Happy Holidays!

As another year comes to an end, your CBF Board of Directors would like to wish you Happy Holidays and all the best for 2025!

The mission of the Canadian Bridge Federation is: To promote bridge within Canada and to protect and advance the national interests of Canadian bridge, including the selection and support of Canadian bridge teams and players for international bridge competition.

To that end, the CBF Board of Directors have been busy working hard throughout the year to reengage our members, promote bridge in Canada and provide the competitive forum required to choose the best of the best to represent Canada on the world stage. It has been a challenge, but we are listening and will continue to work tirelessly to improve and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our members in the post-pandemic bridge world. Periodic updates will be provided here and in the magazine Bridge Canada.

We are listening!!

December 2024

Recently there has been some questions and comments from members that indicate a lack of awareness on the current state of Canadian Bridge and the Canadian Bridge Federation. We believe that communication with our members is absolutely vital, and has been the number one challenge for CBF Boards over the last 15 years.

In response, this is the first of a series of regular member updates. The goal of these updates to ensure there is timely and open communication between the volunteers on the CBF Board and the CBF membership it serves.

These updates will be sent directly to all members, as well as posted on the CBF Website. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Upcoming and ongoing events for CBF members.
  • Recent events and outcomes.
  • Membership milestones.
  • Canadian Junior Program.
  • International update.
  • State of the financial health of the CBF.
  • Critical goals of the CBF.
  • Trends that affect Canadian Bridge, and the challenges they present.
  • What you can do to support Canadian Bridge.

The last point we feel is especially critical. The CBF Board is only comprised of 6 volunteers, who have full time lives outside of CBF administration. All Canadian bridge players need to step up when they can, to ensure the continuity of a Canadian Bridge identity.

What about the CBF Executive Assistant?

Yes we have a salaried, part time Executive Assistant. But despite her high level of competency, she is only one person. There are many details, daily transactions and responsibilities entailed in the support of a diverse organization such as the CBF. Suffice to say she is fully utilized! Please consider stepping up when asked, or maybe just because you want to help!

Why is the CBF Mission statement important?

It is critical. It is the foundation for how the CBF makes decisions on what programs and services to offer, and how to allocate the available financial and human resources.

December 24 Update

  • Recent events and outcomes.

    • There has been a 50% increase in participation of the Rookie /Master Game. This has been a great effort by clubs to bring new players to the game of bridge.
    • The Canada Wide Online team league continues to be a big hit with players. The CBF is now looking to add B and C divisions.
    • Established Regionals are still struggling. Average attendance is still in the range of 60 – 65% of pre-covid attendance. The idea that the CBF can create a “pop-up” regional that is financially successful in today’s environment is near impossible. 

The CBF has done it’s best to adapt to the current environment and create a hybrid event that is both financially profitable while maintaining the integrity of the Canadian Championships.

  • Canadian Junior Program.

    • This year we sent an under 26 team to play in the World Junior Transnationals held in Wroclaw, Poland. The team earned valuable experience playing internationally.
    • In 2025 we will be sending two teams to play in the World Junior Championships. We will be holding the junior team trials Dec. 28-30. The trials will be played online on RealBridge. There is a $10 registration fee that covers three days of bridge play. For more information, please go to our homepage at cbf.ca.

  • Critical goals of the CBF.

    • Increasing membership (currently only 25% of Canadian Bridge players who belong to the ACBL are also CBF members).
    • Increase awareness and participation in National Canadian Bridge events, from club level to Canadian Championships. All level of play is available for members.
    • “The CBF needs the club support. Please help your local club to understand that offering CBF games to their players is beneficial to all. More points for the players and the extra sanction fees goes to the CBF, not the ACBL. The ACBL does not fund the CBF – so please be aware of CBF events.”

  • Financial update.

    • The CBCs held in Niagara Falls in 2023 lost money. There were several factors at play, including lower than expected attendance, and higher cost for Directors.

    • It is why the CBF cannot afford to have a regional alongside the CNTCs, and why the decision was made to hold the CBCs concurrently with a Canadian Regional (Penticton in 2024 and Toronto in 2025).

  • International update.

    • Congrats go out to Dan Jacob and Piotr Klimowicz who won the Senior Pairs at the World Bridge Games held this past October!! Way to make Canadian bridge players proud!

    • Dan and Piotr, along with teammates Mike Hargreaves, Gord McOrmond, Robert Lebi, John Carruthers, and non-playing captain Jim McAvoy, were the only Canadian team to qualify for the major team knockout stage. They did this in the Senior Teams event. They won their round of 16 match, and lost in the quarterfinals to a very good Indian team, who ended up losing to the USA in the finals!! Way to go Canada!!

    • Canada sent four teams to the World Bridge Games. The cost to the CBF in financially supporting these players and non-playing captains is high. Entry fees and uniforms alone are $27,000. Then you have travel subsidies. These subsidies are financed by certain events, primarily the entry fees and profit form the CBCs. With little profit from these events, (see above). Subsidies for attendees will be small unless a new source of funding is found. 

Finally, a shout out to all the CBF members who represented Canada at the Worlds. I am sure it will be a memory you will always treasure.

  • Other new communication initiatives.

In Summary

Moving forward, we want all members to understand what the Board is doing and why.

Our underlying goal is to engage all Canadian bridge players and have them participate in Canadian events. Please let us know your thoughts!! We welcome all constructive viewpoints, suggestions and comments.

The CBF Board