2008-09 ANNUAL REPORT MIMSISSSIION ON To encourage and facilitate the growth and development of curling in co-operation with our network of affiliates 2 CCA 2008-09 Annual Report 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 allow for a healthy cross-section of associations in Canada will offer a wide recreational through competitive play. variety of participation opportunities for Furthermore, the management practices all residents of their communities. of clubs, member associations and the Opportunities to participate will reflect CCA will parallel those of successful the changing needs of the cultural businesses by always keeping the best mosaic and lifestyles of Canadians, and interests of curlers in mind. VIVSISIIOO N N CCA 2008-09 Annual Report 3 The Canadian Curling Association is very incredible curling took place at the 50th pleased to be enjoying another successful anniversary of that event. year on multiple fronts. Our organization continues to strive to provide and facilitate DEVELOPMENT the best possible experience for both curlers Last year, the CCA continued its role in the and fans throughout Canada. grassroots development of the sport. The This past year was highlighted by a CCA’s Discover Curling program continued number of key elements. to make inroads into enhancing curling for athletes in wheelchairs and who are hearing HIGH PERFORMANCE or visually impaired, and multiple other From a high-performance perspective, we initiatives aimed at giving Canadians a realize that in Canada, the largest curling chance to enjoy our sport. nation in the world, there are increased In January, the new Capital One Rocks & pressures and expectations on our Rings program was launched in Toronto, association and on our athletes. with the assistance of the Ontario Minister So I couldn’t be more proud that Canada of Education, as part of a partnership with is ranked No. 1 in the world — according to the CCA and the promotion of curling to the World Curling Federation international inner-city, school-aged children. This ranking system — in both men’s and initiative has grown in a major way, with the women’s curling. Our athletes are to be program scheduled to expand to other applauded for their continued excellence. major urban centres during the next several This international success was highlighted years. with constant podium results throughout this past season, including Canada’s SEASON OF CHAMPIONS first-ever gold medal at the World AND OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS Wheelchair Curling Championship; a This past year was again highlighted by the double gold-medal performance by the CCA’s Season of Champions events, which men’s and women’s teams at the World are the pinnacle of the sport. We are so Seniors; a double silver-medal performance fortunate to have incredible fans who by the men’s and women’s teams at the continue to show their support. For many, World Juniors; a silver medal at the FISU one of last year’s highlights was the Tim World University Games for the Canadian Hortons Brier, whose field was one of the women’s team; and Canada’s first-ever best in recent memory and attracted crowds medal at the World Mixed. who came out in droves. Total attendance And I would be remiss not to mention was approximately 250,000 — a true Team Canada’s silver medal at the Ford testament not only to the Tim Hortons Brier, World Men’s Curling Championship in but to all CCA events and the brand that Moncton, New Brunswick, where some our Season of Champions has become. MEFRSOMS THAE CHGIEF E EXECUT 4 CCA 2008-09 Annual Report NEW BROADCAST PARTNER Last year also saw the CCA enter its first exclusive broadcast partnership with TSN. It was a pleasure to see the return of morning draws and the exceptional coverage and commentary provided by Vic Rauter, Linda SUPPORT Moore and Ray Turnbull all season long — & SERVICES some 240 hours of live broadcast coverage for our fans. The CCA is delighted to partner STAF F with the largest sports network in the country; there’s no doubt our sport will continue to thrive with TSN. SPONSORS AND FUNDING PARTNERS The CCA is extremely grateful for the comprehensive support that we receive from our sponsors, corporate suppliers and Greg Stremlaw Warren Hansen Gerry Peckham Patricia Ray funding partners. This support, coupled with Chief executive Director, event Director, high Chief operating running our organization as a full-fledged officer operations and media performance officer business, enabled us to achieve continued financial stability and increase our long-term reserve fund. LOOKING AHEAD As we look ahead, our organization is sincerely excited as we enter the Olympic year. All eyes are on Vancouver and we will Louise Delorme Karen Ryan Danny Lamoureux Paul Webster Co-ordinator, national Executive Director, championship National do everything we can to ensure that our athlete services assistant services and curling development coach athletes arrive there in optimal mental, and coaching club development physical and technical condition so that they have the best possible chance to achieve podium results. Enjoy the upcoming season. It will be one to remember! Greg Stremlaw JoAnne Viau Rachel Delaney Glenn van Gulik Paul Noble Chief Executive Officer, CCA Co-ordinator, Co-ordinator, Director, information Manager, event financial services development and technology administration championship services SEASON OF CHAMPIONS EVENT MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING Director, national marketing: David Beesley | Manager, national marketing: Catharine Dunlop | IVE OFFICER Co-ordinator, sponsorship fulfilment: Marylou Morris | Director, event operations and media: Warren Hansen | Director, championship services and curling club development: Danny Lamoureux | Manager, event administration: Paul Noble | Co-ordinator, development and championship services: Rachel Delaney | Manager, event marketing: Rod Palson | Manager, local sponsorship: Cathy Bowman | Event sponsorship sales: Jen Ogston | Event sponsorship sales: Kathryn Larsen | Manager, event financial services: Terry Morris | Editor, Extra End magazines: Laurie Payne | Co-ordinator, daily publications: Larry Wood | Manager, merchandising: Robin Henry | Manager, entertainment and production: Roger Powell | Manager, bar operations: Elmer Epp | Media co-ordinator: Jeff Timson | Media co-ordinator, Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Robin Wilson | Photography co-ordinator: Mike Burns | Photography co-ordinator, Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Andrew Klaver | Event master of ceremonies: Stuart Brown | Event master of ceremonies: Jim Jerome CCA 2008-09 Annual Report 5 MEFRSOMS TAHE GCHAE IRS On behalf of the Canadian Curling Association’s board of governors, it is our privilege to share this inaugural CCA Annual Report with you. This publication will annually tell our story and share our successes. It is one of many firsts that the CCA has enjoyed over the past few years, a time in which we have met and overcome some of the greatest challenges in our long history. In 2007, the CCA unanimously adopted the Policy Governance © model, a method by which the board of governors engages its members and communicates their collective vision, values and priorities to management, who in turn develop and deliver programs and services for the benefit of the Canadian curling community. At the same time, the CCA found itself in a desperate financial position that threatened not only its work but its very existence. A new governance philosophy, coupled with sound fiscal principles and the incredible effort of CCA management, resulted in the complete elimination of the deficit and what is today a seven-figure, long-term financial reserve. Such a quick turnaround is unprecedented in Canadian amateur sport and was the result of strong fundamentals and a total team effort. Those same principles power our top teams in their quest to compete and win Olympic gold for Canada. The competitive bar has been raised and as the focus of the world turns to Vancouver in February, our teams have never been more committed and neither has the CCA. Canada and the world will be tuned into an unprecedented amount of curling on television and we are hard at work to leverage that Olympic experience in all curling realms, from athletes to clubs to fans. We are excited about the future of curling and will work hard to ensure it remains one of Canada’s greatest sports! We hope you enjoy this first comprehensive CCA Annual Report! Yours in curling, Fran Todd Graham Prouse Chair, 2008-09 CCA Board of Governors Chair, 2009-10 CCA Board of Governors 6 CCA 2008-09 Annual Report The 2009-10 Canadian Curling Association board of governors: (back row, from left) Ron Hutton, Georgina Granchelli and Elaine de Ryk; (middle row) Mitch Tarapasky, Laura Lochanski and Jim Campbell; (front row) Bernadette McIntyre, Graham Prouse, Jack Bowman and Fran Todd. The national board is elected by the membership of the association and is accountable to representatives of that group. The board’s primary responsibility is to establish the necessary programs and resources required to develop, in the most general sense of the word, the sport of curling. The board will fulfil these responsibilities by formulating and adopting policies, seeing that these policies are implemented and by evaluating their results. Further, the board must carry out its functions openly, seeking the involvement of its members, corporate partners and staff. BOARD BOF