The Auckland Northland Regional Committee has been considering what it can do to support player development across the region; this will be one area of focus in the regional hui August 9th. For the first few years of play fostering a supportive playing environment and positive social connection are central to player engagement. As players gain confidence, satisfaction comes increasingly from the experience of self-mastery that is fostered through competing and learning by playing against better players, and other players, who enjoy the challenge of competing against their peers. For bridge clubs, supporting player development and celebrating success is another strategy for success.
Tournament Bridge is a vehicle for player enjoyment. This central function of New Zealand Bridge is enacted through the Master Point Scheme and in providing the structures that support tournament play at all levels from Junior, to Intermediate, Restricted Open, Open and International representation.
The Auckland Region Jin Club Grand Prix
A keen group in intermediate players approached the ANRC to set up a play circuit in the Auckland region. An Intermediate Circuit and a Junior Circuit have been developed as a result.
INTERMEDIATE CIRCUIT
Beginning July 4th at Mt Albert and ending October 17th at the North Shore eligible individual players will have competed 5 of these 7 intermediate tournaments.
- Mt Albert 4 July
- North Shore 11 July
- Waitemata 15 August
- Papakura 5 September
- Howick 12 September
- Franklin 19 September
- North Shore 17 October
Each eligible player will have their top 5 scores counted. There will be a Trophy awarded to the top intermediate player. Along with the title ‘Auckland’s best Intermediate of 2026’.
JUNIOR CiRCUIT
The Trophy for ‘Auckland’s best Junior of 2026’ will be awarded to the player with the best 3 results out of these 5 junior events.
- Remuera 15 July
- Waitemata 15 August
- Mt Albert 22 August
- Waitemata 3 October
- ECB 21 November
It is likely these circuits will be run as a year-long pairs events next in 2027.
This is a great way to foster increasing satisfaction from our beautiful game both within and between clubs.
