Waddington Shield in 2023-24

There is no significant change in the arrangements for the Waddington Shield in 2023-24.

The Waddington Shield is the county’s premier knockout competition for teams of four. Entry is open to players of all ranks. The winning team is eligible to represent Yorkshire in the EBU’s Pachabo Cup competition, entry fees paid by YCBA (see footnote). 

The entry fee will be £20 per team, a small reduction from previous years.

Matches are arranged privately and are 32 boards, played in sets of 8 boards, in all rounds up to and including the semi-final. The final will be 48 boards. It’s intended most matches will be played face-to-face but teams may, by agreement, choose to play online using the platform of their choice.

Because the Yorkshire Trophy has been re-designated as a Jack High event, there will not be a Plate competition for first round losers. In recent years when a Plate competition was scheduled, most teams preferred to opt out.

Entries will open on 1st September and close at the end of that month, with the first round to be played before 3rd December. The timetable thereafter will depend on the number of entries.

Note: The EBU’s regulations relating to the Pachabo Cup state that all players may only represent their County of Primary Allegiance (Yorkshire, for teams qualifying via the Waddington Shield). This restriction does not apply to the Waddington Shield itself.