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2027 Australian Youth Bridge Teams

2027 ABF Australian Youth Bridge Teams Selection Methodology
 

Under 26 (Open)

The selection process for the 2027 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 2027. All pairs and teams qualified are subject to ratification by the ABF.   
 

The ABF will provide support for the Under 26 team’s participation as ABF Australian Team Representatives in the World Youth Bridge Championships in Herning, Denmark from August 1-7, 2027.  Participants will need to comply with the International Representative Players Agreement (IRPA) and will be strongly encouraged to participate in organised training activities which may also include a pre-tournament training camp.  Representatives will also be strongly encouraged to help further youth bridge through activities that could raise the profile of youth bridge, support the youth bridge community or assist in fundraising activities. 

 

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 2027)

  • Under 21 (players aged 20 or younger as at 31 December 2027)

  • Under 26 Women (players aged 25 or younger as at 31 December 2027)

  • Under 31 (players aged 30 or younger as at 31 December 2027)

 

Selection Format

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

  • Phase 1 Following the conclusion of the 2027 Australian Junior Team Selection (AJTS), one pair may qualify for each of the U26W, U21 and U16 teams based on their AJTS results.
     

Places will be offered to the highest-ranked eligible pair (excluding u26 Open qualifiers) in each division, in the following priority order:

  1. Under 26 Women

  2. Under 21

  3. Under 16
     

Each pair will have until 9.00am on Tuesday January 19th to advise if they will be accepting their qualification.   

A pair declining an offer will not be eligible for a place in another division through Phase 1. Any unfilled positions will be determined through Phase 2.
 

  • 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 6-7 March 2027, concurrently with the Under 16 trials.

·         Nominations close Saturday, February 27th, 2027 at 1:00 pm AEDT

 

Application Deadlines

Applications for all divisions open Tuesday 19 January 2027 at 1.00pm

·         Under 26 Women: Saturday, 23 January 2027, 1:00 pm AEDT 

·         Under 21: Saturday, 6 February 2027, 1:00 pm AEDT

·         Under 16: Saturday, 27 February 2027, 1:00 pm AEDT

·         Under 31: Saturday, 27 February 2027, 1:00 pm AEDT

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Online Trials (if eight or more pairs enter a division or 2+ teams in the under 31s) or Interviews (if there are fewer than 8 pairs).

·         Under 26 Women: Saturday 30 January – Sunday 31 January, 2027, 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day

·         Under 21: Saturday 13 February 2027- Sunday 14 February 2027 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day

·         Under 16: Saturday 6 March – Sunday 7 March 2027 1:00–5:30 pm AEDT each day
 

If trials are not required, each applicant pair will be required to attend a 15-minute interview with the selection panel on Saturday afternoon.

 

For the U26W division, interviews may be rescheduled to accommodate selection panel members or applicants participating in the 2027 Brisbane Gold Bridge tournament.
 

Applicants are otherwise expected to be available during the advertised trial period. Requests for alternative arrangements will generally only be considered in exceptional circumstances and cannot be guaranteed.
 

Players will be subject to the applicable supplementary regulations or selection panel processes, details of which will be available when applications open.

 

ABF Ratification

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

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Purpose of the trials u26

The u26 Open Trials are used to select the Australian Representative Team to compete in the WBF World Bridge Championships in Herning Denmark from August 1-7.
 

By electing to contest the 2027 Butler at youth week, 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.


Purpose of the trials u26W, u21, u16 & u31
The ABF will fund and provide uniforms for all teams and fund entry fees and travel insurance for one supported tournament per team, as determined by the National Youth Coordinator.  This may include an Australian National Championship or international tournament.  The supported tournament will either be advised before applications open or with a minimum of 3 months’ notice.  If an alternative tournament opportunity arises that results in less than 3 months’ notice then a change may occur if all team members are agreed.
 

In the event that a player is not available for the supported tournament, the partnership will be removed from the team and a replacement pair will be appended (which may include a player from the original partnership).
 

By electing to nominate for an Australian Junior Team, players agree to attend any pre-determined supported tournaments if selected. Players under 18 years of age must be appropriately chaperoned. Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring familiarity with relevant ABF policies relating to junior players.

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Funding and Target Tournament – Under 26

The ABF will provide significant funding for the Under 26 team.

This will include:

  • provision of team uniforms

  • entry fees to the 2027 World Bridge Championships

  • travel insurance while attending the tournament

  • flight and accommodation travel subsidy, with the amount determined by ABF Board.  The subsidy is fixed and not subject to negotiation.
     

 

Funding and Supported Tournament – Under 16, Under 21 and Under 26 Women

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

  • provision of team uniforms

  • entry fees for one supported tournament

  • travel insurance while attending the tournament
     

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. Players are otherwise expected to self-fund any costs not covered by ABF support or fundraising initiatives. The National Youth Coordinator may assist in exploring additional funding options where appropriate.

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Funding and Target Tournament – Under 31

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

  • provision of team uniforms

  • entry fees to one supported tournament

  • travel insurance while attending the tournament
     

All other costs associated with attending the supported tournament, 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.
 

Future Commitments

The 2027 Australian Youth Team selections methodology and level of support does not represent an ongoing commitment by the ABF to future international representation for teams in these divisions, nor to future centralised fundraising activities.
 

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 ratification.
     

Player Commitment

  1. 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 in any other phase.
    b. Pairs or players who apply for selection in any youth team and qualify are expected to honour that commitment. Any subsequent withdrawal must be communicated promptly to the National Youth Coordinator.
    c) Withdrawal from a qualified or selected team outside of the 24 hour cooling off period without legitimate reason may be subject to disciplinary action and can also impact future selection and ratification to play in representative teams
     

  2. Availability for Target or Supported Tournaments
    a. By entering the trials, players indicate their availability to attend any target or supported tournament that is advised prior to the start of the selection tournament.
    b. Players must also ensure travel arrangements adhere to the IRPA and should also endeavour to be available for any organised activities such as pre-tournament training camps.  
     

  3. Training and Participation Requirements
    a. Representative players are expected to participate in regular training as determined by the Team Captain and National Youth Coordinator and also encouraged to attend the National Youth Sunday Sessions.

    b. Players must comply with the International Representative Player Agreement (IRPA), including showing respect for teammates, officials, and opponents, adhering to tournament rules, and making their best effort in all matches.
     

  4. Support of ABF Initiatives
    Players are expected to assist with ABF fundraising activities and support other youth bridge initiatives to further the game and profile of youth bridge where reasonably practicable.
     

  5. Behaviour and presentation
    The International Representative Player Agreement (IRPA) outlines the MINIMUM requirements for representatives at International Bridge Tournaments.  Representative players are also expected to uphold the following standards at any ABF Tournament:

    - Always maintain the highest standard of behaviour. - Not take any actions or engage in any behaviour in connection with any team member, the team, or any official to bring the ABF, any sponsors, or the game into disrepute

    – Show proper attitude and respect for all fellow team members, officials, and other participants - Properly accept and respect the authority and decisions of tournament organisers and officials and refrain from any type of rude, impolite, or inappropriate behaviour towards them. 

    - Comply with all directives given by the team captain and any team official at a tournament at which they are competing

    - Compete in all matches scheduled and always do their best

    - Be aware and comply with all tournament regulations of any tournament in which they compete

    - Maintain good health and hygiene standards

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Enquiries:
Laura Ginnan
National Youth Coordinator
youth@abf.com.au
 

Reference Documents:​

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