Ben to represent England whilst supporting new talent at LGS

Ben Norton (LGS 2015) will soon be representing England in the European Bridge Championships and with him only being 26, he is one of the youngest to be selected to represent the country. Ben has been regularly volunteering his time to help our young bridge team at Loughborough Grammar School, with the team doing well against other schools, narrowly missing out on winning the schools cup for the past two years.

Ben is now a professional bridge player. Sponsors pay him and his bridge partner to play as their teammates in tournaments around the world. Ben says: ‘The European and World Championships are a bit different in that I’m representing my country rather than playing for a sponsor. They’re the very top tournaments in the game. The European Championships will take place in Denmark this June. If we do well, we will qualify for the World Championships next year.’

Ben also writes bridge columns and various online articles, with him having his first book published last year.

Ben’s love of bridge was developed at an early age, with him playing with his Grandparents and his Great Uncle. He says: ‘I took to the trick-taking aspect and learnt the rudiments of bridge when I went to the Grammar School. I then ventured to the local bridge club, where I gained playing experience and the basic tools (known as conventions) used in the bidding phase of the game. I just never stopped playing bridge from there, playing regularly and reading a lot.’

For Ben, bridge is an intellectual challenge as well as being intensely competitive and rewarding. He says: ‘You really must keep your wits about you at the bridge table. Miss something and it’s likely that the whole hand will collapse. The bridge world is also full of very interesting and eccentric characters, making the social element of the game appealing too.’

Ben has been volunteering at the Loughborough Grammar School Bridge Club weekly, with students attending during their lunchtimes. He says: ‘I come every week and watch the students play some hands that I’ve created to demonstrate a particular point. There’s one hand for each of the students to play and that hand is personalised to their level and weaknesses. After they’ve completed each hand, the cards are all turned over and we discuss what might and perhaps should have happened differently. After we’ve completed all four of the hands, some new hands are randomly dealt and I watch and comment, or sometimes take part if they’re a player short.’

Ben enjoys his time back at LGS and says that he feels lucky to work with some very talented and keen students who have shown clear improvement. He is very proud of a particular student, Thibault in Year 13 who he mentors – he currently plays for the England under-21 team and recently achieved his first international cap.

LGS has been doing well in national competition against other schools and has narrowly missed out on winning the Schools Cup for the last two years, coming second on each occasion.

Teacher of Mathematics Duncan Happer (LGS 2000) and the teacher responsible for the Bridge Club says: ‘Since leaving LGS Ben has quickly risen to the top of Bridge in England and he is now a regular player on the European and World stage. Ben is keen to ensure the future of the game and he brings his experience and expertise to our Wednesday lunchtime club. He gives our A Team unique access to his tremendous knowledge and skill. The boys have embraced the privilege of having Ben coach them and have thoroughly enjoyed his sessions, which have inspired them to take bridge further.’

In 2022, Duncan was presented with the Alec Salisbury Award for Services to Education, an award that recognises a schoolteacher who has contributed significantly to Youth Bridge. Since returning to LGS in 2004 as a staff member, Duncan has been the driving force behind the Bridge Club and has been the host of the Youth Bridge Challenge.