ABF Mid-Term General Meeting November 23rd
ABF Management Committee Meeting November 24th

The ABF Calendar

The Management and Tournament Committees have continued to explore possible changes to ABF Calendar, in particular the Playoffs. The congestion at the end of the year and the beginning of the next restricts major changes. As this is the end of the four-year cycle for team selection, the Tournament Committee will be conducting a review of the Playoffs in 2020.

Technology Update

The ABF Technology Officer, Mark Guthrie, presented an overview on the progress of the web-based entry management and player information system. The ABF Council agreed to proceed with the development phase of the project.
Monthly video updates on the progress will be on the ABF Website. The November update can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lHuitlJWus

ABF Foundation Trustees

The ABF Council approved the ABF Treasurer, Therese Tully, Mimi Packer, Andrew Richman and Simon Hinge as the trustees for the ABF Foundation.

Teaching Development

The National Teaching Co-ordinator is currently planning the ABF Education Program for 2020. The ABF Management Committee has agreed to trial two new Teacher Trainers to work with Joan in 2020. We welcome Ed Barnes, NSW and Sue Falkingham, Tasmania to the team.

2020 Australian Open Team

The Management Committee congratulates the following players who have been ratified as the Australian Open Team for 2020.
Sartaj Hans – Peter Gill – Nabil Edgtton – Andy Hung – Michael Courtney – Paul Wyer – NPC to be advised

ABF Supports Bushfire Fund Raising

The ABF has agreed to waive all masterpoint fees for clubs, States and Territories that hold fund raising events to support the victims of the recent bushfires. Masterpoints will be awarded at the congress rate, and are subject to the approval of the local State or Territory MP Secretary.
Thank you in advance to all the clubs, State and Territories intending to run bridge sessions in aid of this particularly worthy cause.

ABF Council Change

Richard Douglas (N.S.W) has retired from ABF Council. Council thanks Richard for his valuable and generous contributions. Richard Wallis replaces Richard as Chair of the Governance Committee.

Feedback & Future Meetings

The Management Committee welcomes feedback and suggestions on the above matters or other subjects. The next ABFMC Meeting will be in Canberra on January 19 – 20, 2020.

2018 – 2020 ABF Management Committee

Allison Stralow (President), Kim Frazer (Secretary), Roy Nixon, (Treasurer), Geoff Chettle (Legal Counsel), Dallas Cooper, Richard Wallis, Bruce Neill (President Emeritus)
Jane Rasmussen (Executive Secretary)