2026 Australian Youth Bridge Teams

ABF Junior Teams Selection – 2026

Under 26 (Open)

The selection process for the 2026 Australian Junior Team (Under 26) will remain consistent with the procedures adopted in 2025. Pairs will qualify through the Australian Youth Teams Championship and subsequently contest the Australian Junior Team Selection (AJTS), conducted over two stages. Players must be 25 years of age or younger as at 31 December 2026. All pairs and teams qualified are subject to ratification from the ABF.

The ABF will provide support for the Under 26 team’s participation as ABF Australian Team Representatives in the World Youth Transnational Championships in Hefei, China from August 3-8.

Additional Junior Categories

In addition to the Under 26 team, the ABF will consider ratification of further representative teams in the following categories:

Under 16 (players aged 15 or younger as at 31 December 2026)
Under 21 (players aged 20 or younger as at 31 December 2026)
Under 26 Women (players aged 25 or younger as at 31 December 2026)
Under 31 (players aged 30 or younger as at 31 December 2026)

Selection Format

Under 26 Women, Under 21, and Under 16 – Two-Phase Process

Phase 1: Upon conclusion of the 2026 AJTS, the highest-ranked pair from the qualifying results will be offered a place on a team according to the following order of priority:

1. Under 26 Women

2. Under 21

3. Under 16

· The highest ranked pair in this priority order will be offered one place on each team.

· Pairs will have 24 hours to confirm acceptance.

· If a pair declines the offer, the place will not be reallocated to another team within Phase 1, and the pair cannot take a place on a different team in this phase.

Phase 2: The remaining places will be filled through applications. Should eight or more pairs enter a division, an online trial will be conducted. If fewer than eight pairs enter, a selection panel will determine team composition.

Under 31 Teams

· Teams of three pairs may nominate.

· If multiple teams enter, an online trial will be held 28 – 29 March 2026, concurrently with the Under 16 trials.

· Nominations close Saturday, 21 March 2026, 1:00 pm AEDT

Application Deadlines

· Under 26 Women: Saturday, 21 February 2026, 1:00 pm AEDT

https://www.aussieyouthbridge.com/event-details/australian-under-26-womens-team-application-deadline

· Under 21: Saturday, 14 March 2026, 1:00 pm AEDT

https://www.aussieyouthbridge.com/event-details/australian-under-21s-team-application-deadline

· Under 16: Saturday, 21 March 2026, 1:00 pm AEDT

https://www.aussieyouthbridge.com/event-details/australian-under-16s-team-application-deadline

· Under 31: Saturday, 21 March 2026, 1:00 pm AEDT

https://www.aussieyouthbridge.com/event-details/australian-under-31s-team-application-deadline

Online Trials (if eight or more pairs enter a division or 2+ teams in the under 31s)

· Under 26 Women: Saturday 28 February – Sunday 1 March 2026, 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day

· Under 21: Saturday 21 March – Sunday 22 March 2026, 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day

· Under 16: Saturday 28 March – Sunday 29 March 2026, 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day

· Under 31: Saturday 28 March – Sunday 29 March 2026, 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day

ABF Ratification

All pairs and teams qualified or selected through the 2 phase process are subject to ratification from the ABF.

Purpose of the Trials

The trials will be used to select the only Australian teams eligible to participate as ratified ABF Teams at the WBF Transnational World Championships, to be held in Hefei, China from 3–8 August 2026.

By applying for the teams, players indicate their availability to attend the Championships should they be selected. Players under 18 years of age must be appropriately chaperoned, and parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring familiarity with all relevant ABF policies relating to junior players.

Funding and Target Event – Under 16, Under 21 and Under 26 Women

The ABF’s funding for the Under 16, Under 21 and Under 26 Women teams is limited to:

provision of team uniforms
entry fees to the World Transnational Championships
travel insurance while attending the event

The ABF Youth Coordinator will endeavour to support the U21, U16 and U26 Women’s teams through centralised fundraising initiatives and will assist players with applying for grants. If out-of-pocket costs cannot be fully covered. Players are otherwise expected to self-fund, and the ABF Youth Coordinator may help explore contingency funding options where needed.

Funding and Target Event – Under 31

The ABF’s funding for the Under 31 team is limited to:

provision of team uniforms
entry fees to the World Transnational Championships
travel insurance while attending the event

All other costs associated with attending the Championships, including travel, accommodation, and personal expenses, are the responsibility of each player. Where a player is under 26 years of age or requires assistance to attend, the ABF Youth Coordinator will endeavour to provide support through fundraising initiatives. The Under 31 Non-Playing Captain may receive a subsidy.

Future Commitments

The selection of the World Transnational Championships as the target event for 2026 does not imply any ongoing commitment by the ABF to future international representation for teams in these divisions, nor to future centralised fundraising activities.

The event has been selected for 2026 due to its comparatively lower costs, its suitability for emerging representative teams, and its alignment with the ABF’s broader youth development objectives, including the introduction of the Weekly Youth Training Program commencing April 2026.

Team Captains

Under 16 and Under 21: Appointed by the ABF
Under 26, Under 26 Women, and Under 31: Teams may nominate captains; all nominations are subject to ABF Board approval

Player Commitment

Acceptance of Selection
a. Participants in the Australian Youth Butler who qualify for a position on the Under 26 team commit to accepting that position and will not be considered for selection in any alternative youth team.
b. Pairs or players who apply for selection in any youth team and qualify or are selected must accept ABF ratification to participate on that team.
c. Withdrawal from a qualified or selected team without legitimate reason may be subject to disciplinary action.
Availability for World Transnational Championships
a. By entering the trials, players indicate their availability to attend the WBF Transnational World Championships in Hefei, China, from 3–8 August 2026.
b. Players should also be available for the anticipated travel period from 29 July to 9 August 2026, to allow for acclimatisation, pre-event training, and attendance at the opening ceremony.
Training and Participation Requirements
a. Representative players are expected to participate in weekly training and quiz sessions commencing April 2026, held on Sunday evenings from approximately 6:00pm AEDT.
b. Players must comply with the International Representative Player Charter, including showing respect for teammates, officials, and opponents, adhering to tournament rules, and making their best effort in all matches.
Support of ABF Initiatives
a. Players are expected to assist with ABF fundraising activities and support other youth bridge initiatives where reasonably practicable.