All News

September in Hamilton

Our National Congress is less than three months away. We hope many of you are not just thinking of coming to Hamilton for all or part of the week but have started planning to do so. Some have already registered and paid. For a group of our regular players, this is as much a part of life as eating and sleeping. The end of the September means “New Zealand National Bridge Congress.” You need no reminder, no encouragement.

Others are on the fringe who may come or who could be Intermediate or Junior players who are finding out about how our bridge tournament calendar works. One point we want to emphasise about our National Congress is that it is just as much for them as it is for the top echelon that compete for the major championships. They may not want to be there all the time since 8 days of bridge may well seem way over the top. However, there are events especially for them which they should target if they are “Congress newcomers”.

Such players may or may not be reading this. The regular players read more about the game. So, am I addressing the wrong audience? I hope not because we know the value of word of mouth advertising in our game. You, the “Congress converts” are the ones who can tell newer players about the National Congress, how it can work for Intermediate and Junior players, point them to the NZ Bridge website where there is information about all Congress events. If you believe “Congress” is worth attending, then you can identify those in your club who might enjoy the experience.

The Intermediate/Junior events run from Thursday through to Saturday, three days with eight sessions of bridge. Players can enter for any one event or all three. Total cost is $200 per player. Maybe they would like to stay for the final dinner and prizes presentation on the Saturday night. The link to the events is here (click here). Pre-entry is fine. We encourage it. However, pairs can enter up to one hour before an event starts (not the New Zealand Open or Restricted Open Pairs….please register earlier).

As well as the events, it would be great to refer to the other aspects that help what we hope and believe is a wonderful atmosphere for playing bridge, like so many players staying on-site, the on-site lunches, the bar, the buzz, meeting new players from all round this country and Australia. Congress is not just about those who win, as important as that is. Tell them about the master-points they can earn. Tell them about the technology which has so much improved the smooth running and the results and other on-line information players can look at afterwards if they wish.

It would be nice to be able to say there would be separate events for Junior players but numbers have not so far warranted this. Thus, Juniors and Intermediates will play together though there are separate prizes for Juniors in the three events reserved for below Open players, NZ Intermediate Teams, NZ Intermediate Pairs and Congress Intermediate Swiss Pairs.

If you are able, please tell the newest of players to your club about the Novice Pairs on the Sunday afternoon. Your club would need to be a driveable distance from Hamilton to attract Novice players, those who learnt in the last three years and without a Certificate of Proficiency. They will really enjoy themselves judging by those who came in the last two years. A great afternoon for just $10.00.

So, do not think this message does not apply to you if you are not coming this year or if you are and know how Congress works. A few words in the right ears may increase participation this year and ultimately get more of our bridge population sold on we think is a wonderful 8 days of bridge. See you there.

Richard Solomon

p.s. I hope you all read the recent “Important News” item on Congress, in particular regarding accommodation at the venue. There should still be a bed for you but do not leave your booking too late.

 

Go Back View All News Items