Bridging the sports gap not yet on the cards

Ireland’s bridge chief has backed UK efforts to have the popular card game acknowledged as a sport. But he isn’t counting on trick-making replacing goalscoring on sports pages any time soon.

Sport England has consistently refused to recognise bridge as a sport, preventing it becoming eligible for funding and lottery grants. But a British high court ruling this week granted a full judicial review of Sport England’s decision. “There is nothing in the Sport England charter that limits sports to physical activities, and the health benefit of playing bridge is well documented,” argued Richard Clayton QC, representing the English Bridge Union.

Kate Gallofent QC, for Sport England, countered by stating there is an “absolutely clear bright line” between mind sports such as bridge and chess and conventional sports. Using snooker as an example, Gallofent made the distinction that “no-one else can take your shot”, whereas in bridge “somebody else could step up and play my cards for me.”