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NORTHLAND TOURNAMENTS THRIVING.

Bucking the trend, participation in face-to-face tournaments in Northland is booming. Table numbers are back to pre-Covid levels and at the smaller venue clubs, reaching capacity.

Finding an innovative way to combat increased fuel prices, Whangārei Bridge Club have leaned on their close relationship with the local Hato Hone St John station. The club uses the St John community health shuttle to transport their players to Northland tournaments.

St John sees bridge as an active mind sport which promotes good brain health and also providing an important social connection to combat isolation. In return for the club finding a member willing to volunteer as a shuttle driver and undergo the driving and first aid course, St John allow the use of the vehicle for tournament transport. They have also provided the club with a defibrillator and in turn, the club is hosting a Christmas charity tournament with proceeds to the local St John.

The shuttle service is koha based, overcoming any fuel price barriers to participation. The Paihia Bridge Club is likely to follow with two of their members willing to become shuttle drivers and a new shuttle service planned for the New Year in their community.

Northland clubs are also seeing marked growth in participation in junior and intermediate tournament events. Listening to feedback from their members they heard two clear messages:

- Taking part in events where open players were present was very daunting.

- A lack of understanding of what participating in a tournament would be like was a barrier to giving it a go.

Paihia arranged an intermediate and junior event which saw eight tables in the intermediate section and seven tables in the junior. Whangārei held a session just for their new juniors to take them through the tournament experience and then played 18 boards with them. Nine tables of newer players built their confidence and now feel able to join in the upcoming Kerikeri junior tournament in November.

With Northland club members making up one-third of the Auckland Northland Inter-Provincial team for the first time in history, the outlook for bridge in Northland is very positive.

Jane Stearns

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