The ABF Management Committee appointed Leigh Gold and Bianca Gold as Youth Development Officers effective from 1 April 2018.

The main responsibilities and duties of the position include:

• Recommend initiatives to the management group of the ABF and then, upon acceptance, ensure that the subsequent guidelines are implemented and managed;
• Develop a relevant annual plan for the national youth bridge scene with recommendations relating to:

• expanding the pool of youth players locally and nationally;
• establishing regular communication channels with youth players using appropriate electronic media to enhance the marketing of national youth events.
• increasing youth presence at our major national events (with assistance from the States/Territories)
• the future of Youth Week;
• using performance indicators to monitor and then report on the success or otherwise of initiatives to the ABF Management Committee;
• any other initiatives to support the development of youth bridge.

• Improving the way, we prepare our international teams to represent Australia at WBF and PABF target events through, inter alia;

• identifying individuals who can actively work with our group of more talented youth partnerships and players on the development of their game.
• arranging periodic team training sessions
• utilising assistance from ABF HQ:
  • provide administrative support to mentors training the youth teams both in Australia and overseas so that the players, captains and coaches are not burdened with additional responsibilities;
  • This support may include travel arrangements, uniforms and accommodation;
• Maintain information on youth player performances as input to team selection;
• Preparation of funding requests to access funds to support national and international youth initiatives from the Youth Budget and the Friends of Youth Bridge Fund and consider possible fund-raising initiatives.

The ABF Youth Development Officers can be contacted at youth@abf.com.au