Harold Hiley

One of a handful of players to be made an Honorary Life Member of the Queensland Bridge Association, Harold Hiley had a long and illustrious career both as a player and administrator. He was President for eight years between 1959 and 1970, and a member of many committees.

It is chiefly as a player, however, that Harold is remembered. Between 1946 and 1971 he played for the State at thirteen Australian national Championships, six times as captain. At state level, he was a member of the team, which won the Queensland Open Teams Championship on no less than seven occasions between 1960 and 1973.

His greatest achievements, perhaps, were in the Par Point competitions that were very popular in his heyday. Playing with M.J.Sullivan, he won the Australian Par Point Championship in 1943 and 1950, as well as the World Par Point Championship in 1940 and 1941. It was said of Harold that at his best, there wasn’t a better defensive bridge player in the game.

In his honour, the QBA has named the trophy for the Senior Pairs Championship of the State, the Harold Hiley Trophy. Further details of his career may be found in Mind Games – A Biographical History of Bridge in Queensland.