2024 EVENING PROGRAMME -

Calling all interested Open, Intermediate and Junior members

Happy New Year…..I hope you are enjoying your summer so far….

Many of you will have noticed a progressive increase in specific events which we hope will attract more Junior and Intermediate players to evening and Teams bridge. Events such as Restricted Rotational and non-Rotational Teams, 1+3 Teams, Restricted Pairs and Pot-luck Partners provide opportunities for less experienced players to play with, and hopefully learn from, more senior players. It is acknowledged that this may not suit everyone - about 20% of Monday nights and 40% of Thursday nights will focus more on developing our keen emerging players. Many inexperienced players have little opportunity to play Teams events.

I call on all interested senior (Open and experienced Intermediate) players to embrace this attempt to encourage and mentor our Club’s developing players. Of course, these sessions will be open to all….Intermediate and Open players are most welcome to play these evenings together - but the intent of some of the sessions will be on teaching and mentoring.

To make it easier for both junior and senior players to identify potential partners and teammates, I HAVE ATTACHED TO THE (THURSDAY) NOTICE-BOARD FOLDERS FOR PEOPLE TO WRITE THEIR NAMES….it is hoped this will encourage BOTH groups to approach each other to form Pairs and Teams to make this work. One folder is for Juniors and “early Intermediates”, the other for Open and “experienced Intermediates” who are prepared to act as mentors for some of these sessions. This may also help people organise Teams for the Tauranga Sixes. Please help make this work….

FEBRUARY 1, 8, 15 (Thursdays) - our first Restricted non-Rotational Teams event…no more than 2 Open players per Team. Each senior player plays all 3 sessions with their junior partner. Subs are allowed. GET YOUR NAMES UP ON THE (Thursday) BOARD. This is the first such event of the year, so please make every attempt to GET ORGANISED….

To make this work to its fullest potential, we need both junior and senior players to approach each other….LET’S DO THIS….

Hugh McAlister
Club Captain