The official start of the 2008 Grand National Teams competition was in September 2007. District 8 has chosen to not hold club qualifying games or Unit playoffs, but to run the event as a District final, which is held in May. The District final hosts four separate flights, and the winning team from each flight qualifies to play in the national finals at the Summer NABC.
District 8 gives each of the four winning teams a cash award of $1000 to help with their travel expenses to the national finals. The District final event raises only a small portion of the $4000 awarded to our representatives.
Your club can help with these expenses by running special fundraising games for the Grand National Teams. These games offer sectional-rated masterpoint awards for an extra $1.00 per person entry fee, which is given to District 8 to help cover the travel awards.
To run the game, just select "Grand National Teams Fundraising game" when you set up the game in ACBLScore. No special sanction is needed, and this game does not replace your regular club championships or other special games. When the game is over, send a check for a total of $4 per table to Debbie Avery, District 8 treasurer at 1010 West Union, Champaign IL 61821. Please note "GNT fundraiser" on your check.
Please consider these games when scheduling the special games for your club. And remember, it's never too early to start forming your team for the District 8 Grand National Team final next May.