Recognition of the game of Bridge as a sport and recreation for Bridge Clubs

Eligibility - Queensland residents
Principal Petitioner:
Elizabeth Gibson
Northern Suburbs Bridge Club
116 Gerler Road
Total Signatures - 155
Sponsoring Member: The Clerk of the Parliament
Posting Date: 17/10/2014
Closing Date: 31/1/2015
Tabled Date: 26/3/2015
Responded By: Hon Bill Byrne MP on 15/4/2015
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that there is a need for the guidelines/definitions for the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing to be amended to allow recognition of the game of Bridge as a sport and recreation for Bridge Clubs which are affiliated with the Australian Bridge Federation and the Queensland Bridge Association.

 

The department will not consider grant applications from Bridge Clubs and/or Queensland Bridge Association because by the terms of their current definitions they have determined that these not-for-profit organisations are not recognised as a sport or a recreation.

 

The International Olympic Committee has recognised the World Bridge Federation as a sport organisation and as such is subject to the same regulatory environment as any other Olympic sport. Bridge was a demonstration sport at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

 

Although Bridge provides only minimum physical exertion, it does provide a mentally challenging socially interactive activity which provides a human activity for the purpose of relaxation, health wellbeing and enjoyment. Medical research suggests that Bridge may help in reducing the occurrence of dementia. Physical fitness is required to compete at a high level in major competitions over several days.

 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to allow for Bridge organisations to be recognised as a Sport and Recreation to allow them on equal opportunity to submit grant applications which are administered by the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing.