FEBRUARY 2009 TH E O N T A R I O7 REPORT The Most Influential People in Curling

ho wields the big ment in the game and he the north has never been 11 - Fran Todd 16 - stick? Who can sponsors numerous teams so well served. Official Curler, Coach get people to lis- across the country. His rela- ten? Who has changed the tionship with curlers, offi- 7- The current president of the game with innovation and Harry almost always hits cials and the coaching Curler Canadian Curling Whard work? Who can do a the nail on the head with ranks means he is a true Association, Todd is also an great job despite wearing his observations on the triple threat. If you listen to him, his best accomplished curler in days many hats? game. That’s why he’s a playing days may be gone by. The combination of That’s what the OCR highly sought after behind him due more to curler and official has helped wanted to find out and the 3- person when it comes to desire than skill (although her in the current role, al- results are here –our first Curler changes to the sport, he still managed to win a though she has smartly list of the most influential whether that be the Howard is Ontario’s most Grand Slam event). Still allowed the worker bees people in Ontario curling – Olympic qualifying successful curler. Period. Middaugh’s outspoken in to do the both North and South. process, the World After discussions with His record is unmatched ways are still as powerful heavy lifting. Curling Tour or editorial staff and various and it will nothing short of a as one of his hits. His cur- coaching a top team, of people throughout the major disappointment if he rent battle with the 12 - DannyLamoureux sport, we came up with a which he does plenty. fails to lead his team to the Revenue Agency could Official long list of names that was Olympic Games in have huge ramifications on eventually whittled down to Vancouver a year from now. the sport and he will be The CCA’s Manager of 17 - the top 20. In putting With his on-ice success in the spotlight as the Curling Club Development, Curler together out list, we had a comes off-ice credibility and case gets closer to the Lamoureux may have done few rules. First, they had to One of the most consis- Howard isn’t afraid to tact- court room. more to save curling clubs in live in Ontario and second, tent players in the game, fully speak out when the this country than anyone. their influence measured hers is one of a very few here is for Ontario, need arises. He and his His great perspective on 8- Doug Bakes Ontario women’s teams although some on the list team are leading the charge what makes a club run suc- Official that play the circuit. As have perspective for change in the province’s cessfully has created a set such, she brings a that ultimately affects playdown process. The Ontario Curling of best practices that should perspective to the sport Ontario curlers. No mem- Association’s head honcho be in use at every club in the in this province that is bers of the media were 4- and the guy who manages province. included. The only excep- Greg Stremlaw often bang on. Official the game’s biggest jurisdic- tion is where the person’s tion. He makes this list not main contribution to the 13 - Krista McCarville The newish head of the so much because of what 18- Fred Veale sport came at something Curler he does for the sport at the Entrepreneur other than the media. Canadian Curling Association, Stremlaw was top ranks – the men’s and of the reigning Ontario And so, without further You may not know the ado, here are the most left a bag of rocks when he women’s provincial champi- women’s champions, Mc- name but Veale runs influential people in the took over from Dave Parkes onships – but the many Carville has become a bea- Canada Curling Stone, sport in this province. and has quickly cleaned up lower tiered Ontario finals – con in the north, where the the administrative side of from Bantams to Masters strength of women’s curling the biggest stone the national curling office. — that benefit the game at has been waning in terms of company in the world. He turned a red ink to black the grass roots level. quantity. Her high level of He fixes more curling 1- Ian Cunningham stones at more clubs than Sponsor in a year but still has a way play gives her the ability to to go to turn around a once- lead others in an area that anyone in the business 9- and if you play around When it comes to curling, ailing ship. Curler, Marketer can use plenty of it. the affable Cunningham is the province, chances the lead guy at Capital One, Everyone knows about are you’ve used his 5- Gerry Geurts 14- company’s handiwork. which has cast its tentacles Entrepreneur Savage’s on-ice success, Curler from its huge play with the but he’s enjoying almost into The man behind the game’s as much of it off the ice Although he doesn’t get as 19 - Tim Phillips the Season of Champions. most popular web site these days. Savage has much of the limelight as his Organizer No company is spending curlingzone.com, Geurts has marketed the game and skip, Hart is passionate more with curling at the also been the game’s lead- sold sponsorships better about and involved in his Although he’d love to be moment and the game ing statistician, revolutioniz- than just about anyone sport past his rock-throwing. on this list for his curling would be vastly different ing the manner in which and his work continues He speaks out on issues prowess, he’s here be- without the financial com- stats are kept and analyzed. with programs being put that affect the game and cause of his handling of pany. As well, Cunningham In addition, he’s the driving in place for the Canadian offers his services at charity the has learned the strength of force behind the Ontario Curling Association. He events on a regular basis. Curling Tour, a fledgling the game is its people and Curling Tour, a highly also still has the ear of but much-needed com- his company gives back successful circuit around decision makers in the 15 - Earle Morris petitive series in the north. Although it’s had through various charitable the province. game and has been espe- Coach and development programs cially successful at - its share of struggles, that help folks at the grass 6- Al Gemmell ing the eyes of Corporate The Major is one of the its existence speaks volumes. roots level. Official Canada to the roaring game. game’s most experienced coaches and has been a 2- Scott Taylor – Gemmell is the man who 10- Shorty Jenkins guiding force behind the 20- Coach, Innovator, finally talked reason into the Icemaker success of his son’s junior Curler Entrepreneur various Northern Ontario team, ’s rink curling associations, getting Although he’s suffering as well as Hugh Milliken’s Although he’s almost 20 Taylor seemingly does it all. them to agree to an amalga- with illness these days, Team Australia. He has years removed from his He’s the coach of Team mation that has proved ben- Shorty’s influence can be devised inventive ways of last world championship, Howard and the man eficial to all curlers. Now felt at curling rinks from helping teams improve and the Wrench is still a behind the highly success- serving as president of the Windsor to Ottawa. His ice- continues to search for prominent figure in ful Balance Plus stores. new association, Gemmell making skills revolutionized more. He’s also working on Ontario curling. He can Along with Balance Plus has driven a progressive the sport and his legacy several innovative projects still walk into any club or founder Lino Di Iorio, he has agenda of common sense lives on through the many with curling officials that arena where champi- been one of the leading and practicality. From an icemakers who learned the could have a bigger impact onships are being played innovators of new equip- administrative standpoint, craft from him. on the game down the road. and hold court.