Directors Accreditation
To become qualified at club level, directors usually attend a Director's Course and then sit an open book exam paper, which can be completed in the candidate's own time. There is no charge for sitting this exam which is available through the NSWBA. Ask for the ABF Proficiency Assessment Paper which is also available by contacting the ABF National Director Development Officer at .
There is no fee for club level directors (Grades D and C2).
Directors at National, State or Congress level are required to register directly with the NSWBA and pay an annual accreditation fee of $50. (Clubs are welcome to pay this on behalf of their congress directors if they so choose.)
Clubs should use a licensed senior director (Grade C2 and above) to run a congress, but may use a suitably qualified unlicensed senior director for an extra fee of $20.
Grade A - NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Grade A will only be available through the Australian Bridge Federation (ABF) National Accreditation Scheme.
Grade B - STATE DIRECTOR
Promotions to this grade are by the NSWBA Council on the recommendation of the Head of State Director Accreditation, on the basis of extensive experience and demonstrated competence in directing.
Grade C - CONGRESS / CHAMPIONSHIP DIRECTOR
C1 - Congress Directors. Directors with extensive experience who have passed the Grade C exam and any required practical exam.
C2 - Championship Directors. In most cases these will be senior directors at club level. They will have passed the Grade C exam*, be capable of running all major club events and should be in a position to advise and assist less experienced directors within their club.
Grade D - CLUB DIRECTOR
Club directors will have passed the ABF Club Proficiency Assessment Paper (previously referred to as the Grade D exam). They are competent to direct normal single session events at club level.
EXAMS
Directors exams are available from the NSWBA. The fee for marking the Grade C is $35. There is no fee for the ABF Club Proficiency Assessment Paper.
COURSES
Courses for Club Directors (Grade D) are run twice a year in Sydney and occasionally at country clubs if there are enough participants to be viable. Clubs should contact Ian Lisle at .
There is no course for Grade C. Directors wishing to upgrade to this level should gain experience by assisting directors at congresses and state events before completing the Grade C exam.
GRADING REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTERPOINTING
The following requirements have been set by the ABF for the award of masterpoints:
* Congress events require a director of Grade C1 or higher.
* Super Congress events (Grade B3 masterpoints) require a director of Grade B or higher.
At the present time, there are no other restrictions on the level of directors.