORIC SETTING
As the school year ended in July, teams from two North London primary schools battled it out in an eight board match at the famous Acol Bridge Club - a venue frequented by many of the greats over the years (photo above). The children, Year 5 kids from both schools, played really well and the result was very close. It’s remarkable what these kids have achieved this year and I firmly believe that we are looking at future members of the England Junior squad here.
‘BRING A RELATIVE TO BRIDGE’ DAY
The end of the Easter term saw our first ever ‘Bring a relative to bridge club’ event at one of our London schools (pictured below). All of the kids arranged for a family member or family friend to partner them in a mini tournament. Some of the relatives had not played any kind of card game before and the children had a great time teaching a new skill to their elders! Bridge provides opportunities for cross-generational interaction in a fun environment from which the older and younger participants can gain a great deal.
