NSWBA Transition

NSWBA Restructure Update

In January 2023, John Scudder, the Chairman of the NSW Bridge Association (NSWBA), advised of the major recommendations of the NSWBA Strategic Review and shared the executive summary of that report.

To repeat, the major recommendations and priorities of the strategic review were for the NSW Bridge Association Limited, which currently owns Sydney Bridge Centre, to:

create clear legal separation between the NSW state peak body (which manages bridge across NSW and supports all affiliated clubs) and the local Sydney club; and
reassess the sustainability and strategic desirability of owning the 162 Goulburn premises, and sell if needed.

The aim of these recommendations is to create long-term success through clear purpose and objectives, and clearly aligned resources for both:

a NSW state bridge body, working with and on behalf of all affiliated clubs across NSW; and
a flourishing bridge club in the centre of Sydney.

Since the update sent in January, several changes have occurred:

Three working groups have been set-up to determine and allocate responsibilities, make recommendations for each group, and liaise with you where necessary:

Strategy Core Group (SCG), being four representatives of the NSWBA Council (former and current), to govern the overall strategic review project, determine the legal structure and change process, and assess timing options.
Sydney Bridge Centre Working Group (Club WG), comprising 10 members representing Sydney Bridge Centre. This group have met several times since February 2023, and have begun to plan for the changes to the constitution, premises options, budgeting, and resource requirements.
New South Wales Working Group (State WG), representatives from several affiliate clubs across the state (including Sydney) met in late March to commence agreement on a governance structure and how they wish to work, define their purpose and objectives, and determine necessary committees and focus areas.

Creation of a Transition Project Manager role, a temporary part-time position to assist the NSWBA implement the agreed change in direction. This role has now been appointed, and I am really pleased to take on this role to help secure the long-term success for bridge across NSW and within the Sydney metro area.

A draft timeline has been developed with the aim of collaboratively agreeing a fair and amicable separation, plan for a smooth transition, and set-up both organisations for long-term success.

The NSWBA has already consulted widely in surveys, focus groups, and workshops, for your input on the need for change and the desired direction. All feedback has been captured, documented and considered. Please contact me at this email address (pm.transition@nswba.com.au), or face-to-face if you see me at an event, if you feel you have something important that remains unsaid, or have other key feedback.

Part of my role is to update you regularly on planned changes and timing. I expect to send you updates like this every few weeks to help keep us all aligned and informed.

Thank you for your help and support,
Jake Andrew
NSWBA Transition – Project Manager
31 March 2023