Bristol Backgammon Sponsored Awards
Bristol Backgammon is fortunate that over the past few years various generous benefactors have made offers -- which have been gratefully accepted, of course -- to sponsor some special awards.
1000 to 1 award
The first of these was the 1000 to 1 award -- for a player winning ten successive matches in Bristol competition -- first sponsored by John Slattery late in 2001, and now sponsored by Roland Herrera.
Most Improved Player award
In 2002 Martin Hemming came up with the idea of an award for the player who had made the biggest improvement during the calendar year, and he was kind enough to sponsor this for eight successive years.
From 2010, however, Gaz Owen, with support from eXtreme Gammon, took over the sponsorship.
Rookie of the Year award
And then, for the first time in 2003, we had the award for the debut player making the most impact during the calendar year. This was initially sponsored by Gammonitis, and we were honoured to be the first club in the UK (and probably the only one?) to take advantage of this initiative.
Since Gammonitis has ceased to exist, the award has continued, and for the first time in 2009 was sponsored by Paul Gilbertson, initially with support from BIBA.
The Handicap Trophy
From 2005 Ed Turner has sponsored the Handicap Trophy, a prize which goes to the player gaining the most grand prix points in the year's series of six Handicap Knock-outs.
Sportsperson of the Year award
Starting in 2010, Blaine Buchanan set up an annual sportsmanship award, with a liquid prize from John Sprague of the Merchants Arms, Hotwells.
Starter for 10 award
And announced in January 2011 is a new open ended "free entry" scheme, also instigated by Gaz Owen, to sponsor a £10 entry fee for any new "Thursday" player entering one of our events.
Raising our Profile
Gaz has also provided a generous sum of money to be used for Raising our Profile.
Rankings Jump award
And Marcus Wrinch is also providing a high quality bottle of bubbly as the Rankings Jump award, for the player whose Bristol Ranking score rises the most during the calendar year.
Ladies' prize
Shadow Hamilton decided it would be a good idea to have a special prize for lady players. Hence the addition of the Ladies' prize, to be awarded to the lady who has made a special impact during the year.
Christmas Tournament
Steve Morris used to provide a bottle of bubbly to the year's winner of the Intermediates Trophy. More recently, he has switched his attention to our Christmas Tournament, where in 2011 he provided four winners with different kinds of bubbly.
To find out about these awards, click on any of the links above.
And if you are interested in any further sponsorship ideas, please contact Ian Tarr.
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