Page 5 - ABF Newsletter June 2025

I know it has only been two months since our last newsletter but with so much happening in the Aus- tralian bridge world it seems like longer!
Gold in Hefei!
In our last newsletter, I shared the news that Aus- tralians had won the inaugural World Bridge Tour Pairs Final. This time, the big news is that our Seniors Team won gold at the Asia Pacific Bridge Federation Championships held in Hefei, China, in May. This is the first time one of our teams has won gold at an APBF since the Seniors last did so in 2013. The Open Team also reached the podium, collecting bronze, while the Women’s Team just missed out, finishing fourth. Our Mixed Team wasn’t as successful, but no doubt valued the opportunity to compete interna- tionally.
These four teams will all be heading to Denmark in August to do it all again, this time against teams from all over the world. We also have two Youth Teams participating in world championships in Italy in July. If you’d like to support these younger players and help cover the high costs of international com- petition, please visit their GoFundMe page.
If you’re reading about these results here for the first time, I encourage you to follow the Australian Bridge Federation on Facebook to stay up to date during major events.
National Gold Point Events
In early April, the inaugural Central West Festival was held in my hometown of Orange (NSW). The organ- isers, fresh from running last year’s ANC, demon- strated their natural flair for delivering outstanding events. The early sell-out of several sessions was no surprise – survey results showed the vast majority of players thoroughly enjoyed the festival.
May was packed with gold point events. The Autumn Nationals in Adelaide and the Barrier Reef Congress took place at the start of the month. The Western 60+ Pairs followed in Perth, and just last weekend, the River City Gold Mixed Pairs were held in Bris- bane. I consistently receive positive feedback on all these events, which explains why attendance is growing and entries are filling quickly.
In June, the VBA will host the inaugural Victorian Fes- tival of Bridge, incorporating the Victor Champion Cup. This will be Laura Ginnan’s first time running Victoria’s premier gold point event. With a new venue in Richmond and Laura’s proven success at the Summer Festival, it looks like we are in for a treat.
And of course, July brings the Australian National Championships. This year, the QBA will host the event, running the Interstate Teams, the Butlers, and several other pairs competitions. Check it all out on MyABF!
Speaking of the ANC, I’m excited to announce that the Northern Territory has accepted the opportunity to host the ANC in 2028! With fewer than 150 regis- tered bridge players in the NT, this is a bold under- taking. Thankfully, the NT Government is generously supporting them, and the event will be held in Alice Springs in July 2028.
Another upcoming gold point event is the Club Teams Knockout. This online event is open to teams representing their club in different masterpoint cat- egories. It runs over several months, starting with a round-robin phase, where you play against teams in your category, followed by a final to determine the winners. With plenty of gold points on offer, this is a great chance for players who may not otherwise have access to them to boost their standings. More details are available in this newsletter. I encourage you to form a team and participate – it’s a great way to meet other players of similar strength across the country, all from the comfort of your home!
Are you interested in supporting the ABF?
Since taking on this role in November 2023, I’ve been amazed by the time and dedication contributed by a relatively small group of volunteers. Whether they’re Board or Council members, committee participants, or professionals sharing their expertise, their sup- port is invaluable.
If you’re interested in getting involved and feel you have something to contribute – whether through experience or enthusiasm – please don’t hesitate to contact me directly via email at david.fryda@abf. com.au and I will set up a time for us to chat.
Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: June 2025
Page: 5