About Us
History
Christchurch Bridge Clubrooms
1954
The foundation members of the Christchurch Bridge Club were former members of the Crockfords Club committee who, when faced with continued rent increases, decided to purchase their own Club rooms. When a motion to this effect was narrowly lost at a special General meeting, the committee resigned and met on 24 April 1952 to form the Christchurch Bridge Club. In May a property at 319 Cambridge Terrace was purchased for $3,800, and in July, having more than the requisite 50 members, the club became affiliated to the NZ Contract Bridge Association.
In the latter half of 1968, with a vastly increased membership, the club purchased the site at 21 Nova Place. Here the first purpose-designed bridge club building in New Zealand was constructed, at a cost of $41,000, and occupied on 21 August 1969.
It is interesting to note that the 319 Cambridge Terrace and 21 Nova Place sites are diagonally opposite each other, on either side of the Avon River and are a mere 700 metres apart. Coincidentally, the Maori name for the area is Ōtākaro, "the place of a game", so called because Maori children played on the river banks while the adults gathered food.
In November 1975, during extensions and alterations, fire destroyed the clubrooms. However, Bridge continued over the fence in the Christchurch Rugby Club’s gymnasium through to April 1977 during the reconstruction period.
During the 22 February 2011 earthquake the clubrooms were completely destroyed again. With no rooms to operate from, members played at Bowls Papanui, Condell Avenue, until May 2013 when the newly constructed building was opened on 1 June 2013.
Christchurch Bridge Clubrooms
2021
This modern, architecturally designed facility, located just off Barbadoes Street, can be divided into three playing spaces. In addition, there is a teaching room, an administration office, a dealing room, a director’s platform and a well-equipped kitchen and bar. Carparking in front of the building is attractively landscaped with a well-planned traffic layout. Less mobile users can either be dropped off under cover of the portico at the front door or park in reserved spaces nearby.
Annual Reports
To see our Annual Reports and Financial Statements, please refer to the link below.
Club Committee
The committee consists of three officers: President, Vice President, and Treasurer; with six elected committee members.
Marilyn Copland
Vice President
Portfolios: Welfare, Communication, Supported Learning
Ian Southen
Committee member
Portfolio: Tournament
Club Constitution
The Christchurch Bridge Club Incorporated is a registered charitable organisation governed according to its rules as set down in the Club Constitution, registered with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies
Latest News
Please note the following changes in dates for: November Wednesday Tutorial: has been postponed until Wednesday, December 3rd. Friday Night Bridge: has been postponed from Friday 7th November to Friday 5th December. Saturday Night Bridge: has been postponed until Saturday 22nd November. Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Tournament Results: Canterbury Interclub Teams: Christchurch won the Canterbury Interclub Teams last weekend. The winning team members: OPEN: 1st Liz Fitzgerald / John Kruiniger and Pam Tibble / Sue Southen INTERMEDIATE: 2nd Jessie Pelenato / Leo Hammond and Jane Walders / Tina Sims JUNIOR: 2nd Robert Bijl /Bronwyn Bijl and Emma Fitzgerald / Finley Duncan Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
November Wednesday Tutorial: This has been postponed until the first Wednesday in December i.e. Dec 3rd. Friday Night Bridge: This has been postponed from Friday 7th November to Friday 5th December. Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
T ournament Results: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs Our best placed pair 88th of 818 – Fiona Temple / John Kruiniger Canterbury All Grades Open: 1st – Kathryn Tennant / Jane Lennon Restricted Open: 1st – Judy Parkinson / Megan Eddy Intermediate: 1st – Kat Holmes / Jessie Pelenato Volunteers wanted for the upcoming Tournament Director Assessment Weekend Dates: Sat 25/Sun 26/Mon 27 October The volunteers will be used for scenarios – they are ‘players’ at a table, we provided them with a situation and the directors each come over, one at a time, to make a ruling. We need 4 people at any one time. Sign up list on the foyer noticeboard or email the office. Canterbury Interclub Teams: Date & Time: Sunday, November 2nd, 10 am Venue: Crockford’s Bridge Club If you wish to be put forward for consideration to represent the Club please either enter your names in the foyer or email the Club. Entries can be as teams or pairs. The tournament sub-committee will select teams to represent the Club in the 3 categories: Junior, Intermediate, & Open (Categories based on NZ Bridge rating points). The Club pays for the entry fees. Sign up in the foyer or email the office. Obituary: It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Anna Bullen. She was a member here for over 50 years. A service to celebrate Anna’s life will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 2pm. Venue: St Barnabas Church, 8 Tui Street, Fendalton. Labour Weekend bridge sessions: The Sunday, and both Monday afternoon and evening sessions are open to all. Added 24-Oct-2025 Club Grade Promotions: Congratulations to the players who have been promoted. There is a list of names up on the foyer noticeboard. Interclub Team members representing the Christchurch Club: Congratulations to the following players who will be representing the club in the upcoming Interclub teams. OPEN Liz Fitzgerald / John Kruiniger Pam Tibble / Sue Southen INTERMEDIATE Jessie Pelenato / Leo Hammond Jane Walders / Tina Sims JUNIOR Robert Bijl /Bronwyn Bijl Emma Fitzgerald / Finley Duncan Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
Club Newsletters
Christchurch Bridge Club Sponsors and Advertisers
These businesses are supporting our Club:
- Airentals
- Apex Car Rental
- Cunningham Taylor Law
- David Lawrence Real Estate
- Fox & Associates Ltd
- Hamilton Hindin Greene
- John Rhind Funeral Directors
- Maxwell Plumbing
- Papanui Press
- Westende Jewellers
