Strategy
Trends in bridge in NSW
Many wider changes are impacting bridge, some of these overlap. Bridge NSW believes the key trends include:
Long term decline in player numbers
Since 2014, NSW bridge player numbers have declined by an average of 20%. This echos a common global trend and appears reflective of wider changes including behaviour and expectations, and challenges in recruiting new players. To ensure a long-term healthy bridge community we need to turnaround this trend by focussing on that which we can influence. Growth is our #1 priority. There is uncertainty on what can be achieved with limited resources.
Many clubs are struggling
While several clubs are growing and thriving, many clubs are struggling including due to declining player numbers, aging average players, and financially. The majority of NSW clubs currently provide no beginners courses. Players numbers will reduce further without practical support and guidance on how to grow and be sustainable.. Long-term community success will depend on healthy clubs across the state.
Ageing bridge demographic
An aging player demographic is reducing the number of players and places a dependency on fewer volunteers in clubs and wider community. To ensure the longevity of bridge in NSW, we need to broaden the appeal of bridge to multiple generations and diversify our community. We need to appeal to new retirees, working age people and youth players.
Challenges and opportunities from technology changes
Technology has split the game into face-to-face and online sessions, which effectively compete with each other (reducing table numbers), adding complexity and costs. It has added complexity and costs to clubs who need technology savvy directors, and manage websites or facebook to meet player expectations. A loss of in person interaction seems to impair a sense of community for some – reducing the game’s appeal and appears to contribute to volunteering at event, club or community level.
Technology also offers many opportunities, some of which are not fully realised. These include remote provision of courses and supervised play, more target communication to current and prospective players, more inclusive and cheaper events (state wide and interstate), error prevention which eases directing, or card-by-card hand review. We need to leverage the best of technology to grow the game, support clubs, maange costs, and to enhance the playing experience.
Low volunteer engagement
There have been amazing volunteers in the community for decades which have built the community. Many of those have retired and more are needed.
We need to improve how we attract and engage volunteers to help support players, clubs and the community.
Bridge NSW’s aim and objectives
In response to these trends, Bridge NSW has developed its inaugural strategy. It is intended to serve as a framework, which will evolve. To ensure the strategy remains up to date, the Council and Board plan to review it every 6-12 months.
Bridge NSW’s aim is to foster a vibrant and inclusive bridge playing community across NSW through leadership, advocacy and support.
We aim to support all players, all clubs and the community in NSW to:
- Grow the number of players
- Develop bridge player skills
- Support the best representative players
- Build the community
Key themes and 2025 initiatives
| Objectives | Themes | 2025 initiatives | Key performance indicators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grow the number of players | - Improve awareness and create positive associations about the game - Support the delivery of beginner courses by clubs - Promote club and state bridge events and support clubs to host successful events | - Establish marketing and communications function - Launch new website and enhance social media presence - Create beginner course material for clubs to use - Develop marketing campaigns that target growth - Support clubs to promote their events | - Number of new player registrations |
| Develop bridge player skills | - Host inclusive events for a range of player levels - Support clubs' delivery of intermediate courses - Help clubs to recruit teachers and provide teachers and students with learning materials | - Offer most Bridge NSW games online (except Finals) - Create intermediate course material for clubs to use - Create a teacher forum for mutual support and sharing | - Number of players in Bridge NSW events |
| Support the best representative players | - Organise quality representative selection and championship events - Organise events for player development to ensure a sustainable representative player pool - Subsidise out of pocket costs for representative players | - Redesign Monday night events to enhance appeal to competitive players - Create pathway events that grow the number of competitive players | - Number of successful representative teams - Number of entrants for state selection and championship events |
| Build the community | - Engage the community about challenges and opportunities to grow - Nurture key community assets: players, volunteers, directing, teachers - Build a state peak organisation that strengthens clubs and players - Call on stakeholders to engage and support the community | - Facilitate stakeholder buy-in on challenges and opportunities - Attract, retain and engage volunteers, directors and teachers - Provide clarity on roles, authority and budget at Council, Board, Committee levels - Build a committee to strengthen the Directing community across NSW | - Website, social media, newsletter engagement metrics - Filling vacant roles with skilled volunteers |