[1] ENGLISH CURLING ASSOCIATION June 2009 - Issue 24 NEWSLETTER It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this, issue 24, of the English Curling Newsletter. We got a wonderfully positive response from the last issue (issue 23) and we hope to maintain your interest throughout this issue. We are pleased to see a number of new contributors from various clubs and associations. We have reports across a range of competitions and based on articles from the last issue. There are reports on the Seniors games in New Zealand together with reports on the Mixed Doubles and the Junior events. We have articles based on our ‘Outdoor Curling’ in the last edition written by players who have participated in this fantastic form of play and we have an article on the English Curling Forum along with so much more. So we suggest that you grab a cup of tea, open a packet of biscuits and settle down into a comfy chair and enjoy this, the 24th issue of the English Curling Association newsletter. We thank the contributors to this edition and hope that more of you would like to contribute ideas and articles for the next edition. Please. Finally, if you have any comments on this edition or ideas for the next then please let Steve Scanlan (see last page) know. Enjoy. The Editor IN THIS EDITION President’s Letter Developments in Curling Club News Dope or not? Upcoming Competitions World Curling News Why curl outdoors (Part 2)? FUN Hot News £1(or subscription to ECA)
Transcript
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ENGLISH CURLING ASSOCIATIONJune 2009 - Issue 24
NEWSLETTERIt is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this, issue 24, of the English Curling Newsletter. We got a wonderfully positive response from the last issue (issue 23) and we hope to maintain your interest throughout this issue.
We are pleased to see a number of new contributors from various clubs and associations. We have repor ts across a range o f competi t ions and based on articles from the last issue. There are reports on the Seniors games in New Zealand together with reports on the Mixed Doubles and the Junior events. We have articles based on our ‘Outdoor Curling’ in the last edition written by players who have participated in this fantastic form of play and we have an article on the English
Curling Forum along with so much more.
So we suggest that you grab a cup of tea, open a packet of biscuits and settle down into a comfy chair and enjoy this, the 24th issue of the English Curling Association newsletter.
We thank the contributors to this edition and hope that more of you would like to contribute ideas and articles for the next edition. Please.
Finally, if you have any comments on this edition or ideas for the next then please let Steve Scanlan (see last page) know.
Enjoy.
The Editor
IN THIS EDITION President’s Letter Developments in Curling
Club News Dope or not? Upcoming Competitions
World Curling News Why curl outdoors (Part 2)? FUN Hot News
£1(or subscription to ECA)
[2]
June
ENGL
ISH C
URLIN
G
I was struggling to know what to write for this article. Someone suggested a discussion on whether girls are better than boys – but that’s obvious so wouldn’t need any discussion.
By the time you read this, I will have handed over the mantle of the presidency of the ECA. I have really enjoyed my time in the role and hope to continue to be involved in some way for a number of years to come.
There have been a lot of highlights over the last few years:
• I was present at the dissolution of the BCA and creation of British Curling;
• I travelled to Copenhagen to support our junior women’s team in their first (of many, hopefully) European challenge competition;
• I have attended three RCCC awards dinners as a guest of British Curling;
• As WCF and ECF representative I have attended meetings at E u r o p e a n a n d W o r l d championships;
• We have seen the first dedicated cur l ing r ink establ ished in England;
• A new club emerged as a result of the increased interest in the new rink;
• T h e w o m e n ’ s t e a m a r e competing in the A group at the Europeans for the second year in a row; and
• England is seriously considering a bid for a future European Championship.
Please remember that the ECA’s involvement in British, European and World events and organisations would not be possible without the support of you, the members.
Having believed that the last few years were difficult - with the divide between the established curlers predominantly in the north and the newer curlers in the south - I think we are now entering a very exciting opportunity, the recent ECA AGM united the country in a common goal, to drive forward English Curling.
At times the last few years have been difficult, as the links between the established curlers predominantly in the north and the newer curlers in the south have not been properly forged but I think we are now entering a very exciting era and I think the recent ECA AGM united the country in a common goal, to drive forward English Curling. WE NEED YOUR HELP
At the AGM a number of new volunteers came forward and as we enter this new phase I am now asking more of you to please get involved in your club and the ECA. The 2010 Olympics will put curling in the public eye again and there are opportunities to use that to promote our sport. This is our opportunity to take English Curling into a new and exciting future. Lets all join together to be the new face of curling in England.
Sarah McVeyPresident ECA
Letter from the President
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CLUB
NEW
S 20
09June
Club activities next season
The committee had a meeting a few weeks ago to brainstorm some ideas for the new benefits we can offer our members given that our previous main function, the responsibility for running all regular curling, has now been taken over by the rink. We concluded that the best people to decide what the club should be offering are you, the members, so the committee will be contacting all SECC members in person to find out:
If you understand the new membership format for curling at Fenton's Rink next season.
What you would like the SECC to offering you next season and
What you think of the committee's ideas for next season
As you know Fenton's Rink will be organising regular leagues on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and once a month Saturday leagues next season. The SECC Committee believes that the SECC's role next season could be to arrange: Coaching for beginners and intermediates (initial thoughts are to have a small clinic once a month at the weekend) Social events (e.g., pub lunch/walk in Kent during summer) Organise competitions outwith the regular leagues (e.g., Open Invitation, Mixed Doubles)
Would you mind if one of us gave you a quick ring to discuss your views? What would be the best number to contact you on? Please feel free to contact us in the meantime if you have any other thoughts that you would like us to share with others
The ECA AGM
The ECA held its Annual Meeting in Sheffield on 31st May 2009. There was much discussed and if you missed it you missed the opportunity to curl out of season too.
For those of you who could not make the meeting but are keen to know what happened, we have posted the goings on live from the meeting to the club website at www.southofenglandcurlingclub.com so you should be able to interact with your reps on matters relating to the ECA.
Rink membership
As Susan has already mentioned, your membership application/curling intentions forms were due back by the end of May so if you plan to curl at Fenton's Rink next season then please get these back to Lizzie as soon as possible. We also urge you to indicate that you would like to become SECC members again. This is not a binding commitment at this stage but will aid the club in making sure all those interested can be sent the separate club membership application. We appreciate that you may wish to postpone your final decision on whether or not to rejoin the SECC until we have finished our consultation and have some concrete benefits on membership to offer you so we will try and do this as soon as we can.
This event which dates back to 1897 is organised on behalf of the 1st Engl ish Prov ince by Preston Curling Club. T h e v e n t h a s b e e n played at the North West Castle Hotel for almost 30 years. It has been played in various rinks before that including Haymarket (Edinburgh), and Manchester.
T h e e v e n t h a s a magni f icent array of trophies, including the I’Anson Trophy – ‘much bigger and better than the FA Cup’! The Meggat is a beautifully crafted rose bowl mounted on t h r e e s i l v e r c u r l i n g brooms. The other two trophies have their own unique history – The L iverpoo l Centenary Trophy and the Stroyan Cup.
Last year a number of n e w r i n k s e n t e r e d , including the new English Men ’s Champions – Jamie Malton’s rink. (Not forgetting that Sandra Moorcroft stepped in as a sub). The I’Anson has no fixed format of gender balance in teams – rinks can play in any order and balance. This is perhaps o n e o f t h e u n i q u e features, allowing for c o m p e t i t i v e c u r l i n g without the strict limits of some competitions.. We
aim to research the history of the event and produce an article for future editions.
M e a n w h i l e w e c a n extend an invitation to enter this year’s event from Friday afternoon 20th to Sunday 22nd November. The limit is for 16 rinks. Phil Atherton w i l l n o d o u b t b e considering how he can retain his trophy won in a closely contested event.
New members
Preston welcomes two new curlers next season. Brian Turnbull is one of Kirkcudbright members and now joins our ranks. Drew Gill, is a new curler in the secretary’s Fife Club – Inverkeithing. He started playing last year a n d s h o w e d g r e a t enthusiasm and no mean ability. In one of his former sporting lives – Drew was the fast and j i n k y w i n g e r i n t h e Scottish Rugby team in the early 70’s, and the Gala 7’s team that swept the deck at Melrose sevens for several years on the trot.
We have a core group of approximately 18 curlers – allowing four rinks per event. There are times w h e n w e a s p i r e t o recreating the ‘old’ days when a bus load of curlers would spend the
day in Lockerbie – taking a slow route home via one or two hostelries!! C e r t a i n l y w e w o u l d welcome the challenge of having more members and needing more ice.
Programme
The Club has series of nine 1 day events (2 sessions) on Thursdays throughout the season. Our first event (date to be confirmed) is on 1st October – the Herman Trophy. Our season i n c l u d e s a n n u a l challenge matches v Dalbeattie Club and The Welsh CA.
Lockerbie Ice Rink
The ice rink has had new facilities added last year, p r i n c i p a l l y t o a d d disabled access and more office space. There is a current campaign to raise funds to add a new de-humidifier for next season. The equipment would improve the air quality – much drier and reduce the occasional frosting that can occur on the stones. Having noted the benefits we continue to be very pleased with the keen and consistent ice provided at the rink.
Phil BartonCLUB
NEW
S 20
09June
PRESTON CURLING CLUB
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A season of fun and excitement was had at the Glendale Curling club. Here we list the winners of the prest ig ious cups and awards celebrated and contested at the Glendale club in 2009.
Congratulations to all our winners and unlucky all you who tried so hard and offered such good games (there is always next year).
GLENDALE CC Mrs Greg Thompson Open
(Prizes sponsored by the President)WINNERSJames DixonJoan Dixon
If I had a pound for every time someone laughs incredulously at me if I mention that I am the Doping Convenor for the English Curling Association, I would be a very wealthy lady!!
Assuming, that in all cases, these people understand what the sport of curling is, they can’t understand where drugs or “prohibited substances” might be involved.
So the question I am asking each of you, therefore, is do you know what your responsibilities are, if any, in relation to the Anti-Doping rules of the Association and whether they apply to you? Equally do you know why there are Anti-Doping rules in existence in our sport?
FUNDAMENTAL RATIONALE FOR THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE
“Anti-doping programmes seek to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as “the spirit of sport”; it is the essence of Olympism; it is how we play true. The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind, and is characterised by the following values:
• Ethics, fair play & honesty• Health• Excellence in performance• Character and education• Fun and joy• Teamwork
• Dedication & commitment• Respect for rules and laws• Respect for self and other participants• Courage• Community and solidarity
Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport.”
Curling is an Olympic sport and all Olympic sports have to abide by the World Anti-Doping Code – there is no choice in the matter!
The World Curling Federation, and therefore the English Curling Association, forbids doping and
maintains an active policy to prevent the supply and taking of “prohibited substances” to or by
athletes, coaches, umpires, officials or other individuals involved with the conduct of the sport of curling. These “prohibited substances” and “methods” are those which have been shown to affect an individual’s physical or mental condition and thereby influence the sporting performance of athletes.
Still with me?! I haven’t really even scratched the surface yet but if space permits in the newsletter, I may put some further words together for the next edition. Alternatively, I may not be asked as for many of you, it is not the most exciting of subjects!! So if you have reached this part of the article, thank you for taking the time to do so.
Alison ArthurDoping ConvenorEnglish Curling Association
Doping is fundamentally contrary to the
spirit of sport.
ANTI-DOPING
IN CURLING
HUGS NOT
DRUGS
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ECA ElectionsThe following post holders were agreed at the AGM after voting on nominations. Congratulations to all of you and thank you from the ECA members for your continued contribution to the sport of curling in England.
• President - Stephen Hinds• Secretary - John Brown• Treasurer - Sandra Moorcroft• Ladies Branch President - Nicola Woodward• WCF Reps - John Brown and Sarah McVey• ECF Rep - Sarah McVey• British Curling Reps - Sarah McVey and Andrew Reed
• Area Reps - • James Hustler and Sam Fowler (South), • Phil Atherton and Phil Barton (NW), • James Dixon and Harvey Curle (NE)
• Competitions - Phil Barton• Doping Convener - Alison Arthur• Facilities - James Gibb• Clothing and Kit - John MacDougall• Website and Newsletter - Steve Scanlan
We continue to have other posts available that need filling. If you wish to play a role in English curling then please ensure you read the next edition of this newsletter for more details.
2009 AGM2009 AGM Feedback
Curling at the AGMAt this years AGM there was a fantastic opportunity to play a game of curling on different ice in a match between the payers in the North and South of the country. The ice was prepared by Steve Scanlan - Lord help us and the teams picked by Phil Barton, Games convener.
It turned out that after a faltering first two ends the ice got very keen and was extremely playable. In fact it was commented upon positively in the AGM meeting following the games.
The games were well fought and the final score of North 16 - 16 South was reflective of the quality of the games. Everyone stated that it was a fun event and that it should be repeated next year.
The AGM was held on the 31st May 2009 in iceSheffield. The turnout was extremely good, possibly enhanced by the newly introduced open forum and curling ice available on the day.
There will be a full report in the next edition of the Newsletter but for now, here are some of the highlights.
• Great curling competition between North and South (see below)
• Open Forum - discussion of contemporary issues in English Curling, ideas for development of the sport and opportunity to make your view heard.
• Focused AGM with clear goals and objectives
• Passionate view of English Curling’s future.
The AGM was a positive step forward for English Curling and all those present walked out with a greater understanding of the sport’s goals and drivers together with a view of the pressures on the sport. A great AGM and if you were not there then you have missed out. Don’t miss out next year.
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Upcoming CompetitionsWest Swedish
Curling Bonspiel28-30th Aug 2009
Questions and Entry to: Alexander Nordgren - President, West Swedish Curling Association
Team England - John Brown, Phil Barton, John MacDougall and Robin Gemmell
Dunedin in New Zealand is a long way to go to play 5 games of curling – even longer when you end up shaking hands after 6 ends in 3 of those games!!
The team of John Brown, Phil Barton, John MacDougall and Robin Gemmell arrived in Dunedin via various routes (Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles) full of high hopes that they w o u l d a t l e a s t m a t c h p re v i o u s performances of at worst 9th position.
The venue that greeted them was well laid out and a new club room (so new that there was no carpet on the floor) accommodated spectators, teams for after game drinks, the official team meeting and also the opening banquet marked by the mayor of Dunedin bursting into song – wonder if Boris will do that in 2012?.
The rings in the competition arena were black and silver and white in recognition of the host country and the 5 sheets were all prepared to a high standard by the Canadian ice-makers. Alongside was another 4 sheet curling rink (also used for figure skating) which had been built as a result of a benefactor putting up the whole of the NZ$350,000 required to install it!
Practice went well – the ice was keen and consistent across all the sheets and the stones were good and there appeared to be no obvious rogue ones. And so after the opening ceremony, the first game. For us it was against Japan and the team had a connection to English curling.
In 2002 two Japanese curlers had come across to England on business and had been wined and dined by the London club and then travelled to Perth to watch the Engl ish Championsh ips. The Japanese team were all members of the same club in Hokkaido and John was much in demand for photographs to send back to Hiro in Japan.
By the close of the first end John was probably being feted as a ‘hero’ in Japan as a tactical error meant that we lost a 4 rather than a 2 at the first end, and things went downhill from there on the way to a 2-10 loss!! This habit of losing a big score at the first end continued against Scotland in the next game (3 and defeat
by 2-10) and then also in the last game against Australia (3 again and defeat by 5-8).
Against Hungary things looked good after 4 ends with the score at 6-2 but then the 4th end break of 5 minutes, as so often, turned the game and Hungary came back to win 7-6. That leaves the game against Canada and surprisingly this was all square after two ends at 1-1, though our score was meant to be a blank end. Because we fai led to blank, the Canadians then took a 3 with last stone at the next end.
After the game which we lost 2-10 the Canadian skip was very gracious in saying that they were struggling for the first two ends as we were not missing anything!!
So a very poor performance ended up with 5 losses and 6th and last place in the Group. In the other Group Italy also lost all their games and so to decide 11th and 12th positions the Draw Shot Challenge was used (explained below). In this we were better than Italy and so can claim 11th, rather than 12th place!!
What is the Draw Shot Challenge? The first thing to know is that in World and European Championships each team has a pre-game practice session of 9 minutes. At the end of their respective sessions one member of each team throws a stone to the circles and its finishing position is marked and noted. Whichever team’s stone is nearer the centre gets the choice for the first end.
At the end of the round robin, to help decide the ranking of teams relative to each other, the average of a teams’ individual draws (less the worst one) is calculated to get their Draw Shot Cha l lenge d is tance. In Dunedin , England’s DSC was actually 5th best out of 12 teams, all the shots having been drawn by the skip.
So who won – well Canada defeated the USA by 4-3 in the men’s final, the game going to the last stone. In the women’s, Canada were dominant all week and won the final easily against Switzerland by 10-1 after 6 ends. Scotland’s men finished 3rd and the women 4th.
Report by J BrownWOR
LD N
EWS
2009
World Seniors April 2009
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2009 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Team England: John Sharp/Jane Clark
The second world mixed doubles championships were set in a stunning location in the 1956 Olympic arena with the back drop of the Dolomite mountain range clearly visible from the arena. With snow still lying there were even skiing opportunities to be had. Cortina itself is no stranger to us, both of us having been there to play in their summer bonspiel previously.
Many thanks to those who sent us messages of support during the week, very welcome, and also to those who were there: Jane’s mum and dad, Lorna, having done the long drive from Switzerland, for a couple of days and James Hustler, being very neutral as he was on the official umpiring team all week.
27 teams were in 3 groups based on last years rankings and only the top 2 in each group qualified to progress to playoffs. Included in our group we had 4 really tough teams in Scotland (2 former Scottish junior champions), Canada (a pair from their mixed champions team), Russia (who wheeled out their big guns with Kirikov their men’s skip teaming up with Jarkova the ladies champions third player), and Finland (last year runners up).
Our first game against Russia turned on the 5th end. After the 4th end break the ice had slowed and we didn’t pick it up quickly enough and lost a 5, the Russians eventually winning 10-9.
After beating Australia we faced Finland who had had a poor opening game against Canada. No chance of that happening again as they made almost every shot being asked. There is very little room for error in mixed doubles which is a game of real precision and finesse. The WCF
report says “Finland clubbed England 9-2” – that feels about right!!! They admitted that this was the best game they played all week, to the extent in their play off game they elected to play with the complete set of stones they had used against us!
Next up New Zealand and after I missed a quiet tap back for a 3 in the first end to give up a 1 we were always coming from behind. A raised double take out was needed with my last shot to tie up the game but missed and we gave up a 2 to lose 7-5.
Our game against Scotland went the same way as the Finland game and again they said this was the best game they played all week. A 5 in the 5th end killed us off and we were finished after 6 ends.
The Italian team comprised 2 juniors who played this year in the European Junior Challenge and had won t h r o u g h t h e i r q u a l i f y i n g championships against much more experienced players to earn the right to be here. We had lots of stones in play but couldn’t make the big shots for the ends and with them drawing very well into the button we were well beaten.
Not going well so far and Canada still to come! We changed our order with Jane playing stones 1 and 5 leaving the middle 3 to me. After a shaky start we went 9-1 down and they eventually ran us out of stones but at last we found a bit of a game and the final score of 9-6 doesn’t reflect how uncomfortable we made it for them in the second half of the game. In the 6th end Jane’s last shot to lie 4 came just too far into the house and gave her opposite number an easier last stone shot than it could have been. She managed to get rid of 2 so we only stole a 2.
The final game was against a slightly w e a k e r B u l g a r i a n t e a m w h o conceded after 6 ends.
I think our overall 2-6 record reflected our play where we struggled to find the precision shots in to the tee on the fast and very swingy ice. We
were ranked 5th overall in terms of our draw shot challenge attempts, which included one throw through, but this was no consolation for the ensuing results.
But it was now party time (with some skiing thrown in for Jane – and her father, who was helping us out as coach with our practice sessions). We certainly enjoyed our last few nights meeting all the players, coaches and their families from around the world. The closing banquet was appropriately held in the mountain hut restaurant at the top of one of the ski slopes with cable cars transporting people 50 at a time up and down the mountain.
The ultimate winners were the Swiss holders from last year who have now gone 19 games unbeaten in World M i x e d D o u b l e s , b e a t i n g t h e Hungarian husband and wife pairing who had finished 9th in the previous season. Canada defeated China for the bronze medal.
All the results and final rankings can be found on the World Curling F e d e r a t i o n w e b s i t e o r t h e c h a m p i o n s h i p w e b s i t e : w w w . w o r l d c u r l i n g . o r g o r www.wmdcc2009.it
Next season the third championships will take place alongside the Seniors championships in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Get your maps out – it’s two and a half hours flight further on from Moscow, on the edge of the Ural mountains, was a centre for military production, closed to the Western world until 1992, and was described as the most contaminated place on the planet!!! I expect it’s better now. Hmmm! Anyone fancy it?
There are many ways in which clubs in the ECA can get funds to help them develop the sport. One avenue which is open to clubs (and individuals also) is to submit a bid to the World Curling Federation (via the ECA) for DAP funding.
This fund arose as a result of the income which the WCF gets from the IOC following each Winter Olympics – in 2006 this was $12 million and it is expected to be 20% higher in 2010.
The fund began in 2005-06 but was not very accessible as it required bids to be made against a number of categories for each of which there was a limiting total. This was changed in 2006-07 and each country can bid for funds up to the maximum available free of any restrictions on the amount which can be spent on any one category. In the last three years the total available per country was $12,000 but this has been reduced in 2009-10 to $10,000.
So how has this fund been used in England – in 2006-07 we bid for $12,210, of which $7,060 was approved and the final sum awarded was £3,548. In 2007-08 the figures were $12,120, $9,250 and £4,185, but in 2008-09 the totals fell to $1,950, $1,700 and £899.
And so you may ask why are we not bidding for the full $12,000 and I have to say that it is not for a want of trying. The ECA has been encouraging clubs to identify projects which they want funding for but, to be frank, the response has generally been very poor. Below I have listed where the funds which were approved have been spent.
But firstly what are the criteria – the WCF rules for 2009-10 have just been issued and they are basically as follows:
DAP cannot be used to contribute towards expenses for teams
competing in Championships eg World, European, Pacific, etc. DAP cannot be used to cover annual membership subscriptions.
Each case is considered on its merit and, for example, a proportion may be awarded for some activities rather than the full amount, but as you can see, there are very few things which cannot be included in a bid.
So the message is – if there is any initiative for which you need funding for the development of curling in your club or as an individual then please submit an outline proposal to the secretary who will then prepare a bid for the WCF and submit it. Note that money is not awarded retrospectively – invoices are needed to receive the money so a degree of planning is necessa ry to ensu re tha t the confirmation of the award is received from the WCF BEFORE you start spending the money.
If you have any questions then please contact the Secretary. Note also that bids MUST be made via the ECA and not direct to the WCF.
DAP PROJECTS 2006-07
Digital Measure / Competition measure (£470)ECA Information Guide (£400)
Promotional DVD for juniors (£1000)WCF Umpiring Course (S McVey) (£200)
Junior Development Weekend at Fenton’s (£500)Shoes and brushes for Fenton’s (£960)
DAP PROJECTS 2007-08
De-ionising equipment for Fenton’s (£1400)Junior Trip to Stranraer (£1030)
Nipper and mop for Fenton’s (£1010)Advertising and recruitment literature for SECC (£600)
Kippers for hire shoes at Fenton’s (£150)
DAP PROJECTS 2008-09
Stand hire and literature for Glendale agricultural show (£300)Hacks for Sheffield and contribution to ice fee for Grand match (£340)
Attendance at Ice Tecnician’s course (E Fenton) (£250)
THIS IS FREE MONEY – LET’S TRY AND SPEND ALL OUR ALLOWANCE IN 2009-10
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If you have not already heard the n e w s , t h e S c o t t i s h C u r l i n g magazine was due to stop printing at the end of April, however the fo l lowing news was posted concerning the magazine recently.
As posted on Curlingtoday blog. The Scottish Curler magazine has been saved ! The reac t ion o f subscribers to the news that it would not be published after this season has led to a change of mind at Clyde and Forth Press.
The publishers have made the following statement:
"Following the recent announcement that the Scottish Curler was to close, its publisher Clyde & Forth Press Ltd, has received a huge amount of feedback from readers disappointed that the magazines was to cease publication after the May edition.
In light of this feedback it has been decided to continue the publication next season.
With Bob's impending retirement after a tremendous tenure as Editor we will work to create a new editorial perspective and the Curler will emerge for the 2009/10 season full of life and raring to go."
However unexpected this news, it is welcomed and we are delighted that the title is to continue as a print magazine. The first Scottish Curler was published in January 1954.
British Curling Confirms Starting Line-up for Next Season
(Photo Bob Cowan - Curlingtoday and article by RCCC)
Following on from last week’s Great Britain Squad announcement, British Curling has today confirmed the proposed starting line-up for the Women’s Squad for next season. The initial line-up is as follows:
Skip – Eve MuirheadVice-skip – Jackie LockhartSecond – Kelly WoodLead – Lorna VeversAlternate – Karen Addison
Olympic Coach Nancy Murdoch stated “Naming the positions of the squad in advance gives us maximum opportunity going forward to shape and gel together as a team, until the final team selection and positions are announced in December. I believe this combination of athletes offers the greatest potential for success in Vancouver 2010.”
Closing dates for Nationals 2009
Note - the following dates are set for the latest entry for the National Competitions.
Mixed Doubles, - 31st August. Seniors - 31st August. Inter Club - 31st August.
Nationals - 30th November.Mixed - 30th November.
Note: Teams representing England in the European Championships who wish to enter the National Championships can enter up to two weeks after the close of the European Championships.
100 Club winners
announced at AGM were:
February - John Brown, Jane Johnston, Vicky Hinds
March - Jimmy Straughan, Stephen Hinds, Vicky Hinds
April - Christine Black, Gordon Lyon, Keith Wilson
May - John Brown, George Gilmour, Barry Nevett
Hot News
Urgent!!
[13]
So why curl outside?Further to a report in last month’s issue of the newsletter on Outdoor Curling this excellent article has been written by Sandra Moorcroft to outline further the fun to be had in this variation of the sport.
An Unforgettable Experience
Paraphrasing Mr Spock of Star Trek fame “Its curling Jim, but not as we know it”.
If, after many years of curling you think you have seen it all, then think again “You ain’t seen nothing yet”, well not until you have experienced outdoor curling, and by outdoor curling I don’t mean the Scottish loch variety, where you turn up after the call has gone out, down a few drams and hurl some rocks across a frozen loch and end with a few more drams. No I don’t mean that, although that does sound like fun and a bit like the outdoor curling I am describing here.
To all intents and purposes the rink is the same as an indoor rink only without the roof and therefore you can have a variety of weather conditions from freezing cold clouds through to a hot sunny day with a smattering of snow, all in the course of a two hour game. Fantastic.
It is truly a great experience and will test your skills as a curler to the n’th degree. The first year when I was skipping I started off mid-morning wearing about 6 layers trying to keep warm, it was so cold , and yet, by lunchtime I was down to sleeveless top, sunglasses and apply ing sunscreen so I didn’t look like Rudolph with the red nose at the party later in the day.
That same year one of the most unforgettable moments took place! We were on the ice in the 9 pm slot, our last game of the day during a glorious day of sunshine, lo and behold from above it started to snow. “Don’t worry”, cried the organisers, “this always happens, it will pass, play on”. So we did, and before we had even finished the first end it was almost white-out conditions. As true Brits and with true grit we played on,
no one said stop and we weren’t going to give up unless absolutely necessary, besides we were winning. We also had two extra team-mates. Two hardy Scots guys from the Penicuik team dressed in their kilts, armed with the large piste brushes, running in front of the thrown rock trying to clear a path through the snow. Fighting against the falling snow, they were losing the battle, but winning on the fun stakes. It was really a hilarious sight, not that I could see much, windscreen wipers were needed on my specs. Apparently I resembled a snowman, or snow-woman should I say.
By the time the organisers decided to stop the snow was set in for the night, people were strewn across the piste after slipping all over the place, covered in snow. It was crazy, it was mad, it was funny and hilarious and ever so slightly dangerous, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Needless to say we all retired to the bar, nursing a few bruises, downing a few pints, a schnapps or two and teaching the locals (we were in Switzerland) how to dance the Gay Gordons. They, in turn, showed us how to play the alpine horn, but yodelling just didn’t do it for me.
I urge you all to give outdoor curling a go, at least once in your curling lifetime, even if you are just starting out. You will appreciate how much easier it is to curl indoors. It will test you, it will make you crazy, it will frustrate you, it will make you laugh, it will make you want to keep playing and not let it beat you. It is fantastic fun and a serious business all at the same time – the prizes alone are worth fighting for (excellent prizes in Switzerland) and curling through the snow. Go on and give it a go, if you love curling, this is the next stage and you will be halfway to paradise. Go and enjoy and tell me it wasn’t a great experience.
I guarantee it will have you hooked, next year will be my 3rd year and I can’t wait.
WOW!
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Do you use the Forum?Did you know that there is an English Curling Forum that has been on the web for over two years. It is a place to speak your mind about English Curling and share ideas, questions and competition details.
Started by two new curlers, Gordon Bryan and Steven Scanlan, the Forum started as a place for like-minded people to share ideas and thoughts about the English Curling scene. To date there are over 100 active users on the site and the range of topics ranges from ‘Ice Making’ to ‘what type of broom do I need’ through to ‘strategy tests’ on what stone to play if you are skipping.
Below you will see a few of the most popular items being discussed and some past top ics that have achieved the status of most read. If you do not use the forum then perhaps now is the time to start considering it. If you don’t use it then why not? Is it the North/South divide in curling? Is it a lack of confidence in using a PC? Is it the moderators that turn you off? Whatever the reason think again as to whether you really have a valid reason not to contribute to the wider Curling circle and besides you can explain your issues on the forum?
It has been said that the forum can be biased but it is only biased by those who use it, therefore, you can
change that. It is said that the forum rants and raves? perhaps people have a p a s s i o n a t e p o i n t t o emphasise and maybe some reasoned argument would help correct this?
If you play in the nationals, if you play in the inter-club championships, if you are a member of the ECA, then your view is valid and welcomed. If you play only locally in your local rink and never have any intent in going further with your curling career then your questions and views are welcomed. Lets grow this sport, together, as one English curling rink and with a smile. Join the forum, make a point, state your view and answer those intriguing questions.
Where do forum members come from? The English Curling Forum is made up of many types of players from many countries. Members are beginners and Experts, from Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Scotland, France, Italy and yes England. Join in now and meet curlers from all over.
News from The
English Curling Forum
Great British Deaf Curling Team - How much do you know about how our teams did in the recent World Championships? No, not the mens and Women’s that are publicsied everywhere but the normally unmentioned Deaf teams who shone in their games.
The future of Curling - Changes announced and discussed at the World Curling Federation meeting in Moncton, Canada. What changes were discussed that may change the way you play the game?
Tactic Puzzles - we all need to learn and these tactic puzzles submitted by various members are one way to learn more about the decisions a skip must make. Hone your skills with these tactics, see Tactic 7 here;
Calls in Curling - Is there a better method to calling to your team mates, is there a way to impart more information quickly when sweeping, this is discussed in this thread.
what's the difference between a curler and a puppy?
A puppy stops whining after 6 months
Last Months Caption CompetitionWhat is Nigel thinking?
Curling Fact
According to the Canada Curling Stone Company, the
average lifespan of a curling rock is 50 years and can
travel up to 125 miles a year up and down the ice.
Winning caption submitted by J Sharp;
“Is that someone really wearing pink over there!!”.
What is Kelly Scott
(background)thinking here? Best caption
published next edition
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100 Club
The English Curling Association runs a ‘100 Club’ to raise funds for the Association. Shares in the club are open to any ECA member and cost £1 per month. An individual can hold up to 15 shares at any one time. Payment is by Standing Order and you can get details from the secretary via the Contact page on the ECA website.
Each month there are three prizes - for £40, £30 and £20. In December the prize money is doubled and in the month of the AGM it is quadrupled. So there is a total of £1440 of prize money each year.
If you want more information then visit the ECA website or Susan Young (0208 540 4161)
Where To Curl
London & The South
The only dedicated curling rink in England can be found near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Further details can be found on the the curling rink website, Fenton’s Rink.
North-East England
Curling in this area is played at the Kelso Ice Rink, just over the Scottish border. The main English based club in the area is the Glendale club. For further details please email James Dixon at [email protected]
North-West England
The main English club in this area is the Preston club who play up in Scotland at the Lockerbie Ice Rink on alternate Thursdays. Please contact the club secretary, Phil Barton on [email protected] .
Curling can also be played in Wales on Mondays between 1 pm and 9:30 pm at the Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry, just over the Welsh border to the west of Chester - check out the website of the Welsh Curling Association.
ECA MUSINGS
English Curling
President: Stephen Hinds
President elect:
Competitions Convener: Philip Barton
Secretary: John Brown
Treasurer: Sandra Brown
Useful Links• www.englishcurling.org.uk
English Curling Association website
• www.englishcurlingforum.com
English Curling Forum for beginners and experts alike
