ENGLISH CURLING ASSOCIATION September 2011 - Issue 32
NEWSLETTER Heading up to Sheffield for my first ECA AGM, I had no intention of offering my services as the web site updater or editor of the newsletter, but whatd’ya know – here I am badgering people for submissions and sending “how do I do …” emails to Steve.
There’s a full season ahead so start slotting in the dates on your calendar. Competition details can be found on the ECA web site
There are a number of talented juniors coming up through the ranks at Fenton’s so I am hoping to dedicate some space to their So this will be a shorter version than happenings to encourage juniors previous editions but hopefully, further afield to get involved in this once I become more familiar with great sport. the format and the season gets underway, it will get bigger and If you have suggestions for future better. topics please let me know. The Editor [1]
In this Issue:
President’s letter AGM Minutes Competitions schedule Marketing Convenor Brief Junior Jottings Club news International news
ALISON ARTHUR PRESIDENT ENGLISH CURLING ASSOCIATION
It only seems like 5 minutes since the AGM in June and since I wrote my last article for the newsletter! Where does the time go to? I hope that you all have enjoyed the summer whether you went away on holiday or stayed at home and that you are all set for your new season of curling?
My first curling trip this year will be to Kent in a few weeks time where we will, once again, be celebrating the memory of Duncan Stewart and everything he did for the ECA. There are still places left so if you haven’t already signed up for what will prove to be a really enjoyable and fun competition, please get in touch with Phil Barton (phil.barton@starleyhall.co.uk) as he will be delighted to hear from you. Please support this competition in its 2nd year – even more importantly as Mary, Duncan’s widow, will be travelling South especially for this.
I have not yet been away on holiday but am managing to sneak a few days at the end of the month which I am looking forward to as I haven’t had a break since March! The summer has been relatively busy for your President despite the email traffic reducing significantly but it is already on the increase! For those of you who were at the AGM in June, I mentioned that all was not well within the European Curling Federation – 2 days after our AGM, Andrew Ferguson-Smith, President of the ECF, resigned due to “personal reasons”. The decision as to who will be the new President will be made in Moscow in December, but in the meantime, Olli Rissanen of Finland is Acting President.
I could write more and more but enough for now - the main thing I want to say is good stones, play well and enjoy your new season! I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible over the coming months.
Best wishes
Alison Alison J L Arthur President English Curling Association
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ECA Annual General Meeting Minutes from this important meeting can be found on the ECA web site http://www.englishcurling.org.uk/ once there click on “news” ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS FOR 2011/2012 The following office bearers were elected: President President Elect Secretary Treasurer WCF Representatives ECF Representative BC Representative NW Area Rep NE Area Rep South Competition’ Convenor Doping Convenor Marketing Convenor
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Alison Arthur vacant John Brown Sandra Moorcroft John Brown Alison Arthur Alison Arthur Andrew Reed Frank Kershaw, Ian Sayers James Dixon / Andrew Reed – Rosaleen Boardman / Jean Robinson Phil Barton James Hustler Vacant (see advert page 7)
APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL CONVENORS
Subscriptions for 2011-12
Susan Young 100 Club Having set up at the open meeting a sub-committee to look into subscription levels across the Robin Gemmell Equipment board, the Hutcheon Council proposed that subscriptions would stay at the existing levels of £25.00 Debbie Coaching (Full) and £10 James Gibb(Associate). Facilities Rosaleen Boardman Newsletter and Website However by maintaining the subscriptions at this level and a forecast deficit for 2011-12 of £1000 was proposed and agreed the teams going forward Europeans The it Marketing convenor positionthat remained unfilled – and wouldto bethe advertised in would the receive £750.00 per team, a reduction from the £1200 given in 2010-11. In addition the ECA Newsletter. would be paying the entry fees. It was noted that the total entry fees to the European and European Mixed Championships now exceeded £1500, approximately half of our subscription income.
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4 Nations Competition
Thoughts from the Competitions Convenor - Phil Barton Seniors
Four Nations
There are three entries for the men’s Championships. The skips are Michael Sutherland, John Sharp and Kenneth Maxwell. A triple round robin will be played at Greenacres in December.
Will be held this year at Greenacres , and hosted by the Welsh. We have only one trophy to defend - a magnificent win by our ladies in the Connie Miller v Scotland last year. The others are up for grabs!
The winners will represent the ECA in Taarnby, Copenhagen in April 2012 at the World Senior Championships.
Increase membership of ECA – capture the English in Scotland. The CC had a visit form a friend at the weekend – a school pal from Lancaster Royal Grammar days. He was staying with a friend from Burnley now living in Dollar. She has started curling … so another reminder there is rich vein of English curlers living in Scotland. Should we make a plan to capture a few of these! That would give a far better idea of how many curlers from England.
There have been no entries from a women’s rink.
Other entries
Closing date for other ECA events is 30th September. We hope to have a deluge of interest for the Mixed Doubles, Men’s and Ladies’ playdowns and Mixed.
Preston Curling Club
The RCCC are taking names to be considered for the Strathcona Cup in 2013. This tour of Canada is a highlight for many curlers. It might be worth thinking of setting up an ECA tour to Canada at some point in the future. Any thoughts?
The programme has ten days at Lockerbie and starts on 29th September with the Herman Trophy. The next events are Gray Trophy on 20th October.
The I’Anson is Preston’s annual event at the North West Castle in Stranraer in November. This year we have a full compliment of 16 rinks starting on 18th November. Welcome to our old friends and our new rinks.
Duncan Stewart Trophy
This will be held at Fenton’s on 15th and 16th October – names of interested players are low at the moment. We hope that our southern members in particular will take advantage of playing for a trophy with a special relevance to English Curling.
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New members include Bill Roff a player from Kirkcudbright. Changes include Ally Thomson taking a season out, and John McDougall, a seasoned English senior is a sub this year.
Invitation European Seniors takes place in early November at Greenacres. Michael Sutherland with Tommy Campbell, John Summers and Phil Barton have accepted an invitation to take part.
BRITISH CURLING REPORT The committee is made up of a lot of real potential with individual views coming from all sorts of sports and backgrounds, plus the recognised curling bodies among us giving real vision. However the problem is that they are all there to do ONE job and ONE job only and that is to get medals…. Curling is being backed heavily by UKSport and the BOA which is good as this has brought £2.4 million to the table. This is an increase to what they had in the last Olympic campaign. Unfortunately this figure is to be spent on the ELITE athletes only, not on development/grassroots, so unless you get selected no individual or ice rink or club will see any money. The only real positive for a current playing athlete that thinks they have potential and is in regular big competitions i.e. Europeans etc is that the new criteria states that the NATIONAL coach will be national i.e. GB, so they should be scouting the smaller teams/nation at National championships and then at Europeans!!! Of old this person has always worn a Scottish jacket but I will fight that this coach should be wearing GB kit. Coaches have all been selected and performance people are all in position all we need now are the elite athletes…. Olympic points are not gathered now till the last 2 yrs of a 4 year cycle rather than 3 as before so pressure on certain athlete(s) too be in certain teams won’t come till next season…. But I fancy certain people got players together this last season in preparation though it did not work so back to the drawing board. The website should be updated by now (don’t hold breath) so you can all look who is on committee and from what background. Andrew Reed
Colin Pearson has been appointed the new Chair of British Curling. He has experience in local authority sports development as well as at a national level.
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The following Championships venues for 2011-12 are confirmed: European Mixed European C Group World Wheelchair Qualifying European A and B groups European Junior Challenge World Wheelchair World Junior World Womens World Mens World Seniors World Mixed Doubles
Taarnby, Copenhagen Taarnby Kisakallio, Finland Moscow Taarnby Chuncheon, S Korea Ostersund, Sweden Lethbridge, Alberta Basel Erzurum Taarnby
30/9 – 7/10 30/9 – 7/10 5/11 – 12/11 2/12 – 10/12 2/1 – 7/1 18/2 – 25/2 3/3 – 11/3 17/3 – 25/3 31/3 – 8/4 14/4 – 21/4 23/4 – 29/4
ECA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011-‐12 Duncan Stewart Juniors Seniors Mixed Doubles 4 Nations Nationals Mixed
15-16 October – Fenton’s 28-30 October – Fenton’s 2/4 Dec – Greenacres 14-15 January – Fenton’s 20-22 January – Greenacres (WCA hosting) w/ending 5 February – Fenton’s (MEN) 4/5 or 11/12 February (WOMEN) - TBC 9-11 March – Fenton’s
Note the date of the women’s national championships depends upon the number of entries for the men’s championships. Owing to the restriction of 3 sheets at Fenton’s it may not be possible to hold both competitions simultaneously. Closing date for entries – 30th September 2011 except Seniors - 31st August 2011
STOP PRESS * * * * STOP PRESS * * * * STOP PRESS * * * *STOP PRESS BONSPIEL AT ICE SHEFFIELD ON 17th SEPTEMBER
The ECA are helping Ice Sheffield to run a come and try bonspiel on Saturday 17th September between 1.15pm and 6.15pm – if you want to go along and play or to help with beginners then contact Debbie Hutcheon on debbiehut@googlemail.com. Cost will be £25 for two games plus lunch. A good chance to get your muscles back into action before the serious stuff begins.
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Marketing Convenor Urgently Required Do you have or know someone who has the skills to fulfil this volunteer position for the ECA? Suitable candidates could be Business/Marketing graduates who want to get some work experience on their CV. This is a very important role to enable the ECA to move forward with a development plan and raise the profile of the ECA. Responsibilities and Duties Include: To pursue sponsorship opportunities for: • National Championships • National teams playing in International Competitions To search out and implement marketing opportunities To initiate a programme of fundraising activities to provide income for the ECA To collect media articles about curling to assist in background material for sponsorship and marketing campaigns To identify ways of using the internet to raise the profile of the ECA Please contact John Brown ECA Secretary jmbroons@ntlworld.com
Junior Jottings
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This summer, both the English Boys’ and Girls’ Teams had the pleasure of attending the Sweetlake Summer Camp in Zoetermeer, Netherlands. This trip, gratefully sponsored by the English Curling Association, offered both teams an opportunity to receive instruction from world-class coaches and curlers, and to be offered help in building their individual and team skills. The first day was mainly a chance for the participants, the two English teams, the Dutch Boys team and the Polish girls team, to get to know each other and get back into the swing of curling. The ice-breaker activities had everyone laughing, and the English Boys won the team building activity that had been arranged that night, but we were all eager to put on our shoes and get sliding! The coaches were very helpful, taking a team and guiding them through each exercise, giving one-on-one time where it was required. Videos were taken and analysed, allowing each player to clearly see what they were doing well, and where a little touch-up might be needed on their delivery. Videos taken again at the end of the week were compared to the earlier ones showing the players how they had improved. Along with ice training everyday, there were classroom sessions focusing on everything from team dynamics to strategy and tactics. Over the next three days there was a competition organized after dinner so that each team had the chance to play the others in a classic round robin. By the end of the fun competition, the Dutch boys were announced the victors, with the English boys coming second, and the English girls securing third place. Almost every day had a special activity planned, along with the normal training. On the third day of the camp, everyone was driven to the nearby lake to have some team bonding time while finishing numerous tasks such as singing their country’s national anthem, all aboard little blue boats, propelled by each teams desire to win. Sporting new headgear made from the reeds along the riverbanks, everyone was treated to an ice cream and had a chance to look around the little petting zoo next to the lake. The next day it was the dreaded fitness session at the gym, and a spinning class that left everyone grinning at the instructors’ antics, and just a little bit sore. On the last full day of camp, everyone packed up and moved to a different hostel, this one having room for a lovely BBQ and a water park in its vicinity. After a fun night out, surfing down water slides and the girls sighing over some of the instructor’s abs, everyone fell into bed, exhausted but happy.
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On the last day of camp, Eeva, a world class umpire, had kindly organized a mixed doubles competition, one last chance for the different teams to mingle and throw some rocks. Afterwards, a slideshow presentation was given with pictures and videos depicting some of the highlights of the week, accompanied with encouraging words from our coaches that our teams have great potential. As we left for the train station, there were hugs all round as everyone said goodbye, promising to meet up at the next bonspiel. The Sweetlake Camp was absolutely amazing, offering knowledgeable and friendly coaches, and the chance to bond and improve our skills as a team. Almost all the participants were heard saying, “I can’t wait until next year!” PS – ‘Sweetlake’ is the English translation of Zoetermeer
The girls are taking things seriously…
…Whilst the boys are showing their patriotism out on the lake
Photos courtesy of Curling Zoetermeer
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International News Welsh Curling News After 40 years of playing curling at the Deeside Leisure Centre, the Welsh Curlers have produced a proposal document for a dedicated curling rink facility. This will be presented to the Sports Council for Wales. Investment required is in the region of £700,000 and a rise in membership to 400!
There are numerous International Championships taking place in the next few All are detailed on thewith World Curling of Federation web with site:myself as Vice Asmonths. such, a committee is established, the blessing our Presidents, http://www.worldcurling.org/upcoming-championships. Chair and Chris Wells as Chair. Much talking and investigation has already taken place into finding a suitable venue, designing a facility making great curlingof ice. Wepopularity are very of Glancing through here really gives youand a wider perspective the optimistic, as are our Scottish friends and supporters. the sport throughout the world.
Curling will be officially launched in Romania this month!
Norway will be opening 4 more dedicated curling rinks this year.
The WCF is helping to develop the sport in New Zealand – must be strange curling in June though!
An idea for a future fundraising event could be New Zealand’s take on a “skirts on Ice” bonspiel – period costume or even 60’s mini’s maybe??
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Club News
NEWS FROM FENTON’S RINK – AUTUMN 2011 Curling starts on October
3rd and we are all set for our eighth season.
BOOK EARLY! If you are thinking of a curling event for your friends, family, colleagues or customers – please call us as soon as possible on 01892 826004 or e-mail curlinginkent@hotmail.com to secure the date and time you want. The popular times go fast and several Christmas parties have already booked their ice times. Remember – we provide coaches to get you started on the ice – so you have a great time right from the off! BEGINNERS - “Come and Try” your hand at curling! There’s an “Open Day” on Sunday October 9th. You can just come along and have a look – or you can have a one hour session on the ice with an instructor for only £5! It starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. A second “Come and Try” session is booked for Sunday November 6th. REGULAR CURLERS start their season of leagues on Tuesday 4th October. The fixture list has already been completed and games and results will be posted regularly on the “League Fixtures and Results” page. A Monday evening session will be held for novice curlers. It starts from 6pm onwards on October 3rd and is open to anyone who wants to take up curling as a winter activity. There will be practice ice and coaching to get you started. For the first time we will arrange a Novice League during Monday evenings. Come along any time between 6pm and 9pm and see for yourself! All regular curlers are members of Fenton’s Rink. The Rink subscription for this season has been set at £15. This provides a significant discount on ice fees and is worthwhile if you come to the rink several times in a season. A Rink entry form is at the end of this message. You can discuss regular curling with our Games Secretary Gary Tapp at curling2009@googlemail.com. JUNIORS/SCHOOLS CURLING The regular Schools 5-week course will run in the Spring term leading to the Schools Championships in March 2011. Junior training will again be held each Tuesday at 6pm for players aged 18 and under. A Junior Curling Academy for younger players (aged around 10 to 15) will be run monthly on Sunday afternoons. Call the rink on 01892 826004 for further details or e-mail us at curlinginkent@hotmail.com. There will also be coaching for our representative junior teams on Sundays.
Please contact Fenton’s Rink for forms
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DIARY OF EVENTS 2011-12 October 3rd
Rink Opens
Saturday League – 22 Oct, 12th Nov, Dec 10th, Jan 28th, Feb18th, Mar 31st Every Monday from 6pm
Beginners and Novice league
Every Tuesday at 6pm
Juniors Practice
Every Tuesday at 8pm
League Matches
October 9th
Come and Try – from 10am to 4pm
October 15/16th
The Duncan Stewart Bonspiel
November 6th
Come and Try – from 10am to 4pm
December 4th 2012 January 8th
Come and Try – from 10am to 4pm
January 14th to 15th
ECA Mixed Doubles Playdowns
January 21st
“The Great Gordino” Bonspiel
February 2nd to 5th
ECA Men’s and Ladies’ Playdowns
February 12th
Come and Try – from 10am to 4pm
March 9th to 11th
ECA Mixed Playdowns
March 17th to 18th
The Fleming Trophy Bonspiel
March 26th to 30th
The English Schools Championships
April 11th
Rink Closes (provisional date)
Come and Try –from 10am to 4pm
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ICE MAN GETS TECHNICAL The rink’s popular ice man, Simon Knight, has just returned from a residential course at Greenacres at which he was awarded the WCF Advanced Ice Technician’s Certificate. The course also included a section on environmental control mechanisms and energy efficiency in an ice hall. The course was well supported with a number of attendees from throughout Europe as well as some prominent Scottish figures from the world of Curling, including Richard Harding, boss of Greenacres and WCF development officer, Ian Baxter, manager of Murrayfield Curling Rink and Tom Brewster, who skipped the Scottish team at this year’s World Championships and is also manager of the Aberdeen Rink. Commenting on his experience at Greenacres, Simon said “I think I held my own with the technicalities on the course, but it got more tricky in the bar....!”
Want to buy a Pair of Curling shoes? Then why not shop at the ECA’s partners at; www.curlingSupplies.com. Contact us at the ECA first if you are a member and enjoy 5% discount on your purchase.
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The ECA is YOUR Association
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.
Where To Curl 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
on the curling rink website, Fenton’s Rink. North-West England & Wales 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
James.Dixon8@btopenworld.c pb@starleyhall.co.uk . om Curling can also be played in London & The South
The only dedicated curling
Wales at the Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry,
If you want more information rink in England can be found just over the Welsh border then visit the ECA website or Susan Young (0208 540 4161) near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. to the west of Chester Further details can be found Welsh Curling Association.
English Curling
Useful Links
President: Alison Arthur
• www.englishcurling.org.uk English Curling Association website
President elect: Vacant
Contact:
Treasurer: Sandra Moorcroft
Rosaleen Boardman: rosaleen_w@hotmail.com
Competitions Convener: Philip Barton Secretary: John Brown
ECA NEWSLETTER
• www.worldcurling.org World Curling Association
Have you visited the ECA website lately? It will bring you up to date with the latest competitions, results and workings of the ECA and beyond. Additionally it will keep you up to date on major events in the curling world. So if you have not visited, please pop along and see what’s new!
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