Annual Report | 2020/21 the Royal Caledonian Curling Club RCCC OFFICIALS & STAFF

Annual Report | 2020/21 The Royal Caledonian Curling Club RCCC OFFICIALS & STAFF

Patron HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Honorary Members Contents HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH CONTENTS G ROY SINCLAIR WELCOME �� 5 President 2020/21 ANDREW KERR BOARD �� 7 Vice President 2020/21 SUSAN KESLEY DEVELOPMENT �� 8 Board of Directors GRAHAM LINDSAY (Chair) LIZ BURTON-KING COMPETITIONS �� 13 BRUCE CRAWFORD (Chief Executive Officer) JIM CULLEN STEPHEN FARROW (Independent) FINANCES �� 15 ANDREW KERR (RCCC President 2020/21) SUSAN KESLEY CORRIE LAWRENCE (Co-opted | RCCC Ladies Branch President 2020/21) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS �� 17 KERRA MCKINNIE (Independent) MARGARET NICOL KEVIN TROUP (Independent) MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS �� 18 JANINE WILSON

Staff PERFORMANCE �� 22 SCOTT ANDREWS (Development Manager | South West Scotland) LINDSEY BOOTH (Welfare Officer) BRUCE CRAWFORD (Chief Executive Officer) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT �� 26 NICOLA GLENCROSS (Finance Administrator) PAMELA GRAHAM (Marketing Officer) FIONA HARFIELD (Workforce Development Manager) SAFEGUARDING �� 30 SOPHIE JACKSON (Academy Manager) ELAINE MILLS (Administrator) NICK RENNIE (Head of Development) PARTNERSHIPS & SPONSORS �� 32 IAIN STEWART (Development Manager | National Projects and North & East Scotland) JAYNE STIRLING (Competitions Manager) SUZY WAKEFIELD (Office Manager) RECOGNITION AWARDS �� 33 MAGGIE WILSON (Development Manager | Central Scotland) Development Officers INTERNATIONAL RESULTS �� 35 ROBIN BRYDONE (Dundee Ice Arena) ANN-MAREE DAVIDSON (Dewars Centre, Perth) ANGELA KYLE (Ayr Ice Rink) HAMMY MCMILLAN (The Peak, Stirling) JIM MORRISON (East Kilbride & Lanarkshire) LAURA MUTCH (Curl Aberdeen) GRAHAM SLOAN (Dumfries Ice Bowl) WELCOME

WELCOMEDear Members and Stakeholders,

I am delighted to bring you the Annual Report of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club for season 2020/21. It has been the most unusual year in our 183-year history with some sadness, but there are positive results that are highlighted in the Annual Report.

On the 9th of April 2021, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club mourned the loss of Honorary Member, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Past President 1964/65. The President wrote to our Patron Her Majesty the Queen, expressing our sorrow and our Men’s Team wore black armbands at the World Championship in Calgary that day as a mark of respect.

The restrictions that have been in place due to the pandemic may have reduced our opportunity to curl, but we have been as busy as ever in supporting our facilities and preparing for the time when curling could resume. Working in greater partnership has been key to the progress and success we have achieved, in particular with the Scottish Ice Rink Association, sportscotland, UK Sport, Event Scotland, British Curling and the World Curling Federation.

We suffered from a complete lack of domestic curling competitions for our members to meet each other and play, but have been busy with online activity. Some of the achievements we managed to accomplish were creating guidance for the safe return to curling, frequently requiring to be updated as government advice and regulations evolved. We managed to run 32 training courses online and offered members the chance to “Curl Up” and join us from the comfort of their homes to hear from experts and have open discussions on different aspects of curling.

The World Curling Federation cancelled many of the international events and only played the Olympic qualification events in covid secure bubbles in Calgary for Mens and Womens and Aberdeen for the Mixed Doubles. The Scottish Men represented by Team Mouat, took silver, and went on to win back-to-back Slams. The Scottish Women finished in eighth position at the Worlds and in Mixed Doubles, the Scottish Team beat Norway in the final to become World Champions. These results mean the Men and Mixed Doubles have earned an Olympic berth for TeamGB, while the Women must play in the Olympic Qualification event in December, where the last two places are being contested for Beijing 2022.

The increasing levels of vaccination and falling cases of COVID-19 in Scotland give us hope that the new season will bring a return to some normality. I look forward to seeing you on the ice next season and trust you stay safe and enjoy curling again as soon as you are able.

Yours in curling,

Bruce Crawford Chief Executive Officer 5 BOARD

The board continued to conduct its A working group was formed to conduct year was securing the £2m support package business throughout the past year, a deeper review of the Board’s previous from Scottish Government for our ice using online video meetings and decision to use selection of teams to rinks who were struggling with the met on eight occasions. Uppermost represent Scotland at future World ongoing costs and lack of activity and in the thoughts of the directors Championships. This group heard a income. This was achieved by effective range of input from athletes, coaches, lobbying to government and working has been the health and welfare of funders and other stakeholders. They in partnership with the Scottish Ice members, whilst also supporting consulted widely and held open meetings Rink Association. We urge members to the long-term future of the sport online before making a recommendation support their ice rinks in the years ahead through working with the ice rinks to the board, which was subsequently as the immediate threat may have been to sustain their businesses when approved to continue to select teams for addressed but many of the challenges they are able to reopen, after the international representation at World remain. extended period of closure. Men, Women and Mixed Doubles events. The board has improved the governance The board agreed to offer members the The board is currently reviewing the 2019- structures and processes and recognise opportunity to “Pause” their membership 2023 Strategic Plan to incorporate a post this work will continue. A new Nominations for the year, which over 2,500 members pandemic refresh at the midpoint in the Committee has been formed and a small elected to do. The impact of this was cycle. After the 2022 AGM, there will be a group led by Jim Cullen have proposed significant but with reduced outgoings deeper review and preparation will begin amendments to the Memorandum and in some areas of operation the board felt for the next Strategic Plan for 2023-2027. Articles. it was the right thing to do. The Structure Review Group, set up Curling in Scotland continues to thrive, At the AGM in 2020, a commitment was by the board, paused during the first thanks to countless volunteers in clubs, given to improve communications and part of the season and then returned ice rinks and committees. Many have engagement with members. The board with some meetings and webinar done their volunteering from home over approved a new Engagement and engagement sessions. Strong feedback video link this year and we wish to thank Communication Strategy which has was received in relation to changes to them for their continued commitment. been put into action through our usual national committees (ASC, LSC and the communication channels. There have proposed new MNC) so no proposals for been a number of surveys online and changes to the committee structure will webinars held with good turn out from be taken forward this year. members at a time when many were not thinking about curling at all. The board The one item that received support from also formed a working group to review the majority of people consulted over the branding of the RCCC and Scottish the last few years was the addition of a Curling and this has led to a clear policy Junior Vice President position instead of document to guide those involved in a Past President role which has not been the use of the two brands to reflect useful or valued. This will give individuals our history and traditions while also a 2-year period as an office bearer before focusing on future development and becoming President, to ensure that growth of curling in Scotland. A huge they are better prepared. The board also response from members helped to agreed to put to the members that no shape the policy now in place so thanks more than two of the three presidential to all involved in the group and as posts shall be of the same gender. individuals who responded to the survey. A hugely significant achievement this 7 DEVELOPMENT

578 Number of affiliated Clubs As with all aspects of daily life, it In September 2020 some ice rinks began (includes Schools) has been an unprecedented year for to reopen. The main modification to our sport with very little (or indeed game play was the change to one sweeper; no) curling taking place at ice rinks despite this alteration members were across Scotland. glad to be back on the ice. In total 12 ice 10,385 rinks were able to open for curling in

Total number With the pandemic affecting everyone the 2020/21 season but unfortunately by of Members supporting the curling community the end of December local and national became even more important. We restrictions lead to closure of all these ice diligently worked to adapt our existing rinks. programmes and launched new initiatives to ensure curling remained at the forefront A cold snap in early 2021 allowed for the during what has been a challenging year. welcome sight of members taking to frozen lochs and ponds for some outdoor curling. Due to lockdown restrictions COVID Guidelines in place at the time bonspiels were not 9,621 764 possible. The outdoor sport guidance Adults Members Junior Members A large part of our work has been working allowed curlers to take to the ice with up closely with the Scottish Government to 6 people from 2 household, provided and sportscotland to navigate the return they stayed close to home. to curling guidelines.

3,423 323 Despite hopes of a normal season, it soon Ice Rink Support Adult Women Junior Women became clear that any curling would be subject to some form of restrictions. Due to the prolonged closures caused by the pandemic many ice rinks faced an In early summer 2020 we developed uncertain future. Ice rinks were confronted guidance on the safe return to curling with difficult decisions with regards to 6,198 441 whether to open at all for the 2020/21 Adult Men Junior Men including procedures ice rinks should have in place to mitigate any risk of season. Scottish Curling and the Scottish transmitting COVID-19. This guidance Ice Rinks Association successfully lobbied evolved in line with that from the the Scottish Government for support for Government, and each revision was ice rinks and in December 2020 a £2m approved by sportscotland. Ice rink facilities fund was established by the Scottish were subject to additional guidance Government specifically to support these including changes to air handling to facilities. Figures correct as of 4 June 2021 ensure adequate circulation of fresh air. 9 DEVELOPMENT STONE In March 2021 the following ice rinks away from home for education or work. the Polar Academy charity. Craig offers A TOOL TO HELP PARTICIPANTS were awarded grants: Inverness Ice Working with the Scottish Student young people who may not otherwise REMEMBER SOME KEY POINTS ABOUT Centre Ltd, Kirkcaldy Ice Rink Ltd, South Curling committee several young curlers have the opportunity, to undertake RETURNING TO CURLING of Scotland Ice Rink Club, Lockerbie, were helped to continue their curling expeditions to the North Pole. Lanarkshire Ice Rink PLC/Lanarkshire Ice participation in a new rink. The initial Rink Club, Hamilton, Greenacres Curling feedback was that this was a worthwhile Floor Curling Training Ltd, Howwood, Curl Edinburgh, The Ice exercise and one we should repeat each Rink Club, Curl Aberdeen, Ayr Curling year. This summer, a similar promotional When it became apparent that few Club/Ayrshire Curlers Ltd, Border Ice Rink push around SQA results day, will take schools would be able to go along to Club, Kelso, Forfar Indoor Sports Ltd, Kinross place. Any young curler moving from their local ice rink and participate in Sportsmanship Curling Trust Ltd and Stranraer Ice Rink. home can complete an online form and ‘Curling’s Cool’, our primary school Scottish Curling will help them connect programme, we adapted our approach acknowledged verbally - no Despite restrictions making developing with their potential new ice rink, student to train school staff to deliver Floor handshakes for now. curling challenging we were able to club and/or club. Curling. This would still give children the progress the following development We also plan to launch a Moving On ‘Part opportunity to experience curling and programmes. 2’ with a similar online form approach whet the appetite for getting on the ice backed up with an online campaign, the following year. With a grant secured Two metre distance at Curl Up At Home where we will help graduating students from World Curling we were able to all times - give everyone move to a new locality. purchase a pallet of Floor Curling sets for 2m The Curl Up series, launched in December schools to use. School staff in fourteen space. 2020, was a chance for us to engage with Future Leaders Local Authority areas were trained and our members and discuss curling from we will continue to work with them in the comfort of their own home. We The Scottish Curling Future Leaders the next academic year. delivered a range of exciting webinars to Program is facilitated in partnership with Off the ice? appeal to the whole curling community the Scottish Curling Trust, to develop Ice Rink Development webinar Wear a face covering! with several excellent guest speakers. leadership skills in young curlers. The Special thanks to British Curling athletes programme was first set up in 2018 and A webinar was held in March 2021 with for their contributions and to Frazer has grown in relevance as a forum for over 60 key people from ice rinks across Shaw, Alan Stanfield, John McGowan, motivated and committed young curlers Scotland taking part. Eoin McCrossan, and David Ramsay for to help Scottish Curling shape the future Nine - this is the their much-appreciated involvement. of the game. The young people set a The webinar focused on ways to reinvigorate series of personal development goals for maximum capacity of curling at the start of next season after We held fifteen Curl Up events, with a the year along with developing their CV an extended break, and discussed the each sheet of ice. x 9 total attendance of 1,134. Our most popular and life skills. They also support curling following topics: webinar was the World Men’s Curling activities both in their local ice rink and Championship Watch Party: Scotland vs nationally. y Curling to Bounce Back - how we Canada game, with 187 tuning in. Coming retain as many existing curlers as we can Each stone only has one in at second place with 117 attendees was This year we have held Zoom based sessions. after an 18-month gap. Talking Tactics. Some highlights include inspirational y Recruitment campaign to attract new sweeper - stand to the side guest speakers like ex-Scotland Basketball curlers to the sport through TRY Curling when it's not your turn. Looking ahead to the return of curling Commonwealth Games captain and y Fully capitalize on the increased profile next season we are busy planning more Team GB Olympian, Kieron Achara who of an Olympic and Paralympic season. Curl Up sessions to help members get shared his life story, coming from modest enthused and prepared for getting back means to becoming a professional We will be working hard over the summer on the ice from September. athlete. Another great session was with to create twenty-one Ice Rink based FULL RETURN TO CURLING GUIDANCE FROM SCOTTISH world renowned Mindset and Performance Development Plans, on how we pull all CURLING CAN BE FOUND HERE Moving On guru Alistair McCaw who has worked the relevant stakeholders and resources with many of the World’s top athletes together to focus on retaining existing The Moving On initiative was run via and sports teams. Alistair shared his curlers, as well as attracting and keeping social media and a direct email to junior insights into being ‘Champion Minded’ as many new people to our great sport. members around school leaver age. It as a route to success. The final keynote was aimed at facilitating a continuation speaker of the season was the hugely of curling among youngsters moving impressive Craig Mathieson, founder of 11 WE’LL BE BACK SOON

COMPETITIONS Season 2019/20 came to a premature feelings and interest in taking part, as the end, with Scottish Curling cancelling committee was keen to acknowledge that a number of its late season events, although restrictions may have allowed but hopes were high that we would competitions to go ahead, some entrants bounce back with a successful may not feel comfortable taking part. 2020/21 season. As the winter months continued, increased restrictions regarding travel As the summer progressed and September between local authority areas and car drew closer, significant work was done in sharing made the logistics of gathering an effort to get our competition season participants for our competitions extremely underway. challenging. Unfortunately, what was hoped to be a small number of We worked closely with our partners at cancellations at the beginning of the host ice rinks on venue layouts, draw season became a month or two of timings, and schedules for use of hospitality cancellations at a time, and then in areas under an ever-evolving set of Scottish mid-January the decision was taken Government restrictions. We are extremely that no Scottish Curling competitions grateful to our host rinks for their effort, would take place during Season 2020/21. creativity, and support in trying to get our members back on the ice in a competitive The cancellation of each event was environment while balancing the needs extremely disappointing, but the committee of their local curlers. agreed that leading with an abundance of caution in an effort to minimise the The Competitions Committee (made up spread of COVID-19 was the correct decision. of staff, board members, and member representatives) carefully considered the feasibility of each competition taking place within the Scottish Government restrictions. Where appropriate, competition entrants were surveyed to gauge their 13 FINANCES The last financial year has been 15 years. Before the move, the Ingliston challenging for all organisations as office was refurbished with measures a result of COVID-19 and Brexit. that qualified for a grant from the Energy Savings Trust the cost after the grant This was the case for the Royal Caledonian was £45,000 and to access the grant we Curling Club and we have taken steps to were required to take an interest free reduce costs to reflect the reduction in loan which now appears in the accounts. income. We were fortunate and thankful An amount of £14,683 was attributed to that our significant investment of grant office overheads this year with £28,522 funding from sportscotland remained being added to fixed assets under freehold unaffected and there was an allowance property, as shown in note 4. for flexibility in regard to how it was used in recognition of the unique challenges Within the sums for both debtors and faced by all sports governing bodies. creditors there is an amount of £175,000 of interest free loans secured with the The position at the end of the financial World Curling Federation on behalf of ice year shows a deficit of £6,887 that has rinks for building works and equipment reduced our general reserves. This means at Edinburgh, Kinross, Ayr and Inverness. that reserves held by the organisation These loans have a neutral effect on our now stand at £239,948 or 24% of turnover. financial position as the amount due to Turnover was down from £1,010,542 to WCF is equal to the amount due from £862,668. The operating deficit for the the ice rinks to us. year was £7,124 but without one-off grants linked to covid would have been The cash at bank is lower than the £31,090. previous year due to the grant funding from sportscotland for the following Given the hardship being faced by some year, which is normally received before members and the prospect of little or no the end of the financial year, which was curling, the board made the decision to received in May 2021. We hold an invest- allow members to pause their member- ment in government bonds which is now ship for the season. Over 2,500 members classified as a fixed asset for accounting chose that option which led to a reduction purposes and has a current value of in membership income by £55,568. £37,586, previously this was listed on the Another significant impact was the lack balance sheet as a current asset. of opportunity for members to compete so there was no competition income at We express our thanks to sportscotland all for the year and those that did enter and our membership, for providing the were either refunded in full or the entry largest parts of our income. We also fee was carried forward to next season. thank all those involved in taking care of In addition to the loss of entry fees, we the budgets throughout the year and in were unable to secure sponsorship for the preparation of the annual accounts competitions, which impacts our ability for the company, with particular thanks to reclaim VAT as we have a partial exemption to Susan Russell, Nicola Glencross, Suzy for being a members organisation. Wakefield and the members of the Audit Committee: Kevin Troup, Louise Burke, The head office was relocated from Stirling Janine Wilson, Jim Cullen and Stephen back to Ingliston, in a move approved Farrow. by the board on account of the financial saving that will be made over the next 15 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Scotland’s place in the world curling The commitment made by our reps is family is at the heart of the sport, as appreciated, along with those on the we were the nation that invented WCF Board and Commissions during the the game, wrote the first rules and last year these were: were instrumental in forming the y Kate Caithness - President of the WCF international federation. y Hew Chalmers - Board Director y Bob Kelly - RCCC Rep The global nature of the pandemic led to y Susan Kesley - RCCC Rep the Annual General Assembly and Congress y Bruce Crawford - RCCC Rep of the World Curling Federation being y Rob Niven - RCCC Rep held online for the first time in September y Willie Nicol - Member of the WCF 2020. At the online meeting, the WCF Governance Commission members approved the new discipline of y David Murdoch - Member of the WCF Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling with Athletes Commission. the inaugural championship yet to be held but hopeful it will be played in the coming season, ahead of the Paralympics in March 2022.

The members approved a new Governance Style, making the board more strategic and less operational. It also approved the formation of a Nominations Committee. Rule changes included the provision of greater coach interaction, so teams may communicate with their coaching personnel on the bench during the break after each end.

Susan Kesley was appointed to the WCF’s Competition and Rules Commission and she continues to work on the “Maximising The Value” working group that is looking into possible changes to the length and pace of games.

Bruce Crawford has continued to work on the WCF’s Structure Review working group that have developed constitutional changes to the organisational structure that will be voted on by member associations at the next Congress and AGM in September 2021. 17 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

SOCIAL MEDIA AT A GLANCE

FACEBOOK The world seems a very different Virtual Engagement place compared to last season, with COVID 19 completely changing how We have also marketed the highly 7,286 we interact with our members and successful #CurlUp initiative, designed followers key stakeholders. to keep members connected and involved with the sport during the 6% This time last year we had experienced a pandemic. It has been brilliant to see mere few weeks of lockdown, oblivious attendance grow, to see feedback across increase to the long months of restrictions that our social channels brim with positivity lay ahead. It still seemed entirely possible and to see engagement in competitions that the 2020/21 curling season might and giveaways from invested members. proceed as normal, albeit with extra measures in place. The recent #CurlUp Watch Parties for INSTAGRAM the World Championships were a Communication is key fantastic way to sign off the season, 2,817 and cemented this new working style, In lots of ways this unusual season has with member engagement front and followers presented an opportunity for learning in centre. To this end, we produced a new how we communicate with members. Engagement and Consultation Strategy 2% Too often in the past, we fell foul to an which was signed off by the board in assumption that our members knew and February, which reflects the lessons of increase understood our operations without taking the last 12 months. You can read it here the time and effort to engage, communicate and listen. ‘Sweeping In Touch’ with Under17s

The last few months have allowed us the With Junior Members at a real risk of TWITTER opportunity to assess our way of working not returning to the sport we designed and make some much-needed positive and distributed a special ‘Sweeping In changes. For example, the Marketing Touch’ activity sheet for our Under17s, 3,958 with exercises, puzzles and competitions followers Department has provided key support for the member’s webinars on the for younger curlers. important issues of Selection and 2% Structural Review, setting the tone of increase communications and keeping members informed and updated at all stages. 19 MARKETING & MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Keeping it social Other projects include managing our International Women’s Day content, all key Our Social media platforms remain a announcements regarding competitions, crucial way in which we communicate editing content for our (surprisingly full) and the tone, content and quality Your Curler magazines, and sourcing engagement in that sphere is something testimonials and content to illustrate our we take seriously. The numbers continue Membership Benefits project. to grow steadily, and Marketing team members have recently undergone Content #SaveOurRinks Strategy training to give our feeds and our direction a boost post COVID-19. Perhaps the most important piece of work We have encouraged more interaction this season, was our joint #SaveOurRinks from members and followers on all our campaign in partnership with the Scottish online platforms over the last 12 months. Ice Rink Association. We produced We have received some great feedback campaign videos featuring Eve Muirhead, and enjoyed positive exchanges with Bruce Mouat and Rhona Howie; ensured followers, which help to build the coverage in local and national papers Scottish Curling community online. and on national radio. The successful result means many of Scotland’s rinks Our strongest performing Facebook have been saved from ruin with a share post reached almost 30,000 people and of a 2million pound Government fund. amassed close to 2 thousand likes, reactions, or shares. However strange and disrupted this season has been, there are some tangible We continue to gain followers on Instagram positives to takeaway. We are now looking almost every day. There has been a 2% at a refresh of the TryCurling brand to growth in following, with new signups entice more would be curlers in this coming from Switzerland, Russia, the US crucial season, we plan to look again and Canada. We have held polls, quizzes, at our merchandise offering and try to and calls to action on Instagram Stories better the goods and systems in place with good success among our younger for members. We are dedicated to asking members and followers. This platform is questions, listening, and acting on that particularly popular with our 25-34 year feedback for the good of the organisation. old followers and demonstrates an equal gender split. Flurry of media interest

Our engagement levels on Twitter are The recent success of our Men’s and Mixed outstanding, with the highest recent Doubles teams has led to a flurry of media post gaining an engagement rate of over interest. On return from Calgary, Team 10% (anything over 2% is a good outcome). Mouat who won silver at the World Men’s These well-performing figures demonstrate Curling Championship appeared on BBC an appetite for quality content and Radio Scotland to talk about TryCurling. interaction on our social channels, and While World Mixed Doubles Curling we are always looking for new ways to Champions Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat improve. have appeared on The Nine (the flagship news program on BBC Scotland TV) and In the coming year, we will be designing STV News. We continue to work alongside and implementing our first major paid British Curling to promote the sport to campaign to promote #TryCurling. Our as wide an audience as possible from thanks go to our whole online community grassroots to elite level. who make our social spaces so vibrant, enthusiastic, and safe for all to enjoy. 21 PERFORMANCE

NATIONAL ACADEMY

With the departure of David Ramsay Forfar Indoor Sports, Greenacres Curling, at the end of the 2019/20 curling Inverness Ice Centre, Moray Leisure Centre, season, we saw the recruitment of and The Peak (Stirling). Sophie Jackson, a former athlete 10 8 who has represented Scotland at A special thanks to all who were involved with planning and hosting Regional Females Males Junior and Senior level, as the new Academy sessions. We hope to continue Academy Manager in September to progress the Regional Academy structure 2020. REGIONAL ACADEMY at all current and future hubs next season. Although 2020/21 has been a difficult While athletes and coaches did not reap season for athletes and coaches to cope the full benefits of the new structure due with, the Academy has remained vibrant to COVID-19 restrictions, strides were made in its activities and given us all something in recruiting and developing regional to focus on during a challenging period. coaches at hub rinks.

Yes, we would have preferred to be on ice Minimal Regional Academy on ice sessions training and competing, but we adapted were able to take place this season, again the programme to an online one, where due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, athletes benefitted from virtual sessions the two sessions at Forfar Indoor Sports hosted by many experts in their field and and three sessions at Dumfries Ice Bowl 12 20 elite athletes at the top of our sport. gave great hope of how the new Regional Females Males Academy structure will help nurture and New structure rolled out develop prospective young curlers in the years to come. It was excellent to be able This season saw the introduction of the REGIONAL HUBS new National and Regional Academy programmes. With the National Academy VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS teams and individuals accessing resources 2020/21 SEASON through the National Curling Academy in The Peak (Stirling). While Regional 15 9 Academy athletes accessed coaching Including: Ice Rinks via their local hub rinks, which were tactics, stress setup in conjunction with the following managerment, ice rinks: Ayr Ice Rink, Curl Aberdeen, social media Curl Edinburgh, Dumfries Ice Bowl, 23 PERFORMANCE to support these players within their own has been a challenging financial year for rinks, making it much easier for them to everyone and look forward to continuing access Academy coaching. The appreciation to work with both next season and in from athletes for this was clear and they years to come. are keen for more next season.

Special permission to return to on-ice training

In April, National Academy athletes were able to return to training at the National Curling Academy in Stirling following special permission from the Scottish Government. It goes without saying that all the athletes were thrilled to receive the opportunity to return for four weeks before the end of the season. A big thank Progression of Academy Athletes you to British Curling and sportscotland, who were heavily involved in the application Season 2020/21 saw the selection of 12 process for extending the elite sports former Academy athletes onto the protocol to the National Academy. British Curling Performance Foundation Programme, the next step on the national Virtual Learning performance pathway. The progression of these curlers is encouraging for the Zoom broadened the learning and Academy as it gives current and new engagement opportunities of the athletes relevant and realistic role models Academy greatly this season, as it has to look up to. It also highlights the success with most communities. Over the course of the programme in developing young of the season, we hosted a total of 15 players in recent years. virtual workshops for Academy athletes and coaches. Workshop topics ranged from how best to prepare for training, led by Lindsay Thomson and Ailis Robertson, to Social Media Management with Brown Ferguson and Paula Jarvie from the Scottish Institute of Sport.

The continued support from the Scottish Institute of Sport via these sessions has been invaluable in maintaining athlete’s engagement with Curling and helping to continue their development whilst they have been unable to access on-ice training.

Continued support from our Sponsors

Our Academy sponsors from previous seasons, Foxglide and The Barrie Douglas Foundation continued to support us this season. We would like to thank them for supporting the programme in what 25 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

COURSES

32 352 Although COVID-19 has posed many Hannah and guest speaker, Darrell Ell Courses Attendees challenges this season, development from the World Curling Federation, who of the workforce has continued to talked about the development of curling. forge ahead with many new workshops A new discussion platform was launched being developed along with the return in March on Brightspace called ‘Coaches FEMALE/MALE SPLIT of favourites such as Sweeping and Corner’. Over 70 have already registered Stick Delivery. to use the platform and are sharing ideas 172 180 and connecting with other coaches all Females Males We have continued to train up new over the country.

coaches and have increased the number of tutors and assessors. Coaches continue Officials to qualify despite the rink closures and NEW COACHES the umpiring network is set to grow Although no competitions took place thanks to a new Game Umpire course this year there was still some activity. The 10 designed by the WCF and World Academy Umpire Refresher Event went ahead Level 1 of Sport. Also supporting the growth and online. Two umpires qualified as tutors development of the workforce are the and 6 umpires participated in a mentoring coaching and umpiring committees that scheme for the purpose of looking after have continued to work hard during the newly appointed umpires. To encourage 1 season. more people to become officials, the Level 2 Umpiring Committee held an Introduction Coaches to Officiating evening attended by 12 interested participants. The current database NEW TUTORS sportscotland supports Scottish Curling of officials stands at 69 umpires and 69 by subsidising all completed Level 1 and timers. Level 2 courses for Scottish based coaches by 40% and 60%, respectively. As a result, Tutors 3 Scottish Curling secured a subsidy of New £583 for period 2020/21. The tutor workforce continues to grow. Three new learners became professionally The Coaching and Development qualified during the season increasing 17 Conference, as with all the courses, was the number to 17. A standardisation Total delivered online and attended by 119 refresher day was held last year for all coaches. In addition to the usual updates, the tutors. They were upskilled on the the coaches were treated to a CPD session adaptation of all Scottish Curling courses with British Curling Team coach, Alan and workshops, to online delivery. 27 DEVELOPMENT WORKFORCE COURSES IN 2020/21 COURSE TITLE NO. COURSES NO. ATTENDEES

*Level 1 3 31 Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport 10 69 Introduction to Sweeping 2 19 Key Principles of the Delivery Model 1 12 Stick Delivery 1 11 Tactics 2 24 **Team Dynamics 2 24 Rules Upskilling 1 9 Introduction to Mixed Doubles 1 8 Ready, Steady, Curl 1 19 **Sport Psychology - Series 1 4 59 **Sport Psychology - Series 2 4 67 TOTALS 32 352

Summary of Courses y Recap of Level 1 qualification (prior to season) * In season 2020/21 (April 2020 – April y Getting Ready for Return to Sport 2021) a total of 10 coaches qualified at workshop (prior to season) Level 1 and 1 coach qualified at Level 2. y Online Level 2 qualification Scottish Curling currently has 374 qualified y Continued development of Coaches and 122 coaches working towards their Corner Level 1 and Level 2 qualification. y Coaching Conference y Sports Psychology workshops (online) **A fleet of new workshops were introduced to the coaching calendar this year. Team Tutors Dynamics was designed to meet the y Tutor standardisation training day growth in interest for team coaching, and y Assessor and Internal Verifier courses 2 series of Sport Psychology workshops, (8 workshops in total), were aimed to Officials help keep the coaching community y Increase number of umpires and time connected during the long months of clock operators lockdown, and to develop intrapersonal y New online Game Umpire course skills. y Continuation of mentoring programme

Projects being developed for next Volunteers season include: y Mentoring and developing one of our Future Leaders Coaching y Skill Awards Programme launch (online as a Progressive Web app) 29 SAFEGUARDING PROTECTING CHILDREN & VULNERABLE ADULTS Keeping We continue to maintain 100% compliance with the sportscotland Standards for Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport. children Key highlights in this area are as follows: New Digital PVG Forms - To support and our clubs to continue to access the PVG scheme during COVID-19 we converted to a digital form application. Working in partnership with other sports – Scottish Curling Welfare Officer lead 6 webinars vulnerable on the updated PVG process and how to safely carry out remote ID checks.

Online Courses - All Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport Courses (CWPS) adults were converted from in person to online virtual classroom and a full child protection training programme was delivered this season. safe A total of 10 CWPS courses were delivered during the 2020/21 season, accessed by 128 participants (69 Scottish Curling members and 59 participants from other sports governing bodies.) is

Case management and support In additional to case management at everyone’s a national level, Scottish Curling continue to offer advice and support to clubs on the management and resolution of safeguarding concerns and cases via the Welfare and Child responsibility Protection Officer.

31 PARTNERSHIPS RECOGNITION & SPONSORS AWARDS

OUR PARTNERS 50 YEAR MEDALLISTS 2020/21 Gordon Craig (Abdie) Laurence Hervey (Bridge of Allan) Ken Horton (Carmunnock & Rutherglen) James Dunlop (Crosshill) Duncan McConnell (Darnaway) Robbie Scott (Dunkeld) G F Milligan (Durisdeer) Joyce Wilson (Falkland) Kenneth Irving (Gretna and Border) Mary Irving (Gretna and Border) Donald Burns (Hamilton and Thornyhill) Ewan Hay (Heart of the Highlands) Roy McFarlane (Keir) David McFarlane (Keir) Mary Forster (Loch Connel) Allie J Lyburn (Lynedoch Ladies) Alexis Sinclair (Lynedoch Ladies & Forret) John Stewart (Oxenfoord) OUR SPONSORS Mary Scobie (Stirling & District Ladies & Stirling Ice Rink Senior Ladies)

150 YEAR CLUB MEDALLISTS 2020/21 Clubs admitted in 1871

Broughty Ferry Earlston Laurencekirk St Ronan’s Tulliallan

33 INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

WORLD MIXED DOUBLES CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Mixed - GOLD Jennifer Dodds Bruce Mouat

WORLD MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Men - SILVER Bruce Mouat Grant Hardie Bobby Lammie Hammy McMillan Ross Whyte

WORLD WOMEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Women - 8TH Eve Muirhead Lauren Gray Jennifer Dodds Vicky Wright Sophie Sinclair

35 37 PHOTO CREDITS Front cover Page 4 Page 25 Page 26 Page 34 Page 37 & 37 Page 38 WCF / Céline Stucki WCF / Jeffrey Au WCF / Jeffrey Au Brian Battensby Top: WCF / Céline Stucki WCF / Steve Seixeiro WCF / Steve Seixeiro Bottom: WCF / Jeffrey Au WCF / Céline Stucki

We would like to thank everyone who provided us with photos and apologise if we have omitted or incorrectly credited photos. The Royal Caledonian Curling Club Trading as Scottish Curling Cairnie House, Ingliston Showground Newbridge EH28 8NB Telephone: 0131 333 3003 Email: [email protected] www.scottishcurling.org

A company Limited by Guarantee without a share capital Registered in Scotland under company number SC232571