Thursday 24 November 2011

Young Pair of the Year Award - 2010

The 2010 award for Young Pair of the Year goes to a young pair who have made great progress in a short period of time: Tommy Brass and Alex Roberts.

Despite only joined the squad in the autumn of 2009, 2010 has seen them achieve many good results, particularly at the European Youth Pairs where they narrowly missed out on a medal in the last few boards, and at the Channel Trophy where their slam bidding was responsible for many swings to England.

Their attitude is always positive, and even after a poor result the only thing you will see is laughter - and maybe a sheepish grin!

English Bridge, October 2011


Young Player of the Year Award - 2010

The 2010 Young Player of the Year award goes to Graeme Robertson, who has been a member of the Junior Squad for over five years, gaining in ability and talent throughout this time.

2010 was his highpoint as a player, as he represented England in not just one but two World Championships. In July he travelled to Taiwan as captain of the Cambridge University team in the World University Championships, having qualified by right by winning the Portland Bowl (the England universities championship). His team finished creditably considering their inexperience but Graeme's performance was first class: he played in every match and was awarded the Paul Magerman Trophy for the best defended hand, for his inspired defence to beat a 4 spade contract.

Last October he travelled to Philadelphia as part of the Under-21 team in the Junior World Championships. Graeme was part of the anchor pair that played every single board in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the event, and his performance was critical in the teams phenomenal recovery against the Netherlands.

His sense of humour and amusing story-telling provide light relief in even the darkest of times, and he is a credit to the squad.