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At Mangawhai Bridge Club, age has never been much of a barrier to friendship, but for three of its newest members, it’s been a real education in just how sharp a 90-year-old mind can be.
Harry Bennett, John Rowlands and Victor Nolf are among the club’s newest members challenging the stereotype that bridge is only played by the elderly. All in their 30s, the trio completed the club’s annual 10-week beginners’ course earlier this year and are now regulars.
For Bennett, the attraction is the endless variety the game offers.
“Bridge is the pinnacle of card games. Every hand is a different and unique puzzle. If you fail to solve it, you’ll have plenty of learning material for the next one,” he says.
Bennett says playing with a partner adds to the depth of the game.
“Like any team sport, you get to share the highs and lows with someone. Bridge has taught me the importance of being a good partner, especially when things aren’t going your way.”
Nolf, an enthusiastic chess player, says the card game scratches a familiar itch.
“With the strategic thinking, reading your opponent and planning a few moves ahead, I’ve found bridge has a lot of crossover with chess,” he says.
“What I love about it is how it keeps you focused and grounded, especially when you’re playing well and feeling sharp. It’s also a great social game. You get to know people, and there’s always a laugh to be had, even when the hand goes wrong.”
Known around the club as “Irish John”, Rowlands completes the trio, bringing new energy to a club that has been part of the Mangawhai community for more than 40 years.
The local trend mirrors what is happening nationally, with younger players increasingly taking up the game.
At just 21, Leon Meier represented New Zealand at last year’s World Youth Team Championships in Denmark after learning bridge from his calculus teacher. His playing partner was 83-year-old Jan Cormack, who has represented New Zealand since 1977.
Closer to home, 28-year-old Matthew Brown, from Whangārei, is a member of New Zealand’s international bridge team, known as the Bridge Blacks. Brown represented New Zealand at the Bermuda Bowl in 2017 and was a member of the national Open team from 2016 to 2024.
Mangawhai Bridge Club runs a beginners’ course each year and is now taking expressions of interest for next year’s programme. People interested in learning bridge can email mangawhaibridgesecretary@gmail.com
