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Youth
New Zealand Bridge has an active youth programme which encourages bridge in school and developing networks of those under 30 years old to connect and develop their skills.
Annual events include the NZ Bridge youth weekend which alternates between Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. NZ Bridge regularly supports a group to Canberra, Australia in January to attend the Australia Youth Week and participates in trans-Tasman events.
Players under 26 do not pay affiliation fees to join NZ Bridge and many clubs offer discounted rates for youth participation.
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Students can play bridge as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Learning and playing bridge counts as a skill for the Award.
YOUTH BRIDGE WEEKEND
Meet other young people who enjoy playing.
Fun and more serious events plus learning more about the game. Lots and lots of bridge.
For new and improving youths
The weekend is suitable for young players with at least the basics of playing bridge and is aimed at less experienced players.
Although it is open to all players who are under 25 as at 1 Jan 2026, it is not expected that players who have represented NZ or those with similar ability would wish to attend.
Location
If you need a partner for any event, or Teammates for a Teams event, please let us know and we will do our best to find you a suitable player(s). We will try to help you no matter what standard of player you are or are looking for. Everyone who wants to play is guaranteed a game. Click here to email for a partner or teammates
YOUTH AWARDS
LEONARD A. HELMAN PRIZE
In 1999, Rabbi Helman, an American lawyer and prominent bridge enthusiast and philanthropist, donated US$5,000 to establish the Leonard A. Helman Prize which is awarded to the two youth players earning the most masterpoints in New Zealand Association events in a calendar year.
The awards are presented at the National Bridge Congress in Hamilton.
To be considered for this award players must be on the NZ Bridge Youth Database, so they can be identified as eligible.
NZ Bridge is very grateful to Rabbi Helman for this gift to its youth players and will use this as a basis to build and promote youth bridge in New Zealand.
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Past Winners:
Year Awarded at Congress
1999 2000 Ashley Bach Jillian Hay
2000 2001 Jenna Gibbons Greg Lim
2001 2002 Mike Dollan Christiaan Prent
2002 2003 Michelle Murphy Sharon Ladyman
2003 2004 Fraser Rew Jeremy Kennard
2004 2005 Michael Whibley Blair Fisher
2005 2006 John Whyte Nick Fung
2006 2007 James Coutts Susan Humphries
2007 2008 Tyrel Glass Nick Bailey
2008 2009 Liam Milne Susan Humphries
2009 2010 Nick Jacob David Skipper
JEAN PECHE MEMORIAL
Jean Peche Award Policy as at 7 May 2010.
Background:
Mr George Peche a New Zealander and a Journalist who relocated to Ireland sometime prior to 1976. He donated some money to New Zealand Bridge to further New Zealand Youth Bridge. The Award is named after his wife Jean.
Past Winners:
2010 Tyrel Glass
2009 Nick Jacob and Liam Milne
2008 Nick Bailey
2007 Susan Humphries
2006 Not awarded
2005 Michael Whibley
Eligibility Criteria:
Players aged 21 or under as at January 1 st of the Calendar Year to which the Award relates
Nomination of Candidates must be made by Regional Committees and / or Clubs by 31 st March and relate to the previous Calendar Year
Players who have previously received this Award are ineligible for further nomination
Current Award Amount: $100
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Award Criteria:
The Award is made to the most promising Under 21 Player based on performance during the prior Calendar Year.
Note - This Award is not based solely on Masterpoints achieved in the prior Calendar Year but also includes a subjective assessment of ability and bridge achievements made at the sole discretion of the board in consultation with the Trustees of the New Zealand Bridge Foundation
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Award Process:
The successful nomination(s) are determined by the NZ Bridge Board in consultation with the Trustees of the New Zealand Bridge Foundation.
There may be more than one winner each year or it may be determined that no Award be made in any year.
The Jean Peche Award presentation is made by the New Zealand Bridge Foundation at the Congress Awards Function.
Funding:
Funds for the Award are held and administered by the New Zealand Bridge Foundation as from April 1st 2010, following transfer of an initial amount of $1000 from NZ Bridge to re-establish a dedicated Jean Peche Award Fund.
NZB AND REGIONS ASSISTING YOUTH PLAYERS
Youth – under 26 years of age at the start of the year
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NZB
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Youth players are exempt from paying the NZB levy for those under 26. NB: your club must enter the year of birth when registering a player to secure the exemption
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Annual youth weekend – large subsidy to run event from NZB
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National Congress – 50% discount for youth players from New Zealand and Australia
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Canberra Congress and Gold Coast Congress – 50% discount for NZ youth players (reciprocal arrangement in place)
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NZ International youth players - subsidies from NZB regularly provided to meet costs of training camps and overseas play
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NZB Foundation
The Foundation considers grant applications from NZ youth players both at club and International level – past grants have included assistance with costs of training camps and overseas play. Click here to apply for funding
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Auckland/Northland (updated 11 February 2025)
· 50% tournament subsidy if playing with another youth player
· 25% tournament subsidy if playing with a non-youth player
· Aid is given whilst you qualify as a “Youth” player with NZB – subsidies only available to those not in full employment.
· Only available to players living in the region and registered with an Auckland/Northland club.
· Available to aid in tournament costs nationwide (excludes NZ Congress and Australia)
· Currently no set maximum limit per player – but at discretion of Committee.
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Youth funding for tournaments will be offset when funds are earned through winning or placing in the event in question.
· All subsidies to be claimed within 2 months of the tournament entered.
Youth players are welcome to contact the regional secretary to enquire about assistance
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Waikato Bays
The WBRC will reimburse Waikato Bays Youth players for half of their tournament entry fees up to a max of $150 per calendar year. (1 Jan – 31 Dec), provided that:
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Their home club must be a Waikato Bays Club.
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They must have their year of birth registered on the NZB database. This can be done through your club administrator or secretary.
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The tournament entry fee claimed for must be a Waikato Bays tournament.
Youth players are those as defined by NZ Bridge policy. Please refer to the Policy Manual on our website for further details
Email: secretarywbbc@gmail.com
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Central Districts (Updated 27 April 2023)
50% subsidy offered for CD tournaments.
Subsidies to the annual Youth Weekend run by NZB are usually available
Youth players are welcome to contact the regional secretary to enquire about assistance
Email: cdbridgeregion@gmail.com
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Wellington (Updated 11 May 2023)
Youth Bridge we provide subsidy of 50% of tournament costs – clubs typically provide 50% as well. A number of clubs also subsidise table money for youth players.
In addition to direct subsidies WRBridge provide funding to support holiday programmes $500 per annum and a budget for supporting in school development $500.
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Top of the South
TOPS will subsidise any youth players $50 to attend any NZB youth players conference.
They subsidise the full entry fee to any TOPS B point tournament.
Youth players are welcome to contact the regional secretary to enquire about assistance
Email: totssec@gmail.com
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Canterbury (updated 23 May 2023)
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Reimburse NZBridge tournaments entry fees for Canterbury Youth players up to the max of $150 per player per calendar year.
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To claim reimbursement the player must notify the CRC Secretary by email no later than two weeks following the end of any tournament requiring reimbursement and provide:
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Details of the tournament played
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The entry fee amount
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Their overall result/placing
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Their bank account details for Internet banking.
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Reimbursement can be claimed after each tournament or in a lump sum at the end of each year. Players need to indicate their preference.
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Requests for funding for bridge courses and international sponsorship will be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
Youth players are welcome to contact the regional secretary to enquire about assistance
Email: cd.region@nzbridge.co.nz
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Otago/Southland (Updated 28 April 2023)
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Offers reimbursement of up to $150/person/annum to youth players, for entry fees for tournaments in O/S region
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This can be applied for twice a year by 31 August and 15 December on the separate forms found on our website under RESOURCES/FORMS Otago Southland Regional Bridge : Resources
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Offers assistance towards costs for youth players selected as regional / national representatives - and other occasions may be considered on an individual basis, as appropriate.
Youth players are welcome to contact the regional secretary to enquire about assistance
Email: otagosouthland.bridge@gmail.com
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