I was first introduced to this game eight years ago on a family holiday to Israel by my grandmother . But it wasn’t until 3 years later that I first went to a bridge club; I played with anybody and everybody week in week out and gradually improved.

My first international was when I was 17 playing for the under 25 team in “Den Bosch” Holland. It was great fun and although the team did not do well it gave me a taste for international events. I was particularly glad when a hand I had played from that event was published in The Times a year or so later; the contract was horrific but the play most amusing.

Ben played with John Atthey in the England Schools team in the 2002 European Championships held in Torquay. In partnership with John he won the 2001 Channel Trophy (Under 20s section) and the 2002 and 2003 Peggy Bayer Trophy. Ben now plays with Duncan Happer in the Under 25s squad, with whom he won the 2003 Under 25s Pairs Championship. Ben won one of the prestigious Youth Awards at the 2003 World Junior Camp, given to players who make the biggest contribution to everyone’s enjoyment of the event. He has recently been selected for the 2004 European Youth Championships

In November this year Duncan Happer, Edward Levy and Alex Morris and I were invited to Eilat Israel to play in the Red Sea Festival. Having never played in a bridge festival outside the UK I was not sure what to expect; I knew one thing: in Israel the players were going to be aggressive. We all had a great time; Duncan and I winning the simultaneous pairs and doing well in all the events. We managed to win the teams event on the final day; winning all of our matches and that was the perfect end to our trip (ignoring the strike at the airport).

I am studying graphic design at Nottingham Trent and have just completed my first year. Outside of bridge I enjoy listening to music, watching films, going out and playing sports in particular badminton and pool.