Grants & assistance: Bridge NSW
Financials
Bridge NSW Support for Clubs and Players
A key priority of Bridge NSW is supporting clubs everywhere in NSW – in both city and country areas.
The general philosophy is that Bridge NSW will support activities which help to improve the running of bridge and promotion of the game. It also supports individuals seeking to improve skills that can help with these matters (e.g. teacher training, director training, marketing, etc). Note this does not extend to individuals seeking to improve their own bridge playing skills – therefore while support may be available to a club organising lesson programs, it is not available for players attending those lessons.
Bridge NSW also supports players who have qualified to attend State finals and State teams that represent NSW in the Australian National Championships (ANC).
The level of support varies depending on the nature of the activity. In particular for programs that are also supported by the ABF, a greater level of Bridge NSW support can be given (see below for more details).
The Bridge NSW subsidy is only applicable to attendees who are current members of a Bridge NSW affiliated club.
Two categories of support are available to clubs:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| ABF sponsored programs | ABF marketing workshops ABF directing workshops |
| Non-ABF sponsored programs | Lessons, Teaching tours, Workshops for Teacher training, Directing or Marketing, General bridge promotion |
In all of these activities, our focus is on collective support – we think it is not our role to provide funding to affiliated clubs for their own individual benefit. Funding may be available to clubs via loans from the James O’Sullivan Foundation, for example to buy or refit premises.
The following categories of support are available to individuals:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Travel/accommodation – workshop attendees | Attendance at ABF sponsored programs Attendance at other workshops to develop bridge administration skills (e.g. Directing, Marketing) |
| Travel/accommodation – players | State teams finals State pairs finals (representing a club) State trials or other State finals (e.g. ITS) State team representatives attending the ANC |
ABF sponsored programs
These programs are jointly sponsored by the ABF and the Bridge NSW. They currently consist of the following:
| Area | Program | Run by |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Marketing workshops | Peter Cox |
| Directing | Under development |
Funding:
There is usually no charge to participants. The ABF pays for the trainer and their expenses.
Bridge NSW covers other expenses of the host club:
- Reimbursement of catering costs up to a max of $13 a head per day. Receipts should be provided.
- Venue hire costs (*subject to prior approval)
- Reimbursement of photocopying costs for materials (Max 500 sheets @ 10 cents per copy)
Bridge NSW also contributes to individuals attending these programs:
- $60 travel/accommodation grant for participants travelling at least 100km (as per our normal subsidy policy)
How to apply: Complete the “Grant claim form – ABF Sponsored Programs”
Non-ABF sponsored programs
These activities do not receive financial support from the ABF and are supported directly by Bridge NSW. They are intended to assist clubs in developing the skills of their directors, teachers and players, as well as general bridge promotion.
Clubs are encouraged to liaise with other clubs in their region and actively seek to maximise local participation. Some suggestions for activities are:
- Expert seminars for players on any aspects of the game e.g. bidding or card play
- Expert seminars on directing and computer scoring
- Teacher training seminar
- Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced lessons from a local or touring expert
- General bridge promotion (e.g. community fair, advertising, leaflet drops)
General advertising and promotion costs such as newspaper adverts, letter-box drops etc can be conducted as a separate promotional activity. Bridge NSW may be able to assist with advice and by posting a notice on our website.
Funding:
Without additional ABF funding, Bridge NSW is unable to cover all costs for clubs for these events. Instead:
- Bridge NSW encourages clubs to charge a small amount to participants to raise some income
- Bridge NSW will then contribute to the NET cost of the event (Income less Expenses)
How to apply: To simplify the application for funding process, you are asked to follow these steps:
- Decide on the event in consultation with nearby clubs
- Plan and budget the event
- Complete the “Grant claim form – non-ABF Sponsored Programs” and submit it to Bridge NSW (our office may also be able to help in your planning)
- Hold and evaluate the event
Funding requests that fall within the limits of our subsidy policy will generally be approved without reference to the Bridge NSW Board and will be paid after the event has taken place.
Clubs seeking a higher level of funding for a particular activity are encouraged to contact the Bridge NSW office directly. Further information may be required and they will be individually considered by the Bridge NSW Board.
Travel/accommodation – workshop attendees
- ABF sponsored workshops
- Other workshops for developing bridge administration skills (e.g. directing, teacher training or marketing)
Attendees travelling > 100km receive $60 per person
How to apply: Requests for travel subsidies for attendees should be collated by the host club and submitted with their own grant claim form. Each applicant should complete a claim form and a summary list should be included on the 2nd page of the grant claim form. The Bridge NSW office will then pay the claimants directly.
Travel/accommodation – players attending State trials/finals
Amounts and procedures for these subsidies vary depending on the event in question. Claim forms will usually be provided to the players at State finals.
Bridge NSW Subsidy Policy and Forms
Grant Claim Form – ABF Sponsored Programs