North Eastern Bridge Association

Council Meeting July 13^th, 2022 at 11.00 am, Chester-le-Street Cricket Club

DRAFT Minutes

Present: representatives from Bishop Auckland, Brunton, Durham, Cramlington, Hexham, Morpeth, Ryton, St Georges, Wearside, Whitley Bay Bridge Clubs, and all Committee members.

1. Welcome
   The Chair welcomed all those present.
2. Clubs’ recent experiences
   There was a wide-ranging discussion of Clubs’ experiences since Lockdown was first introduced and since f2f re-opening had become possible. Experiences were varied; most clubs had established online bridge during Lockdown (either individually or in partnership with others), and a minority are maintaining online bridge in parallel with f2f following the relaxation of Lockdown. Typical engagement with f2f bridge is between 50% and 75% of pre-lockdown levels. This is creating financial challenges for some Clubs, causing some to increase table money and some to seek a renegotiation of the room rental. Two Clubs have, sadly, closed (Alnwick and South Shields) while others are looking at merging.
3. NEBA competitions
   The new arrangements for NEBA competitions was discussed, and the Committees’ view that, with the exception of the Chronicle Cup, all competitions would be direct entry was unanimously endorsed by Council. It was agreed that the entry date for Direct Entry competitions would be two weeks prior to the date of that Competition.
4. 2022 Inter club Competition
   Arrangements for the 2022 Inter club team of eight Competition were discussed. It was agreed that this would be, as usual, f2f and start at 2.00 pm on a Sunday. It was also agreed that refreshments would comprise tea/coffee/biscuits and NOT a “big tea”. Whitley Bay Bridge Club helpfully offered their premises as a mid-point if team wished to play there. 
5. 2022 Congress
   Arrangements for the 2022 Congress were discussed. The Committees’ view that the Congress should be f2f was endorsed by Council, notwithstanding a full recognition of the financial risk involved.
6. The website
   Council would like the website to:

1. have obvious Club links with details of when they play
2. promote teaching opportunities so that players know when and where there are opportunities for lessons and/or improver play
3. create an archive of historical information (so that it can be taken off the homepage efficiently)
4. encourage members to provide information for uploading so that the site might become more membership driven

The Committee were also encouraged to produce an “obituary policy” to determine which obituaries should be on the NEBA site and which should be just on club sites.

7. Teaching Strategy
   Discussion focussed on the possibility of a more formal teaching strategy led by NEBA. In the absence of a proactive programme of teaching and recruitment it is most likely that there will be a drop in membership over the next 5 years. This important matter was referred back to Executive Committee.