2 2012 | 13 CCA ANNUAL REPORT MISSION To encourage and facilitate the growth and development of curling in co-operation with our network of affiliates. VISION In the year 2010 and beyond, curling in Canada — from the grassroots to the highest levels of competitive play — will be strong and vibrant. Curling clubs and associations in Canada will offer a wide variety of participation opportunities for all residents of their communities. Opportunities to participate will reflect the changing needs of the cultural mosaic and lifestyles of Canadians, and allow for a healthy cross-section of recreational through competitive play. Furthermore, the management practices of clubs, member associations and the CCA will parallel those of successful businesses by always keeping the best interests of curlers in mind. 2012 | 13 CCA ANNUAL REPORT 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIE It is always a privilege to showcase the achievements and improvements that the Canadian Curling Association, as the governing body for curling in Canada, has accomplished. With that in mind, the CCA is grateful to have been successful on multiple platforms this past year and it is my pleasure to highlight some of these elements. Curling Assistance Program With continued financial stability, the CCA was once again able to allocate a portion of its surplus revenue to provide unique financial assistance to the CCA’s membership, including its affiliated curling facilities and its provincial-territorial member associations. This funding — known as the Curling Assistance Program — targets projects designed to develop the sport at the community level and to assist capital projects critical to the operation and health of the CCA’s membership. Last year, approximately $255,000 was funded through CAP on both business development and bricks-and-mortar grants, assisting applicants in nine different provinces and territories. Podium Excellence Canadian curlers continued their podium excellence in 2012-13. Some exciting new young teams emerged as world contenders, with both the Canadian men’s and women’s national teams finding the podium on the world stage and with a very bright-looking future. This past year saw no fewer than six international podium finishes, including gold medals for our Canadian men’s and women’s senior teams and our world wheelchair team. Podium results also included a silver medal at the Ford World Men’s, bronze at the World Women’s Curling Championship and bronze for our world junior men’s team. I extend my sincere appreciation to all of the athletes who competed in major championships last year. Season Of Champions And Other Championships The most prolific curling events in the world make up the CCA’s Season of Champions. Each year, these tournaments are watched by millions of fans across Canada. This past year, we were fortunate to enjoy wonderful host venues for these events and exceptional volunteer support in every local community. The 2012-13 Season of Champions began in late November in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with the Capital One Canada Cup, followed by the World Financial Group 4 2012 | 13 CCA ANNUAL REPORT GE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER STAFF & SUPPORT SERVICES Continental Cup in Penticton, British Columbia; the M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors in Fort McMurray, Alberta; the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kingston, Ontario; and the Tim Hortons Brier in Edmonton. The final event of the season was the Ford World Men’s in Victoria. Greg Stremlaw Al Cameron Rachel Delaney Sport Development Chief executive Director, Co-ordinator, officer communication and development and The CCA continues to try to build capacity and develop media relations championship services our grassroots interest and participation in curling. Organizational investments last year were comprehensive, with some key initiatives deserving mention. Our partnership with the Capital One Rocks & Rings program has enabled us to introduce the sport to school children and other under-represented groups across Canada through school-based gymnasium programs. Last year, Louise Delorme Warren Hansen Danny Lamoureux Louise Ménard more than 163,000 students in 1,130 schools took part, Co-ordinator, Director, event Director, championship Administrative national athlete operations services and curling assistant with each school receiving a copy of the CCA’s Getting services and coaching club development Started In Curling teachers’ guide. “Streetcurling” took hold this year, with simulated ice and equipment to showcase the sport. We saw 6,000 people try curling outdoors at the 100th Grey Cup Festival alone. The CCA will continue to invest in its www. startcurling.ca web platform, which saw commercial Paul Noble Gerry Peckham Patricia Ray Karen Ryan Manager, event Director, high Chief operating Executive spot ads on TSN and RDS throughout the year promoting administration performance officer assistant the fun and excitement of curling and engaging potential enthusiasts to join teams or try the sport for the first time. Olympic Year The year ahead is extremely exciting for the CCA and particularly for our national athletes as we move toward the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Canada always faces massive pressure to make the Brennan Schnell Glenn van Gulik JoAnne Viau Karen Wan Systems and Director, Co-ordinator, Manager, event podium and this year is no different as our teams vie for applications information services financial services financial services the right to wear the Maple Leaf in Sochi through the Tim administrator and technology Hortons Roar Of The Rings Canadian Curling Trials and our Olympic qualification process. All eyes will be on Winnipeg SEASON OF CHAMPIONS EVENT MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING in December to see who will come out on top for this Director, event operations: Warren Hansen | Director, national marketing: David Beesley | Manager, honour and the dream of a lifetime. local sponsorship sales: Cathy Bowman | Event master of ceremonies: Stuart Brown | Co-ordinator, photography: Michael Burns | Director, communication and media relations: Al For tickets to this event or any of our Season of Cameron | Co-ordinator, development and championship services: Rachel Delaney | Manager, Champions properties, please visit www.curling.ca/tickets. national marketing: Catharine Dunlop | Manager, local event marketing: Andy Henry | Manager, merchandising: Robin Henry | Event master of ceremonies: Jim Jerome | Assistant manager, local event marketing: Trina Joly | Co-ordinator, photography: Andrew Klaver | Director, championship Good curling! services and curling club development: Danny Lamoureux | Event sponsorship sales: Kathryn Larsen | Manager, bar operations: Ken Lauzon | Manager, client services: Marylou Morris | Manager, event administration: Paul Noble | Event sponsorship sales: Jen Ogston | Manager, event Greg Stremlaw marketing: Rod Palson | Editor, Extra End magazines: Laurie Payne | Manager, entertainment and production: Roger Powell | Co-ordinator, national sponsorship: Matthew Schweiger | Chief Executive Officer Co-ordinator, media: Jeff Timson | Manager, event financial services: Karen Wan | Co-ordinator, Canadian Curling Association media: Robin Wilson | Editor, event daily publications: Larry Wood | Season of Champions event managers: Rob Dewhirst, Neil Houston, Gord McNabb, Terry Morris 2012 | 13 CCA ANNUAL REPORT 5 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR On behalf of the Canadian Curling Association’s board bylaws has brought the CCA into line with the new of governors, it is my distinct privilege to share this not-for-profit legislation well ahead of the deadlines imposed annual report with you. by the government for implementation. In 2007, the CCA took a bold step to change the way the • With the addition of junior teams from Nunavut, all 14 organization conducts its business by adopting a new policy member associations were represented at the M&M Meat Shops governance framework, which guides the actions of the board of Canadian Juniors for the very first time. governors through collaborative communication with our chief executive officer and our members. Our organization has worked hard to continue its success by The 2012-13 season was filled with many success stories. establishing a long-term business plan that has seen enhanced Some of the highlights include: marketing agreements and extended sponsorship. The board of governors is committed to allowing our staff to be creative and • The CCA continues to invest in grassroots curling through continually bring excitement to our organization. All of the hard its Curling Assistance Program, which brings much-needed funds work will help stabilize our organization for many years to come. to assist curling centres with capital improvements, and to help While the past season was a great one, I’m even more excited in the development of our sport at the community level. with what this year has to offer. I look forward to working with • Canadian teams reached the podium in six of eight world our staff, board and members to ensure that we continue to championships this year, including gold-medal performances at make our organization the envy of all other national curling the World Wheelchair and the World Senior Men’s and Women’s. organizations. I also look forward to seeing our athletes wearing • At this year’s National Curling Congress, the newest the Maple Leaf on their backs as they represent Canada at the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame inductees — Cathy King, Sonja Olympic and Paralympic winter games in Sochi in February. This Gaudet and Laura Lochanski — were honoured at the Hall of is truly a great time to be a fan of sport and a proud time to Fame gala. be Canadian. It is indeed an honour to serve as chair of this great • Twenty-three-year-old university student Samantha organization. I am proud to be involved with a team of fellow Stouffer of Brantford, Ontario, was presented with the Volunteer governors, member associations, CCA senior management, staff, of the Year Award at the Tim Hortons Brier in Edmonton. It supporters and our many volunteers who work to improve our just goes to show that no matter what your age, with some sport at the local, national and international level.