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Marketing Materials

Marketing & Retention Support for Clubs

Effective marketing is about telling your club’s story in ways that attract and inspire people to give bridge a go. With a little planning, you can raise awareness in your local community, fill your bridge classes, keep learners engaged, and grow a thriving club culture.

See below for information on 1. Attracting New Members and 2. Retaining Members.

Here's a marketing planning template you can use: Club Marketing Plan Template (0.29MB)

Support is available

Please reach out if you have any queries: mel.auld@nzbridge.co.nz or Ph. 021 471 639

Mel Auld is NZ Bridge's Marketing Manager and here to raise awareness and attractiveness of Bridge on a national level and support clubs to attract new members and create a welcoming environment so that they stick around.

1. ATTRACTING NEW MEMBERS

Here's an update shared with regional committees and the NZ Bridge board in June 2025.

Marketing Attraction Initiatives - Update June... (1.57MB)

There are four requirements for clubs keen on attracting and retaining new members:

Ensure your local community knows about Bridge and your Club (awareness)
Ensure your local community knows that Bridge is fun for all ages (reputation, attractiveness, relevance)
Have multiple methods for people to find out that you're holding lessons or open days (it only takes one well-timed invitation when steps 1 and 2 are in place)
Become masterful at making your club a place where new players want to stay (a friendly, welcoming, encouraging environment)

These 6 methods are what most bridge clubs are using to achieve steps 1-3 above:

Word-of-mouth (encouraging existing members to spread the word)
Flyers (letterbox drops, flyers at local community centres/gyms/other clubs/libraries etc.)
Newspaper and radio community features (often free - can also tailor the media/PR stories below to suit your club and community and send to your local journalist with some quality images for some free coverage)
Signage (outside your club and at a prominent roadside)
Events (local markets, community gatherings - have a table of people playing and chatting to the public - NZ Bridge has an event marketing kit you can borrow - see below and email sonya.adams@nzbridge.co.nz for access)
Social media (free community page posts and paid advertising - NZ Bridge runs a campaign that your club can join for significantly cheaper than doing it yourself - see below)

Key messages to help promote Bridge:

Bridge – it’s a seriously fun card game
Make lots of new friends
Good for your memory
Challenging, competitive and exciting

Facebook campaign for clubs

Each year, NZ Bridge provides clubs with the opportunity to advertise their lessons on Facebook and Instagram in a low-cost way. Clubs only pay for the Facebook marketing costs - not the costs of designing the advert, setting up the campaign, monitoring and adjusting it, and reporting back (NZB will cover all of this). It's an efficient way to reach those most likely to be interested in Bridge in

your area to a) raise awareness of Bridge and b) encourage people to join lessons.

To find out more:

2025 Facebook campaign (PDF document 1.82MB)

Watch this Zoom recording held in October 2024

If you are interested please sign up at least 2 months before your lessons start. Here is the sign-up form.

Marketing Materials

Examples of marketing materials you could adapt for your own use - just contact mel.auld@nzbridge.co.nz to find out more

Large Posters advertising Bridge (13.72MB)

Regional Newspaper Advert example (0.03MB)

Newspaper Advert Example2 (1.00MB)

Magazine Advert Example (0.39MB)

Pull-up Banner Example (0.40MB)

Road Side Sign Example (5.91MB PNG file)

Event Marketing Kit

Event Mktg Kit post.png

A great way to invite people into Bridge is to have 1-2 tables playing at a community event, where interested

people can ask questions and find out more. NZ Bridge has an event marketing kit, designed to make your event stand more inviting and prof

essional. The only cost to clubs is freight. It comes with banners, flags, signs, costumes, bunting and step-by-step instructions.

Contact: sonya.adams@nzbridge.co.nz for more information.

With this kit, you'll have everything you need to create a memorable, professional display and engage with your audience. We even won an award at the Christchurch Agricultural Show because of it!

Media/PR Stories

Media Stories that can be adapted and supplied by clubs for local media

Regional Newspaper Editorial example - lessons (0.89MB Word document)

Media Story Example - The Resurgence of Bridge... (0.01MB)

Media Story Example - Mental Health Benefits (0.03MB)

Media Story Example - New Years Resolution (0.02MB)

Here is a Media Kit you can provide to journalists: Media Kit June 2025 (4.24MB)Kit

2. RETAINING MEMBERS

Here's an update shared with regional committees and the NZ Bridge board in June 2025.

Update on Marketing Retention Initiatives -... (0.57MB)

Bridge clubs thrive when their players feel supported, valued, and connected. Retaining players—especially in the early years after lessons and as life circumstances change—is key to building a strong and vibrant club. This guide and checklist offers practical steps to support new learners, keep mid-level players engaged, and reconnect with those who have drifted away.

Club Retention Guide and Checklist (3.90MB)

We know that people leave due to existing members not showing them the kindness and respect required for someone learning. It is critical that clubs have clear behavioural guidelines and act on any complaints received about inappropriate conduct. Here are some posters clubs can use to communicate behavioural expectations:

Club Conduct Poster 2024 (0.40MB)
Shorter Make Bridge Enjoyable poster (0.17MB)

You can also watch Jane Stearn's video on how to rejuvenate a bridge club