The CBAI each season seeks nominations for the President’s Merit Award, with the President selecting the winner. This award is designed to recognise the unsung heroes and heroines of Irish bridge – the people who do all the hard work behind the scenes without which bridge in Ireland could not function, but without ever seeking official status or other recognition for themselves.
We are delighted to announce that Jim Doyle, from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, has been selected as this year’s winner of the President’s Merit Award on the basis of his tireless efforts on behalf of bridge in the south-east, and in Wexford in particular. Jim was nominated by several people, including the current South Eastern Region President and various others with first-hand knowledge of his work.
One nomination form encapsulated Jim perfectly: “Whether delivering lessons, mentoring new players, organising events, serving on committees, or simply being available to offer guidance and encouragement, Jim always puts the needs of the bridge community first”, while another simply said “Jim IS Wexford bridge!” Aside from all of these attributes, Jim is also a very fine and successful player, of course, and a complete gentleman who goes about his business in a most unassuming way. As another nomination put it: “Jim gives of his time quietly, without any fuss. He lets the actions speak louder than the words.” This is the perfect summary of the kind of contribution that the President’s Merit Award aims to recognise.
CBAI President John Phelan paid a surprise (to Jim, anyway!) visit to the Wexford Bridge Centre earlier this week to present Jim with his award, with Jim’s wife Clare and his family in attendance. John commented that he had known Jim for many years, and, as a near neighbour in Waterford, had watched with great admiration the enormous contribution that Jim had made to bridge in the region. In his reply, captured in this Facebook clip, Jim thanked all those involved in the award, and the surprise presentation, and said he was most humbled to have been chosen; even looking around the room, he could see others who had made every bit as big a contribution as himself, and said that he was delighted to accept the award on behalf of all those volunteers for bridge.
There were, as ever, several deserving candidates nominated for the Award this year, but there can only be one winner. We’re sure you will join us in congratulating Jim, and in acknowledging that his is exactly the kind of contribution that this award was designed to recognise. The behind the scenes work can be in teaching, in junior bridge, in work for clubs, or for regions. If there is someone you would like to nominate for next season’s award keep an eye on our website in November or December, when the 2027 award will be publicised.