The WBU is actively promoting the teaching of bridge in schools, and will give as much help and encouragement as possible to potential teachers. Anyone interested in finding out more about the benefits of bridge for numeracy, memory & concentration should contact the Chief Executive.

Young players who want to learn bridge or improve their game should get in touch with the WBU's Junior Coordinator, Alan Jones, who looks after our junior players and organises events for them. He has a mailing list to keep them informed of events and practice sessions. Alan has taken over from Elaine Sharp who becomes Assistant Junior Coordinator concentrating on encouraging new juniors to take up the game.

Several of our Juniors who are away at University or living in other parts of the country play online using Bridge Base Online - again this is free and we can organise this if required. Juniors also get reduced or even free entry to WBU congresses and events.

Those in West Wales might also like to contact Kate Craven who helps with junior events for the West Wales area, and puts information on their site at www.wwba.org.uk

Junior sessions are for anyone of any ability from beginner up and take place at various bridge clubs such as Newport, Cardiff and Swansea in Wales, and also the Bristol and West of England clubs (both in Bristol). Contact Alan for further information.

The WBU sends teams to the junior home internationals - the Junior Camrose (for under-25s), and the Peggy Bayer Trophy (for under 20's). The next events are in Northern Ireland on 20th-22nd February 2009.

Many universities have active bridge clubs. More information about University bridge can be found at www.ebu.co.uk/youth/general/universities.htm and at www.unibridge.org.

News, with dates for your diaries

The teams for the junior home internationals - the Junior Camrose (for under-25s), and the Peggy Bayer Trophy (for under 20's) - in Northern Ireland on 20th-22nd February 2009 have been announced. Details.

Some of the Welsh junior activities in recent years

We held a junior training weekend over 7/8 February 2009 at the Gwent Bridge Academy incorporating one day of mini bridge for any youngsters who want to learn. There was an array of experts there to provide teaching.

Elaine visited Monmouth Comprehensive School in January to teach mini-bridge.

Some pictures from the training day held at the Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport on Saturday 6 December 2008.

The Welsh under-28 team took part in the 1st World Bridge Games, part of the inaugural World Mind Sports Games, held in Beijing, China, on 3-18 October 2008. This 4-yearly event replaces the WBF Olympiad. The Welsh team was Jake Dunn, Catherine Evans, Eve Hatfield, Alan Jones, and Chris Owen, with James Ewington from England as non-playing captain. They came a creditable 49th of the 74 countries taking part, above Scotland and only just behind Ireland. Some pictures.

Becky Watkins (with her partner Margaret Lane) won the Ladies Pairs at Porthcawl. Photo.

Wales were represented at the European Youth Pairs Championships in Wroclaw, Poland on 15 - 18 July 2008, by Becky Watkins, Claire Evans, Jonathan Richards and James Harris. Although unsuccessful overall there were some individual moments of glory. Photo.

In April 2008, three of our under-20 team did very well in the Harry Scully Trophy, part of the EBU's Young Bridge Challenge. Read a report on the Harry Scully Trophy

The 2007 Junior Camrose and Peggy Bayer events were in Ireland in February, and the results are here. The Welsh teams can be found here. There is also a report on the Peggy Bayer, with pictures, by Keith Sharp (npc) and a report on the Junior Camrose, by Simon Richards (npc).

You can see reports and pictures of the WBU junior events held on 8th July 2006 at Gwent Bridge Academy, and on 14th October 2006 at Cardiff Bridge Club. There are also some pictures of the juniors at Porthcawl in November 2006.

Page revised 15/12/08