MBC 2026 Program Update

The 2026 Program has been developed by Jill Parsons, Gail Hamer, Peter Bufton, Kerrie Hissey, Kaye Frankland and Ruth Perris.

All players are asked to become familiar with the updated version of the MBC Tournament Regulations.

The Maitland Bridge Club Tournament Committee Guidelines have also been revised.

You can find these documents in the Information section of the MBC website.

Please note the term ‘Rounds’ e.g. GNOT Rd 1 are no longer used. They are now called ‘Sessions’ to bring us in line with ABF and Bridge NSW terminology e.g. GNOT S1.

To assist you with planning holidays etc for 2026, this is a list of the events, other than normal bridge sessions for 2026. Please mark any that interest you in your diary.

Event trialed in 2025 and being extended to 2026 if available:

Changes to current events:

State mixed Pairs: NSWBA requires the field to be a majority of mixed pairs. In 2023 this was not seen as a popular event in its current format with only 6 mixed pairs competing in all rounds on Mondays and the event being abandoned for the Friday sessions due to lack of mixed pair interest.

In 2024 this was run as a 2 session event on a Sunday. This was also not very popular.

In 2025 it was scheduled for two Tuesday mornings, 3 weeks apart and attracted a field of 5 tables.

Following feedback from those who completed the 2025 Program Survey, this event will be held over two Sunday mornings.

Are you interested in playing in State Mixed Pairs in 2026?       25 responded Yes

If Yes, what is your preferred option?

Two Tuesday mornings   8                   Two Sunday mornings    9

Two sessions on a Sunday (morning and afternoon)   7

Country Teams/Club Teams Championships will again be run as one event concurrently. In 2026 this has been scheduled as two sessions on one Sunday.

Dinner Bridge has replaced Pizza Bridge and will be held on Saturdays after the normal Saturday bridge session. There will be 3 Dinner Bridge sessions in 2026.

The survey results indicated the majority of people interested in dinner bridge would prefer to have dinner at a restaurant after bridge.

Are you interested in playing in Dinner Bridge events on Saturday afternoons in 2026?   25 responded Yes

If yes what is your preferred options?

Dinner at clubhouse e.g. chicken and salad    3

Dinner at a restaurant    12

Mix of clubhouse and restaurant events during the year   5

Annual General Meeting:

Wednesday 5 August 2026. 5.00 pm after bridge.

A motion was passed at the December 2023 Management Committee meeting to alternate AGMs between the first Monday and Wednesday in August to ensure greater equity of access for meeting attendance. Wednesday now attracts more tables per year than any other bridge session.

Other events:

All these events are now on the MBC website Calendar for 2026.

At the top of each month you can click the right facing arrow on the top right of the calendar page to take you to the next month. (e.g. May to June)

The down facing arrow will take you to the next year. (e.g. 2025 to 2026)

The left facing arrow at the top left of each page will take you back one month. (e.g. June to May)

Tuesday mornings 10, 17,  24 February, 3, 10, 17 March 2026 (6 lessons)

Arrive by 9.45am for a prompt 10.00 am start.    Finish at 12.15 pm

Venue: Maitland Bridge Club, 12-16 Wallace St, South Maitland

Cost: $70.00 for new players who are not currently members of MBC. Free for financial members of MBC as at 1-11-2025.

Text book: $25.00

Maximum Numbers: 24      Preference given to new players and current members of Maitland Bridge Club

Tea, Coffee, Cold Water, Biscuits supplied and Soft Drinks Available.

All attendees are invited to lunch at a local hotel after each lesson (optional and at own expense).

Expressions of Interest can be advised by adding your name to the Online Whiteboard.
If you have friends who may be interested, please ask them to add their details.

Bridge Players from ANY Club may join this Bridge Cruise Group.
 

4 Dec 25: Only limited Verandah and Inside cabins Now Available for any latecomers.
Only 10 Bridge Player Positions Left.
8 Night Bridge Cruise April 12 - 20, 2026
(Approved by BridgeNSW - to allocate RED Masterpoints)

7 Bridge Games and 3 short Bridge Lessons
Limited to 40 Bridge Players (10 Tables)

Group Booking with Flight Centre, Greenhills, 2320 (Sam Moody Ph: 49-094622 )
Either a Valid Passport OR Drivers License OR Medical Card is required. (Domestic Cruise Only)

Bridge Component: $200 per player - To MBC by Direct Deposit (ASAP).

Bus/Coach: Maitland direct to and from Ship: $150 (return) per person - To MBC by Direct Deposit (ASAP).
(Preference to Bridge Players and Partners for Bus Seats) - 50 seats available.

Download the Cruise Flyer 2026

Currently only 2.5 tables (10 players) Positions Remaining
(Bridge Player positions are secured once you have paid a Deposit with Flight Centre, Greenhills, 2320.
Non Bridge Players are most welcome. Just add your names so we know who's coming)

If Interested please add your names to the Online Whiteboard Below.

Maitland Bridge Club was formed in 1975 and has been steadily growing to its present membership of 172.

We play 6 Sessions a Week (Mon-Sat) including Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Maitland is in the heart of the Hunter Valley and attracts players from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Singleton and outlying areas.

Visitors are most welcome but must be booked to play at a Session.

For enquiries ring Ruth (President) on 0412-424 886 (if unanswered please leave a message).