About the ABF
Events
States & Clubs
System Cards
Members
Youth Bridge
Newsletter
Directors
Links
Site Map
PRESS RELEASE FROM
ABF Youth Committee
January 29, 2001
Re: Helman Klinger Awards
Hills Hurley Awards
The last vote for the $400 Helman Klinger Award for 2000 has just been
cast and the winner is
KYLIE ROBB
She attracted the top vote from every judge.
Rabbi Leonard Helman donated the funds for this award to honour the contribution
of Ron Klinger to Youth Bridge. The main award of $400 is for the under
26 year old (born on or after 1/1/75 for the year 2000) whose ability,
achievements, sportsmanship, attitude, contribution and commitment during
the calendar year are most deserving, as determined by a panel. The inaugural
winner for 1999 was Mark Abraham from Tasmania.
In a year where young players starred in the Australian bridge scene
more brightly than for many years, Kylie's achievements were truly outstanding.
Her biggest success was her Bronze Medal for equal third in the first
World Junior Individual tournament, called the Generali Individual, in
Greece in April. This was Australia's first medal at any form of bridge
since our National Youth Team's Bronze Medal at the World Championships
in 1991. Reports from Greece were that her attitude and ability impressed
several of the world's keenest judges.
In her regular partnership with Tony Nunn, she began the year by making
the Finals of the National Open Teams despite being neglected by the Seeding
Committee. The next Open National on the Australian circuit is the Gold
Coast Teams, where Kylie and Tony came 2nd to a strong visiting English
team. The Victor Champion Cup followed, and Kylie and Tony finished =3rd
after once again contending strongly for victory against the best Open
players in Australia.
Kylie was in the National Youth Team which defeated New Zealand in the
Zone 7 Youth Championship in July. This was her third year repesenting
Australia. She is 22 years old. She completed her trip to New Zealand
by winning the NZ Swiss Pairs Championship.
Kylie was 2nd in the Interstate Youth Teams in Brisbane, and in October
Kylie and Tony won the NSW State Open Pairs Championship. A third placing
in the Grand National Teams completed a year of consistent success.
Add Kylie's constant commitment to assisting the promotion of youth bridge
especially as a member of the progressive ABF Youth Committee, plus her
writing of articles for newsletters and encouraging newer players, and
she is a worthy winner of the 2000 Helman-Klinger Award.
All these achievements happened while she had a very busy year finishing
her university degree with First Class Honours. There is some similarity
to Ron Klinger's last year of university in which his growing commitment
to bridge did not stop him winning the University Medal in Law.
Award for Top Masterpoints in 2000
This award will be made to Tony Nunn of New South Wales. Leading masterpoint
earner, Leigh Gold was ineligible as the 1999 winner.
No individual may win the HK award in either category more than once.
HILLS-HURLEY AWARD
For the pair judged by the panel (Peter Gill, David Lusk, Steve Hurley
and 1999 winners, Nic Croft and Luke Matthews) as a sucessful pair who
have epitomised the principles of working on and developing a partnership.
This award will be made to Tony Nunn and Kylie Robb.
David Lusk and Peter Gill for the ABF Youth Committee