PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER

August 2012

Welcome Inside this issue: Since our May newsletter, activity in the northern hemisphere has calmed down WCF News 1 for the summer, which has let us all catch our breath after another fantastic Champion- WCF News 2 ship season. However, for our Members in the southern hemisphere, their curling sea- WCF News & 3 son is already in full swing. Media Over the past few weeks the London Olym- Development 4-5 pic Games have been the standout sporting event. They brought us some memorable Events & MA News 6 displays of athleticism and sportsmanship of the highest standard which has certainly got us all excited for the forthcoming 2014 MA News 7 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Deadlines 8 There has been a great deal of activity going on behind the scenes recently, not only here at the WCF, but also within our Member Associations. This newsletter covers just

some of this activity and you can read more Kate Caithness, about most of these stories by clicking on the President of the headers to take you to related websites. Special points of interest:

 ITOs announced for Sochi 2014 (p1)

 New WCF staff appointments (p2) ITOs announced for Sochi 2014 At the beginning of June the These ITOs will officiate at Wendorf (CAN) are the  Search for WCF Annual Congress World Curling Federation two test events in Sochi in official Technical Delegates hosts 2013 & 2014 announced the names of the 2013 – the World Wheel- (TD) for the 2014 Winter (p2) International Technical Offi- chair Curling Championship Olympic Games. Eeva Röth-  WCF Camps & De- cials (ITOs) who will officiate and the World Junior Curling lisberger (SUI) is the TD for velopment News (p4) at the Olympic and Paralym- Championships. the 2014 Winter Paralympic pic Winter Games in Sochi, Games and Allen Coliban  Event Deadlines (p8) Leif Öhman (SWE) and Keith Russia in 2014. (ROU) Assistant TD. Page 2 August 2012 Newsletter

New WCF staff appointments The World Curling Federa- announce the appointment Development Officers tion has welcomed four of Darrell Ell from (CDOs), both of whom join new members of staff over Lethbridge, Alberta, Can- the WCF on a part-time the past three months. ada, who has also been ap- basis . pointed as a full-time Com- Thelma Black joins the Fed- Pictured right are the petitions and Development eration as Finance Control- WCF’s new CDOs. From Officer. ler and replaces Liz Burns top to bottom: who has retired following Darrell is joined by Scott  Darrell Ell 16 years of service at the Arnold from London, On- Federation. tario, Canada and Allen  Scott Arnold Coliban from Brasov, Ro- We were also delighted to mania as Competitions and  Allen Coliban

WCF Delegates visit Sochi WCF Technical Delegates Olympic and Paralympic that the Olympic Curling Leif Öhman, Keith Wendorf Winter Games. Venue will be completed in and Eeva Röthlisberger vis- time to host the test events The WCF Technical Dele- ited Sochi, Russia in July to early next year. gate team reported that the check on the progress of development of the facilities Photo: Eeva Röthlisberger & Leif Öh- work for the curling compe- man in the Ice Cube Curling Center and venues in Sochi is very titions at the Sochi 2014 (WCF) impressive. They are pleased

WCF Congress The first World Curling Federation Annual Congress will take place between 16 and 20 October 2012 at the Turnberry Resort in Scotland. So far, representatives from 38 Member Associations have confirmed their attendance, which is fantastic.

We are still looking for bids to host the WCF Annual Congress in 2013 and 2014 and would ask any Member Association to notify us of their interest in holding the event in either year by 1st October 2012. The dates are as follows:  WCF Annual Congress 2013 (26 August to 2 September)

 WCF Annual Congress 2014 (25 August-1 September) Photo: Turnberry Resort

For more information about the bidding process please contact [email protected] August 2012 Newsletter Page 3

London Olympic Games 2012 Colin Grahamslaw and I had the pleasure of spending some time at the London Olympic Games. Prior to the wonderful Opening Ceremony, we attended the opening of the 124th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session at the Royal Opera House and numerous IOC meetings.

During our stay we visited several venues and witnessed many medals being won. The atmos- phere was unbelievable and all of the volunteers, emergency services, armed forces and every- one else working during the Games truly epitomized the Olympic Values.

Salt Lake City gold medalist, Rhona Our visit proved to be an excellent networking opportunity which enabled us to meet repre- Martin (GBR), carries the Olympic sentatives from many of the summer sports, sporting organisations, public bodies, businesses Torch through Glasgow and individuals, all with whom we share the common goal of developing sport.

I return to London at the start of the Paralympic Games with Eeva Röthlisberger where we will attend the Opening Ceremony. We also have several meetings arranged and hope to have the opportunity to visit some of the Paralympic sporting events during our time in London.

SportAccord In May, Colin and I attended and the Canadian Curling tive meetings with the IOC, the SportAccord Interna- Association, showcased a Association of International tional Convention which unique curling experience, Olympic Winter Sports Fed- was held in Quebec City, offering delegates the op- erations (AIOWF), dele- Canada. portunity to play curling on gates from Sochi 2014 and

a synthetic curling sheet. PyeongChang 2018 and vari- SportAccord visitors get to try The WCF, working with ous other organisations. out curling Photo: WCF Rock Solid Productions Inc We also attended construc-

Media We have launched two new event websites over the summer: for the Le Gruyère Euro- pean Curling Championships 2012 in Karlstad, Sweden http://ecc2012.curlingevents.com and the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships 2012 in Naseby, New Zealand http:// pacc2012.curlingevents.com Within the next few weeks, the website for the World Women’s Curling Championship 2013 http://wwcc2013.curlingevents.com will also be launched. New Facebook pages have also been created for some of these Champion- ships. Feel free to ‘Like’ both www.facebook.com/EuropeanCurlingChampionships and www.facebook.com/Pacific-AsiaCurlingChampionships

Athlete, coach and team Social Media Guidelines have also been updated and can be The 2012 ECC website and Face- found here: http://www.worldcurling.org/athletes-coaches-team-resources book page are now live Page 4 August 2012 Newsletter

DEVELOPMENT

WCF / DCV Hummelt Curling Camps (Füssen, Germany) Between 23 June and 7 July 185 participants from 27 Füssen, all the instructors, 2012, the WCF, with the Member Associations at- assistants and especially support of the German tended the courses and the Eeva Röthlisberger and Liz Curling Association (DCV), Junior Camp. Munro who helped to make worked together to host Füssen 2012 such a great The success of these camps several curling courses. success. was illustrated by the fact These included an Ice Tech- that the Junior Camp was We look forward to wel- nician Course, Advanced yet again fully booked this coming new participants Umpire Course, Level I summer. next year and would en- Technical Instructor Course courage anyone interested Füssen 2012 - Ice Technician We would like to extend Course and the 14th annual WCF / in attending next year to Photo: WCF special thanks to the DCV, DCV Hummelt Junior Curl- apply as soon as possible. the Ice Sport Center in ing Camp.

WCF Adult Curling Camp (Prague, Czech Republic) The 6th WCF Adult Curling Eeva and Liz from the WCF, ward to welcoming more Camp was held between 25 and the elite athletes who participants next year. – 29 May 2012 and wel- together helped run what

comed fifty one adults from proved to be yet another 16 different Member Asso- top level curling camp. Photo: Antonio de Mollinedo demon- ciations. strating a balance drill (WCF) We are confident that this Thanks to the Curling Club camp will continue to grow of Prague, the instructors, in popularity and look for-

WCF Questionnaire As you may already be aware, the WCF would like to hear what you think about the Rules of Curling. Over the next few months, the WCF will be researching the possi- bility of changes to the rules which could enhance and improve the game. We value all input and would like to encourage all athletes, coaches, administrators, spectators and members of the media to get involved. The aim of this consultation is to im- prove our sport and with your help we can make that happen.

Although this consultation process is now underway, any changes would only be implemented after the 2013/14 curling season. Complete the questionnaire on our website: Time-outs - one topic of debate in the WCF Rules Questionnaire Photo: WCF/Richard Gray http://www.worldcurling.org/world-curling-federation-wants-your-views-on-rules Page 5 August 2012 Newsletter

DEVELOPMENT

Korea coach / instructors and officials courses In association with the over the five days. KCF officials providing the WCF, the Korean Curling instruction. The first was a technical Federation (KCF) hosted component course for This course proved to be courses for curling coaches/ coaches/instructors which extremely successful and instructors and officials be- was presented by our newly plans are being developed tween 6-10 August in Jeonju appointed Competitions to offer similar assistance to City. and Development Officer other Member Associations Tae-Oh Gil (KOR) Instructor for the Officials Course showing 30 curlers, including instruc- Darrell Ell, with assistance as interest in our sport con- participants measuring tech- tors from all 17 of the Prov- from two members of the tinues to grow, particularly niques Photo: WCF inces and Associations that KCF. in this region, ahead of the makeup the KCF attended 2018 Olympic Winter The second component was the courses which were Games in PyeongChang, a course for officials, with conducted in two parts Korea.

Wheelchair Curling courses: Korea and Finland The WCF, in association There are 20 spaces avail- on 2 November 2012. with the Korea Wheelchair able on this course, which There are only 10 spaces Curling Association, is run- will be presented in English. available on this course, ning a Wheelchair Curling which will also be presented In Lohja, Finland, the WCF course in Wonju, Gangwon in English. To sign up and will be running a one day Province, from 21-23 Sep- get more information visit International Wheelchair Team KOR at WWhCC 2012 tember 2012. Photo: KOSAD / Young Bok Kim Curling Classifier Workshop www.wcf-camps-courses.com

WCF Adult Curling Week, Slovakia The WCF, in association with the Slovak Curling Association, is running an Adult Curling Week in Ružinovská Curling Hall, Bratislava from 23 to 28 October 2012.

The week will be split into three separate courses. The first will be a Curling Basics course (23-24 Oct) covering basic aspects of the sport, while the second, an Ad- vanced Curling course (25-26 Oct), offers a deeper perspective on competitive curl- ing. The third is a WCF Level 1 Instructor course (27-28 Oct) for those considering a future role as a curling instructor. Courses will be conducted in English. For 20 people, aged 18 and over. Application deadline: 9 October 2012

To sign up & get more information visit: www.wcf-camps-courses.com

Bratislava to host a WCF Adult Curling Week in October Photo: http://visit.bratislava.sk August 2012 Newsletter Page 6

Events The WCF is still encouraging Member Associations to submit bids for the following champion- ships and would advise that all Associations submit their interest as soon as possible. The WCF is currently seeking bids for:  European Junior Curling Challenge 2014 (3–8 January)  World Senior Curling Championships 2014 (21-27 April)  World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2014 (12-19 April)  WCF Olympic Qualification Event 2013* (11 – 15 December) Curling events can generate an eco- nomic boost for Members Associa- 2014 Bid Deadlines: As soon as possible. Latest decision at the WCF Congress October 2012. tions, local communities and host cities Photo: WCF/CCA/Michael Burns * 31 December 2012 is the deadline for bidding. The decision on the successful host of the WCF Olym- pic Qualification Event will be made by 15 April 2013.

MEMBER ASSOCIATION NEWS

Canada The CCA has changed the events. However, some of The Scotties will also allow qualification process for the teams will have to play a a representative from their men’s and women’s pre-qualifying event in order Northern Ontario to enter national championships. to qualify for the main 12 the championship and the team draw. three Territories— From the 2014-15 season, The format of Canada’s National Northwest, Yukon and the and The Brier will see a Team Championships will change Nunavut, will all each get to Scotties Tournament of Canada defending champion Photo: CCA/Michael Burns field separate entries. Hearts will become 15-team entry.

New Zealand The New Zealand Curling Association and Auckland Curling Club took advantage of the temporary Paradice Ice Rink on Aotea Square in Auckland City Centre in June. The club had two sheets in play, one with a demonstration game while the other was available for the early-morning onlookers wanting to give the sport a try. Although Auck- land Curling Club only had an hour on the ice early in the morning, they were able to intro- duce our sport to a lot of people visiting the attraction.

Elsewhere in New Zealand, a National Bonspiel was held on natural ice on the Idaburn Dam in for the fifth time since 1995. Open to all 36 curling clubs throughout the country, over 250 curlers were in action over the two days. Photographer Simon East Curling on the Idaburn Dam http://simoneast.com captured some stunning shots at the event. Photo: Simon East Photography Page 7 August 2012 Newsletter

MEMBER ASSOCIATION NEWS

USA The USCA is looking for- of Olympic-size ice. The The Nutmeg Curling Club ward to the opening of two construction is set to be and USCA have also part- new facilities in Wausau and completed by November. nered to host a Five Ele- Milwaukee. Members of the ments of Curling Technique The Milwaukee Curling Wausau Curling Club have Clinic (28-30 September), Club meanwhile will be been working for more than geared toward experienced moving into a new five a year to ensure that their curlers of all levels. Olympi- sheet facility in Cedarburg, new facility will be one of ans, Team USA athletes, Wisconsin. The new the best in the country. The and/or international-caliber $3.8M, 28,000 square foot club raised more than coaches will work directly multi-use venue is due to be Groundbreaking at the new $3.5M from private donors with curlers. For more in- home of Wausau Curling completed by October Club to build this facility which formation visit 2012. Photo: USCA will be home to eight sheets www.usacurl.org

Norway IOC President Jacques have opened their doors to tary General Pål Trulsen Rogge had the pleasure of the public. also attended. opening Lillehammer Curl- Rogge was assisted at the To mark the opening of the ing Arena in June. opening ceremony by Nor- new facility in Lillehammer, The four sheet facility is the way’s Minister for Culture Rogge was presented with a latest dedicated curling facil- Anniken Huitfeldt. WCF pair of Norwegian curling IOC President Jacques Rogge is ity to open in Norway. Vice-President Bent Ånund pants by Bent Ånund Rams- presented with ‘Fancy Pants’ in Nor- way Photo: www.tv2.no Within the last year, half a Ramsfjell and Norwegian fjell. dozen new curling facilities Curling Association Secre-

Other News At the WCF / DCV Hummelt Junior Curling Camp in Füssen, youngsters were given an opportunity to learn more about anti-doping and WADA as part of the WCF’s ongoing anti-doping education programme.

And finally, it appears that our sport has captured the interest of yet another celeb- rity follower... United States President Barack Obama confessed to watching our sport on a US Chat show. Although his schedule is pretty busy I’m sure we could arrange for a quick game with him somewhere, somehow. Watch his interesting admission on the Business Insider website http://articles.businessinsider.com

Junior athletes in Füssen learn more about anti doping Photo: WCF World Curling Deadlines Federation Member Associations are reminded of the following team entry deadlines: 74 Tay Street Perth Events PH2 8NP  European Junior Curling Challenge 2013 (Prague, Czech Republic) United Kingdom 15 September 2012  Pacific-Asia Junior Curling Championships 2013 (Tokoro, Kitami-City, Hokkaido, Phone: (44) 1738 451 630 Fax: (44) 1738 451 641 Japan) 15 September 2012 Email: [email protected] Courses  International Wheelchair Curling course, Jeonju, Korea (21-23 Sept) Facebook: www.facebook.com/ WorldCurlingFederation 11 September 2012 Google+: www.gplus.to/  WCF Adult Curling Week, Bratislava, Slovakia (23-28 Oct) worldcurlingfederation 9 October 2012 You Tube: www.youtube.com/user/ WorldCurlingTV  International Wheelchair Curling Classifier Workshop (2 Nov) Twitter Media Feed: @WCFmedia 15 October 2012 Twitter Fan Feed @worldcurling

For further information or if you have any questions about these or any of our other Follow us Championship events or courses, please contact the WCF Secretariat via the contact details provided (left).

Next Edition With my next newsletter due in dertaking in our next newsletter, November, we look forward to please contact the WCF Media and bringing you news from the Inaugu- Communications Team via ral World Curling Congress in [email protected] no Turnberry in October. We will also later than 31st October. have updates from our visit to the Yours in curling, London 2012 Paralympics and our Visit our website: first event of the year, the World www.worldcurling.org Wheelchair Qualification event in Lohja, Finland early in November.

If you wish to share any suggestions,

news or information about activity that your Association has been un-