Benefits for club affiliation

The EBU provides many services and benefits for its affiliated clubs. A number of  them are listed here. Please click on a hyperlink for more information. 

Free Club Teacher Training – The EBU works with the charity English Bridge Education and Development (EBED), and the bridge teachers’ organisation EBTA, to support clubs, and bridge teachers. EBU affiliated clubs receive a free club teacher training place every 2 years to assist with the development of the club and to attract new members. The courses are run by EBED, and are subject to availability (see Club Teacher Training for further details). Clubs also receive a £30 discount off the course price for second and subsequent members attending a Club Teacher Training Course. 

Club Tournament Director Training – Every EBU club receives a discount on the cost  of Tournament Director Training courses run by English Bridge Education and Development as EBU Members enjoy a discount of £6.50 per day from the standard pricing. 

Reduced Cost Public Liability Insurance – Extensive club cover for a very low price including a recent extension to cover club officials. 

Special offers on bridge equipment – The EBU shop ‐ The Bridge Warehouse ‐ provides good quality low cost equipment and stationery. Periodical special offers are available to affiliated bridge clubs. Club treasurers and secretaries are sent these offers by email with codes to use online. The Bridge Warehouse will match prices where possible and takes pride in its service.

Club Competitions – The EBU runs a number of competitions especially for its clubs. These include the NICKO, and EBU Simultaneous Pairs.

National Grading Scheme – Clubs can use the National Grading Scheme to enhance  their competitions and events.  Master Points Scheme – A scheme which recognises lifetime achievement in bridge and therefore encourages continued club and EBU membership. 

Club Management Handbook ‐ A comprehensive handbook providing advice of all aspects of the management for a club from setting up a committee to ideas for the clubs’ Christmas party! 

Services of the EBU Club Liaison Officer – Jonathan Lillycrop can be contacted at any time for help and advice: jonathan@ebu.co.uk.

Services of the EBU Club Membership Development Officer –Tim Anderson can be contacted at any time for help with developing Club Membership: Tim@ebu.co.uk

Access to a dedicated Club Membership Development resource site – A wealth of club resources to help clubs attract new members including promotional material, advice on using social media etc.

Services of the EBU Press & Communication Officer: Sam@ebu.co.uk

Minibridge – The EBU promotes Minibridge in schools to help ensure the future of bridge at our clubs in the long term. Your club can help. 

EBU Website – A treasure trove of information and advice. Downloads (free of charge) include:

  • Model Club Constitution – all clubs should have a Constitution
  • System Cards – blank ones you can fill in yourself, as well as ready prepared System Cards for Standard Benji, Acol, etc
  • Blue Book (Handbook of EBU Directives)
  • White Book (full EBU Tournament Directors' Guide)

EBUScore ‐ bridge scoring software available free, with unlimited users (though only  for use by club members for club activities). Technical support for EBUScore is also free to EBU clubs at the present time. 

Free website from Pianola ‐ As a part of your EBU affiliation you can use Pianola completely free of charge for twelve months. Through Pianola you can manage your  club's membership, communicate with your players, publish your results and build a  website. Players benefit from personal analysis of their performance and can use the  system to advertise for a partner, when they need one. Pianola integrates closely  with the EBU database in real time, so changes you make in Pianola are  automatically and instantly replicated on the EBU database. Contact sales@pianola.net and mention you're an EBU club to take advantage of this offer.

Services and Benefits for Individual Members ‐ The EBU also provides your individual members with a regular magazine and diary as well as a number of other non‐bridge related membership benefits. 


If you are interested in any of the above services or require advice or assistance on any matters pertaining to your club, please contact Jonathan Lillycrop, the EBU Club Liaison Officer, on 01296 317206 or via email: jonathan@ebu.co.uk. Jonathan is also happy to visit your club to discuss any areas of concern or to offer advice on any  aspects of club management or member development