Press/media information

Please make any press or media enquiries to: Sam Kelly (Communications Officer) sam@ebu.co.uk 01296 317215

National press releases

All are in date order.

 

English Bridge Union disappointed by EU court VAT ruling
26th October 2017 - The European Court of Justice overturned a recommendation from its Advocate
General, and ruled that bridge should not be considered a sport for VAT purposes.
Official court document

England wins silver medal at World Bridge Team Championships
25th August 2017 - England’s Women’s team have won the silver medal at the World Bridge Team Championships. Competing for the Venice Cup, England lost in the final to China but won a third successive medal at the World Championships.

Bridge is a sport, says preliminary ruling in European Court VAT case
15th June 2017 - A report prepared by Advocate General Maciej Szpunar at the European Court of Justice has concluded that, given the “considerable mental effort and training” which bridge required, it should be considered a sport for VAT purposes.
This is a non-binding recommendation, but if confirmed later this year the EBU would no longer need to charge VAT on entry fees to its competitions, and would receive a rebate on VAT which it had previously paid.
Official court document

European Court to consider VAT exemption for bridge
28th February 2017 - On 2nd March, at the European Courts of Justice in Luxembourg, judges will consider the EU Directive under which sporting activities are exempt from VAT, after a referral from the British courts relating to its application to bridge competitions which are not currently exempt.

English Bridge Union denied leave to appeal previous ruling on the ‘sporting status’ of bridge
20th January 2017 - The EBU's application for leave to appeal the result of a previous Judicial Review regarding Sport England’s position on the ‘sporting status’ of bridge was denied.

English Bridge Union to seek permission to appeal previous ruling on the ‘sporting status’ of bridge
18th January 2017 - On Thursday 19th January the EBU will seek permission to appeal against the result of a previous Judicial Review regarding Sport England’s position on the ‘sporting status’ of bridge.

England are European Champions, win Gold at bridge competition in Budapest
25th June 2016 - England's Women's bridge team have won the European Championships in Budapest. The Open and Senior teams finished 10th.

England teams hopeful of medals at European Bridge Championships
15th June 2016 - England's Open, Women's, and Seniors' teams are competing in the European Championships in Budapest 16th - 25th June. All three teams won medals in the 2014 event, so are hoping for success in this year's event.

Judge rules on Judicial Review of sporting status of bridge
15th October 2015 - The Judicial Review in to whether Sport England's position regarding the sporting status of bridge is unlawful, has found in their favour.

Great results for England at World Bridge Championships
10th October 2015 - England's Women won a bronze medal, the Open team finished 4th, and the Senior team reached the quarter-finals, at the World Bridge Championships in Chennai, which took place from 26th September to 10th October.

A New Strategy for Sport - a response
2nd October 2015 - A response to the government's consultation on sport - "A New Strategy for Sport" - undertaken by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport in September 2015

Judicial Review in to whether bridge is a sport concludes
25th September 2015 - The Judicial Review has concluded, with a decision expected in a few weeks. The English Bridge Union were pleased with how the case proceeded, and some of the points which they raised are summarised here.

Judicial Review in to whether bridge is a sport commences
21st September 2015 - The Judicial Review in to whether Sport England should reconsider the definition it uses when deciding what it will recognise as a sport begins at the High Court on 22nd September.

England hopeful of medals at the World Bridge Championships
21st September 2015 - The World Bridge Championships start on Sunday 27th September in Chennai, India, with England hopeful of medals in all three competitions.

Tax Tribunal refers ‘Bridge is a sport’ appeal to European Court
24th July 2015 - The English Bridge Union’s case for bridge to be considered a sport for VAT purposes has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The ruling by the court is available here

Is bridge a sport for VAT purposes?
9th July 2015 - On 15th July the case of whether bridge should be considered a sport for VAT purposes will go before a second tier tax tribunal.

Date set for Judicial Review into whether bridge is a sport
1st June 2015 - The Judicial Review into Sport England's stance that bridge is not a sport will be heard on 22nd - 23rd September.

South Bucks Bridge Centre donated to English Bridge Education and Development
19th January 2015 - Laurie Champniss and family, owners of the highly popular South Bucks Bridge Centre, have this week made the very generous act of donating the Centre to the charity English Bridge Education and Development (EBED).

English Bridge Union appeals Sport England's ruling on whether bridge is a sport
17th December 2014 - The EBU is appealing against Sport England’s decision to use a definition of ‘sport’ which appears contrary to that recognised by the UK Parliament.

English Bridge Union meets with Secretary of State over unfair treatment of bridge
7th November 2014 - The EBU has met with Sajid Javid MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to outlined the belief that bridge, and other mind sports, are not being dealt a fair hand.

English Bridge Union works with Charity Commission
2nd September 2014 - Documentation has been developed by the EBU and the Charity Commission to help bridge clubs apply for charity status.

European Bridge Championships
1st July 2014 - England had their most successful European Championships, winning a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal

European Bridge Championships
22nd June 2014 - English teams are hopeful of medals in the 52nd European Team Bridge Championships, taking place in Croatia.

VAT Appeal Tribunal summary
February 2014 - A summary of the VAT Appeal Tribunal in which the EBU was unsuccessful.

World Bridge Team Championships
17 July 2013 - Two teams of expert bridge players will be representing England in the world championships for duplicate bridge taking place from 16th to 29th September 2013 in Bali, Indonesia

English Bridge Online
30 May 2013 - For the first time ever,the newest issue of English Bridge (and the last six past editions) will be available via the EBU members area.

England Juniors Win Two National Competitions
18 February 2013 - England were utterly dominant in both the Junior Camrose and Peggy Bayer Trophies in Manchester at the weekend, winning all eighteen matches - twelve of them by the maximum amount.

Bridge International Wins Sunday Telegraph Salver
1 February 2013 - International England bridge player John Holland has won the 2012 Sunday Telegraph Salver for most Master Points earned during the year. His score of 32,376 is well ahead of Steve Auchterlonie in second (25,719) and last year's winner Ed Scerri in third (24,114).

Lords v Commons Bridge Match
9 November 2012 - The 38th match between the House of Commons and the House of Lords was held at the Houses of Parliament last Thursday. It was a hard fought match, but eventually the House of Lords beat the House of Commons by 1900 points in the annual teams-of-eight bridge match.

Suffolk Man Wins Prestigious Service Award For Teaching Bridge
10 October 2012 - ALAN GREEN, age 63 from Manningtree, Essex has been awarded the Tom Bradley Award for services to the teaching of bridge in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk by the English Bridge Union. The award was presented to Alan by the Chairman of the English Bridge Union.

England Win Gold In Mind Sports Olympics
22 August 2012 - While the country gets set to welcome the Para-Olympians the Mind Sports Olympics are concluding with England’s
Women’s Team retaining the Gold for bridge.

England Are European Bridge Champions
22 June 2012 - The England Women's team have won gold in the European Bridge Team Championships currently taking place in Dublin.

England Hope For European Win
12 June 2012 - Three England teams are playing in the 51st European Bridge Team Championships in Dublin, Ireland from 12 June 2012. All the England teams are strong contenders for Gold, Silver or Bronze, as each have good experience of playing international bridge.

England's Women Hope For World Win
13 October 2011 - The England Women’s Bridge Team have qualified to compete for the Venice Cup – the most prestigious and well established women’s bridge world championship. The team has recently seen great successes both in home internationals and further afield including winning Gold in the first World Mind Sports Games in Beijing in 2008. The Venice Cup will be another great opportunity for them to demonstrate their bridge playing skills at the ultimate international level.....

English Bridge Union: 75th Anniversary
23 May 2011 - Building on 75 years dedicated to Duplicate Bridge in England. The English Bridge Union – the national organisation that promotes and regulates the game of bridge in England – will reach a milestone on 23 May 2011 when it will celebrate its 75th birthday. Special events and celebrations will provide the organisation with an opportunity to show the positive power of playing bridge and demonstrate the beneficial contribution that it provides to an individual’s well-being and long-term future.....

Charitable Status For English Bridge Club
1 March 2011 - The Charity Commission has recently made the ground-breaking decision to award charitable status to a bridge club in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The Charity Commission stated that: “sport has often been used to advance charitable aims but, following a change in the law introduced by the Charities Act 2006, it is now charitable to advance amateur sports or games, which promote health by involving physical or mental skill or exertion.”

Englands Juniors Win Two National Cometitions
21 February 2011 - England’s Juniors have won Gold in the Junior Camrose and Peggy Bayer Trophies played in Ayr, Scotland over the weekend.

CCPR Changes Its Name
12 January 2011 - The EBU is pleased to advise that the CCPR has changed its name to the Sport and Recreation Alliance, so more people can understand their work. The EBU will continue to be a member of this organisation for national governing and representative bodies for sports and recreation.

Primary School Pupils Prove Bridge is Child's Play
15 November 2010 -History was made last week when 16 pupils from Pembury School, Tunbridge Wells, visited the Houses of Parliament to play a game of Minibridge with peers from the All Party Parliamentary Group for the development of bridge.

England Juniors Win Silver In Bridge World Champions
16 October 2010 - England Juniors have won Silver in this years World Bridge Championship in Philadelphia – after getting in to the event at the 11th hour.

USA Beat Europe 109 - 89 In The 3rd Warren Buffett Cup Match
20 September 2010 - The USA beat Europe 109-89 in the 3rd Warren Buffett Cup bridge match that ended on the evening of Thursday 16 September.

Play Bridge - Keep Your Mind Fit, Make Friends And Have Fun
10 September 2010 - Recently the BBC showed some members of the Oxford Bridge Club playing their favourite game to show the benefits it has on the mind.

Kent School To Receive A Visit From A Lord
6 July 2010 - CHILDREN as young as 6 and 7 are being encouraged to play cards in class to help them improve their Mathematics and English. On 8 July 2010 the children of Pembury School, Tunbridge Wells will have a very special visit from a member of the House of Lords - Lord Skelmersdale. During his visit the children will show him Minibridge and discuss the various skills they have gained from the game.

Announcing A New Future For Bridge Through Universal Membership
30 March 2010 - Bridge, the popular card game played by an estimated 150,000 people, is about to usher in the biggest ever shake-up in the way it is administered and run. From 1 April 2010, universal membership will see the ranks of players who are members of the English Bridge Union, the game's national body, double to around 45,000 - with each paying a small sum that goes to the Union every time they play.

Recent Gold Medallist Wins Sunday Telegraph Salver
15 February 2010 - The 2009 Master Point ranking lists are now available to be viewed online. Congratulations to John Holland who has won the Sunday Telegraph Salver for the most points earned in the year. He finished ahead of 2007 winner Ron Davis and Frank Springett.

First Weekend Of Camrose 2010
11 January 2010 - The Republic of Ireland ultimately came out on top with 100 VPs, just one ahead of England, with the lead switching back and forth throughout the final matches.

Weather Does Not Stop Play In Edinburgh
9 January 2010 - Snow, ice and very cold temperatures have caused problems across the UK, with cancelled flights and trains, shops running low on supplies, and schools closing. However, against all these odds, the UK’s top bridge home international series has gone ahead this weekend in Edinburgh with all teams in attendance.

English Team Win The Prestigious Gold Cup
14 December 2009 - At the weekend an English bridge team were celebrating a victory at one of the most prestigious bridge events in the UK.

England Are Bridge World Champions
12 September 2009 - England have won Gold in the World Bridge Championship in Brazil – after getting in to the event at the 11th hour.

England Teams To Celebrate One Gold And Two Silver In Bridge Olympics
17 February 2009 - IN OCTOBER 2008 ENGLAND bridge players achieved their best ever international result - winning a gold medal and two silver medals at the game’s ‘Olympics’ staged in Beijing. On Friday 20 February, the famous TGRs bridge club at the New Cavendish Club will be hosting a celebratory party from 8pm for England’s winning teams. The party will also include many of the great and the good from English bridge world.

Keep Your Mind Fit, Make Friends And Have Fun
10 February 2009 - The Government’s recently announced plans to set up “memory clinics” to spot and treat dementia, highlight the need for society to investigate ways to protect against this condition. Research has proven that undertaking some form of activity which tests mental agility on a daily basis can help protect our older population from dementia. Additionally research shows that social interaction amongst the elderly can stave off cognitive decline.

Surrey Man Wins Prestigious Service Award For Teaching Bridge
16 January 2009 -DR BOMI KAVARANA, age 75, from Tadworth, Surrey has been awarded the Tom Bradley Award for services to the teaching of bridge in his county for 2008 by the English Bridge Union. The award was presented to Bomi by Christine Duckworth on behalf of the EBU.

One Gold and two Silvers for England’s bridge teams in Beijing
17 October 2008 -In the past couple of days, England women’s team have won Gold and the England Open and Under 21’s teams have won Silver.

England win silver in Under 21's bridge in Beijing
13 October 2008 - Although the Olympics finished in August, the Olympic spirit is still alive and well at the World Mind Sports Games in Beijing. For the last ten days and until 18 October, the WMSG have seen the five disciplines of Bridge, Chess, Chinese Chess, Draughts and Go played by over 3000 players from all over the word.
On 13 October, the England under 21’s reached the final and played against France, losing by only 25 points in the most exciting match so far.

First Female Chairman for English Bridge
2 October 2008 -The county representatives of the English Bridge Union made history today at their AGM when they voted in Sally Bugden as the first female Chairman the association has seen in its 72 years of existence.

The first World Mind Sports Games: 3 – 18 October, Beijing
1 October 2008 -Although the Olympics finished in August, the Olympiad spirit continues in Beijing from 3 October at the first World Mind Sports Games. The event is organised by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) and will see the five disciplines of Bridge, Chess, Chinese Chess, Draughts and Go played over 15 days by over 3000 players from all over the word.

Fun way for children to develop their maths will be introduced to primary schools
21 July 2008 - Primary school teachers are to be given the opportunity to develop their pupils’ maths skills further by introducing MiniBridge. The three year initiative has been set up by the English Bridge Union (EBU) through their youth and education charitable trust after a donation from the Milton Damerel Trust.

School teacher receives prestigious service award for teaching bridge
9 June 2008 - The EBU has awarded Richard Croot the Alex Salisbury Award in recognition of the outstanding service he has given to the development of bridge at his school: Hereford Cathedral School, Hereford, over many years.

Historic Change for Bridge in England
6 June 2008 - Duplicate bridge received a big boost this Wednesday, 4 June. A strategy to introduce universal membership was proposed by the English Bridge Union - the national body for duplicate bridge in England - to its county representatives who accepted by almost 2 to 1 in favour.

Three England teams to play in the European bridge Championships, France
5 June 2008 - The 49th European Bridge Teams Championships will be held in Pau, France, from 14 to 28 June 2008. Three teams representing England will be playing in the Championships and are all well versed in international and national bridge....

England wins the seniors Camrose competition
2 June 2008 - The event was played by the seniors’ teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the weekend of 30 May – 1 June....

Teaching bridge in Botswana
21 May 2008 - The most popular sport in Botswana is football, closely followed by cricket and rugby. However additionally, and maybe surprisingly, many people in Botswana are also dedicated to the learning and playing of the card game bridge! Read more....

England wins the women’s home nations competition
14 April 2008 -The event was played by the women’s teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the weekend of 11 – 13 April.

Learn and experience bridge and chess at the National Railway Museum, York
1 April 2008 - Bridge, chess and other favourite family games are being celebrated at the National Railway Museum, York on 13 April 2008...

New TV game launched
26 February 2008 - The English Bridge Union is delighted to announce it will be amongst the beneficiaries of BingoLotto – a new TV game, set up by the CCPR....

England hosts junior international bridge
11 February 2008 - Two of the most famous and exciting junior events of the British Isles - the Junior Camrose (under 25s) and Peggy Bayer (under 20s) Trophies are played each year between England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales....

Junior bridge player nominated for British Asian Sports Awards
23 January 2008 - Junior bridge player, Shivam Shah from Whetstone, North London has been nominated for the category of male junior sports personality of the year at the British Asian Sports Awards, after successfully playing bridge since he was four years old...

Online Women's Bridge Festival
22 January 2008 - There is to be an exciting and innovative new event organised by the World Bridge Federation and Bridge Base Online! It is an online Women's Bridge Festival, and will be held from 7 - 13 April ...

New electronic newsletter for bridge clubs.
10 January 2008 - The English Bridge Union released the first issue of their electronic newsletter - Club Focus today. The newsletter has been created to provide an interesting, informative and entertaining read for all bridge players in EBU affiliated bridge clubs...

Channel Trophy 2007 - excellent results for England team.
1 January 2008 - On 21 – 23 December 2007, three junior England bridge teams took part in the annual Junior Channel Trophy in Utrecht. After three days of excellent play, England finished first place in the Women’s and Schools competitions and third place in the Juniors competition..

Gold Cup results 2007
10 December 2007 - The Gold Cup is the most prestigious bridge Open Teams event in Britain and is organised by Bridge Great Britain. On the weekend of 8 – 9 December 2007 the semi finals and finals took place in Peebles, Scotland and saw excellent bridge by some of the world’s best players..

Best behaviour at bridge
3 December 2007 - In common with most bridge playing nations around the world, the game is suffering from a reduction in participating players. Primarily this is due to the ageing of the population and the reduction of younger people coming into the game. The English Bridge Union has a brief to develop the game and make it more accessible for people to play...

Unique bridge game in London
31 October 2007 - A unique and interesting game of bridge will be taking place in London on 1 – 2 November, pitting together the bridge playing talents of some of the greatest and world renowned players. Stakes will be high and tensions will be at an optimum level....

BBO announces investment from Bill Gates
15 October 2007 - Bridge Base Online, Ltd. today announced a change in the ownership structure of the company with the addition of three new investors: Bill Gates of Medina, Washington; and Sharon Osberg and David Smith of Tiburon, California. They join Fred Gitelman and Uday Ivatury, who both remain as significant investors....

Dimmie Fleming Award winners 2007
12 October 2007 - The English Bridge Union is proud to announce that five people have been awarded the prestigious Dimmie Fleming award for services to bridge. The awards are made specifically to publicly recognise those who have worked hard promoting bridge locally at County and Club level....

2007 World Bridge Championships: England women’s team taking part
24 September 2007 - The 2007 World Bridge Championships will be taking place in Shanghai, China from 29 September - 13 October 2007, with the England women’s team competing for the Venice Cup. The cup is awarded to the winner of the zonal competition for women players and was first
established in 1974 – this is the 16th competition. The team will be competing against twenty one
other national teams.

41st Brighton bridge summer meeting 2007
8 August 2007 - The 41st Brighton summer meeting is taking place this year from 10th August – 19th August at the Hilton Brighton Metropole. The event is Europe’s largest annual bridge tournament and will attract over 2000 players over the 10 day duration. Competitions range from seniors tournaments to international matches – broadcast on the internet.