ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG Yo u r Curler keeping you connected with Scottish

CLUBS & RINKS FEATURES COMPETITIONS The season starts Our umpires have a The 2016/17 season is with a bang; awards, refresher day and new off to a flying start with refurbishment, a mixed member discount offers success for Scottish doubles workshop and are available, more teams at home and freshers fayres! information inside… further afield already ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | CLUBS & RINKS CLUBS & RINKS DUMFRIES JUNIORS COLLECT SPORTING HEROES HONOURS Dumfries Juniors hit the headlines at the Nithsdale Sports Council Awards. Sophie Jackson won the Female Sports Personality of the Year after becoming the Scottish Junior and the Scottish Mixed Champion 2016, going on to represent Scotland at two World Championships. Sophie also gives up her free time to come back to Dumfries Ice Bowl in between her busy training schedule to support the next group of juniors coming up through the ranks by sharing her knowledge and helping out at the Junior Coaching Sessions. won the Young Male Sports Personality of the year for representing Team GB at the Youth Olympics and winning a Silver Medal in the Youth Olympics Mixed Doubles event. Ross too has been able to support the Junior Coaching in between his own training at Dumfries and competitions schedule. Dumfries Young Curlers also won Team of the Year after defending their title at the Junior Club Challenge - Division 1. Some of the juniors and parents attended the Awards Night at the Cairndale Hotel and had a great night mixing with other sports and watching a spectacular table tennis display.

INVERNESS ICE RINK REFURBISHMENT Inverness ice rink is currently undergoing an upgrade, with a new plant being installed. This should result in a 25 to 30 per cent saving, which equates to a five figure sum annually, in running costs. A saving that the board of director’s hope will help make the centre more economic and viable for the future. The two largest funding packages have come from sportscotland, the national agency for sport, and The Highland Council Capital Grand fund, contributing £345,125 and £171,870 respectively. The work has been taking place throughout the summer, the photos showing some of the progress that’s been made during these months.

For more photos from the refurbishment, click here >> 2 ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | CLUBS & RINKS STUDENT CURLING Student curling clubs look to be in good shape for the coming season. With over 10 colleges and universities throughout Scotland having a curling stand at their Freshers Fayre they have made a strong start to the coming season. Some student groups have already hosted their first Student Try Curling sessions with great success. The clubs are able to compete in both the Scottish Student Sport (SSS) curling league – which takes place at the Dewars Centre on Wednesday afternoons throughout the academic year – and the SSS curling championship – which takes place at the end of the season at Stranraer ice rink. Both events 3 are equally social as they are competitive.

For information on student curling, or to get involved with your local student club, click here >>

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BOOK NOW t: 01776 704 413 | e: [email protected] Rate based on 2 people sharing a classic room ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | CLUBS & RINKS AYR MIXED DOUBLES WORKSHOP Ayrshire Province, in conjunction with the Ayr Development Group and the RCCC, held a workshop for the relatively new curling discipline of Mixed Doubles Tuesday 20th September. We were delighted to welcome Bruce Mouat, current Scottish Mixed Doubles Champion, to Ayr to lead the workshop alongside Judith McCleary (leaving sister Babs holding the new baby for the night!) a past Scottish Mixed Doubles Champion. In fact, between them Judith and Bruce have won the Mixed Doubles Scottish Championship for the last 5 years! We spent some time in the classroom having the rules explained to us and discussing possible tactics, always assuming, of course that those playing were capable to executing the shots called! It would be fair to say that despite Judith’s and Bruce’s best efforts there was a fair amount of head scratching going on as we were very quickly dispelled of the notion that Mixed Doubles was Pairs by another name! With two stones placed before the start of the end, one in the house and one out front as a guard, and with no take outs allowed until the fourth stone played, you are virtually guaranteed a “guddle” every end with lots of draws and quiet tap backs. However, once down on the ice, and with guidance from Judith and Bruce, it all started to become a little bit clearer. Some good curling took place, some not so good too - but much hilarity across all four sheets of ice and everybody thoroughly enjoyed the session. We were also able to get Judith’s maternity cover at the Royal Club, Jane Booth, onto the ice for her very first Try Curling experience. Well done Jane and we hope that Judith has, by now, got you enrolled on a beginner’s course at Stirling! Thanks to Jane, Judith and Bruce for coming down to Ayr on behalf of the RCCC and to all the Ayr curlers who came along on the night. MURRAYFIELD SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING OFFICER VACANCY

REPORT: ANDREW KERR PHOTOS: LIZ BOSWELL

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Murrayfield Curling Limited, Edinburgh We are seeking to appoint a marketing professional to build upon the solid foundations of the club and to take a leading role in growing and sustaining our membership, along with an active team of staff and volunteers who organize and run a wide range of curling programs that meet the needs of existing and future members. Previous experience in the sport of curling is not essential but a background in sport would be advantageous. The rink, based near Murrayfield Stadium, houses one of the busiest and best respected curling clubs in Scotland with 7 sheets of curling ice and approximately 1900 active members of all ages. For a detailed Job Description please email Jenny Barr – Murrayfield Curling Limited ([email protected]) For more like this, follow @VikKjell 4 Deadline for applications – Monday 10th October 2016 ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | FEATURES demonstrated how umpires, coaches and athletes were all working together for the benefit of the sport. Splitting into small groups those present looked at a number of FEATURES videos and written scenarios considering the relevant rules and how they were applied. As usual they provoked plenty of discussion points! After lunch an exercise on ranking from last season’s Scottish Men’s UMPIRE REFRESHER Championship proved a good test of which rules needed to be used to decide who played in each of the play-off games. The rest of the DAY 2016 afternoon was taken with learning about new technology around the process of measuring Last Stone Draws (LSD) that will be used at this A record turnout of 60 umpires were joined for season’s national championships. their Annual Refresher Day at Lanarkshire Ice After a brief introduction explaining why it was being introduced Rink by Convenor Bill Duncan, RCCC Competition 5 umpires had an opportunity to use the Curl Distance App in conjunction Coordinator Aline Hardie and British Curling Head with using the new laser measures the RCCC had purchased. Inputting the results into a Coach Tony Zummack. specially designed App by Alan Stephen completed the session. Bill opened with a review of the activities of the umpiring The day could not finish without the result of the traditional caption competition which committee over the year along with the number of this year was won by Linsey Alison on a tie break (!) with RCCC Vice President, Jim Cullen competitions both at home and abroad at which RCCC umpires then presenting Linsey with her prize. had officiated. Convenor Bill Duncan summed up another very successful day with a vote of thanks Alan Stanfield then covered a number of off-ice and wished everyone a good season both on and off the ice. developments that had taken place during the season as well as future ones planned including an Umpiring Resource Pack to support umpires of all levels in fulfilling commitments as well as their own personal development. Bill highlighted the main rule changes passed at the recent WCF Congress which he had attended as one of the four RCCC reps. This led onto Tony Zummack giving a very interesting and informative talk on all the difficulties over sweeping and brush technology last season before encouragingly outlining what had come out of the Sweeping Summit in Ottawa in May. It had resulted in a clear way forward for the coming season including new sweeping rules. This had been approved at the WCF Congress as well as endorsed by the relevant RCCC committees. A wide range of questions followed which also

REPORT: ALAN STANFIELD ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | FEATURES MEMBER DISCOUNT OFFERS We are once again pleased to bring you a range of exclusive discount offers as part of your 2016-17 membership. Get kitted out for the new season with 5% off curling equipment at Curling Supplies and British Curling Supplies, update your club wear with 15% off luxury clothing and performance brands Glenmuir and Sunderland, or just get ready for winter with 10% off outdoor clothing specialists Trespass and Nevisport. If you’re planning a trip to Perth for the Scottish Curling Championships, or just a weekend away, be sure to check in to the Holiday Inn Express for 10% off standard rates. If you’re dreaming of destinations that little bit further away, we have teamed up with Fred Olsen. Cruise Lines for a fantastic 10% discount on all their cruises over and above offers in the market. Whatever your needs, make the most of your membership this season with Do you know a local curling volunteer these great offers. Terms and conditions apply. who deserves some much-needed For more information including your exclusive recognition? discount codes, visit here >> Now in its 14th year, the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award celebrates people from around the UK who volunteer their time and efforts to help people participate in sport. DISCOER YOUR ECLUSIE DISCOUNTS AT BBC Get Inspired is once again looking for Unsung Heroes this year. rcccmembers.org Panels will meet in each of the BBC’s 12 English regions and in BBC Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, picking one winner from each area. The overall winner will be selected from those 15 and will be announced during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year programme on Sunday, 18 December in Birmingham. The nomination period is now open, with entries closing at 23.59 on the 23rd October.

Click here for more information, or to make a nomination >> ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | COMPETITIONS

COMPETITIONS & DATES for your EVENTS DIARY SEPT-OCT 7 Your new look Dates for your Diary… Simply click on the dates for more information.

29th September – 2nd October 9th October SWISS CUP ASHAM UNDER 14 SLAM – FORFAR Basel, Switzerland Forfar Indoor Sports

30th September – 2nd OctoberTH 12th – 16th October ASHAM UNDER 21 SLAM – KINROSS EUROPEAN PLAYDOWNS JUNIOR CLASSIC Dewars Centre Kinross Curling 14th – 22nd October 30th September – 2nd October WORLD MIXED CURLING STOCKHOLM LADIES CURLING CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 14Stockholm, Sweden THKazan, Russia 7th – 9th October 20th – 23rd October SCOTTISH CURLING SENIOR MIXED CURLING MASTERS CHAMPERY CHAMPIONSHIP Champery, Switzerland Stranraer Ice Rink 20 21st – 23rd October 7th – 9th October EJCT OSLO LIVE CHANNEL CUP Oslo, Norway 28Harnosand, Sweden, 23rdND October 7th – 9th October ASHAM UNDER 14 SLAM – WOMEN’S MASTERS STRANRAER Basel, Switzerland Stranraer Ice Rink

7th – 9thTH October GOLDLINE SCOTTISH CURLING TOUR You can also view – DUMFRIES OPEN these dates @ TH 9Dumfries Ice Bowl 2RDroyalcaledionancurlingclub.org DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE NEXT YOUR14 CURLER? Complete our online form by... 23 th October 19 2016 Visit the RCCC website or click >> ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | COMPETITIONS OAKVILLE OCT FALL CLASSIC Team Smith (Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell, Cammy Smith) had a good start to their first trip to Canada of the season at the Oakville OCT Fall Classic. This was their second competition of 2016/17 after a quarter-final finish at the Baden Masters in Switzerland at the end of August. After coming through the round robin stages undefeated, Team Smith came up against Team Deruelle in the quarter final. After a weak start they came back to win in six ends, final score 8-4. In the semi’s they faced Team Gardner – the game was taken to an extra end where Team Smith came out on top, to win 5-4. In the final they were matched against McCormick of the USA, who were also undefeated so far in the competition. Team Smith managed a decisive 7-2 victory over the Americans and were rewarded with the title, $3,000 prize PHOTO: JONATHAN BRAZEAU money and some World Curling Tour ranking points.

BRAEHEAD JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL

GOOD CURLING, There was success for two Scottish junior teams at the first event of the European Junior Curling Tour – the Braehead BETTER CURLING, Junior International which took place on 2nd – 4th September. Twelve men’s’ and eight women’s’ teams took part in the FOR THE BEST CURLING... competition, including teams from Norway, Switzerland and Germany. SWITCH TO GOLDLINE The men’s final saw Team Bryce take on fellow Scots Team Whyte. Whyte stole two in end three to lead 3-1, which Bryce responded to with a two It starts with using the equipment that is the PHOTO: ?? in end four, then a steal of one in end six. Whyte scored two in end seven, ‘Choice of Champions’. but it wasn’t enough, as Bryce took two in the last end to win the match goldinecurling.com 6-5 and claim the title. In the women’s final 2015/16 champions Team Jackson were playing against Swiss team Witschonke in order to retain their title. Although Witschonke led 2-1 at halfway Jackson came back to score two in end five and steal two in end six for a 6-5 win. PHOTOS: LESLIE INGRAM BROWN Introducing THE OVAL PRO PAD! Approved for use in all DO YOU WANT TO BE PART WCF Championships and Events. OF THE NEXT YOUR CURLER? AVAILABLE AT Complete our online form by... th Oct 19 2016 The Choice of Champions Visit the RCCC website or click >> ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | COMPETITIONS ASHAM UNDER 21 SLAM – GREENACRES The first Asham Slam of the Under 21 series the ultra-aggressive Bryce approach – saw them run out took place on great ice at the Greenacres Junior 7-1 winners. Masters 16th – 18th September. The final saw the Bryce steal in the fourth to go two up After some excellent team – with the draw displays throughout the round from Bobby just robin stages, spots in the semis two inches short were secured by British Curling of the button performance Team Jackson, – Team Whyte who won 4-3 against Team tried to get back Dakers. The other women’s into it, but lost 9 semi-final game was between a four in end six when Bobby was newly formed Team Macdonald heavy trying to hide round the and Team Aitken, where Aitken centre guard with his last stone and managed to secure a place in Cameron was able to draw for four the final with a 7-5 win. The and the win for Team Bryce. All four women’s final saw a dress of the teams who made it to the rehearsal for the World B Junior finals will now have the chance to play off. Jackson edging it, again compete in the Junior International converting her two at the first in Thun, Switzerland, which is part with hammer, Aitken closing of the European Junior Curling Tour. with a two in the fifth, but the sixth killed it with Team Jackson again taking two. In the men’s semi’s the Academy teams of Carson and Whyte (minus Ross on the Sunday, with Bobbie Lammie subbing) faced up in one semi For all line scores and more, click here >> with Team Whyte managing a 7-1 win in five ends. The other semi-final saw British Curling performance Team Bryce matched up against Team Cormack, PHOTO: LESLIE INGRAM BROWN

ASHAM UNDER 17 SLAM – LOCKERBIE

Lockerbie Ice Rink was the venue for the first event in the Asham Under 17 Slam of 2016/17, the JEM Stevenson Trophy, which was contested 24th – 25th September. Twenty-four junior teams from all over Scotland competed in this weekend competition, with six sections being played and group winners and runners-up keenly contesting for a place in either the High Road or the Low Road. Some local curlers competed in the final stages, with all the teams showing good competitive curling. Ultimately last year’s winner Team Kinnear (Callum Kinnear, Ryan McCormack, Duncan McFadzean and Matthew McKenzie) emerged the winners of the JEM Stevenson Trophy over James Hair’s team of Fraser Morton, Angus Naysmith and Scott Barr. The Low Road final was played between Dumfries Team Kennedy, (Fergus Kennedy, Scott Hyslop, Nevin Harmjanz and Finlay Kennedy) against Team Haswell (Blair Haswell, Adam Keron, Cameron Paterson and Adam MacDairmid) with Blair’s team winning the Lockerbie & District Rotary Club Shield. Alistair Stevenson, representing the Stevenson family, invited Gordon Dinwoodie to present the High Road trophy and prizes to the winning team. Ian Potts representing the Rotary Club presented the Low Road prizes and Rotary Shield to the winners. Grateful thanks to the Stevenson Family, Lockerbie & District Rotary Club, Gordon Dinwoodie from Sport & Trophy Centre and Asham Curling Supplies for their continued support and sponsorship. Many thanks to Jim Hogg, chief umpire, with assistants Ian Dyer and Eva, and also ice, bar and catering staff for making this a very successful event.

Look forward to seeing everyone next year!

For line scores, team lists and more, click here >> ISSUE 41 | SEPTEMBER 2016 | ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG | COMPETITIONS BRAEHEAD OPEN The first event of this season’s Goldline Scottish Curling Tour took place on Friday 23rd September. Twenty-four teams entered this year – including teams from Europe as well as English, Irish and Welsh teams. Team Hardie (Grant Hardie, Blair Fraser, David Reid and Duncan Menzies) retained the Braehead Open title, by beating Team Jackson (Sophie Jackson, , and ) 5-2 in a well fought final. Defending Braehead champion Grant Hardie made it to the final after winning their semi-final game against Team Mouat – who were playing without their , Bruce - with Grant never losing the lead and winning 5-3. In the other high road semi, Sophie Jackson went out to an early lead and never looked in trouble, beating Stuart Taylor 7-4. The ice for the final was a little trickier than it had been all weekend, to the wire, all tied at 7, after 7. The Smith team played a fantastic final end and but both teams put in a great performance and played some managed the steal and the victory. exceptional shots, with the Hardie rink managing a well-constructed The low road final ended with Gillespie beating Havercroft 4-3. steal in the seventh to all but secure the victory. David Reid wasn’t able The next tour event is the Dumfries Open, which will be played 7th – 9th October. to attend the prize-giving, so his daughter stepped in to help the team out! For more from the Goldline Scottish The middle road final between Hazel Smith and Coombs went down Curling Tour, click here >>

DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE NEXT YOUR CURLER?

Complete our online form by... th October 19Visit the RCCC2016 website or click >>

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*All bookings are subject to Fred. Olsen’s (FOCL) standard terms & conditions, available on our website & on request. All prices quoted under the RCCC members discount offer are exclusive to qualifying members & their travelling companions only, members must quote their discount code at time of booking. Membership discounts cannot be applied retrospectively. Bookings must be made via the booking hotline number 0800 0355 108. Proof of membership will be required at the time of booking. Offers cannot be extended to any unrelated third party, are subject to availability & may be withdrawn or amended at any time without prior notice. From time to time FOCL may run special offers which cannot be combined with this discount, including selected group travel deals. All guests booked under this scheme are requested to refrain from disclosing the fare paid whilst on board. Offer is for fi rst-time cruisers with Fred. Olsen only. Fred. Olsen Oceans members are entitled to a 5% RCCC discount subject to the same terms & conditions, to be applied after the standard Oceans discount, where applicable. In this instance, Oceans Terms & Conditions apply. E&OE.