Live Presentations
Reconnecting with The Bridge Club: A Critical Understanding of Social Capital and Play during a Pandemic
Kevin Judge (Sociology, University of Stirling, Scotland)
This research provides a snapshot from a wider doctoral study of the social lives and relationships of those who learn and play bridge in the UK.
The New Normal: Bridge Club Perspective
Nicky Bainbridge (Bridge for Pleasure)
Since early lockdown in the UK, Nicky Bainbridge has run a monthly meeting for bridge clubs to discuss the difficulties involved in reopening and implementing social distancing measures.
Ongoing and Future Impacts of Covid
Patrick Shields (Gloucestershire County Bridge Association)
Both county and national bridge organisations have faced various obstacles and opportunities during the pandemic. Patrick Shields reflects on these whilst also pondering what’s next.
Covid Impacts on National and International Tournaments in Australia
Peter Cox (Australian Bridge Federation)
In Australia, the suspension of face-to-face bridge was shorter than in other parts of the world. However, the pandemic still interrupted many major tournament events. Peter Cox reflects on the the future for tournament bridge in Australia and the South Pacific.
Covid 19: From the Perspective of an International Bridge Organisation
Jan Kamras (President, European Bridge League)
As a large bridge organisation, the European Bridge League has had to addressed a variety of issues throughout the global pandemic. Jan Kamras reveals some of those challenges that have emerged and how they have been tackled.
The Digital and Face-to-Face Hybrid
Dr Miriam Snellgrove (Bridge: A MindSport for All)
BAMSA researcher, Dr Miriam Snellgrove, summarises some of the key issues and leads into the small group discussions.
Panel & Small Group Discussions
(Click titles below to view small group recordings)
Future of bridge clubs – Cath Fox (Essex Contract Bridge Association, England) & Espen Gisvold (Manchester County Bridge Association)
Tournaments post-lockdown – Peter Cox (Australian Bridge Federation)
New etiquette for online bridge – Patrick Shields (Gloucestershire County Bridge Association, England)
Pandemic organisations – Tim Anderson (English Bridge Union, England)
Attracting missing players back to the game – Christina Ballinger (Heritage Coast Bridge Club, England) & Tim Rees (BAMSA)
Online bridge as an inferior game? – Jordan Maclean (BAMSA)
Advance Recorded Presentations
(Click green arrows to view recordings)
Joe Jones (Executive Director, American Contract Bridge League)
Joe Jones reflects on the challenges and opportunities that the ACBL has faced over the past year as a result of the global pandemic.
Collaboration between Bridge Clubs in Suffolk Coastal during Lockdown
Christina Ballinger (Heritage Coast Bridge Club, England)
Since the start of the 2020 lockdown, Heritage Coast Bridge Club has been running a weekly online tournament in partnership with other bridge clubs in Suffolk. Christina Ballinger describes the process of creating a virtual club, the challenge of maintaining the spirit of the founding clubs in a virtual environment, and speculates on what lies ahead.
A Survey of Bridge Players in Lockdown
Paul Meyer (Essex Contract Bridge Association, England)
Bridge players in the Essex Contract Bridge Association provide their views on the challenges faced during lockdown as well as the new possibilities that online bridge has offered.
Espen Gisvold (Manchester County Bridge Association, England)
Manchester County Bridge Association conducted a survey during UK lockdown to find out how many players were engaging in digital bridge and their suggestions for improvement.
Digital Bridge during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Dr Miriam Snellgrove (BAMSA)
This presentation explores the challenges of playing bridge during a pandemic and how age, technology and organisational support enable or constrain continued participation in the game.
How to Help Bridge Clubs Grow: The EBU’s Membership Campaign
Tim Anderson (English Bridge Union, England)
Tim Anderson discusses recent initiatives that English Bridge Union is developing regarding the growth of members and clubs.
The Impact of Covid on Bridge Players: A Study of Some UK-Based Players
Tony Hasler (Masters Student, University of London, England)
A small-scale UK survey was undertaken to explore whether players are playing more or less frequently during lockdown and the impact of COVID on social and organised bridge. The main findings are that generally people are playing more bridge during lockdown than they did before but that the over 74s, and particularly males over 74, are playing noticeably less.
Australia – The Post Covid Experience
Peter Cox (Head of Marketing, Australian Bridge Federation)
Uniquely most Australian bridge clubs had reopened by September 2020 and the Australian Bridge Federation undertook an extensive survey into bridge during Covid, future expectations and the actual experience. Peter Cox describes the findings.