The TBA has issued a request for expressions of interest in the provision of cleaning services to the club for 12 months commencing 1 Mar 2020. Details can be obtained from Julie Rhodes or a document on the Director's notice board. Tenders close 31 Jan 2020.
The popular six week Beginners Courses are on again in 2020! The next courses start 1:00pm Monday 2 March 2020 and 7:00pm Tuesday 3 March 2020. See the Learning page for details.
More...
2-Feb-20 Vera Houdek Pairs
3-Feb-20 TBA Graded Pairs (2 days)
8-Feb-20 Devonport Congress
9-Feb-20 Tamar Congress
On this page: Dallas Cooper OAM | Youth Week | Summer Festival | Members update | 2019 Christmas Party | News at the TBA | Buddy Scheme | TBA Spring Pairs | Aus-wide Restricted Pairs | Melbourne Cup | Tas Swiss Pairs | TBA Novice Pairs | LBC Congress | Open & Womens Pairs | Restricted Pairs | Role of TBA
Tasmanian Festival of Bridge 2020
The 2020 Tasmanian Festival of Bridge runs Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th March 2020 in Launceston at the new venue of the Hotel Grand Chancellor. See the event website or the brochure for all the details. Accommodation in Launceston is getting very full so please book your accommodation and flights as soon as possible.
Congratulations to TBA Life member Dallas Cooper who received the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to badminton, and to the community, in the 2020 Australia Day Honours list.
Details are available at the Governor-General's website. The entry reads:
Mrs Dallas Antoinette COOPER, Bellerive TAS 7018
For service to badminton, and to the community.
Badminton
Bridge
2020 Australian Youth Bridge Championships
In January 2020 six students from Marist Regional College in Burnie went to Canberra to participate in the Australian Youth Bridge Championships (aka "Youth Week"). The players were Aiden Dixon, Archer Garcia, Ethen Goulter, Taze Jackson, Caleb Kirkpatrick and Ben Sproule. They were chaperoned by Cedric Parker and received supported from the TBA and ABF. This is the first time in a long while that Tasmania has been represented at this event.
The event ran from 4-10 January and included pairs, teams and a youth Butler event. The Butler event was to select six pairs for the Australian Junior Squad, three of whom will represent Australia in the World Bridge Championships in Italy in August this year. Ben and Taze made it through the Butler Finals, ultimately finishing 7th. This was a great achievement for Ben and Taze who are the youngest of the 8 pairs in the finals. They are the only pair that are still at school, and have also been playing bridge competitively for less than a year, meaning that they have had far less experience than the rest of the finalists.
Results for all of the Youth Week events are here
In Cedric Parker's words "... all 6 of our team have acquitted themselves with aplomb. I am incredibly proud of the way they have behaved and the way that they have adapted to a very intense competitive environment. They have done their parents and their college proud!". Congratulations to the entire team for their efforts.
2020 Summer Festival of Bridge
The 2020 Summer Festival of Bridge started in a very smokey Canberra on 8 January, running to 19 January. There were seven Tasmanians playing, and Simon Edler was one of the directors.
The standout Tasmanian performance was by Maruta Boyd and Barbara Holland who won the Penline 500 Swiss Pairs Championship, holding first place for match 2 to the end. Maruta and Barbara also came 5th in the Chris Diment Matchpoint Swiss Pairs. Sue Falkingham and Sue Martin (Devonport Bridge Club) came 46th in the Penline 500 Swiss Pairs Championship, and 50th in the Chris Diment Matchpoint Swiss Pairs.
Mardi and John Grosvenor came 2nd in the Two Day National Novice Matchpoint Swiss Pairs Championship and 3rd in the Novice Swiss Pairs Championship.
TBA Life Member Hugh Grosvenor, playing with Tania LLoyd (Newcastle), came 5th in the TBIB National Open Swiss Pairs Championship. Hugh and Tania also played in the South-West Pacific Open Teams Championship with Rose Don and Michael Courtney as the Don team. They came 3rd in qualifying, won their quarter final and semi-final matches, and come second in the National Open Teams finals.
Full results for all 2020 Summer Festival of Bridge events can be found here.
As 2019 has ended here are some interesting statistics about the TBA membership:
| ♠ The TBA has 446 members |
| ♥ 50 members (11%) joined within the last 6 months |
| ♣ 88 members (20%) have achieved at least one rank promotion in the year |
| ♦ The median number of masterpoints for a TBA member is ~24 |
| ♠ 107 members (24%) are at Nil master rank (under 2 masterpoints) |
| ♥ 277 members (62%) have less than 50 masterpoints (up to **Local) |
| ♣ 113 members (25%) hold State, Regional or National master ranks |
| ♦ 40 members (9%) currently hold Life master ranks |
| ♠ 16 members (3%) currently hold Grand master ranks |
In December the TBA Committee has approved membership applications for the following people. Please make them feel very welcome as you see them around the club.
| ♠ Jamie Bayly-Stark | ♥ Fran Healy |
| ♦ Claire Bilton | ♣ Paul Lofts |
| ♣ Sharlene Campbell | ♦ Bill Mottershead |
| ♥ Jenna Grosvenor | ♠ Olga Poduskova |
Congratulations to the TBA members who achieved rank promotions at the end of December 2019:
| ♠ Donna Sommerville - Life |
| ♦ David Thomson - Local |
| ♣ Annette Bills - Club |
As at the end of 2019 there were three Tasmanians in the National McCutcheons Top 10s (cohorts of people who started the year at the same level, ranked by Masterpoints earned in the year). Note that the McCutcheon rankings reset at the start of the new year.
| ♠ Sue Martin - #9 *State list (76.18 MP) |
| ♥ John Grosvenor - #9 Club list (36.82 MP) |
| ♣ Mardi Grosvenor - #2 Graduate list (36.70 MP) |
The ABF Masterpoint Centre website provides a range of club, state and national reports updated each month. These include promotions, McCutcheons, most improved players, and top 50 Masterpoint earners.
TBA Christmas Party & Giving Tree
The 2019 TBA Christmas Party was held on Saturday 14 December. Members contributed generously to a bring-a-plate lunch, and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon's bridge. The club rooms were near full capacity with 23.5 tables playing in three sections catering to players of all levels: supervised, restricted (< 150 MP) and open. The results are here: supervised, restricted, open. Thanks to Sue Falkingham for directing.
This year TBA members have again supported Colony 47 by donating gifts and hamper items under the TBA Giving Tree. All donations will be collected by Colony 47 on Monday 16 December. Thank you to all members who have contributed.
What’s News at the TBA – November 2019
The TBA Committee met on Tuesday December 3rd from 7.30pm.
PRESENT : J Rhodes (Chair), K Marsden, S Falkingham, M Sherlock, M Gibbs, E Gee, J Grosvenor, G Poulton, A Paton, S Edler, J Bills
The following matters were discussed :
Ann Paton and I met with the architect on December 2nd to discuss the overall objectives of the expansion. We are seeking to have an additional acoustically separate teaching area which can also double as an expanded playing area, as well as significantly enhancing the kitchen/dining amenity. We also want to retain a meeting room/library facility and provide additional storage. When we have received the concept drawings from the architect we will display these for member feedback.
Any grant or bequest to assist in the funding of these extensions would be gratefully received by the Club. This could be done anonymously, or you could have a part of the extension named for yourself or a loved one such as is the case with the Vera Houdek room.
Please see Julie Rhodes about this if you would like to participate in the funding of the extensions. A grant or bequest of this nature would expedite the construction program and/or save the club having to borrow additional funds.
Each year, our Members are asked to pay an annual renewal fee which contributes to the running and maintenance of our club facilities. Our fees are due from January 1st and part of them must be forwarded to the ABF by the end of the following March. Each year, most of our members pay their fee promptly which enables continuity of both their TBA and ABF membership.
However, there are always a few members who for various reasons delay paying their membership renewal until their membership defaults with the ABF and the TBA must therefore pay a financial penalty to reinstate that member. There is also a lot of following up and extra paperwork required necessarily undertaken by people who are volunteering their time to do this.
It does not seem fair that the majority of members who renew their membership promptly should subsidise the membership of those who let their TBA and/or ABF membership lapse. Consequently, we are canvassing the introduction of some sort of late payment fee. I am interested in feedback from members, particularly those who are regular late payers. If you have any suggestions as to how to address this problem, please share them with John Grosvenor or myself.
Our annual Christmas Party will be held on Saturday December 14th from 12 Noon, followed by FREE Bridge afterwards. If you are attending please bring a plate of food to share.
We will be encouraging our new beginners to participate in this event and will be running a separate section for them. Please make our new members feel welcome at all times.
In the meantime, please give consideration to helping us to assist one of our designated charities, Colony 47 which provides a variety of services to our local community. You can help by putting a gift under our tree which will be delivered to Colony 47 in time for Christmas. Colony 47 have specifically asked for gifts for adults as they usually receive plenty for children. This year they have asked for gifts of toiletries for men and women and/or basics such as socks and undies for men and women. They do not prefer cash or gift cards.
Over Christmas the club will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve.
We will be running one session on Boxing Day (Thursday Dec 26th) commencing at 10.30 am with a short lunch break – a great opportunity for turkey sandwiches! On New Years Day (Wednesday Jan 1st) only daytime bridge will be held.
Otherwise sessions be held as usual.
The next series of Beginners Classes will commence on March 3rd (Monday afternoons 1.00pm - 3 .00pm) and 4th (Tuesdays 7.00pm – 9.00pm).
If you know anyone who you think would be interested in taking up bridge, please advise them to register their interest with Sue Falkingham.
A big thank you to all those who have assisted in the running of our Club in 2019.
We would not be able to function without you and your contribution is noticed and appreciated.
I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in 2020!
Happy Bridging
Julie Rhodes
TBA President
The TBA would like to promote a Buddy scheme for players to transition into regular club sessions. Buddy schemes are being encouraged by the ABF, and similar schemes have had a great impact in New Zealand.
If you are a supervised player and would like a friendly face to play a couple of regular club sessions with let us know. Tell us which sessions would suit you and we will match you up with a Buddy.
If you are a regular club player and would be interested in being a Buddy please let us know which sessions you would be available to play in. There is no table money to play as a buddy, just write 'Buddy' on the money slip. There is a limit of 3 times to play with the same player. A Buddy is not to be a teacher but a friendly partner. Constructive comments only about play may be given but are never done during play but at the completion of a session.
Please email tba@tasbridge.com.au if you are interested in being a Buddy or being paired up with a Buddy.
The 2019 TBA Spring Pairs were held at the club rooms on Sunday 24 November. This was an IMP/VP scored Swiss Pairs event played over 6 x 9 board matches. 20 pairs competed, including 5 pairs under National master.
The winners were David Robinson and Julie Rhodes. Second place went to Jane and Robert Tyson, and third place went to Bert Forage and Maruta Boyd. Mardi and John Grosvenor were the topped placed "Category B" (under National master) pair at 12th. Full results are here.
Thanks to Simon Edler for organising and directing the day. Thanks to all of the players who brought food along for the day.
Australia-wide Restricted Pairs
Australian Bridge magazine runs three Australia-wide pairs events each year - novice, restricted and open. The restricted event (fewer than 300MP) is the last in the year and was run at the end of October. The TBA session was held on Thursday 31 October. The club rooms were at full capacity with 26 tables playing. Around Australia 973 pairs played the same set of boards and were scored as one national field.
The local results for the TBA session are here. The top placed pairs were:
| North-South | East-West |
| Barbara Giizel - Pam Murphy | Stevie Griggs - Carmel Thomson |
| Marleen Lynch - Helen Morling | Mardi Grosvenor - John Grosvenor |
| Colin McGavisk - Kerry McKillop | Cheralyn Bird - Frank Powell |
In the national single field of 973 pairs, the top placed TBA pairs were:
| 61st - Stevie Griggs - Carmel Thomson (60.8%) - 12th under 50MP |
| 70th - Mardi Grosvenor - John Grosvenor (60.4%) - 17th under 50MP |
| 84th - Barbara Giizel - Pam Murphy (59.8%) |
| 100th - Florence Lewis-Bryan - Vicki Douglas (58.8%) |
| 113th - Liz Sellen - Clive Sellen (58.2%) |
The highest placed Tasmanian pair were David Rogers and Sue Martin from the Devonport Bridge Club who played in the Tamar session. They were placed 51st with 61.2%.
Thanks to Chris Carolan for organising and directing this demanding session for the TBA. The national results are available here. The summary for the 2019 Australia-Wide Novice Pairs is here. The summary for the 2019 Australia-wide Open Pairs is here. Watch out for the first of the 2020 series, the Australia-wide Novice Pairs. coming at the end of May 2020.
Melbourne Cup - Bridge + Lunch
The race that stops the nation didn't stop the TBA. 43 pairs came to the TBA on cup day for a day of bridge, fashion, food and racing.
The bridge results are here. Winners were:
Best female outfit went to Sandra Miedecke. Best male outfit went to Graeme Poulton. Best hat went to John Grosvenor, with an honourable mention to Andrew Walter. Best fascinator went to Dianne Kriegs.
Thanks to Jan Colville for leading the organisation for the day. Thanks to Chris Carolan for Directing. Thanks to Julie Rhodes for organising lunch, and to everybody who brought food and helped with the catering and clean-up.
Tasmanian Swiss Pairs Championship 2019
Over the weekend of 26-27 October the 2019 Tasmanian Swiss Pairs Championship was help in Devonport. 18 pairs competed, with players from clubs around the state. Seven 14 board matches were played over four sessions.
The winners were Roger Watts (Devonport BC) and Pamela Lidl (Tamar BC), pictured here with Director John Bailey. Second were Roger Swain (Tamar BC) and Frank Milford (Tamer BC). Third were Margaret Robertson (Tamar BC) and Margaret Gibbs (TBA). Full results are on the Devonport Bridge Club website.
Thanks to John Bailey for directing, and to the Devonport Bridge Club for hosting the event.
TBA Novice Pairs Championship 2019
The 2019 TBA Novice Pairs Championship was held on Wednesday 16 October 2019. Entry was restricted to players with fewer than 25 Master Points as at 30 June 2019. The club rooms were close to full with 20 pairs competing in a separate section in parallel with the regular Wednesday morning session. The field included a number of pairs playing for the first time in a non-supervised session, including players from this year's beginners courses.
Congratulations to the winners, Sandra Miedecke and Alice Stillwell. Special mentions to Paul Fredheim (6th), Wendy Gilson (9th) and Lindsey Johnstone (9th) who earned their first Master Points in the event. Full results are available here. Thanks to Sue Falkingham for directing the event.
Launceston Bridge Club Congress 2019
The weekend of 5-6 October 2019 saw a full weekend of bridge in the north with the Launceston Bridge Club Congress. The Congress had pairs competitions on Saturday (8 pairs in the Restricted and 29 pairs in the Open) and Swiss Pairs on Sunday (38 pairs).
Top positions went to (click on the titles to go to the full results):
| Restricted | Open | Swiss |
| 1. Jean Murray & Kevin Crombleholme | 1. Jane Tyson & Angela Little | 1. Bert Forage & Maruta Boyd |
| 2. Elizabeth Sward & Phillip Powell | 2. Sandra & Andrew Richman | 2. Jane Tyson & Angela Little |
| 3. Pauline Anderson & Wendy Newman | 3. Bert Forage & Maruta Boyd | 3. Julie Rhodes & Anna Egan |
Jane Tyson & Angela Little |
Sandra & Andrew Richman |
Maruta Boyd & Bert Forage |
Julie Rhodes & Anna Egan |
Wendy Newman & Pauline Anderson |
A packed room ready to start |
2019 Open and Womens Pairs Championship
On Sunday 25 August 2019 18 pairs competed over two sessions in the 2019 Open and Womens Pairs Championships.
The open winners were Michael Woodhams and Bert Forage, placed first and second in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively. Womens champions and second in the open were Julia Corr and Maria Gibbs. Third place in the open went to Margaret Robertson and Margaret Gibbs. Full results are at: morning, afternoon, overall
Thanks again to Simon Edler for a busy weekend of directing, and to the volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.
2019 Restricted Pairs Championship
The 2019 Restricted Pairs Championship was held at the TBA club rooms on Saturday 24 August 2019. The event was open to pairs with less than 150 masterpoints as at 31 March 2019, with 12 pairs competing.
First place was taken by Marg Enright and Gill Robinson by a healthy margin of 34 match points. Second place went to Julia Johnson and Geoff Green. Third place went to Sue Martin and Sue Falkingham. Full results are at: morning, afternoon, overall
1st - Gill Robinson and |
2nd - Julia Johnson |
3rd - Sue Martin and |
Thanks to Simon Edler for directing, and to the volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.
The TBA is is the largest bridge club in the state with about 400 members and is the administrative body for the game of bridge in Tasmania. The TBA is responsible for running national and state events including the Australian Swiss Pairs championships and the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs competition. These are conducted annually with the venue alternating between Hobart and Launceston. The TBA also administers the Masterpoints system for the ABF and endeavours to promote the growth and teaching of bridge throughout Tasmania via its affiliated clubs. The TBA's purpose-designed Centre at 5 Marine Esplanade, New Town Bay serves as both our local Clubrooms and the headquarters for bridge in the state.
| North-West | North | South |
|---|---|---|
| Burnie Bridge Club | Launceston Bridge Club | Hobart City Bridge Club |
| Devonport Bridge Club | Tamar Bridge Club | Eastern Shore Bridge Club |
| Ulverstone Bridge Club | Kingborough Bridge Club |
Contact us:
Phone: 0400 492 327
Email: tba@tasbridge.com.au
Post: PO Box171, North Hobart 7002
Bank Account Details for direct debit: BSB: 067-102 A/C #: 2801 2004 A/C Name: Tasmanian Bridge Association
ABN: 66 028 130 967
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