At their meeting on 9 November the ABF Management Committee approved grants for the following:

1. Trumps Bridge Club, NSW (to introduce beginners to the game by showing them bridge can be an enjoyable social occasion);
2. Ballina Bridge Club, NSW (trial a 'Friendship Day' in their area to encourage more novice players to enter competitions and to work their way up the rankings);   and
3. Canberra Bridge Club, ACT (to retain more novice and restricted players through an integrated and strategic approach to teaching, mentoring and transitioning new players between levels).

Lessons from these initiatives will be shared via Marketing Updates during 2015.

Congratulations to these clubs and good luck with your initiatives.

Do any of your newer players struggle with filling out an ABF System Card?   

Peter Busch has kindly provided instructions for people to follow when filling out their card.

You may wish to bring these to the attention of your members.

The instructions can be accessed here.

Joan Butts, the ABF National Teaching Coordinator, was interviewed on 612 ABC Radio Brisbane on 23 October.

Interviewer Kelly Higgins-Divine explored the joy of playing bridge during her afternoon program.

Wonderful exposure for our sport!

Senator David Leyonhjelm (Senator for NSW) used table talk during a bridge session as an example of why Governments should not get involved in enforcing the rules of sport. 

Well worth a look!  

Click here to see the video of his speech.

His speech was published on 16 November 2014.

TFE Hotels, one of our National sponsors, has just opened a new hotel in Canberra.  The Kurrajong Hotel in Barton has 26 rooms which are heritage listed - designed by the architect of Parliament House.  

This hotel will also be on our courtesy bus route for the Summer Festival of Bridge.

Please note that I will be unavailable from 25 November to 16 December as I will be on leave.