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A lot has happened in the region since the last regional round up ... including a missed deadline for last month’s update. So, as penance, I have been given one day to conjure something up. (future contributors, be warned!)

The region is lucky to host the National Congress and our players were well represented in prizes across many competitions which may be partly due to having the ‘home ground’ advantage that proximity brings.  The Waikato Club also provides many of the key personnel of the organising committee and while I’m sure many of them would prefer to be playing, it becomes apparent that Congress wouldn’t run as smoothly without their experience and organisational wizardry the likes of Lesley Chubb brings to the event. 

 

Hamilton's Mark Thomson and Jeffrey Chang, Intermediate Swiss Pairs' winners.

Huntly has had the benefit of “Bridge-It Jane” (Jane Stearns) over the past six months assisting with lessons and revitalisation of the club which has resulted in the club gaining 12 new keen members.  For a club that was down to around 19 members, this has been a shot in the arm for Huntly.   As well as lessons and nurturing the newbies into bridge, Jane has assisted the club introduce electronic scoring, additional Junior sessions and involvement with X club.  From the looks of the pictures from the final night of their teams, it definitely looks like the club has had their sprinkling of “Jane's magic” and we look forward to seeing the club continue to thrive.    

 Jane's magic a'plenty at Huntly.

One of Jane’s intake from Huntly this year included Hone Thomson who braved Congress playing in a number of events in the Open section with his father, Russell from the Waitomo Club.  Russell is one of the handful of ever-presents who has competed in every Congress to date and it surely must has been very special to be able to play with his son.    And very special to hear that Hone achieved something that takes many people years … an A point in his first year of playing bridge.

Russell and Hone Thomson

13 of the region's 23 clubs were in attendance at the Annual Regional Conference in late September along with members of the NZ Bridge board, Karen Martelletti and Alan Turner.  The theme of the day was "Growing our Clubs".

We discussed how our region has grown over the past few years (to hold the mantle of fastest growing region in the country) and where new members were coming from which included the importance of our larger clubs as well as the rejuvenation of small clubs in the region.   Michael Neels appeared to have an epiphany when he declared that the regional committee (which includes Michael himself!) was not doing anything for the 80% of bridge players who don’t care about tournaments, rankings, league ladders and grades.  They just want to play bridge in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere.    However, collectively, we felt that it is up to the clubs to ensure they have the right environment to support and sustain these players and there were plenty of ideas of how to build the type of culture that encourages a positive and growing membership.

One of the ways mentioned was around having fun events… something like the Cambridge 6s which is getting bigger and better each year.  A great new venue on the banks of Lake Karapiro at the Don Rowlands Centre was nearly at capacity for what is now New Zealand’s largest single day event – 42 teams of 6 competing in three separate grade competition of Swiss Pairs.  That’s at least 252 participants getting into the spirit of things… more if you include the directors and helpers (Caroline and Murray Wiggins didn’t disappoint as the photo below shows)! The Cambridge club is home to a pretty special bunch of people with a great mix of talents.  So, the event was pretty slick but they think there is space in New Zealand for another 6s and they would love to see the concept replicated in the South Island. 

The directors restore order at the Cambridge 6's.

 

  Cambridge's "Union Jacks". It looks more like "Jills"!

Finally the small Te Aroha club was lucky enough to secure the talents and knowledge of Richard Solomon on a Friday night in September. The seminar was aimed at Juniors and the Te Aroha club opened it up to outside members and were overwhelmed at the response of Juniors, some who travelled over an hour to attend Richard’s “One Night Stand”.    A great night of instruction in heartland Waikato country which according to one attendee was ‘stimulating but exhausting’ … just what we would expect from Richard!  Events like this also show the desire of our newer players to learn and soak up as much information as they can.

 

 

 

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