Developing bridge amongst young people

The rising stars or “Espoirs du bridge” include the following categories: “scolaire” (under 16), “cadet” (under 18), “junior” (under 25), under 21, 'girls' and university. The Société Générale is active in developing bridge playing for young people and supports the Junior, Under 20 and University teams.

Scolaires

Bridge has moved into schools at every level. Children aged 9 to 15 can take up this sport of the mind, with its principal attribute of stimulating mathematical reasoning while having fun!

More than 6000 children take part every year in these introductory sessions. The Société Générale provides support for this initiative.

The 2008/2009 SEASON

7th June 2009:   national under 16 final – FFB (Fédération Française de Bridge     - French Bridge Federation) Saint-Cloud

THE 2009/2010 SEASON

April-May:   regional elimination rounds of the French under 16  championship, all across France

6th June 2010:  national under 16 final – FFB Saint-Cloud

Cadets

In order to maintain continuity for young bridge-players developing in the school context, the “cadet” category has been created.
A cadet player is under 18 and has already learned to play bridge.

These young players develop their skills at a group or club within the federation structure.  They are trained by registered instructors.

Special activities are organised throughout the year.

There is a French championship for under 18 pairs.

International meets take place regularly.

Many events (festivals and regional tournaments) have entry conditions that are very attractive for young players. Travel is accompanied by adults.

In 2008 there were nearly 500 cadets registered with the French Federation.

THE 2008/2009 SEASON

9th/10th May 2009  national under 18 final for pairs – FFB Saint-Cloud

Juniors

• “Junior” players are under 25 and play at FFB clubs. Bridge clubs for junior players are regularly being formed in France under the label “Quai des jeunes bridgeurs” (young bridge player’s organisation): there are already clubs in Paris, Lyon, Reims, Rouen and Aix en Provence, with others currently being formed.

• Tournaments, festivals, national championships, selection tests for the national team: each season there are new dates for the “junior” calendar.

• In international competition, there is also an under 21 category and a “girl” category. In France these three categories are grouped together as the junior players.

• The French under 21 team are the world champions.

National competitions

THE 2008/2009 SEASON

14th/15th March 2009: Junior selection (National Assembly and FFB Saint-      Cloud) for the Junior European championship in Rumania in     July.

11th/12th April 2009:  Junior national finals for teams

THE 2009/2010 SEASON

10th/11th October 2009:   Junior selection for the Channel Trophy

31st October – 1st November 2009: Junior national finals for pairs

20th/21st March 2010:   Junior national finals for teams

International Championships

8th to 18th July 2009 :   22nd Junior European Championship

(Poiana, Brasov – Rumania)

15th to 23rd August 2009:   1st Junior Transnational world championship

(Istanbul - Turkey)

December 2009:    Channel Trophy

Under 21

International Championships

8th to 18th July 2009:   22nd Junior European Championship

(Poiana, Brasov – Rumania)

National competitions

THE 2009/2010 SEASON

10th/11th October 2009: training

Girls

International Championships

8th to 18th July 2009: 22nd Junior European Championship

(Poiana, Brasov – Rumania)

University

The Grandes Ecoles (France’s top universities: Centrale, Polytechnique, HEC, Supélec etc.) have a bridge group. There is a “University” category in international competition.

National competitions

THE 2009/2010 SEASON

2009 Academic year: University national Championship for teams

30th 31st January 2010: University national final for pairs

Bridge Summer Schools

Summer 2009:

An introductory and improver course for ages 10-17 has been organised for the 16th to 26th August at Bonnevaux (Haute-Savoie).