The UK Backgammon Federation
We returned to the historic setting of Coombe Abbey for another intense weekend of backgammon, and it was certainly a memorable time – helped along by some glorious weather allowing plenty of al-fresco games in the extensive gardens…
Those of you who were at Coombe Abbey on Sunday morning for the presentations will already know who our winners are – we’re delighted to re-announce them to the world! Many thanks to Simonetta Herrera for the pictures.
British Player of the Year: Jon Barnes
Certainly a category with a lot of strong contenders. Jon started the year with the World Doubles Championship in Monte Carlo with Eric McAlpine, and being part of the victorious St Albans A team. A year ago another doubles title came at the UK Open 2017 with Anna Clarke, then runner up at Brighton BIBA, and two UK Tour wins at West Yorkshire and Blackpool. He has continued his incredible form at Cambridge (quarter-finals) and Liverpool (semi-finals) respectively – and having got the award, a strong run in the UK Open 2018 Consolation followed.
Overseas Player of the Year: Akiko Yazawa
Twenty teams of five descended on Worcester last weekend to fight it out for the title of Champion Club – and for the first time in its seven year history, the Tutchings Trophy headed north of the Watford Gap as the North West League team of Brian Lever, Rachel Rhodes, Mark Calderbank, John Wright and Jonathan Wilkinson defeated a lot of tough opposition to claim the title.
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to send in nominations for the British Backgammon Awards. We’re now in a position to announce the shortlists. All the awards are really competitive and just being nominated is something to be proud of.
British Player of the Year:
International Player of the Year:
Tournament Director of the Year:
Club Organiser of the Year:
Most Significant Contributor to British Backgammon of the Year:
Board Designer of the Year:
Most Courteous / Sporting Player:
Voting is about to start on SurveyMonkey, and a link to access the voting page will be mailed out to members imminently. If you don’t receive yours or need assistance, drop julia@ukbgf.com a line. Voting will close at midnight on Friday 24th August and the winners will be revealed at the UK Open! To give you some help, Tim has penned some biographies of our leading players; read on…
In late 1985, my first week in Cambridge, I played my first game of backgammon over a physical board, and started spending evenings playing long sessions fuelled by Southern Comfort and lemonade. Even though I ended up organising the university club and running termly tournaments – and eventually winning the Michaelmas Tankard – I never imagined that many years later, I’d be inviting the UK’s top players back to where it all began for me. This weekend, 62 players descended on the University Centre to fight it out for the first Cambridge Open title.
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