Ontario Winter Games Qualifier December 14 - 18, 2017 Competition Guidelines

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WELCOME:

Thank you for choosing to participate in the Ontario Curling Council’s Ontario Winter Games Provincial Qualifier.

The Ontario Curling Council (OCC) is the recognized Provincial Sport Organization for amateur curling by the ’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Our members are Curl ON (Ontario Curling Association) and the Northern Ontario Curling Association (NOCA). The OCC is responsible for delivery of all Province-wide programs and competitions when events do not lead to a Curling Canada National Championship with representation from both Curl ON and NOCA. The Ontario Curling Council is responsible for the Ontario Winter Games, ParaSport Winter Games and Canada Winter Games Events / Qualification Events.

One winner of each gender from each of the six Provincial Qualifier locations will move on to compete in Ontario’s Premier Multi-Sport Games, the Ontario Winter Games, March 1-4, 2018 in Orillia.

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About the Ontario Winter Games: The Ontario Games Program started in 1970 in Etobicoke as a showcase for amateur sport. It has now become Ontario's largest multi-sport event, including both team and individual sports. Provincial level athletes from ages 12 to 18 qualify through a regional selection process conducted by the Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs). The Games take place every two years and are awarded through a bidding process. They are supported by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport in collaboration with host communities. For many young athletes, the Ontario Winter Games is the high point of their sporting career, while for others the Games are a stepping stone for the , Pan Am Games or even the Olympics.

Games Ontario: The Orillia 2018 Ontario Winter Games is supported by the Ontario Government, through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers or supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games, the Ontario ParaSport Games, the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the 2017 . Supporting Ontario sporting events is part of Game ON - The Ontario Government's Sport Plan, which is encouraging as many people as possible to play organized sports, helping Ontario's high-performance athletes pursue excellence and promoting increased tourism and economic development.

Games at a Glance: • 3,200 participants • 25 sports • 20 facilities • 4 days • $6 million in estimated economic activity • 600+ volunteers needed

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Ontario Curling Council Contacts:

Manager, Programs and Operations: Jennifer Ferris - [email protected] 289-527-0352

Project Co-ordinator: Byron Scott - [email protected] 519-222-8747

Ontario Winter Games Qualifier Locations:

# Location Date Address Event Coordinator / Umpire

1 Deep River Curling & Dec 15-18, 2017 1 Granite Lane, Squash Club Deep River, K0J 1P0

2 Oshawa Curling Club Dec 15-18, 2017 226 Bond St E, Oshawa L1G 1B5

3 Chesley Curling Club Dec 15-18, 2017 129 4th Ave SE, Chesley, N0G 1L0

4 Palmerston Curling Club Dec 15-18, 2017 520 Cavan St, Palmerston, N0G 2P0

5 Kakabeka Falls Curling Dec 14-17, 2017 ON-17, Kakabeka Marion Clark Club Falls, P0T 1W0 [email protected]

6 Tarentorus Curling Club Dec 14-17, 2017 56 Avery Rd, Sault Malcolm MacDonald Ste Marie, P6A 5K6 [email protected]

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General: 1. Age Eligibility Athletes must be 17 or under as of June 30, 2018 (born on or after July 1, 2000). 2. Qualification Process for Ontario Winter Games: The OCC will host six OPEN qualifiers. Teams may enter any ONE of the six qualifiers, entry fees payable to the OCC will apply. One winning team per gender from each of the six qualifiers will advance to the Ontario Winter Games. Athletes may compete in only ONE discipline at the Ontario Winter Games. Therefore, Athletes who win the Men’s and Women’s provincial qualifier events are INELIGIBLE to play in the Mixed Doubles event. We do not want athletes who have already qualified for the OWGs potentially eliminating another eligible athlete from the competition. 3. Composition of Teams: Each athlete must be a member of an affiliated club and have paid dues to an OCC Member Association (Curl ON or NOCA). Team members DO NOT have to be a member of the same club. Due to capacity issues at the Ontario Winter Games (athlete quota) – fifth players will not per permitted in either the OWGs or the OWG provincial qualifiers. Teams will need to declare their four players going into the qualifiers and the same four players will advance to the OWGs should they be successful. In the event of illness/injury, teams will be permitted to play a game with three players. If a team is unable to field a minimum of three players, they will forfeit any games until the time which they can field a team of three players. In the event of a catastrophic injury or extenuating circumstance where a player is unable to play in the Ontario Winter Games, the Ontario Curling Council may permit a substitution. These circumstances will be managed on a case by case basis.

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4. Coaching Qualifications: Ontario Winter Games Qualifiers: • Coaches must have a Criminal Record Check on file with OCC/NOCA or Curl ON AND • Coaches must be Certified Competition Coach; OR • Coaches may request a one-time, one OCC Event only exemption* *Exemption requests must be filed before the registration closing date (December 3, 2017) by emailing Jennifer Ferris at [email protected]. Exemptions may only be used for qualifiers. If a team being coached by an exempted coach qualifies for the Ontario Winter Games, the coach will need to pursue certification OR find a certified Competition Coach to accompany the team to the Ontario Winter Games. Ontario Winter Games: • Coaches must have a Criminal Record Check on file with OCC/NOCA or Curl ON AND • Coaches must be Certified Competition Coach

5. The Competition shall be played under the Curling Canada Rules of Curling for Officiated Play.

6. The Chief Umpire shall act as the Event Coordinator and representative of the Ontario Curling Council in each Qualifier Location. The Chief Umpire is responsible for rule enforcement and interpretation in all areas covered by the CC Rules of Curling for Officiated Play, Ontario Curling Council policy or precedent. His/Her decision will be final, except in matters involving disciplinary action, in which case the OCC’s Discipline Policy will be followed. In an emergency situation, the Chief Umpire may have to act immediately in areas outside of rules, policy or precedent. In these situations, the Chief Umpire is the final authority. In the event of a dispute regarding a decision made by the Chief Umpire, all disputes shall be immediately addressed by contacting OCC Manager, Programs and Operations, Jennifer Ferris or OCC Project Coordinator, Byron Scott.

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7. If Timers are available (subject to volunteer and equipment availability at each location) – One timing Umpire is assigned to each sheet of ice and is responsible for timing each game. The Timing Umpire will report to the Chief Umpire.

8. Code of Conduct: a) The Team (athletes), Coaches and Parents are subject to the Ontario Curling Council’s Code of Conduct Policies for Coaches, Athletes and Parents.

b) The Team Coach will be held directly responsible for the Off-Ice Conduct of His / Her team.

c) The consumption or use of alcoholic beverages, banned drugs and anabolic drugs by any player or coach at any time during the competition is strictly prohibited. All competitions are considered to have started twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the first level of play or the scheduled pre-event practice. The competition is considered completed, one (1) hour after the final game is complete. This rule shall be administered on a no tolerance basis. Penalty: In the event of a violation of this rule, the offender will be suspended immediately for the balance of the competition and, depending on the circumstances of the violation, may face further suspension or disciplinary action as the OCC’s Discipline Policy.

d) Curling is based on a code of ethics, good sportsmanship and personal integrity. Display of emotion, broom banging, etc., which results in damage to any area or part of the playing surface, players’ dressing rooms or any other area of the curling club or hotel will result in suspension for one game. Subsequent infractions will result in suspension for the remainder of the championship. You are expected to follow this tradition and the rules of the game throughout the competition.

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9. Team Meeting: At least one member of the team and coach shall attend the mandatory meeting with the Chief Umpire and 45 minutes before the first draw of the event. At this time any questions your team may have on the draw, officiating or rule interpretations will be discussed.

The penalty for missing the team meeting is forfeiture of last stone advantage for all games in the qualifying round of the competition.

10. Late Team Arrivals: All members of a team participating in the event shall arrive at the club at the time scheduled by the OCC. If a team does not arrive at the site in time to play its first game in any OCC competition, or any subsequent game(s), the team involved will forfeit the game(s) and be awarded a loss (L). Illness, accident or extenuating circumstance will not be considered unless a sufficient number of teams are involved, thus making it impossible for the competition to commence or continue (this decision will be made by the OCC Manager of Programs and Operations). If the team arrives too late to participate in the draw to the button for the purpose of determining tie- breaker ranking, they will deliver the first stone of the first end and will receive a distance of 186cm.

11. Dress Standards: You are required to have matching on-ice apparel for the ONTARIO WINTER GAMES (Qualifiers Excluded) and it is to be worn when you are on the ice (this includes practices, games and all ceremonies). Your jacket may be removed after the pre-game ceremony and is to be placed neatly at the home end area.

Although you walk on carpeted areas, please ensure that your footwear is clean at all times.

A team competing in an OCC competition will be allowed to wear any number of sponsors’ crests with no restriction on size. Any cresting or logo which is deemed to be in bad taste or demeaning will, at the discretion of the Chief Umpire or Event Coordinator, be removed or censored.

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Violation of any aspect of the dress code will result in the offending player being suspended until the violation has been corrected – Curling Canada Rules of Curling for Officiated Play (Miscellaneous Rules).

12. Competition Format: The Ontario Winter Games Provincial Qualifiers will be modified double knockout formats. The A and B events will qualify teams to a playoff. The Ontario Curling Council reserves the right to modify the draw format based on the number of teams registered per site.

The playoffs shall be single knockout.

The skip of a team that is losing may concede the game at any time.

a) Rock Colour Determination / Practice Order: Teams will conduct a coin toss 30 minutes before game time or earlier, to determine choice of colour or choice of practice. If a team is not present in time for the coin toss they will by default lose the coin toss and the non-offending team will have choice. If the non-offending team chooses rock colour they will practice first. The offending team will have the opportunity to throw their Last Stone Draw if they can do so prior to the scheduled draw period of one (1) minute after their seven (7) minute pre-game practice.

b) Pre Game practice: Each team will be allowed a seven (7) minute warm-up before each game on the same sheet of ice on which they are about to play and ONLY with the stones they will be using in the game. First practice is scheduled 20 minutes before game time, Second practice is scheduled 10 minutes before game time.

9 Competition Guidelines - Ontario Winter Games c) Last Stone Draw: After each team’s practice is declared complete and the coach has left the ice surface, one player from each team shall deliver one (1) stone within the one (1) minute period to the home end with sweeping that will be measured and removed. The stone must be touching the rings to be measured. One (1) player from the opposing team has the right to observe the measurement. The team that has the least measurement from the centre pin will have last stone advantage in the first end of game play. In the event that the two (2) measurements are equal or both teams have a non-measure, a different player from both teams will repeat the draw to the button until a clear determination is made.

Any player may throw the LSD.

The team that has the first practice will deliver their Last Stone Draw by using a Clockwise Rotation.

The team that has the second practice will deliver their Last Stone Draw by using a Counter Clockwise Rotation.

Competition Format General Outline 8 End Games Thinking Time - 32 minutes per team where timers are available Pace of Play rules in effect (where no timers are available), last end must start by the 2 hour 05 minute mark from game start Extra Ends (EE) - played towards glass EE - each team receives one additional time out EE - where timers available, each team receives an extra 4 mins thinking time, where timers unavailable, teams receive and extra 15 minutes to complete the end

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13. Sweeping / Brush Heads:

All brush heads must comply with the Curling Canada “Sweeping Moratorium on Brush Head Technology” effective September 12, 2016. In summary:

(1) Only World Curling Federation (WCF) approved brush heads will be allowed for use at Ontario Winter Games Championships.

(2) In all events, the obligation for compliance is on the individual players (and/or coach) to source a compliant brush head for play. Players and coaches will be responsible for ensuring any sweeping brush brought to the playing field is compliant with the moratorium.

(3) Hair brooms and corn brooms are banned for use as sweeping devices. During this moratorium, however they will be allowed to serve as sliding brooms.

(4) Any player using a sweeping device in competitions noted in (1) that is NOT APPROVED by the WCF will be suspended from the remainder of the competition and the game in question will be forfeited. The team will not be allowed to replace the player for the remainder of the competition and will play with three players. A second infraction by the same player or same team (any player, any time) will suspend that team for the remainder of the competition in question and for the next season. A second infraction by a specific player, at anytime, will result in a suspension for the remainder of the season and for the next season.

(5) Each player must declare his or her approved sweeping device at the start of the game. Only that player can use that device for sweeping during the game. Penalty: If a player sweeps with another person’s sweeping device, the stone shall be removed from play. (see Rules of Curling for Officiated Play – Rule 10 which states “stone is removed from play immediately and all other stones returned to original position prior to offence”)

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(6) A player may not change their brush head during a game, unless special permission is granted by the official in charge or Chief Umpire at formally officiated events. NOTE to OFFICIALS & UMPIRES – Special permission is to be granted only if the head in question is damaged beyond use by an action other than intentional destruction by competitor/team, or the brush head is causing damage to the ice surface through no intentional action of the competitor/team.

(7) If an alternate or substitute player enters a game that has started, they MUST use the broom of the player they are replacing. PENALTY: If a new sweeping device is brought into the game, the team will forfeit the game.

(8) The target broom must be the declared sweeping brush of the skip and vice-skip. Using a separate or different broom as the target broom is NOT allowed and is considered a breach of rule 5 with the same penalty.

(9) The moratorium covers any pre-competition practice, pre-game practice, and the draw for last stone advantage. PENALTY: If an unauthorized sweeping device is used, the offending team will relinquish last stone advantage in the next scheduled game.

(10) The sweeping techniques from Curling Canada’s General Play Rule 11 (8) (a), (b), (c) and Officiated Rule 12 (8)(a),(b),(c) will continue to be enforced.

(11) Random inspections of equipment by an umpire may be carried out during any event and/or during a game. Opposing players may request an inspection of a brush head prior to or during a game.

(12) Authority:

(a) The Chief Umpire is authorized to administer the Moratorium and may assign other umpires to perform various duties, as required.

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(b) The Official in Charge is authorized to administer the Moratorium.

(c) The Chief Umpire is authorized to make decisions regarding this Moratorium not specifically covered in this rule protocol. The Official in Charge is asked to contact the Official on call for clarification and guidance regarding any rulings.

(d) All decisions of the Chief Umpire or Official in Charge and Official on Call are final.

14. Playoffs:

The OWG qualifier playoffs are a single knockout format with the final winner advancing to the Ontario Winter Games in Orillia.

Immediately after the playoff teams are determined, a coin flip to determine choice of colour or second practice is conducted.

A full 7 minute practice for both teams will commence 20 minutes before the playoff game with each team throwing a last shot draw to determine hammer.

Once the Winner of the playoff game is determined a team photo will be taken for social media and promotion of the event. Teams must align themselves in the photo from left to right (skip to coach).

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15. NEW: Winners of the Ontario Winter Games DO NOT PROGRESS DIRECTLY TO THE CANADA WINTER GAMES.

Winners* of the Ontario Winter Games will: 1) Earn a “bye” directly into the Canada Winter Games Trials (to be held in December 2018) bypassing the CWG Pre-trials in November 2018 2) Gain entry in the OCC’s Next Gen Program for the 2018-2019 season

Second Place teams* at the Ontario Winter Games will: 1) Earn a “bye” directly into the Canada Winter Games Trials (to be held in December 2018) bypassing the CWG Pre-trials in November 2018

* Teams will need to retain 3 of 4 original players to retain entry into Canada Winter Games Trials or Next Gen Program (if applicable) and be CWG age eligible.

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