Wheelchair curlers bring home
national gold Prince George Citizen April 13
National champions of a sport like
curling always have traditions to uphold. On Wednesday, Whitney Warren
and Team B.C. started one of their own. Minutes after they defeated
Alberta 4-2 to capture their first wheelchair curling championship, the
31-year-old Warren joined his team mates for a sip of brew out of the
crystal trophy to celebrate their accomplishments at the Ottawa rink.
"The trophy is a beautiful crystal vase and we were the first team to
actually drink out it," said Warren, who plays second on a team with
third Frank LaBounty of Prince George, skip Darryl Neighbour of Richmond
and lead Jacqueline Roy of Richmond. "We just filled it with beer.
Nobody had ever done that before."
Wheelchair curlers break barriers
WinnipegFirst.ca - April 7
Manitoba's Wheelchair Curling team heads
into its final end of the season this weekend.
The foursome will compete in the 2007 Canadian Nationals in Ottawa
against teams from Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Lead Effie Loubardas, second Richard Dudek, third Dennis Thiessen and
skip Chris Sobkowicz call the West Kildonan Curling Club home. They've
been playing four times a week in preparation for the double round-robin
this weekend. [read
more]
Wheelchair competitors pursuing National Title
Ottawa Sun - April 4
The top wheelchair curlers in the nation
are coming to town this week.
The Canadian Wheelchair Curling
Championships take place at the RA Centre, starting Saturday and going
through April 11.
Four teams representing B.C., Alberta,
Manitoba and Ontario will compete in a double round robin, leading to a
Page playoff system in the Canadian Curling Association-sanctioned
event.
[read more]
Scots Worlds squad lift trophy
against able-bodied curlers in a UK first
Paisley Daily Express - March 29th, 2007
Michael McCreadie, skipping the rink that
won bronze at the 2007 Worlds, lifted the Shanter Trophy at a BReahead
tournament, the first time a wheelchair rink has won a major competition
against able-bodied curlers.
Michael, 61, said "We’re really astounded
to win the Glasgow Province competition ... It just goes to show the
improvement that can be made if you practice, practice, practice.
"This has probably been
the best season ever for us wheelchair curlers because we’ve been to two
able-bodied semi-finals and we’ve also won a competition, so it all
helps to raise our profile.
“The good thing is that
everyone in the able-bodied sport have been congratulatory in our
achievements and there’s a real respect and admiration over what we do
and that’s very pleasing to hear – because we’ve taken quite a few
scalps from them this year.” [read
report]
Wheelchair curling showcased at
21st National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
March 28th, 2007
More than 450 disabled American veterans
from 19 to 87 will be attending the annual sports clinic at Snowmass Ski
Resort, CO from April 1-6. This year's event, the largest of its kind in
the world, will feature wheechair curling for the first time. [read
more]
Wheelchair demo between semis
and final at Bear Mountain Curling Classic
March 20th, 2007
Victoria area curlers are invited to
participate in a demonstration of wheelchair curling during the interval
between the semi-final and final of the Bear Mountain Curling Classic in
Victoria, BC on April 9th. The venue is the Bear Mountain Arena behind
Juan De Fuca. Contact Stef Barber, or
write to us here, if you wish to participate.
Team BC in the news
Goldstream News Gazette - March
20th, 2007
Wheelchair curlers roll into Juan de
Fuca.
With a look of concentration befitting a first-platoon rifleman, or
maybe a Jedi knight, Jim Shannon sits in his chair at the hogline, eyes
up his target, and pushes the rock down the ice. [read
more]
Eight Pairs play for cash in
Victoria BC March 20th, 2007
The 1st Annual 2-on-2 Cashspiel was held
March 17-18 at the Juan De Fuca Center in Victoria, BC. Winning
the 'A' bracket was Frank LaBounty and Jackie Roy, both members of this
year's Team BC. Darryl Neighbour and Whitney Warren, also Team BC
members, won the 'B' bracket and Team Canada 2nd Gary Cormack and Vince
Miele won 'C'. [CLICK
HERE to see photos from the event]
2007 Canadian Nationals at RA
Centre in Ottawa April 7-11 March 13th,
2007
Ontario, Manitoba,
Alberta and BC will compete for the National title in Ottawa, this
year without the presence of Team Canada. The format will be a double
round robin and 4 team Page playoff.
Ontario's Chris Rees, Manitoba's Chris
Sobkowicz and Alberta's Bruno Yizek skipped at the 2006 Championship in
Richmond BC, while Darryl Neighbour steps up from 3rd to skip Team BC.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at
11.30 on Saturday 7th, and the competition will end with a banquet at
6pm on Wednesday April 11th. Teams will be staying at the Westin Ottawa.
[CLICK HERE for
proposed draw schedule]
Enthusiastic response to BC
regional coach's camp March 12th, 2007
Participant
Kieris O'Neill writes enthusiastically about the CurlBC regional
curling camp held at the Golden Ears CC in the Fraser Valley.
"The 10 attendees received an intensive
seminar from coaches Doris Torrance assisted by Monique Moonie, but just
when we began to feel saturated, we'd go out onto the ice and throw some
more stones, and something else would click into place. The real icing
on the cake for me was when watching the Brier yesterday I suddenly
understood why the stones were being played, either offensively or
defensively. The seminar definitely made a difference to my level of
understanding of the game.
"Torino gold medalist Gary Cormack was thoughtful enough to bring along
his gold medal to further inspire us. I felt it was worthwhile. and I am
now able to say we are going to have a wheelchair curling team (perhaps
2) in Maple Ridge for fall 2007. If there are other wheelchair athletes
in the upper Fraser Valley,
contact me, or
CurlBC. No experience necessary!"
Pat 'O' Reid Memorial bonspiel mixes wheelchair and
regular curlers March 10th, 2007
The 5th Annual Pat 'O' Reid Memorial
Bonspiel sponsored by
Kino Mobility
and Rusty "Extender
Stick" Drew was held February 17th at the Toronto Cricket, Skating
and Curling Club. Pat initiated wheelchair curling in Canada, and this
year's event saw 12 teams, including 20 wheelchair curlers, compete for
the Memorial Trophy.
The winning team was skipped by ex-Team
Canada 3rd Bruce McAninch with Jan McAninch and Trevor and Amy Reid.
Second were local skip Scott Flannagan with Steve Hawkshaw at 3rd, and
the front end of Ryan McNally and Connie Matsuba. The third place team
included 3 wheelchair curlers skipped by Paul Emmett from Toronto
Cricket, with Robert Hunn playing third, Endo Yasuko at second and
Laurie-Anne Majors throwing lead stones. [CLICK
HERE for event photos]
2-0n-2 Cashspiel at Juan De Fuca
(BC) March 17-18 March 7th, 2007
8 teams will compete for cash prizes at
the 1st Annual 2-on-2 Cashspiel to be held the weekend of March 17-18 at
the Juan De Fuca Center in Victoria, BC. The players selected to
represent BC at the Nationals will conclude two days of training by
appearing at the spiel. The format will be 6 end games with each team
member throwing 3 rocks in each end. First draw will be 9.30am March
17th.
Maple Ridge (BC) regional
wheelchair camp March 10 March 7th, 2007
There will be a wheelchair curling camp
hosted by Doris Torrance, the Fraser Valley CurlBC regional coach, this
Saturday from noon to 5pm at the Golden Ears Winter Club. It is open to
everyone and will have on and off-ice elements. Dartfish video analysis
will be available. The fee is $25.
CLICK HERE for registration information.
Collingwood Mixed Funspiel raises
$5,700 March 7th, 2007
A funspiel that attracted 48 curlers of
all abilities raised $5,700 at the Collingwood C.C. (Ontario). The event
was sponsored by "Breaking Down Barriers." The curling club's president
Dave Erler remarked "we are planning to effect significant changes this
summer. An elevator will allow our wheelchair curlers to enjoy the
fellowship of our lounge and enhance the club's ability to host major
events like the Winter Games."
Calgary's Yizek rink repeat as
Alberta Champions March 4th, 2007
Bruno Yizek skipped his Calgary rink to a
return to the National Championships when he won the Alberta playdowns
this weekend. His team of Jack Smart at 3rd, second Anne Hibberd, and
lead Bridget Wilson beat the second Calgary team in the final after
their 3-0 record in the round robin that included two teams from
Edmonton.
Team coach Ernie Comerford said "Last
year we placed 3rd at the Nationals and hope to improve on that in
Ottawa in April." [read the press release
DOC
or PDF]
GB head coach pleased with
Paralympics points March 2nd, 2007
(from
The Inverness Courier) Inverness curling coach Tom Pendreigh
was pleased with the efforts of the Scottish wheelchair curling team,
despite the defending champions losing their World Championship title in
Sweden last weekend.
“We were pleased to make the semi-final spot with such an inexperienced
team,” said Great Britain head coach Pendreigh, who travelled to the
competition in a mentoring role.
“It has helped us gain precious Paralympic points for the Vancouver
Games, which is crucial even at this early stage in the Paralympic
cycle.
“The support for this team from Scottish Disability Sport and the
Scottish Institute has been paramount to the success so far.
“The game has moved forward so quickly and the standards have risen
greatly, even since the Paralympic Games only a year ago.”
Toronto Stock Exchange to give
cash for curlers with disabilities March
1st, 2007
Wheelchair curlers will be among the
beneficiaries of a $400,000 four year TSX grant to develop the sport of
curling for people with disabilities. The CCA's Danny Lamoureux,
in an announcement to the sport's governing bodies, said "(T)his
donation, coupled with a significant grant from Sport Canada under the
new Persons With A Disability (PWAD) program, will enable the CCA to
dramatically enhance the Discover Curling program."
"Discover Curling" is a CCA initiative to
actively recruit targeted groups including the disabled community.
Lamoureux concluded "this is a major coup
for curling in Canada and we will be leaders in the development of
grassroots participation in sport. Our strength of system, from the
local curling club to our provincial / territorial members coupled with
the support of the World Curling Federation, made us an attractive
opportunity for TSX and Sport Canada." [CLICK
HERE to read TSX press release]
Open funspiel in Collingwood,
Ontario on March 3rd. March 1st, 2007
"Come and join in the fun with
Breaking Down Barriers Independent Living Resource Center for our first
Annual Open Curling Bonspiel. This exciting event will hit the ice in
Collingwood on Saturday March 3rd at the Curling Club of Collingwood and
will be open to able-bodied and wheelchair curlers. [for more
information contact
Tammy Buckler]
Canada skip Daw separated shoulder
in Draw 10 of Worlds February 27th, 2007
The WCF reports that Canadian skip Chris
Daw separated his shoulder in the second end of Draw 10 against USA at
the World Championships. Canada won that game, and the following two
draws before losing both games in the medal rounds. [read
more]
Ground broken on 2010 curling site
February 26th, 2007
Construction has begun on the site of the
new $49 million curling arena for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The facility at Nat Bailey Stadium Park will be some distance from the
other events as the Vancouver location, rather than Whistler, was
considered more feasible for a legacy stadium. [link
to press release]
Chris Rees rink repeats as
Ontario champions February 25th, 2007
The Chris Rees rink repeated as Ontario
Provincial Champions at the Sydenham CC on Saturday (24th Feb). They
defeated Team Gregory from Bradford 4-3 in the final, reversing a single
point round robin defeat. A 3 in the 4th end was the difference. Local
Wallaceburg curler Don Bell filled in at second when 3rd Carl Bax was
unable to played because of injury. Frank Cannarella moved up to third
rocks. [CLICK
HERE for full results and line scores]
The Rees team, coached by Tom Ward and Bob Pippy from the Leaside
Curling Club in Toronto, now have a chance to repeat their perfect 5-0
round robin performance at the
2006 Richmond BC
Championship, when they travel to Ottawa for the 2007 Nationals in
April.
Wheelchair curling growing
world-wide February 25th, 2007
World Curling Federation Vice-President
Kate Caithness told an Internet TV audience that there are currently
twenty countries involved in wheelchair curling, with another five
expressing interest in starting programs.
Scotland take bronze (BBC Sport)
February 25th, 2007
Scotland had to be content with the
bronze medal from the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in Sweden.
[read
report]
There have been several changes to the
rules of competition for World Curling Federation (WCF) wheelchair
championships. It is no longer permitted to have a foot on the ice
during delivery. This was a change strongly promoted by Team Canada
coach Joe Rea, who complained at the 2006 Canadian Nationals that an
opposing player, who because of a stroke manoeuvered his chair with his
foot, also left his foot on the ice during delivery.
The gender rule for WCF competition has
been strengthened: "at all times, each on ice team must be comprised of
both genders." This does suggest a recognition that for non-WCF events,
the mixed gender rule may be counter-productive.
Lastly, there is an explicit statement
that "During delivery the wheels of the chair must be in direct contact
with the ice." I wonder how long it will be before a complaint is lodged
that an attempted 8 second takeout was effected by a weight shift that
caused the back wheels to come off the ice? Click
TXT or
PDF for a copy of the
WCF rules.
Meanwhile, down under ...
February 16th, 2007
The Queensland Curling Association is
celebrating the opening of their 2007 curling season. This is the first
season establishing wheelchair curling in Brisbane, Queensland.
"Brisbane?" I hear you say. "Isn't that in the north of Australia with
all those surf beaches and tanned sheilas?" Well, that¹s true, but Ice
World in a suburb of Brisbane is home of the Queensland Curling
fraternity. And home to wheelchair curling thanks to Sporting Wheelies
and Disabled Association.
Now that wheelchair curling is a Paralympic sport, Disabled Wintersports
Australia and the Australian Curling Federation are looking at
developing a squad for the 2010 Winter paralympics in Vancouver.
So keep an eye out for the Aussie wheelies making their mark. [from Jim
Oastler, President, ACF]
Scots seek revenge, try for
third successive title February
16th, 2007
New Scots skip Michael McCreadie is
looking to win his third successive World Championship gold, but the
heartbreaking miss on the final rock open hit for Torino gold is still
very much on his mind.
"To get revenge on Canada after they beat us to gold in Turin would be
good," he told
BBC Sport, while acknowledging that with a new coach and three new
team members "the dynamics of the team will be different this time."
With the retirement of Frank Duffy, the
60 year old McCreadie is "relishing the new responsibility." Lead Angie
Malone is the other holdover from Turin, and is joined by Aileen
Neilson, Jim Sellar and Jim Elliott. All are members of the BReahead
Wheelchair Curling club. [read the full interview
HERE]
Alberta playdowns in Calgary
March 2 - 4 February 15th, 2007
Calgary's Garrison CC will host the
Alberta Wheelchair Curling Championships, a four team playdown for a
place at the April Nationals. The first draw is 4.30pm Friday March 2nd,
with the final slated for Sunday March 4th. For full details click here
[DOC] or
[PDF]
Ontario playdowns set for Feb
22-24 February 15th, 2007
A three tam playdown has been set to
choose two Ontario representatives at the Ottawa Nationals in April.
Games will be played at the Sydenham CC in Wallaceburg, Ont.
Defending champion Chris Rees joins Team Bradford, skipped by Ken
Gregory and Team Ottawa skipped by Bruce Cameron.
Ken Gregory, recently selected to join the Team Canada pool, has two of
last year's Ontario Paralympic Gold Medallists, Katie Paialunga and
Collinda Joseph, plus the experienced former Team Canada curler Jim
Primevera. The team has been curling well on the bonspeil circuit so far
this season.
Team Ottawa will be skipped by Bruce Cameron, the 2006 Ontario Paralymic
Gold Medal skip, joined by Richard Fraser, an experienced wheelchair
curler
with rookie curlers Jamie Eddy and Christine Lavallee on the front end
US curlers given send-off
February 14th, 2007
The US wheelchair curling team was given
a send-off this morning at the Sitrin Rehab Center, New Hartford NY.
Local curler Jim Joseph joins
Sprakers' Danell Libby, Syracuse's Augusto Perez,
Syracuse's Jim Pierce and Deansboro's Mark Taylor for the trip to Sweden
for the Worlds. (UticaOD.com)
US curler receives funding award
February 13th, 2007
Mark Taylor is one of six Paralympians
receiving grants from the William E. Simon Olympic Trust for the Support
of Athletes. Taylor was on the team that won the U.S. Wheelchair Curling
Nationals in 2005. He will also be a part of the U.S. team competing at
the 2007 World Wheelchair Curling Championship this month in Solleftea,
Sweden. [more
info]
Ottawa to host 4 province
Nationals February 12th, 2007
The 2007
Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship will be held at the Recreation
Association Curling Club (RACC) in Ottawa, April 7-11, it was announced
today by the Canadian Curling Association (CCA).
Five teams, representing British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and two
from the host province Ontario, will compete in a round robin, leading
to a Page Playoff system in the CCA-sanctioned championship. (read more
PDF or
DOC)
Quesnel BC hosting a
"Give-It-A-Go" day Feb. 18 February
12th, 2007
Quesnel Curling Club is hosting a
wheelchair curling "give-it-a-go" day on Fbruary 18th, between 1- 4pm.
The event, part of Quesnel's "Spirit of BC" week, is sponsored by the BC
Paraplegic Association and BC Wheelchair Sports. For more information
CLICK HERE (Quesnel-Cariboo Observer)
Team Sobkowicz repeats as
Manitoba champion February 12th, 2007
Chris Sobkowicz beat George Horning 7 - 2
to claim a place at the April Ottawa Nationals. A steal of 4 in the 1st
end put an early end to the Horning team, who had held the current
champion and Team Canada squad member Sobkowicz to a 3-3 tie in the
round robin.
Full details available
HERE
(pdf - requires the free Adobe Reader)
Worlds to have Internet TV
coverage February 8th, 2007
The 2007 Worlds begin in Solleftea,
Sweden, on February 17th. Olympic champions Canada will be favoured to
improve on their 6th place finish in Scotland in 2005, when the meet
Denmark in Draw 2 for their opening match.
For a full schedule
CLICK HERE (doc)
or HERE (pdf)
Games played between the 20th and 24th of
February will be carried live over the Internet. with Scottish skip
Frank Duffy commentating. For more information
CLICK HERE
Team chooses Sonja Gaudet to
attend Canadian Sports Awards February
8th, 2007
Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet was voted
by her teammates to share the spotlight with skip Chris Daw when they
attend the Canadian Sports Awards in Winnipeg this Mach. They have been
nominated in the Partners Of The Year category.
Manitoba playdowns get early
start February 8th, 2007
Manitoba playdowns got off to an early
start in Winnipeg last Tuesday. Team Sobkowicz beat Team Alberg 6 - 2
with steals in the first 4 ends. The competition continues this weekend
(Feb 10-11). The team with the best round robin record earns the right
to represent Manitoba at the Ottawa nationals in April. (See entry for
Feb 1 for tie-break details)
Click
here for a schedule (requires the free Adobe reader). Results will
updated as they become available.
CurlBC picks Team BC at selection
camp UPDATED February 6th, 2007
The lower mainland's Darryl Neighbour is
expected to skip Team BC after this weekend's selection camp in
Richmond. Frank LaBounty and Whitney Warren from Prince George, and
Jackie Roy from Vancouver plus alternates Bob Macdonald and Jim Shannon
round out the team, five of whom will be chosen, after 2 training camps,
to represent the province in Ottawa at the Nationals in April.
This year's camp attendance of 16 was the
smallest in four years, but despite rumours that CurlBC would abandon
their selection process, Terry Vandale, chair of the wheelchair curling
committee, insists "we want to do the selection process as long as we
are producing a winning team."
BC has not yet won a national title,
placing 2nd in 3 previous tries
Chris Daw rink nominated "Partners
Of The Year" February 5th, 2007
Chris Daw has been nominated on behalf of
his team in the category "Partners of the year" in the 34th annual
Canadian Sport Awards to be held in Winnipeg, March 23rd.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Four teams to compete in Manitoba
playdowns February 1st, 2007
Winnipeg's West Kildonan CC will host a 4
team playdown for the opportunity to represent Manitoba at the 2007
national Championships. Competition begins Saturday February 10 at noon.
For a schedule
CLICK
HERE (pdf file)
Games will be 6 ends (maximum 2 hours)
with teams completing an end begun before the 2 hour limit: two points
for a win, 1 for a tie and as a tiebreak, 1 for each end won, and
half-point for each rock scored. There will be no time-outs.
Royal Canadian Mint to issue 25
cent coin in July 2007 January 26th, 2007
As part of a three year program
supporting the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympics Games, the mint will
issue a quarter coin celebrating wheelchair curling this July. Coins
will be available through RBC branches and Petro-Canada stations, and of
course your change. For more information
CLICK HERE
Bonspiel prize snagged at
customs January 24th, 2007
The gift boxes of German sausage awarded
returning gold medalists Team Canada after their success at an
international bonspiel in Germany this past weekend, were stripped by
Toronto Canadian customs Monday.
Amid stern reprimands and muttered
threats of $400 fines for smuggling prohibited produce, the team members
were forced to give up their booty, but after a lengthy delay were
allowed to re-enter Canada without further penalty. For a photo of the
team with its swag,
CLICK HERE (lower right)
Canada wins
Worlds international warm-up
January 24th, 2007
Canadian Chris Daw skipped his Torino
gold medallists to victory in an international bonspiel in
Donaueschingen, Germany, beating Team Tschechei from the Czech Republic.
Denmark took 3rd and Team Canada 2, who had never played together
before, placed 4th.
The competition format awarded 2 point
for a win, one for a draw, and one for each end and each point scored.
For each of the 4 preliminary rounds, teams were ranked, i playing 2, 3
playing 4 and so on. For the medal rounds, #1 Czech Republic played #4
Team Canada2 in one semi-final and #3 Denmark played # Team Canada1 in
the other. The final was won by Team Canada1, the Czechs taking silver
and the Danes bronze.
For a
photo and team placings,
CLICK HERE
Collingwood bonspiel brings TV
coverage January 16th, 2007
The Collingwood (Ontario) Curling Club's
wheelchair bonspiel brought out the television cameras. To watch a video
of the coverage
CLICK HERE (broadband) or
HERE (dial-up).
Ten teams to compete in German
warm-up for Worlds January 11th, 2007
A three
day international bonspiel will be held January 19-21 in Donaueschingen,
in the south west of Germany near the Swiss border.
The 10
teams include Canada (2), Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland
(2) and the Czech republic.
CLICK HERE for
an event schedule (pdf) and
HERE for the event website. Details will be posted on
wheelchaircurling.com as they become available.
One change to Team Canada for
February Worlds in Sweden January 8th,
2007
Team Canada coaches announced one change
to the 2008 Paralympics gold medal team going into next month's 2007
World Championships in Sweden. Ina Forrest of Armstrong, BC, replaces
Ontaro's Karen Blachford as the 5th player.
The decision was made at the end of this
weekend's mini-camp at Marpole CC in Vancouver. Disappointed invitees
were nevertheless offered the opportunity to compete along with Team
Canada in an international bonspiel next week in Germany.
Team Canada tryouts net four new invitees
December 20th, 2006
High performance camps in Ontario, BC and
Alberta have netted four invitees to attend the Team Canada selection
camp in Richmond BC in January.
Ina Forrest and Darryl Neighbour from BC, Chris Sobkowicz from Manitoba
and Ontario's Ken Gregory will join the five Torino gold medalists in a
tryout for the team that will represent Canada at the Worlds in Sweden
in February. All nine players will compete in a bonspiel in Germany
January 16-22nd.
"Keep quiet" warning to TeamBC selection camp
registrants
- December 17th, 2006
TeamBC selection camp registrants must
"Retain support for and contribute to the success of the ongoing
selection process in a positive forward-looking manner towards a common
goal."
BC is the only province refusing to hold
playdowns, and it is unclear how much camp support, if any, there is
available for retention beyond administrators and selectors. Those
who feel that selection camps are detrimental to the common goal of
developing a vibrant wheelchair curling program, have now been warned to
keep quiet.
While it may have been useful to know
selection criteria prior to the season, the current
selection camp criteria are still being described as both a "draft"
and "dynamic." Deadline for applications to attend the camp is January
8th. Financial assistance with travel and accommodation may or may not
be available.
CLICK HERE for a registration form, and
CLICK HERE for an event poster. The
schedule is still under review.
Pierce rink wins Team USA playdown
- December 11th, 2006
Jim Pierce
(North Syracuse, N.Y.) skipped teammates
Augusto Perez and Jimmy Joseph (New Hartford, N.Y.) and Dannell Libby (Sprakers,
N.Y.) to a 2-0 victory in the best of 3 playdowns to claim Team USA
honours and a trip to the Worlds in Sweden, February 2007.
They beat
fellow Utica CC members Mark Taylor (Deansboro, N.Y.) Bob Prenoveau
(Chittenango, N.Y.) Missy Kesier (New Hartford, N.Y.) and Tom Hansen of
Yorkville, N.Y.) by scores of 8-3 and 7-2.
CLICK HERE for event details.
The
Pierce rink won the recent
Cathy Kerr Memorial Bonspiel in Ottawa and
included 3 members of the Team USA Paralympics squad.
Scots skip Frank Duffy
going to Buckingham Palace
- December 10th, 2006
Frank
Duffy, recently retired long-serving Scottish skip, has received an
invitation to attend a reception given by the Queen and The Duke of
Edinburgh on Tuesday 19th December at
Buckingham
Palace.
The reception is to recognise people who have made a significant
contribution to local or national life in 2006. [from
RCCC]
BReahead curlers win
selection to Team Scotland
- December 10th, 2006
Team GB third Michael McCreadie's post
Torino retirement from competitive curling didn't last the summer.
Beaten by Alex Christie in the National Pairs in October, he skipped the
wining team in the
British Open Championship in Kinross November 18-19th, and will now
skip the two time defending world champion Scots in Sweden.
Jim Sellars replaces Frank Duffy on the
team that won silver at Torino. Aileen Nelson is the 5th in the
all-BReahead squad.
[information courtesy of
RCCC]
Two teams from Utica NY compete to become Team USA
- December 7th, 2006
(from
UticaOD.com 12/7/06) Playdowns to select Team USA begin in Utica, NY,
at 2 p.m. Friday at
the UCC on Clark Mills Road in Whitestown. The teams will meet again at
10 a.m. Saturday, and if a third game is required, it will be played at
2:30 p.m.
Utica CC has 10 - 12 wheelchair curlers. There are programs in Duluth,
Omaha and Belfast, Maine, but none of them submitted teams to this
year's nationals, which is why the two Utica teams will decide the
title.
For reporting on the teams see this article in the
Utica Observer-Dispatch
Playdown will decide USA team for Worlds in Sweden
- December 6th, 2006
The USA national championship will be
held at the Utica CC starting December 8th. Two teams will compete in a
best of 3 series to decide which team will represent the USA at the
World Championships in Sweden next February. [read
more]
Melissa Soligo named Team BC coach
- December 6th, 2006
Melissa Soligo, who coached BC to a 2nd
place finish at last year's Nationals, is to be this year's Team BC
coach, a volunteer position.
Her team will be chosen from a maximum of
15 invitees attending a selection camp in Vernon February 2-4 , 2007.
Applications to attend the camp will be available "soon" and expenses
will paid "to the extent possible."
BC is the only province refusing to
permit provincial playdowns, and Executive Director Ian Hennigar is
reported as saying that he will not recommend a change of policy until
"the number and quality of curlers increases." BC currently has about 30
competitive curlers who play regularly.
Curling featured in Winter Issue of Abilities Magazine
- December 5th, 2006
Abilities, the Canadian magazine that
aims to "keep you on top of what's going on with Canada's disability
community" featured wheelchair curling in their Winter Issue.
The article includes an interview with Team Canada skip Chris Daw, as
well as commentary on how to get wheelchair curling started in your
area. For more information
visit their website, where past issues are archived.
Yanks come to Ottawa; take Cathy Kerr Memorial Bonspiel
- December 5th, 2006
Team Utica (NY), including members of the
USA Paralympics team, invaded Canada’s capital on the 2nd of December.
The team, skipped by Jim Pierce, out-curled 3 Ontario teams to win the
2nd Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial Bonspiel.
Bruce Cameron's Team Ottawa, Ken Gregory's Team Bradford and Team
Toronto skipped by Chris Rees, last year’s Ontario provincial champion,
all had moments of brilliance but were inconsistent, each finishing 1 -
2.
Two recreational teams, one skipped by B.C's Vince Miele who was
visiting Ottawa, also participated in the fun-filled day, and everyone
left expecting next year's event to be even bigger.
CLICK HERE to see photos
Blimey! Curling's started in Blighty!
- December 3rd, 2006
The Scots soon won't be having it all
their own way as England's first curling ice rink has opened in Fenton,
in the south-east county of Kent. Club membership is already over 100,
and is about to promote wheelchair curling as part of its regular
schedule. Visit their
website or
contact Mike Bishop for more information.
5th Annual Pat "O" Reid Memorial Bonspiel February 17
in Toronto - December 1st, 2006
The Toronto wheelchair curling group are
organising this mixed bonspiel at the Toronto Cricket Skating and
Curling Club on the afternoon of Saturday February 17th, 2007. There
will be two games, and a dinner. For details click on
Reid07.doc or
Reid07.pdf
Scots win sports "Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland" award
- November 29th, 2006
The awards were decided with the help of
public voting on the internet and by mobile phone from a judges' list of
nominees.
The all-Scottish members of the British
wheelchair curling team won the award for sport, squeezing out
better-known names like the tennis star Andy Murray and the young
Aberdonian golfer, Richie Ramsay.
Frank Duffy, the captain of the
all-Scottish British Wheelchair Curling Team world champions, accepted
the sports award. "It's really nice to see our sport get the recognition
it deserves," he said, "thank you very much for voting for us." [from
Scotsman with photo]
Nova Scotians may lose their only venue
- November 22nd, 2006
A decision by
the Halifax Regional Municipality to close the six-sheet Lakeshore
Curling Club at the Sackville Sports Stadium because it didn’t generate
enough revenue may force hundreds of people out of the sport, says
Lakeshore president Paul Landry.
The club
(provides) the only wheelchair curling program in the province with 10
competitors. [read
more]
Collingwood, ON, to host January mixed bonspiel
- November 22nd, 2006
Breaking Down Barriers, Independent Living Center which
promotes active participation of people with disabilities, is hosting
the first ever ‘Wheelchair Curling Regional Games Bonspiel’
on Saturday,
January 13, 2007 at the Curling Club of Collingwood.
12
teams composed of both Able-Bodied and Wheelchair Curlers will be part
of the games beginning at 12:00 noon
with dinner planned for 6 pm. The Bonspiel, trophies, prizes and dinner
are offered for a fee of $25.00 per person. Additional dinner
tickets are available for $ 20.00 per person. [CLICK
HERE for more information]
Manitoba team will compete in the 400+ team MCA
bonspiel - November 22nd, 2006
Curlers in Manitoba have affiliated with
the Manitoba Curling Association and will be the first wheelchair team
to participate in this season's MCA bonspiel, the biggest in Canada with
an over 400 team entry. (reported by Jim Bender in the Winnipeg Sun)
Team Canada will not compete for national title in 2007
- November 22nd, 2006
Team Canada will not defend their
national title at the April 2007 Championships in Ottawa. Though they
will compete in the round robin rounds (they need the competitive
ice-time, said the CCA's Gerry Peckham) they will not participate in the
playoffs regardless of their record.
This decision neatly sidesteps the issue
of who would deserve to represent Canada at the international level were
Team Canada not to repeat as champions. The 2007 World Championships
will be held in Sweden in February, before the Canadian nationals.
December training camps in BC
- November 21st, 2006
A weekend training camp open to all will
be held in Vernon by Okanagan regional coach Sharon Delver. Saturday (10
- 4) will include an introduction to the sport for newcomers and
refinement of skills for the experienced. Sunday (10 - 3) there will be
a funspiel open to everyone.
CLICK HERE
event details (pdf).
Team Canada gold medallists Sonja Gaudet
and Gerry Austgarden will be in attendance.
On Sunday December 10th, Fraser Valley
regional coach Doris Torrance will be leading a regional camp at the
Marpole CC and new provincial coach Bill Tschirhart will attend.
CLICK HERE
for event details (pdf).
Team Canada selection procedures explained
- November 21st, 2006
CLICK HERE for a
document written by Gerry Peckham, the lead CCA staff member for
wheelchair curling. It provides an overview of the selection procedures
for Team Canada.
The 5 Team Canada members are among the
six curlers currently receiving monthly stipends as "gold-card"
athletes. The aim of the selection procedure is to produce a "national
team athlete pool" from which teams will be chosen. Invitation-only
training camps are being held across Canada to identify suitable
candidates.
Coaching clinic December 9th in London, Ontario
- November 20th, 2006
Paralympics Ontario and Curl Ontario are
sponsoring a wheelchair curling coaching clinic at the Ilerton Curling
Club near London, Ontario. The no-cost 4 hour session includes a history
of the sport, on-ice demonstrations and practical experience, technical
materials and a free lunch! For more information contact Helena
Seymour at 416-426-7012 or by email
helena@paralympicsontario.ca
CurlBC seek volunteer Team BC Coach
- November 18th, 2006
Curl BC announced today that they are
looking for a Team BC coach who is Level 3 qualified, or actively
working towards that, with national curling experience, and who is
actively working with wheelchair athletes. The successful candidate will
be expected to attend the Team BC selection camp in Vernon February 4 -
7th, 2007 and work with the team once or twice before attending the
Nationals in Ottawa April 7-11th, 2007.
This is an unpaid position. Deadline is
November 26. To apply download
THIS
FORM. If you want to identify yourself to CurlBC as someone with an
interest in coaching wheelchair curlers, download
THIS FORM.
Team Canada selection by invite only
- November 17th, 2006
A series of invitation only regional
training camps will be held over the next 3 years to select 8 - 12
players who will form a "National Team athlete pool" to represent Canada
at World Championships and the 2010 Paralympics.
"This is not an open try out process, rather by invitation, based on
(provincial organisers') recommendation and is not regionally or
provincially balanced or based" said Wendy Morgan, program Director and
team leader in an email to regional representatives.
Selection criteria "include; technical skill level, strategy
comprehension, physical attributes, travelability, mental/competitive
toughness, compatibility/attitude."
Camps are "high performance based" and have been held in Ontario in
October (5 invitees) and in BC in September (3 invitees) and November (4
invitees). National program staff are also expected to attend an event
in Edmonton in December.
The existence of camps and the program's details took some provincial
representatives by surprise, and dashes the hopes of those who felt that
the team based model used throughout Canada for able-bodied curlers
would be more effective in establishing the sport as a national winter
recreation for wheelchair users.
As described by Ms. Morgan, the aim of the National Program is "to build
a team that will include the best all round athletes for 2010" and takes
no responsibility for establishing wheelchair curling at the grassroots.
2nd Annual Cathy Kerr Bonspiel at RA Curling Centre,
Ottawa - November 15th, 2006
Up to 12 teams will compete in this one
day 3 game event. Entry fees are $160 per team and include dinner and
prizes. Entries to be received by November 17th. Contact Bruce at
613-247-7290 or email blc2@rogers.com
for more information.
CurlBC publishes WCF proposals to change competition
rules - November 4th, 2006
The long-rumoured proposals for changes
to the World Curling Federation's rules for competition have been
published on the CurlBC website.
The changes, though minor, address an
issue that caused an ugly incident at the 2006 Canadian Nationals, when
Team Canada objected to an Alberta player's foot contacting the ice
during delivery. Although there was no rule against this at the time, at
Team Canada's insistence a rule was initiated that caused the offending
player, whose stroke had paralysed one side of his body, to have the
foot he used to manoeuvre his chair, tied to a footplate, thus removing
his ability to move independently.
Though the "no foot on the ice" rule now
proposed addresses Team Canada's concerns, those voting at the
semi-annual WCF meeting may decide that the theoretical advantage it
removes is not worth the humiliation inflicted on those wheelchair users
who manoeuvre with their feet. [read the proposed changes
HERE]
Though the WCF assumes national
federations will initiate discussions with their members on matters of
WCF policy, their website invites comments.
CLICK HERE to write to the WCF about wheelchair curling.
Russia and Japan qualify for 2007 World Championships
- November 13th, 2006
Russia, Japan and Italy finished 6-2 in
the nine team World Wheelchair Curling Qualifying Competition at
BReahead, Scotland. Japan beat Italy in a tie-break to join Russia at
the World's in Sollefteå, Sweden 17th – 24th February,
2007. Scotland, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Korea and
U.S.A had already qualified.
Scoring was very high. The 37 games
produced an average 11 points per game, though under WCF rules all rocks
in play at the sixth (and final) end are counted in the score.
Czech Republic, victors over Canada in a
recent competition in Prague, were 4th. For full results visit the
competition website
HERE.
World Qualifying Competition to add 2 teams to World
Championships - November 7th, 2006
Two teams will be added to the 8 who have
already qualified for the February 2007 World Championships in Sweden.
The qualifying competition takes place at BReahead in Scotland November
8 - 12th. [visit
competition website]
Alex
Christie and John Robertson beat
McCreadie and Donaldson in Scottish Pairs Championship
- November 4th, 2006
Alex
Christie and John Robertson from the Border Ice Rink beat
Michael McCreadie and Ian
Donaldson
in the 4 end final of the Scottish Pairs Championships, played oiver
tyhe weekend of October 28/29 at the Royal Caledonian CC. In a tight
final without
last stone, McCreadie couldn't dislodge a Border stone in the 4 foot and
left the Borders pair lying shot and game by 3 to 1. {Full results
CLICK HERE)
GB (Scotland) win 2nd annual Czech International
Bonspiel - November 4th, 2006
Torino silver medallist Michael McCreadie
returned to winning form when he skipped GB (Scotland) to gold over
Czech "A" in the 8 team event October 19th thru 23rd in Prague. Team
Canada crashed 9 - 0 to the Czechs in the semi-final, but
regrouped to beat Norway for bronze. [read
competition report]
Quebec wheelchair program begins November 28th at
Victoria CC in Quebec City - November
3rd, 2006
Quebec wheelchair users will get their
first opportunity to experience wheelchair curling at the Victoria
Curling Club beginning November 28th. Pierre Pomerleau, who works at a
local rehab centre, is organizing the program with the assistance of an
experienced curling coach.
Alberta expands program to include juniors
- November 3rd, 2006
Two juniors have joined a core of 17
regular wheelchair users and a dozen occasional players who get out on
the ice on Saturday afternoons between 3 - 5 PM at the Ogden
Legion Curling Club in Calgary.
Over 60 Albertans have been introduced to
the sport over the past couple of years, assisted by a group of 10
dedicated coaches and instructors. High-performance sessions are held
Wednesday evenings. [read
press release]
BC gold medalist speaks at college graduation
- October 27th, 2006
Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet spoke at
the graduation ceremony for Spott-Shaw Community College students in
Vernon BC. [read
more]
Golden Ears Winter Club feature wheelchair curlers in
promotional video - October 24th, 2006
Maple Ridge BC's Golden Ears CC has a
promotional video on YouTube that includes wheelchair curlers as part of
the demographic mix. To view the video
CLICK HERE
Manitoba program growing
- October 5th, 2006
The wheelchair curling
program in Manitoba is based in the West Kildonan Curling Club in
Winnipeg. The club has a 10am to noon Saturday recreational program and
wheelchair teams areplaying in the Friday night and Sunday afternoon fun
leagues. The club is planning an elevator to the upstairs lounge and
hopes to put in a bid for the 2008 Nationals.
For more information contact Chris Sobkowicz at Winnipeg's Dakota
Community Centre - Phone 204-254-1010
Nova Scotia program begins October 13th in Lower
Sackville
Wheelchair curlers are welcome to attend
regular Friday evening sessions at 6.30 at the
Lakeshore
Curling Club, sponsored by the the
Canadian Paraplegic Association (Nova
Scotia). It is hoped that this season's Nationals will feature a Nova
Scotia team. For more information contact Laughlin Rutt at 902-423-1277
(ext 105) or visit
www.canparaplegic.org/ns
Vernon Cashspiel to benefit wheelchair
curling
Part of the proceeds from this year's
Cashspiel, a 4 day event that brings an international field to the
Multiplex in Vernon B.C., will go to support wheelchair curling.
This year's event begins September 26, and features Kelly Scott's Team
Canada and teams from Russia, Japan and China.
For more information
CLICK HERE
Bonspiel in Ottawa ON. December 2nd
The Capital Wheelchair Curling Club is
hosting the 2nd Annual Cathy Kerr Wheelchair Bonspiel at the RA
Centre Curling Club, Ottawa, ON on Saturday, December 2th, 2006
There is a limit of 12 teams (first come, first served) and the eam
entry fee of $160.00 includes 3 six-end games, dinner and prizes.
Entries must be received by: November 17, 2006
For more information please contact Bruce by calling 613-247-7290 or by
emait to blc2@rogers.com
Nova Scotia starts wheelchair curling program
Two successful demonstrations of
Wheelchair Curling have led to the formation of regular play. In
addition, those interested in trying the sport for the first time are
welcome to come out and experience the thrill of throwing rocks.
Curling for the 2005/06 will begin on September 27th, 2005 at the
Lakeshore Curling Club on Glendale drive in Lower Sackville. The time is
from 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Each week the cost will be $9.00 per person to pay for ice time,
although some sponsors are being sought to assist in the cost. The
extender sticks will be provided.
Anyone who wishes to play is asked to contact Laughie Rutt at 423-1277
at Extension 105. Participants are welcome at anytime during the year.
[LINK]
Osoyoos 2 on 2 bonspiel results
- September 4th, 2006
Seven pairs competed in the
season-opening 2 on 2 wheelchair bonspiel held over the Labour Day
weekend in Osoyoos BC. With 4 of the 5 Torino gold medallists competing,
3 teams finished the 6 game round robin of 4-enders with 5-1 records,
and a draw to the button decided who would compete for title honours.
Gary Cormack and Vince Miele (5-1) beat
Chris Daw and Sonja Gaudet (5-1) for 1st place. The stole 1 in the 1st,
gave up 5 in the 2nd, took 2 in the 3rd and stole 4 in the final end to
win the first prize jackets. Brian and Bob MacDonald (5-1) beat Gerry
Austgarden and Jim Miller (4-2) with a 3 spot in the final end to take
3rd place with a 5-3 win.
For photos
CLICK HERE
Wheelchair curling begins on Vancouver Island September
24th
Victoria's Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre
is hosting eight sheets for wheelchair curlers. Ice time is available
from 1 - 3pm each Sunday, other events permitting, starting September
24th.
CLICK HERE for a
map and contact
Stefanie Barber for more information.
Team Canada skip and Torino gold medallist Chris Daw
interviewed on The Curling Show podcast - August 22nd, 2006
Dean Gemmell hosts a weekly podcast
"the show that brings you interviews with the sport's top athletes and
the people who shape the game." This week he interviews Chris Daw.
CLICK HERE for a link to the interview page. (Either subscribe to
the show or right click on the link and save the interview to your
computer as an mp3 file.)
Wheelchair curling relocates to Vancouver for 2010
Paralympics - August 21, 2006
Following Whistler's decision not to
build a new stadium, wheelchair curling will be moved to Hillcrest/Nat
Bailey Stadium Park in Vancouver .[read
more]
Financial worries may force 2010 Paralympics stadium
events out of Whistler - August 14, 2006
The price tag for Whistler to build a
bells-and-whistles 2,750-seat arena in the village for Paralympic sledge
hockey may force the resort municipality to abandon the project.
It could also result in much of the 2010
Paralympic Winter Games being moved to Vancouver. [read
more]
Gold medal winners Team Canada to attend Osoyoos Spiel
- August 14, 2006
Team Canada Torino
gold medallists Chris Daw, Gerry Austgarden, Sonja Gaudet and Gary
Cormack will be competing in the wheelchair curling spiel being held in
Osoyoos the first weekend in September. For event details click
HERE (MS Word) or
click HERE for a
universal pdf file that can be read by Adobe's free
Acrobat Reader.
Top British duo retire from international competition -
August 14, 2006
Frank Duffy and
Michael McCreadie
who won silver medals at the Winter Paralympic Games in Torino this year
have decided to retire from International competition. This undoubtedly
is a double blow to the hopes and aspirations of Scottish and British
curling for International events in the future. [read
more]
Osoyoos hosting 2 on 2 tournament Sept 1- 3, 2006
Osoyoos International Curling Club is
hosting a 2 on 2 spiel on the first weekend in September, organised by
the BC Wheelchair Curling Committee. For event details click
HERE (MS Word) or
click HERE for a
universal pdf file that can be read by Adobe's free
Acrobat Reader.
Great Britain doubles funding for wheelchair curling -
July 29, 2006
Wheelchair curling in Great Britain
received a big boost with the announcement by UK Sport of 270,000 pounds
in funding over the next 4 years, more than doubling the previous grant.
[read
more]
Vancouver curlers compete in USA spiel
3 wheelchair curlers joined Marpole
manager Joe Krapiac for a trip to Vancouver Washington in early June for
the 4th Annual Evergreen CC Rose Bonspiel. Though the ice was less
predictable than we in Canada are used to, Vince Miele, Darrly
Neighbour, Gary Cormack and Joe got the final of the 'C' event, losing
out to a local Portland rink. [photos]
Expansion from 8 teams to 10 at 2010 Paralympics in
Vancouver - June 20th, 2006
The governing board of the International
Paralympic Committee (IPC) has approved the Paralympic program for the
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games at a meeting held June 23 and 24 in
Lausanne.
The board confirmed that athletes will compete in five
sports – Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross Country, Ice Sledge Hockey and
Wheelchair Curling.
