Sarah Bell (née O'Connor) first learnt to play bridge as a student at Latymer Upper School. She started pursuing her interest in the game more seriously at Cambridge University, where she studied Natural Sciences. After graduating, Sarah left Cambridge to qualify as a teacher. She now works at a school in London, teaching chemistry and working in the learning support department, which is a real passion of hers.
Sarah first represented England on the junior squad in the European Teams in Romania, 2009, and made many subsequent appearances for the U26 women's and U26 open sides. It was through the junior squads that she met Mike Bell, whom she married in 2017 (and, yes, plays bridge with). That summer, with Mike, Michael Byrne, Kieran Dyke and Marion Robertson, she won the Summer Meeting Four Star teams. This came shortly after winning the Freeman Mixed Board-a-Match (Point-a-Board) at the ACBL Summer Nationals in Toronto with Tom Paske, Alex Hydes & Marusa Basa.
As well as meeting her husband through junior bridge, Sarah also got to know Marie Eggeling of Germany, with whom she won the silver medal in the World Women's Pairs in 2022.
Away from bridge, Sarah is interested in gastronomy and cooking and also recently took up knitting, completing her set of stereotypical retirement activities. Now she just needs to retire!
Last updated: January 2024
Bronze Award 2022
Major International Selections
Junior European Championships: 2009 and 2013
European Mixed Teams Championships: 2022
Camrose: 2024 (EBU)
Lady Milne Trophy Selection: 2015 (EBU) and 2020
Junior Camrose Selections: 2013
Summer Meeting Four Stars Teams: 2017
Tollemache Cup: 2017
Crockfords Cup: 2023
Hubert Phillips Bowl: 2023