Te Anau Bridge Club is a well-established and highly regarded bridge club located in the heart of Te Anau on State Highway 94. The club was formed in the late 1960s by local bridge enthusiasts who desired a more organised and competitive playing environment than the casual rubber bridge games played at home. Mrs. Cit Excell was elected as the first president of the club, and the current president is Mrs.
Margaret Hughes.
With its affiliation to the New Zealand Bridge Association since September 1970, Te Anau Bridge Club boasts a membership of approximately 60 players. The club offers regular online bridge games on Monday nights at 7pm, providing both club members and casual players with an opportunity to enjoy the game. The cost is $5 per night per player or a discounted annual subscription of $20 for club members. Non-members can also join in the online games by purchasing an annual subscription for $25.
Interested individuals who are new to bridge can contact Mrs. Jill McChlery for details about bridge lessons.
Te Anau Bridge Club plays its games at the Te Anau Bowling Club, which is located at 26 Luxmore Drive in Te Anau. The club's contact number is 03 249 7369. Membership subscriptions amount to $70 per year and are due by January 30th. Subscriptions can be paid directly to the club's bank account.
Over the years, Te Anau Bridge Club has celebrated many milestones and achievements. Notably, the club held its 50th-anniversary celebration on October 12th, 2019. Olive Lady Hutchins and Mrs. Margaret Tiplady were honoured with the task of cutting the 50th Jubilee cake.
In addition, Margaret Cockburn and Margaret Hughes received Certificates of Merit at the club's 2021 prize giving for their outstanding contributions to bridge at the national level.
Te Anau Bridge Club is also part of the Otago Southland Regional Bridge community. The regional committee serves as a local link between clubs and the National Body, coordinating club activities, arranging tournament schedules, and providing a unified body for the promotion of the game in a regional context. While the committee does not directly organise bridge at the club level, their members are experienced and available to provide advice and assistance upon request.
In addition to the love of bridge, Te Anau offers an array of scenic attractions and adventure activities for visitors to enjoy when they're not playing cards. The region is also known for its wineries in Central Otago, making it a great destination for bridge enthusiasts looking for a memorable experience both at and away from the bridge table.
For those interested in joining Te Anau Bridge Club or getting in touch with the club, their secretary, Mrs. J. Ciaffoni, can be contacted at 021 116 9040 or by mail at 472c Te Anau/Milford Highway, Te Anau 9679. Enquiries can also be made via email at teanaubridgeclub@gmail.
com.
Overall, Te Anau Bridge Club offers a welcoming and competitive environment for bridge players of all levels, with a commitment to providing enjoyable bridge experiences both in-person and online, while also contributing to the promotion and growth of bridge in the Otago Southland region of New Zealand.