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Helman Klinger Award
There are two individual awards which together comprise the Helman-Klinger Award. Rabbi Leonard Helman donated the funds for this award to honour the contribution of Ron Klinger to Youth Bridge. The main award of $400 is for the under 26 year old (born on or after 1/1/75 this year) whose ability, achievements, sportsmanship, attitude, contribution and commitment during the calendar year are most deserving, as determined by a panel. Last year's winner was Mark Abraham from Tasmania (now at ANU in Canberra).
There have been four nominations for 2000's most prestigious award, the Helman-Klinger Award:
(1) Kylie Robb's biggest achievement this year was placing equal third in the first World Junior Individual tournament, called the Generali Individual, in Greece. Add in her results partnered by Tony Nunn (see above), her constant commitment to assisting the promotion of youth bridge in all ways, plus writing articles for newsletters and encouraging newer players, and she >is a strong contender for the Helman-klinger Award.
(2) Nathan van Jole from the Sunshine Coast area north of Brisbane has achieved results never seen before in Queensland by someone aged 16. He won both the Queensland Open Pairs and the Queensland Open Teams, which would be a remarkable double for anyone, let alone a teenager. Another top performance was 2nd place in the Barrier Reef Teams, a nationally-rated Gold Point event. Reports from senior Queensland players indicate that he meets the other requirements for this award too.
(3) Nic Croft. His biggest achievements in 2000 were winning the >Interstate Open Teams Championship as a member of the SA Open Team, and winning the Playoff for the 2000 Australian Youth Team, which led to a sound win over New Zealand. His behaviour and attitude at the table are a good role model for other youth players.
(4) Tony Nunn's achievements in addition to those listed above include victory in the NSW State Open Teams Championship. At age 22, he might have become the youngest player ever to win his state's Open Pairs/Teams double, except the Nathan van Jole had achieved the same feat a month earlier in Queensland. Tony was 4th in the National Open Butler, and throughout 2000 has maintained a cool calm demeanour at all times at the bridge table.
Keep in mind that achievement is just one of six criteria in determining the winner of this award. Kylie and Nic were both nominated in 1999 too. If you would like to nominate someone for an award in 2001, send an email to David Lusk, Peter Gill or the Webmaster.
The minor award is determined objectively, being the highest >masterpoint earner during the calendar year. Progress scores, including the leaders in each State at 31 November 2000 are:
Leading: Tony Nunn NSW 261.64
2nd: Jillian Hay ACT 193.13
3rd: Kylie Robb NSW 188.05
Qld Nathan van Jole 156.56
NSW Tony Nunn 261.64
ACT Jillian Hay 193.13
Vic Leigh Gold 278.19
Tas Adam Guarino-Watson 30.78
SA Nic Croft 161.35
WA Paul Brayshaw 102.96
Perhaps the most remarkable performance above is by 16 year old Nathan van Jole. Despite the fact that large wads of masterpoints are more diffficult to obtain in Queensland relative to the southern mainland States, he is the 6th highest youth player nationally. As Leigh Gold (278.19 masterpoints this year) is ineligible having won last year, the above figures indicate that Tony Nunn will win the Masterpoint section of the Helman-Klinger Award for 2000 and receive a prize of $200.
Any player can win each part of the Helman-Klinger Award only >once, and any pair can win the Hills Hurley Trophy only once.
The judging panels for the Awards are:
HKA: David Lusk, Peter Gill, Mark Abraham (last year's winner)
HHT: David Lusk, Peter Gill, Nic Croft and Luke Matthews (last year's
winners) and Steve Hurley.