In this week's blog Mike Dobson from the newly affiliated Crewkerne and Ilminster Bridge Clubs in Somerset, talks about the benefits of joining the EBU and the positive impact it has had on their members
Last October both Crewkerne and Ilminster clubs were offered and took advantage of free affiliation to the EBU which was scheduled to end at the end of August. So at the end of July we had to take a view and discuss with members if they wanted this to continue.
The result was a resounding yes as members discovered some of the benefits they could get from joining.
The main plusses were in no particular order were:
- The clubs were able to hold their own online sessions during lockdown (making money via BBO) and realise they can continue this now at anytime the club wants to hold an event. We realise with winter coming some members will prefer online and can thus still stay in contact with their friends.
- Quite a few members have received Master Point rankings and we are sure this promotes a feeling of doing well as the clubs announce the successes as and when we are informed.
- Some of our younger members who are generally more competitive can now enter national and local tournaments based on their NGS ratings and are keen to do so.
- Of course everyone is now entitled to read the EBU magazine and will no doubt be trying out different conventions etc. that they picked up
- We have also heard from those looking forward to receiving a diary even if they only use it to note their social bridge meetings
- The clubs too will be looking to get their insurance via the EBU and have on occasions been able to utilise the services of Jonathan Lillycrop the Clubs Liaison Officer
- Not forgetting that we are entitled to use EBUScore whether this is linked to travellers or electronic scoring.
These are the most rewarding outputs we have seen from joining and look forward to a long lasting membership.
Mike Dobson
For more information about the club affiliation offer, please contact jonathan@ebu.co.uk