It's the start of a new quadrennial, and the CCA is aware that procedures for consideration for Team Canada training have appeared less than transparent.
Does this mean they plan to follow the lead of US A and (more significantly) Scotland by holding open tryouts? Well, not exactly, but they are slowly moving in that direction and promising this year a more public process.
The CCA's Wendy Morgan, in partnership with provincial organizations, is holding a series of national talent identification camps with the aim of allowing every wheelchair curler with the ambition and ability to perform to national team standards, the opportunity to be assessed by national coaching staff.
Read Wendy's plan outline HERE.
How do you ensure a place? That will depend on the policy of your provincial association. The initial CCA guideline was to invite to the camp last year's provincial champions plus 2 or 3 others deemed deserving. In Alberta this is what will happen in Calgary this coming weekend. Team Smart (the 2010 provincial champions) will be joined by 3 curlers from Edmonton.
In Manitoba invitations were issued to 10 curlers, "all our wheelchair curlers with experience," according to provincial coordinator Elaine Owen. Saskatchewan is running the camp in conjunction with their provincial team selection camp, open to everyone qualified to play for the province.
Atlantic Canada will hold a competition and camp on January 14th and will be inviting everyone who has appeared at a National Championships or wheelchair curling camp the past two seasons.
Every province has a wheelchair curling coordinator who will be responsible for deciding who will be invited to attend their camp. The names are listed at the end of this post. Some will have been actively involved with wheelchair curling, and others only in an administrative sense.
There has been a lot of grumbling in the past by people who felt their skills had been overlooked. This time round, they at least have the opportunity to know who is doing the choosing, and where and when.
Gerry Peckham agrees that no one wants a situation where participation depends on who you know rather than what you can do on the ice. If you think you have the skills to challenge for a Team Canada place, it is up to you to make sure an invitation comes your way.
Provincial coordinators:
Helen Radford - Atlantic Canada
Alan Smith - Quebec
Tom Ward - Ontario
Dave Kawahara - Northern Ontario
Elaine Owen - Manitoba
Amber Holland - Saskatchewan
Kathy Odegard - Alberta
Heather Beatty - British Columbia
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
3rd Annual Kinross International underway
Bob Cowan reminds me that the 3rd Annual Kinross International got underway today.
Last year it attracted six Paralympic squads in a nine team field but will still host seven teams, with Switzerland and Norway joining Wales and four Scottish teams for play through Thursday.
Last year it attracted six Paralympic squads in a nine team field but will still host seven teams, with Switzerland and Norway joining Wales and four Scottish teams for play through Thursday.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sudbury CC program begins October 24
Wheelchair curling in Northern Ontario adds another venue with Sudbury CC hosting wheelchair curling Sundays beginning October 24. Call 705-560-3309 for more information.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Quebec's Team Lessard has a blog
BENOIT LESSARD skip, CARL MARQUIS 3rd, DENIS GRENIER 2nd,
JOHANNE DALY lead, GERMAIN TREMBLAY coach
Team Lessard, who have reorganised this season and now play out of the Magog CC under new coach Germain Tremblay, have started their own blog.
You can post an online greeting or comment and follow the team's progress at ÉQUIPE LESSARD. (Introductory post also in English)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Team USA's Patrick McDonald out for season
Patrick McDonald, the lone west coast member of Team USA, will undergo surgery for a chronic shoulder problem and will miss the entire season.
"He had hoped it could wait till next Spring," team leader Marc DePerno told me, "but it requires immediate attention. We'll select a replacement at a later date."
Team USA have just completed their trials and had nominated a USA "B" team, so will have opportunities to see how prospective replacements perform, initially at the USA Open in Utica, NY, November 12 - 14.
Patrick broke into the squad in 2009. He played as an alternate at the 2009 Worlds, but saw more playing time during the Vancouver Paralympics.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Lakeshore CC (NS) begins Saturday sessions on October 16th
The holiday weekend has delayed the start of the Lakeshore CC wheelchair curling sessions for a week. They will begin Saturday October 16t, 2.45 till 5pm.
Cost is $4 and no experience is necessary. Able-bodied friends who are prepared to use a delivery stick, are also welcome.
Cost is $4 and no experience is necessary. Able-bodied friends who are prepared to use a delivery stick, are also welcome.
Nanaimo program off to a promising start
"Three were first timers and three had some experience," club manager Denise Wood told me. "Two have decided to play in one of our regular curling leagues, and we're hoping to attract nine or 10 regulars as the season progresses."
As for the change from club to centre, she explained: "The design (above) was a result of local design students presenting their concepts to our membership."
Stranraer ramp lets you drown your sorrows
Aileen Nielsen with Hammy Mcmillan Snr.
photo courtesy Michael McCreadie via Bob Cowan
Stranraer Ice rink, which celebrated its 40th birthday this year, now has a ramp that extends from the bar to the changing rooms, making the entire facility wheelchair accessible.
Michael McCreadie told Bob Cowan: "It is quite long and goes from the top of the stairs at the bar down to the middle door leading to the changing rooms. As wheelchair users we can go independently anywhere on the ice rink. Congratulations on their foresight and no doubt when word gets round more wheelchair users will use this great venue."
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Richmond Spiel needs one more team or may move to 2on2 format
The Richmond Centre for Disability, an active supporter of wheelchair curling for many years, had hoped to celebrate their 25th Anniversary International with a big field for their December spiel.
They have extended the application deadline to October 15th, hoping to add at least one more team and reach the minimum five entries needed to run the tournament with four person teams.
The organizers hope the event will run as a 2on2 if no more entries are received.
The competition runs from December 1 - 4, with practice ice available November 30th. Entries are $250 for up to 12 teams with half payable by the registration deadline of October 15th.
For more information and a registration form contact Rich Green.
They have extended the application deadline to October 15th, hoping to add at least one more team and reach the minimum five entries needed to run the tournament with four person teams.
The organizers hope the event will run as a 2on2 if no more entries are received.
The competition runs from December 1 - 4, with practice ice available November 30th. Entries are $250 for up to 12 teams with half payable by the registration deadline of October 15th.
For more information and a registration form contact Rich Green.
Nanaimo CC now fully accessible
The eight-sheet Nanaimo Curling Centre (the CCA has been trying to get clubs to rebrand as centres, hoping to sound more inclusive) is now fully accessible to wheelchair users after the addition of an elevator.
Time has been set aside for wheelchair curling on Wednesday mornings, though there's no reason why wheelchair users should not do what the general public does; jump right in and join a "fun" league, even if you lack experience.
The club manager is Denise Wood who'll be happy to arrange ice time for wheelchair users to try the sport.
Time has been set aside for wheelchair curling on Wednesday mornings, though there's no reason why wheelchair users should not do what the general public does; jump right in and join a "fun" league, even if you lack experience.
The club manager is Denise Wood who'll be happy to arrange ice time for wheelchair users to try the sport.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Events calendar
I get frequent emails asking whether I know the dates of this or that wheelchair curling event. When I am given the information, I put it on the calendar page of the wheelchaircurling.com website.
If you know of an event that may be of interest to those who follow wheelchair curling, please send it to me at eric@wheelchaircurling.com and I will make it available to everyone.
If you know of an event that may be of interest to those who follow wheelchair curling, please send it to me at eric@wheelchaircurling.com and I will make it available to everyone.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Do you want to curl on the GB Paralympic team?
British curling has been an exclusively Scottish endeavour at the elite level, but attempts are being made to identify the best UK athletes with the proficiency and desire to compete for a place on the GB Paralympic Curling Squad.
A series of events, all at Scottish venues, have been arranged where weight control and accuracy will be assessed. The organisers warn: this complex system is aimed at elite level athletes and is not for beginners as a “come and try event”.
Applications (deadline October 1st) are available for download HERE and information packs can be obtained from Amber Thomson.
More details on the program and eligibility can be seen HERE.
I found the link on Bob Cowan's Skip Cottage Curling blog, in a post detailing his visit to Sterling's recreational wheelchair curling program. Details and photos HERE.
A series of events, all at Scottish venues, have been arranged where weight control and accuracy will be assessed. The organisers warn: this complex system is aimed at elite level athletes and is not for beginners as a “come and try event”.
Applications (deadline October 1st) are available for download HERE and information packs can be obtained from Amber Thomson.
More details on the program and eligibility can be seen HERE.
I found the link on Bob Cowan's Skip Cottage Curling blog, in a post detailing his visit to Sterling's recreational wheelchair curling program. Details and photos HERE.
A letter from Team Cameron (ON)
Eric,
As you will see by the enclosed cheque for $100, we have responded to the challenge from Team Bradford for teams to match their contribution.
We find wheelchaircurling.com to be a very informative site and consider it to be the place to go for information about wheelchair curling.
We also know that it does take a considerable amount of your time, energy and money to maintain the site to the high standard that you have set. At times I am sure that the thought crosses your mind that no one cares about your efforts and wheelchaircurling.com. Please be assured that we do care and rely on the information that you provide to the wheelchair curling community not only in Canada but throughout the world.
We thank you very much for your time and effort. We will also challenge all wheelchair curling leams world wide to at least match, if not better the contributions from Team Bradford and Team Cameron so we will be able tocontinue to enjoy wheelchaircurling.com.
THANK YOU
Team Cameron
Bruce Cameron
Doug Morris
Jamie Eddy
Christine Lavallee
Wilf Oliver - Coach
Margaret Woodley - Coach
As you will see by the enclosed cheque for $100, we have responded to the challenge from Team Bradford for teams to match their contribution.
We find wheelchaircurling.com to be a very informative site and consider it to be the place to go for information about wheelchair curling.
We also know that it does take a considerable amount of your time, energy and money to maintain the site to the high standard that you have set. At times I am sure that the thought crosses your mind that no one cares about your efforts and wheelchaircurling.com. Please be assured that we do care and rely on the information that you provide to the wheelchair curling community not only in Canada but throughout the world.
We thank you very much for your time and effort. We will also challenge all wheelchair curling leams world wide to at least match, if not better the contributions from Team Bradford and Team Cameron so we will be able tocontinue to enjoy wheelchaircurling.com.
THANK YOU
Team Cameron
Bruce Cameron
Doug Morris
Jamie Eddy
Christine Lavallee
Wilf Oliver - Coach
Margaret Woodley - Coach
3rd Annual Wetzikon Invitational October 30-31, Zurich SUI
Wetzikon Invitational October 30-31, 2010
Closing date for applications to compete in the 3rd Annual Wetzikon Invitational in Zurich, Switzerland, is October 2nd.
There will be a maximum of 12 teams, playing in two pools, four games guaranteed. Entries are CHF280 (approx. $300 Canadian) and includes the Saturday banquet.
Full event details are available (in German and English) HERE.
Monday, September 27, 2010
No change for Team USA after trials
Team USA 2011 will be represented by the same five athletes that brought them so close to medals at the last Worlds and Vancouver Paralympics.
Augusto 'Goose' Perez (East Syracuse, N.Y.) will skip James Pierce (North Syracuse, N.Y.), Jacqui Kapinowski (Point Pleasant, N.J.), James Joseph (New Hartford, N.Y.) and Patrick McDonald (Orangevale, Calif.). (as in photo above)
Athletes named as alternates for Team USA include Tammy Delano (Rome, N.Y.), Penny Greely (Green Bay, Wis.), Laura Schwanger (Mantua, N.J.) and Bob Prenoveau (Chittenango, N.Y.). The alternates will compete in events and train as Team USA B. [USA Curling press release]
Twelve athletes attended this weekend's open tryouts at the Green Bay CC in Wisconsin. While there is promising talent among those not selected, the downside to working with a small national squad is that they provide a receding target to a newcomer hoping to displace them.
One trialist undaunted by the challenge, was Green Bay native Penny Greely. She told WBAY TV it was the degree of difficulty that drew her more to the game.
"I'm a really competitive person so this was right up my alley when I started playing. I hope to remain part of the curling club, get on some leagues. And hopefully making the national team some day," she added.
Watch an interview with Penny Greely HERE.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Do's, Don'ts and something to try when you practice
With the season already under-way in Ottawa, here are some things to consider when practising.
Most clubs will have members who are qualified coaches, and who can be asked to help form a practice plan, if not to oversee every practice session. Every wheelchair user with access to curling ice, should also have, if they ask, access to coaching expertise at the club. Much of what makes for good practice with regular curlers, is also good practice for wheelchair curling, so don't allow unfamiliarity with wheelchairs to be a bar to receiving coaching help. The CCA also has a brochure that includes basic information including drills for those new to wheelchair curling. Ask at your club or contact the CCA's Danny Lamoureux to receive a copy.
The three elements to delivering the stone, speed, direction and rotation, are the same for everyone, and rely on consistency. This is why it is important to practice the way you will play. Bad practice is worse than no practice. For example; if you need your chair braced to prevent it moving when you throw, it is useless and probably detrimental to throw on your own. You will find yourself adjusting for the lack of a bracer, and the muscle memory benefits of practice won't be relevant when you compete.
A draw without sweepers will always be a lower percentage shot than a draw with sweepers. Many wheelchair curlers compensate by relying on up-weight throws; hits rather than draws, minimizing the importance of distance and the effect of the curl. There are all sorts of hitting drills, but you might try this "line drill" when you do not have someone to hold the broom.
Place two stones 20 feet away and move them 2 feet apart. Now throw as hard as you can between them. This has the benefit of concentrating not on where the stone finishes, which is the responsibility of the broom holder, but on where the stone needs to be when it starts.
It is difficult for throwers to know without being told, whether an up weight shot started on line. If you can't reliably throw through a 2 foot gap, widen it. Then reduce it as you succeed. Stones are just under a foot in diameter, so set a "gap target" to pass through before the stone starts to curl, and move it across the ice so you throw from different angles.
Finally, club ice-makers try to keep their ice consistent so their members know what to expect. That can mean that depending on the venue, a T-line draw may take anywhere between 11 and 14 seconds to travel the same distance. The weight you need for a given shot can vary significantly.
This is not an issue if you always and only play on the same surface. You learn how much weight a particular shot needs, and should, with practice, be able to make small adjustments for changing ice conditions during a game. Sweeping makes adjustments easier, but what do you do to learn to "put a bit on" or "take a bit off" to adjust to the very different ice you might meet in competition.
Try reducing or lengthening the distance that you throw when you practice. To simulate fast ice, move closer to the house, over the hogline. To simulate heavy ice, move further back.
Most clubs will have members who are qualified coaches, and who can be asked to help form a practice plan, if not to oversee every practice session. Every wheelchair user with access to curling ice, should also have, if they ask, access to coaching expertise at the club. Much of what makes for good practice with regular curlers, is also good practice for wheelchair curling, so don't allow unfamiliarity with wheelchairs to be a bar to receiving coaching help. The CCA also has a brochure that includes basic information including drills for those new to wheelchair curling. Ask at your club or contact the CCA's Danny Lamoureux to receive a copy.
The three elements to delivering the stone, speed, direction and rotation, are the same for everyone, and rely on consistency. This is why it is important to practice the way you will play. Bad practice is worse than no practice. For example; if you need your chair braced to prevent it moving when you throw, it is useless and probably detrimental to throw on your own. You will find yourself adjusting for the lack of a bracer, and the muscle memory benefits of practice won't be relevant when you compete.
A draw without sweepers will always be a lower percentage shot than a draw with sweepers. Many wheelchair curlers compensate by relying on up-weight throws; hits rather than draws, minimizing the importance of distance and the effect of the curl. There are all sorts of hitting drills, but you might try this "line drill" when you do not have someone to hold the broom.
Place two stones 20 feet away and move them 2 feet apart. Now throw as hard as you can between them. This has the benefit of concentrating not on where the stone finishes, which is the responsibility of the broom holder, but on where the stone needs to be when it starts.
It is difficult for throwers to know without being told, whether an up weight shot started on line. If you can't reliably throw through a 2 foot gap, widen it. Then reduce it as you succeed. Stones are just under a foot in diameter, so set a "gap target" to pass through before the stone starts to curl, and move it across the ice so you throw from different angles.
Finally, club ice-makers try to keep their ice consistent so their members know what to expect. That can mean that depending on the venue, a T-line draw may take anywhere between 11 and 14 seconds to travel the same distance. The weight you need for a given shot can vary significantly.
This is not an issue if you always and only play on the same surface. You learn how much weight a particular shot needs, and should, with practice, be able to make small adjustments for changing ice conditions during a game. Sweeping makes adjustments easier, but what do you do to learn to "put a bit on" or "take a bit off" to adjust to the very different ice you might meet in competition.
Try reducing or lengthening the distance that you throw when you practice. To simulate fast ice, move closer to the house, over the hogline. To simulate heavy ice, move further back.
Shake-up at Team Manitoba
It will come as no surprise to anyone who watched Manitoba play last March in Kelowna, BC, that the team has split up after three successive national championship bronze medals. They did not look happy on or off the ice.
This season Chris Sobkowicz and third Dennis Thiessen will each skip a team and compete against each other in the Manitoba playdown.
Chris will play with 2010 teammates George Horning and Terry Lindell and has been practicing at Winnipeg's Assiniboine CC with several players who may make the team.
Dennis Thiessen will reconnect with Michael Alberg, a teammate on the 2008 and 2009 Manitoba team, along with Effie Loubardias and a newcomer to wheelchair curling, Heather Mowat. They will play out of the East St. Paul CC in Winnipeg and compete at the 6th Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial the third week in November.
This season Chris Sobkowicz and third Dennis Thiessen will each skip a team and compete against each other in the Manitoba playdown.
Chris will play with 2010 teammates George Horning and Terry Lindell and has been practicing at Winnipeg's Assiniboine CC with several players who may make the team.
Dennis Thiessen will reconnect with Michael Alberg, a teammate on the 2008 and 2009 Manitoba team, along with Effie Loubardias and a newcomer to wheelchair curling, Heather Mowat. They will play out of the East St. Paul CC in Winnipeg and compete at the 6th Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial the third week in November.
Effie Loubardias, Dennis Thiessen, Michael Alberg and Heather Mowat.
It is encouraging that there are enough participants in Manitoba that teams can reform. Expectations are that three teams will compete in the 2011 provincials. No word as to whether long-time provincial lead Arlene Ursel will play this year.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Chris Daw inducted to London (ON) Hall Of Fame
Team Canada skip Daw, 40, who won three national wheelchair curling titles, silver and bronze at the Worlds and a gold medal at the Turin Paralympics, has been inducted into the London, Ontario, Hall Of Fame.
He attended the Western Fair ceremony with his wife Morgan and their infant daughter Arouyn.
“This is the culmination of everything,” he told Steve Green of the London Free Press. “The day it was announced that I was being inducted, I called my mom (Eleanor). The very next day, she passed away.
“Throughout my entire career, she and my father were my greatest supporters and my greatest advocates. This means just as much as Turin because not only is it the recognition of my achievements, it’s the recognition of their support.”
The London Hall Of Fame video citation can be viewed at this link or seen below.
Ottawa's RA Curling Club's curling begins this Saturday 25th
Bruce Cameron writes to say that wheelchair curling will be starting at the RA Curling Club in Ottawa this Saturday, September 25th, 3 - 5 pm.
All wheelchair users are welcome. No previous experience necessary. Yearly memberships are $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Ontario Champions Team Cameron will be on hand for a meet-and-greet on Saturday 2nd Oct 2010, and will give a demonstration before being presented the Team Ontario provincial banner they won at last season's Dominion Provincial Championship.
All wheelchair users are welcome. No previous experience necessary. Yearly memberships are $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Ontario Champions Team Cameron will be on hand for a meet-and-greet on Saturday 2nd Oct 2010, and will give a demonstration before being presented the Team Ontario provincial banner they won at last season's Dominion Provincial Championship.
Team USA tryouts in Green Bay, WI this weekend
Twelve athletes will be attending the Team USA tryouts this weekend in Green Bay WI, including all five members of the team that finished fourth at the 2009 Worlds and the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics.
Making the Team - The 2011 U.S. Wheelchair Curling Team Selection will take place Friday through Sunday at the Green Bay (Wis.) Curling Club. The individual skills tryouts will help select the national team for the season to compete in various international and national competitions as well as wear Team USA at the 2011 Wheelchair World Championship in March in the Czech Republic. Twelve athletes are competing to be named to the roster, including all five members of Team USA's wheelchair curling team from the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
From USACurling
Making the Team - The 2011 U.S. Wheelchair Curling Team Selection will take place Friday through Sunday at the Green Bay (Wis.) Curling Club. The individual skills tryouts will help select the national team for the season to compete in various international and national competitions as well as wear Team USA at the 2011 Wheelchair World Championship in March in the Czech Republic. Twelve athletes are competing to be named to the roster, including all five members of Team USA's wheelchair curling team from the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
From USACurling
Mike Fitzgerald is CCA's Male Athlete of the Week
Mike Fitzgerald (2009) skip Team Nova Scotia
(photo - Ian Readey)
[from the CCA profile] Michael Fitzgerald has built himself quite a resume, both on and off the ice.(photo - Ian Readey)
On the ice, he’s been a dominant force in Nova Scotia wheelchair curling; he’s claimed the last three provincial titles and has represented the Bluenose Province at the last three national championships, in 2008 at Winnipeg (3-4 record), 2009 at Halifax (3-6 record) and 2010 in Kelowna, B.C. (4-5 record, just out of the playoffs).
As well, Fitzgerald has worked behind the scenes to help wheelchair curling; he’s a Level 1 coach specializing in the wheelchair discipline, and has instructed many new wheelchair curlers in Atlantic Canada. Add to that his upcoming duties, volunteering at the 2011 Canada Winter Games (he’ll be an accessibility representative at the Mayflower Curling Club, which will host the curling competition) and you get the picture about Fitzgerald’s commitment to the Roaring Game.
Read the full profile.
Lethbridge AB invites wheelchair users to curl
Wheelchair users in Lethbridge AB will have the opportunity to curl this season in a program promoted by the Alberta Health Service as part of its theraputic recreation initiative to keep wheelchair users active during the winter.
To find out more about the program, or to volunteer to coach, contact Community Recreation Therapist Carolyn Matthews at 403.388.6348
To find out more about the program, or to volunteer to coach, contact Community Recreation Therapist Carolyn Matthews at 403.388.6348
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Team Sweden, Vancouver bronze medalists, break up
Team Sweden, winners of the bronze medal at the Vancouver Paralympics, are breaking up.
Swedish skip Jalle Jungnell writes:
"After playing with Glenn Ikonen and Anette Wilhelm for 10 years at international level, the time has come to quit. Anette wants more time for her two young children, and I have still not recovered from last December's spine surgery.
"After playing with Glenn Ikonen and Anette Wilhelm for 10 years at international level, the time has come to quit. Anette wants more time for her two young children, and I have still not recovered from last December's spine surgery.
"After our silver medal at the 2009 Worlds, we had high hopes for a repeat of the result in Vancouver, or even better. Things where looking really good during the fall, with a new coach (Tomas Nordin) and good results, with a win in Switzerland.
"Then I suddenly start losing strength and feeling in my hands, and was rushed to emergency surgery, and was hospitalized in Denver for a month. I returned to the ice only 4 weeks before Vancouver, and 10 weeks practicing without a skip didn’t do the team any good.
"We recovered from an 0-3 start to win 7 of the last 9 games and take bronze. Any medal in the Paralympics is big, and we were happy, but there were mixed feelings. This journey includes so much pain and struggle that we all felt pretty exhausted - happy with the result, but definitely not with our performance.
"A couple of bronze and a silver in my career is fun, but the highlight of my curling is definitely all the nice people we have met through the years. The spirit and friendship between nations is just exceptional. I’ll miss all Mikaels, Sonjas, Runes and Nadias, and so many, many more."
Lead and 2009 sportsmanship award winner Anette Wilhelm added: "It was a difficult and somewhat sad decision to take, but all things come to and end."
Jalle has retired before, and is still young enough to make another come-back, though back pain and neurological problems with his hands persists. He would like to return "and show everyone that Sweden can play" but acknowledges his health is not good enough, at least at present.
His retirement is a big loss not only to Sweden but to the game internationally. Jalle realised that his job was not just as an athlete, but also an ambassador for the sport. He did not hide himself away as did the Canadians and Scots and many others during the 2009 Worlds where I met him, and was happy to talk wheelchair curling to anyone interested.
Team Sweden's future is now in doubt, as would any program that relied on a tiny core group of players year after year. Glenn Ikonen's 6-month suspension for using a banned blood pressure medication, ends September 22nd but he does not have a team.
If Sweden do not compete at the Worlds in Prague, three teams will qualify from the upcoming World's Qualifying Tournament.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Marcus Sieger replaces Jens Jäger as skip of Team Germany
new Team Germany skip Marcus Sieger
Jens Jäger, who skipped Germany to a bronze medal at the 2009 Wolds, and also skipped at the Vancouver Paralympics, is out of the national team. He has been replaced by his 3rd, Marcus Stieger.
The new Team Germany, who will compete at the 2011 Worlds in Prague, is Marcus Sieger (Skip), Jens Gäbel, Christiane Steger and newcomer Stefan Deuschl. Helmar Erlewein continues as national team coach.
Jens has a new team, the Mainhattan Ice Wheelers, who competed in last weekend's Danish international spiel at Taarnby, finishing fourth.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sports Day in Canada September 18
Canadians are invited to experience first-hand various Paralympic sports during hands-on sport demonstrations in Ottawa (ON) and Richmond (BC) on the first-ever Sports Day in Canada, September 18.
Paralympians Chris Daw and Darryl Neighbour will be among those attending the Richmond Oval in BC from 11 - 2, and there will also be an Ottawa event at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa.
Read the Canadian Paralympic Committee's media release HERE.
Paralympians Chris Daw and Darryl Neighbour will be among those attending the Richmond Oval in BC from 11 - 2, and there will also be an Ottawa event at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa.
Read the Canadian Paralympic Committee's media release HERE.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Kinross WCC holding a "come and try" session September 25
The club has 15 curlers competing in league play, and a full schedule of events. Their fundraising Ceilidh at the Windlstrae Hotel brought in 100 people and raised almost a thousand pounds.
More information about the club can be found at their website.
Two national champs pair up to win Osoyoos 2 on 2
Vince Miele and Gary Cormack
Gary Cormack and Vince Miele, continuing the form that saw them win a national title last March, won the 4th Annual Olsen Curling Supplies Osoyoos 2 on 2. They beat fellow teammate Rich Green and Team Canada member Bruno Yizek 7-4 in the final of the two day event to win cash, and a curling jacket and pants.
Bruno Yizek and Rich Green
Team Canada members Darryl Neighbour and Sonja Gaudet finished 3rd in the five team field.
Darryl Neighbour and Sonja Gaudet
Saturday, September 11, 2010
UK to offer Introduction to Coaching Wheelchair Curling course
The Royal Caledonian CC, the national governing body for British curling, is offering a 3-4 hour course for current RCCC qualified coaches, intended to introduce them to the sport and enable them to instruct a beginner who uses a wheelchair.
The course will cover delivery styles, safety awareness and include the coach using a wheelchair during the course and thus "gaining valuable insights into the perspective of a wheelchair user."
The course will cover delivery styles, safety awareness and include the coach using a wheelchair during the course and thus "gaining valuable insights into the perspective of a wheelchair user."
Friday, September 10, 2010
Team Quebec players and their coach part ways
The members of Team Quebec and the coaches who have been instrumental in establishing wheelchair curling in their province, have parted ways.
The team has been centred at the Lennoxville CC under the guidance of Quebec's Club Coach of the Year Al Whittier and Dan Janidlo. Tension arose when skip Ben Lessard, 3rd Carl Marquis and 2nd Denis Grenier chose to leave the 2010 Nationals in Kelowna before the banquet, without prior discussion of their decision with their coaches. Although this breach of protocol fractured the coaching relationship, it did not result in CCA imposed sanctions, though rules for 2011 are likely to make banquet attendance mandatory.
Magog CC coach Germain Tremblay has agreed to work with the team on a part-time basis whenever his schedule permits.
Carl will practice at the Magog Club which is closer to his home, while Ben will continue to play at Lennoxville. They are likely to be joined by newcomer Sebastien Boisvert, described as a "natural" by a coach who saw him play at the Cape Cod Summerspiel. Lead Johanne Daly lives some distance away in Montreal.
The team plans to compete at the Cathy Kerr in Ottawa and the US Open in Utica NY, and are hoping that funds can be found for travel to the Richmond BC International in December.
Al Whittier will continue to promote recreational wheelchair curling at Lennoxville. Dan Janidlo will maintain his Lennoxville connections, but will also be checking for wheelchair access at clubs closer to his new home in Montreal
The team has been centred at the Lennoxville CC under the guidance of Quebec's Club Coach of the Year Al Whittier and Dan Janidlo. Tension arose when skip Ben Lessard, 3rd Carl Marquis and 2nd Denis Grenier chose to leave the 2010 Nationals in Kelowna before the banquet, without prior discussion of their decision with their coaches. Although this breach of protocol fractured the coaching relationship, it did not result in CCA imposed sanctions, though rules for 2011 are likely to make banquet attendance mandatory.
Magog CC coach Germain Tremblay has agreed to work with the team on a part-time basis whenever his schedule permits.
Carl will practice at the Magog Club which is closer to his home, while Ben will continue to play at Lennoxville. They are likely to be joined by newcomer Sebastien Boisvert, described as a "natural" by a coach who saw him play at the Cape Cod Summerspiel. Lead Johanne Daly lives some distance away in Montreal.
The team plans to compete at the Cathy Kerr in Ottawa and the US Open in Utica NY, and are hoping that funds can be found for travel to the Richmond BC International in December.
Al Whittier will continue to promote recreational wheelchair curling at Lennoxville. Dan Janidlo will maintain his Lennoxville connections, but will also be checking for wheelchair access at clubs closer to his new home in Montreal
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Canada's emphasis shifts from international competition to national athlete development
Sometimes no news is good news, and sometimes no news means that everyone is holding their breath and hoping not to be crushed when the elephant sits down.
With skip Jim Armstrong awaiting trial, presently scheduled for October 25 in US District Court in Seattle, for trafficking counterfeit pills, there has been no Team Canada activity over the summer.
After a four year campaign ending in gold medals at the 2009 Worlds and 2010 Paralympics, there was always going to be a slower pace to this season as plans are made for the next quadrennial, with a switch of emphasis from international competition, to encouraging domestic competition.
While Joe Rea remains national team coach, Wendy Morgan has been appointed National Program Manager for wheelchair curling. This will entail working with each province's designated wheelchair curling coordinators. I am assured that each province has such a person and I will publish their names as soon as I have them.
The CCA's involvement in wheelchair curling will continue to be split between the Discover Curling Program run by Danny Lamoureux and responsible for grassroots development, and "long term athlete development" which will be assisted by the national coaching staff and national program athletes.
While there is an argument that this separation is artificial and obstructive of grassroots development, it fits the existing determination of CCA staff to keep national team membership and training under their close control.
Wendy Morgan says: "The current National Team will train independently and attend a couple of training camps (TBD). They will compete in the Richmond Invitational in December. (ed. December 1-4 - entry deadline September 30)
It is likely that a group core of athletes from the current National Team will represent Canada at the World championships in Prague in 2011."
There will, however, be a nation-wide series of "Talent ID/Development Camps with the intention to recruit talented/promising wheelchair athletes to the National Team Program while making a positive contribution to local wheelchair curling programs."
What that means for ambitious curlers outside of the present program, is that either by winning your provincial championship, or by gaining the sponsorship of your provincial coordinator, you will have the opportunity to at least make yourself known to national coaching staff.
A provisional list of potential venues includes St. John's NFLD, Halifax, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg/Regina, Calgary, Richmond and Whitehorse.
With skip Jim Armstrong awaiting trial, presently scheduled for October 25 in US District Court in Seattle, for trafficking counterfeit pills, there has been no Team Canada activity over the summer.
After a four year campaign ending in gold medals at the 2009 Worlds and 2010 Paralympics, there was always going to be a slower pace to this season as plans are made for the next quadrennial, with a switch of emphasis from international competition, to encouraging domestic competition.
While Joe Rea remains national team coach, Wendy Morgan has been appointed National Program Manager for wheelchair curling. This will entail working with each province's designated wheelchair curling coordinators. I am assured that each province has such a person and I will publish their names as soon as I have them.
The CCA's involvement in wheelchair curling will continue to be split between the Discover Curling Program run by Danny Lamoureux and responsible for grassroots development, and "long term athlete development" which will be assisted by the national coaching staff and national program athletes.
While there is an argument that this separation is artificial and obstructive of grassroots development, it fits the existing determination of CCA staff to keep national team membership and training under their close control.
Wendy Morgan says: "The current National Team will train independently and attend a couple of training camps (TBD). They will compete in the Richmond Invitational in December. (ed. December 1-4 - entry deadline September 30)
It is likely that a group core of athletes from the current National Team will represent Canada at the World championships in Prague in 2011."
There will, however, be a nation-wide series of "Talent ID/Development Camps with the intention to recruit talented/promising wheelchair athletes to the National Team Program while making a positive contribution to local wheelchair curling programs."
What that means for ambitious curlers outside of the present program, is that either by winning your provincial championship, or by gaining the sponsorship of your provincial coordinator, you will have the opportunity to at least make yourself known to national coaching staff.
A provisional list of potential venues includes St. John's NFLD, Halifax, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg/Regina, Calgary, Richmond and Whitehorse.
Norway's Thoralf Hognestad returns as national team coach
Thoralf Hognestad took charge of Team Norway after the Torino Paralympics, and led them to back to back world Championships in 2007 and 2008. Work commitments after the 2009 season prevented him from leading the team at the Vancouver Paralympics. Per Christensen, previously coach of his Danish national team, took over but failed to improve on the previous year's disappointing performance.
This season Thoralf is back with an increased squad and a full schedule of early season competition.
"We have some exciting new players who I hope will be challenging for team places when we choose the team for the Worlds," he told me.
One change that he doesn't expect to make is at skip, where Rune Lorentsen has had a couple of difficult years.
"Rune has his confidence back," says Hognestad. If that's true, it's bad news for the rest of the world.
Norway will be taking two teams to Denmark this coming weekend, and then are scheduled to travel to Inverness in Scotland in October, and Berne, Switzerland, in November. They'll also be competing in regular local bonspiels.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Michael McCreadie leaving national team
Team Great Britain skip Michael McCreadie was a notable absentee from the list of individual athletes selected to the British Wheelchair Curling Squad for Season 2010 - 2011. Gregor Ewan, Jim Gault and Michael McKenzie join recent team members Tom Killin, Rosemary Lenton, Angie Malone, Aileen Neilson and Jim Sellar.
There was no mention whether Tom Pendreigh remains as coach.
Bob Cowan reports Michael saying, "I have decided to take a season out of international competition and re-assess next season."
Expectations of success are as high in Scotland as in Canada. Michael was unable to repeat, as leader of the generously sponsored program, the success he enjoyed as vice to Frank Duffy, and admits the pressure of the past couple of years affected his enjoyment of the sport. Read Bob's report HERE.
Osoyoos 2 on 2 spiel begins Saturday September 11
The 4th Annual Olsen Curling Supplies 2 on 2 Bonspiel will begin at 9 am Saturday, September 11 at the Osoyoos CC just north of the BC/Washington State border.
Team Canada members Sonja Gaudet, Darrryl Neighbour and Bruno Yizek will be playing, with Team BC members Gerry Austgarden, Frank LaBounty and Alison Duffy, national champion skip Gary Cormack with his team members Rich Green and Vince Miele.
There's an odd number of teams registered, so a last minute arrival would not be unwelcome. Give Gerry a call at 250-979-3030 (work) or 250 768-0751 (home).
Team Canada members Sonja Gaudet, Darrryl Neighbour and Bruno Yizek will be playing, with Team BC members Gerry Austgarden, Frank LaBounty and Alison Duffy, national champion skip Gary Cormack with his team members Rich Green and Vince Miele.
There's an odd number of teams registered, so a last minute arrival would not be unwelcome. Give Gerry a call at 250-979-3030 (work) or 250 768-0751 (home).
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Armstrong trial put back to October 25th
At yesterday's status update hearing before Judge Martinez in the case of USA v. James Armstrong and Gregory Armstrong, the prosecution requested a continuance until October 25th.
While there may be further delays, a jury trial is presently scheduled for that date. Background to the case can be found in a previous post HERE.
While there may be further delays, a jury trial is presently scheduled for that date. Background to the case can be found in a previous post HERE.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Armstrong court case update
US government prosecutors and Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong and his son Gregory will appear in a Seattle courtroom at 10am tomorrow (Monday August 30) for a Status Conference/Hearing before US District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez. The conference is scheduled for 30 minutes.
Background to the case can be found in a previous post HERE and a link to the judge's schedule is HERE.
Background to the case can be found in a previous post HERE and a link to the judge's schedule is HERE.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wheelchair curling? Let's scrap it and start over.
If the WCF were structuring wheelchair curling from scratch, using the experience of the past ten years, the sport would, or perhaps more personally, should look very different. It really doesn't convert from the able-bodied game with any authenticity. Lack of sweeping not only removes a major purpose of the four person team format, but reduces the range of available shots and the possibility for shot accuracy that viewers of regular curling expect.
While shot clocks and time constraints have helped, two and a half hour 8 end games are still lengthy investments in a sport rarely achieving 60% accuracy. Of course, coaches continue to hope that with more and better practice, throwing skills will increase, and at every tournament brave words are spoken at microphones, praising the skill of the competitors as we spectators remember the shots that succeed while quickly forgetting the underthrows and overthrows.
It is my feeling that accuracy levels have plateaued for the best wheelchair curlers, at a point far below what can be achieved when using brooms.
Wheelchair curling in Canada is in a difficult place. It has failed to capture the imagination of wheelchair users, perhaps because for many there is just too much on-ice down time. The sport is driven by the perceived requirement to field a competitive national team, forcing inappropriate 4 person mixed gender teams that stifle growth while coaches pretend that performance will continue to improve given time.
The national team is run as a private club with no public or plausible pathway to membership for anyone outside of the small group of Western Canadians presently serviced with money and coaching to win medals.
But that offers an opportunity for the rest of Canada to ignore a system that ignores them, and start a sport that answers many of the present system's failings.
Redefine wheelchair curling as a two person a team sport, where you are either throwing or skipping, and not sitting around pretending your stopwatch is supplying useful information.
Decide who can play. Should it be just full-time wheelchair users, or people who could not otherwise curl without a wheelchair, or anyone sitting in a wheelchair? Avoid the eligibility voodoo and counting of angels on pin heads that Kate Caithness presented to such a sceptical if not hostile reception at the WCF's Meeting last Spring. You either need a wheelchair always, or always on the ice, or not at all.
Ignore the still developing "stick curling" rules which inexplicably allow some sweeping. Keep the "one end throwing, one end skipping" format.
Then decide whether to stay with 8 rocks an end, or 6, or 6 with two rocks pre-placed by the house or some other combination that holds games to around an hour. Four wheelchair curlers could play a 3 game round robin in not much more time than one game of 4 person team curling.
Then come up with a bracing solution for the throwers. Opponents could brace, but able-bodied volunteer rock wranglers might be needed.
Then reduce the length of the sheet for every second under 14 that it takes a T-line line draw to travel between the hoglines. If it takes a 10 second heave to reach the T-line, the game is corrupted. You can't change the ice; you can change the throwing position to compensate.
And finally when time clocks are available, set a time limit, and penalise a point for every minute used over the limit.
Perhaps I am dreaming, but the present system seems a dead end, designed and run for unnecessarily narrow ends. It excludes all but a pampered few, pays no attention to the development of the sport across Canada and offers no opportunity for outside influence.
If the national program exists outside of the sponsorship of provincial associations, they should feel no obligation participate in it.
Had the people who initially decided to create the sport had the opportunity to see how their initiative has been drowned by a national thirst for international medals, they might have made different decisions.
What we need is a sport that answers the desire for winter recreation for wheelchair users. Wheelchair curling as presently defined fails, so needs to change.
What do you think?
For those uninterested in change, or sceptical about its prospects, I'll have some ideas on how to improve individual performance in the next column.
While shot clocks and time constraints have helped, two and a half hour 8 end games are still lengthy investments in a sport rarely achieving 60% accuracy. Of course, coaches continue to hope that with more and better practice, throwing skills will increase, and at every tournament brave words are spoken at microphones, praising the skill of the competitors as we spectators remember the shots that succeed while quickly forgetting the underthrows and overthrows.
It is my feeling that accuracy levels have plateaued for the best wheelchair curlers, at a point far below what can be achieved when using brooms.
Wheelchair curling in Canada is in a difficult place. It has failed to capture the imagination of wheelchair users, perhaps because for many there is just too much on-ice down time. The sport is driven by the perceived requirement to field a competitive national team, forcing inappropriate 4 person mixed gender teams that stifle growth while coaches pretend that performance will continue to improve given time.
The national team is run as a private club with no public or plausible pathway to membership for anyone outside of the small group of Western Canadians presently serviced with money and coaching to win medals.
But that offers an opportunity for the rest of Canada to ignore a system that ignores them, and start a sport that answers many of the present system's failings.
Redefine wheelchair curling as a two person a team sport, where you are either throwing or skipping, and not sitting around pretending your stopwatch is supplying useful information.
Decide who can play. Should it be just full-time wheelchair users, or people who could not otherwise curl without a wheelchair, or anyone sitting in a wheelchair? Avoid the eligibility voodoo and counting of angels on pin heads that Kate Caithness presented to such a sceptical if not hostile reception at the WCF's Meeting last Spring. You either need a wheelchair always, or always on the ice, or not at all.
Ignore the still developing "stick curling" rules which inexplicably allow some sweeping. Keep the "one end throwing, one end skipping" format.
Then decide whether to stay with 8 rocks an end, or 6, or 6 with two rocks pre-placed by the house or some other combination that holds games to around an hour. Four wheelchair curlers could play a 3 game round robin in not much more time than one game of 4 person team curling.
Then come up with a bracing solution for the throwers. Opponents could brace, but able-bodied volunteer rock wranglers might be needed.
Then reduce the length of the sheet for every second under 14 that it takes a T-line line draw to travel between the hoglines. If it takes a 10 second heave to reach the T-line, the game is corrupted. You can't change the ice; you can change the throwing position to compensate.
And finally when time clocks are available, set a time limit, and penalise a point for every minute used over the limit.
Perhaps I am dreaming, but the present system seems a dead end, designed and run for unnecessarily narrow ends. It excludes all but a pampered few, pays no attention to the development of the sport across Canada and offers no opportunity for outside influence.
If the national program exists outside of the sponsorship of provincial associations, they should feel no obligation participate in it.
Had the people who initially decided to create the sport had the opportunity to see how their initiative has been drowned by a national thirst for international medals, they might have made different decisions.
What we need is a sport that answers the desire for winter recreation for wheelchair users. Wheelchair curling as presently defined fails, so needs to change.
What do you think?
For those uninterested in change, or sceptical about its prospects, I'll have some ideas on how to improve individual performance in the next column.
Friday, August 27, 2010
What's happening in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is holding a Give-It-A-Go day at the Lakeshore Curling Club on October 3rd from 10 till 2. First timers or those with limited experience are welcome. Wheelchair curling is a mixed sport with both males and females participating.
They are also looking for volunteers to assist at the weekly Saturday afternoon curling sessions at the Sackville Sports Stadium on Glendale Avenue in Lower Sackville.
To register or just to get more information call, Laughie Rutt at 864-2737 in the evenings or Lakeshore Curling Club at 869-CURL. Please feel free to leave a message. You can email laughierutt@eastlink.ca.
Chester CC is holding similar sessions on October 17, 24, 31 and November 14, 2010 from 11am-1pm For information on this clinic, please contact Trendal Hubley Bolivar at Hubley-Bolivar@hotmail.com.
The latest news about wheelchair curling in Nova Scotia can be found on issue 2 of Nova Scotia's newsletter.
They are also looking for volunteers to assist at the weekly Saturday afternoon curling sessions at the Sackville Sports Stadium on Glendale Avenue in Lower Sackville.
To register or just to get more information call, Laughie Rutt at 864-2737 in the evenings or Lakeshore Curling Club at 869-CURL. Please feel free to leave a message. You can email laughierutt@eastlink.ca.
Chester CC is holding similar sessions on October 17, 24, 31 and November 14, 2010 from 11am-1pm For information on this clinic, please contact Trendal Hubley Bolivar at Hubley-Bolivar@hotmail.com.
The latest news about wheelchair curling in Nova Scotia can be found on issue 2 of Nova Scotia's newsletter.
Curling Quebec recognises Al Whittier as Club Coach Of The Year
Dan Janidlo and Al Whittier - Lennooxville CC, Quebec
Here is the citation in French, and below is a Google translation.
Le comité de sélection souhaite encourager et soutenir l’initiative de monsieur Alfred Whittier, du club de curling de Lennoxville. Au printemps 2008, monsieur a présenté, pour la première fois, le curling à des athlètes handicapés. Ce ne fut pas sans obstacle et avec l’appui de plusieurs partenaires, monsieur Whittier et son équipe a su rendre ce sport accessible en adaptant les installations du club pour ses athlètes. Ceux-ci ont d’ailleurs participé à deux championnats canadiens de curling pour athlètes en fauteuil roulant. Avec l’aide de son collègue Daniel Janidlo, le programme a grandi et les athlètes participent désormais à des évènements locaux. En 2009, monsieur Whittier a d’ailleurs remporté le Donald Patrick Award de la ville de Lennoxville pour son travail avec les athlètes handicapés.
The selection committee wants to encourage and support the initiative of Mr. Alfred Whittier, of the Lennoxville Curling Club. In spring 2008, Mr. Whittier presented for the first time, curling to athletes with disabilities. It was not without obstacles but with the support of several partners, Mr. Whittier and his team managed to make the sport accessible by adapting the club facilities for its athletes. They have also participated in two national wheelchair curling championships. With the help of his colleague Daniel Janidlo, the program has grown and athletes now participate in local events. In 2009, Mr. Whittier won the Donald Patrick Award from the City of Lennoxville for his work with disabled athletes.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Curling down under gaining momentum
The wheelchair curling program at Melbourne's (Australia) Ice House in the Docklands is going frm strength to strength and organizer Jim Oastler is hoping to add two teams to the regular Monday evening league. The facility has ice all year round, so play will continue through the coming summer for the first time in Australia.
Friday December 3rd marks the International Day of People with a Disability and Melbourne will be hosting their 2010 Disability Sport and Recreation Festival 7am to 2 pm at Federation Square. Jim will be promoting wheelchair curling at the event. Details of the day's activities on this flier.
Friday December 3rd marks the International Day of People with a Disability and Melbourne will be hosting their 2010 Disability Sport and Recreation Festival 7am to 2 pm at Federation Square. Jim will be promoting wheelchair curling at the event. Details of the day's activities on this flier.
Does your (Canadian) club need $$$ for access renovations?
The Federal Government has an "Enabling Access" program where grants of up to $75,000 may be awarded to projects aimed at increasing access for the disabled to community resources.
This program issues occasional invitations for proposals and bids must be in bu September 10th.
For information o the scope of the program and how to apply for funding go HERE
This program issues occasional invitations for proposals and bids must be in bu September 10th.
For information o the scope of the program and how to apply for funding go HERE
Team USA looking for help at Trials
Tryouts for the coming season's Team USA are being held in Green Bay WI from September 23 to 26.
The coaches are looking for 3 volunteers to help with the assessment processes. Previous experience with wheelchair curling is not necessary but the panelists must be able to pay attention to detail, as most of the skills competitions will involve scoring and interpretation of results. A deep knowledge of curling is not essential, but the panelists will need to be able to observe one-on-one competitions and determine if the strategy being used is at least valid.
For more details see THIS LINK on the USA Curling website.
The coaches are looking for 3 volunteers to help with the assessment processes. Previous experience with wheelchair curling is not necessary but the panelists must be able to pay attention to detail, as most of the skills competitions will involve scoring and interpretation of results. A deep knowledge of curling is not essential, but the panelists will need to be able to observe one-on-one competitions and determine if the strategy being used is at least valid.
For more details see THIS LINK on the USA Curling website.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
5th Annual U.S. Open Wheelchair Bonspiel November 12-14
Utica CC in New York is once again hosting the US Open bonspiel. Entries are $300 per 4 person team, with transport to and from Syracuse Airport and to and from the hotel in New Hartford available for $500 a team.
Up to 8 teams will play in a round robin, starting 9.30am Friday Nov 12 and finishing 2.30 pm on Sunday Nov.14.
Full details are HERE. For more information contact Marc Deperno by email or call 315-737-2459
Up to 8 teams will play in a round robin, starting 9.30am Friday Nov 12 and finishing 2.30 pm on Sunday Nov.14.
Full details are HERE. For more information contact Marc Deperno by email or call 315-737-2459
Competition begins in BC at the Osoyoos 2on2 September 11-12
The 4th Annual Olson Curling Supplies 2 on 2 Wheelchair Spiel will be held at the Osoyoos CC the weekend of September 11-12.
New curlers are welcome. This is a fun event in an ideal format for wheelchair users. Team Canada members will participate, and the event hopes to field 8 teams.
Entry details can be seen on the flyer HERE. Registration requested by September 1st. For more information email Gerry Austgarden or call him at 250-979-3030
New curlers are welcome. This is a fun event in an ideal format for wheelchair users. Team Canada members will participate, and the event hopes to field 8 teams.
Entry details can be seen on the flyer HERE. Registration requested by September 1st. For more information email Gerry Austgarden or call him at 250-979-3030
USA Trials to be held in Green Bay WI, September 24-26
USA Curling is holding a weekend of trials for participation on Team USA, at the Green Bay CC the weekend of September 24-26.
This is an open camp. To register contact Marc Deperno by email or call 315-737-2459. The Trials will consist of individual skill events, mini games and personal interviews. Coaches will be evaluating skill, game knowledge and strategy, team dynamics, leadership and potential.
For more information visit the USA Curling Association website.
This is an open camp. To register contact Marc Deperno by email or call 315-737-2459. The Trials will consist of individual skill events, mini games and personal interviews. Coaches will be evaluating skill, game knowledge and strategy, team dynamics, leadership and potential.
For more information visit the USA Curling Association website.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Goose Perez skips international team to Cape Cod win
Goose Perez, Tammy Delano and Katie Paialunga. with runners-up Team Quebec
Photo - Matthew West - Boston Herald
Team USA skip Goose Perez skipped an international team of Tammy Delano and Ottawa's Katie Paialunga to victory in the 4 day Cape Cod CC Wheelchair Summerspiel, lifting the Colaccio Wheel Challenge Trophy after beating Carl Marquis and Team Quebec in Sunday's final.Club coach Tony Colaccio, who saw 4 years of fundraising and renovation effort come to fruition with this inaugural wheelchair spiel, told the Cape Cod Times he hopes the event will grow. "Then the problem will be finding accessible accommodation."
You can read a report from the event HERE and see a gallery of photos HERE.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Massachusetts Summerspiel attracts international field
Mary and Tony Colaccio
The inaugural Wheelchair Summerspiel at the Cape Cod CC in Falmouth MA attracted 6 teams, including Team USA, Team Germany and Team Quebec. The four day event began on Thursday (22nd) and featured a full round robin with the final for the Colaccio Wheel Challenge Trophy to be played Sunday 25th at 9.30 am.
Past president Tony Colaccio and president Mary Colaccio began working in 2006 to raise the funds to make the club accessible, and it is encouraging to see their commitment not only bring local wheelchair users into the club, but also attract such an international field to a summer event.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Nova Scotia wheelchair program gaining recognition
Laughie Rutt 2009 - photo Ian Readey
Team Nova Scotia 3rd Laughie Rutt was nominated by the NSCA as Nova Scotia Male Athlete of the Year, and Team Nova Scotia coach Glen McClare received a nomination for Coach of the Year.Wheelchair curling begins at the Lakeshore CC on Sunday October 3rd with an open "Give-It-A-Go" session from 10am till 2pm. The provincial team will attend and the session is open to any wheelchair user interested in finding out what it's like to curl. Able-bodied curlers interested in starting a program at their club, or volunteering at the regularly scheduled Saturday afternoon sessions, 3-5pm starting October 9th, are also welcome.
Contact the club at 902-864-CURL, or Laughie at 902-864-2737 and ask to be added to his email news and announcement list.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Open clinic and try-out at Green Bay CC July 30-August 1
The U.S. Curling Association is sponsoring an open weekend wheelchair curling camp at the Green Bay CC. Present Team USA members will be in attendance, and wheelchair users will be able not only to learn about the sport but also discover what it takes to try out for Team USA.
For more information contact Marc DePerno and download the event brochure from this link.
For more information contact Marc DePerno and download the event brochure from this link.
Jim Armstrong jury trial set for August 30
Team Canada skip and Paralympic gold medalist Jim Armstrong's jury trial before Judge Martinez has been put back to August 30 at the U.S. District Court in Seattle WA.
Armstrong is charged with his son Gregory with trafficking in counterfeit goods and selling and dispensing counterfeit drugs with the intent to mislead or defraud. He was arrested at a mail service in Blaine WA in April when picking up a package containing 2,800 fake Viagra and Cialis pills, and is free on $20,000 bond. The charges carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence and $2-million fine.
For background on the case see the links on this post.
Armstrong is charged with his son Gregory with trafficking in counterfeit goods and selling and dispensing counterfeit drugs with the intent to mislead or defraud. He was arrested at a mail service in Blaine WA in April when picking up a package containing 2,800 fake Viagra and Cialis pills, and is free on $20,000 bond. The charges carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence and $2-million fine.
For background on the case see the links on this post.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Paralympic success brings funding increase
Against expectations. the CCA says funding from both Own The Podium and Sport Canada will increase for the coming season.
"This means," said a very happy Gerry Peckham, the CCA high performance coach in overall change of the program, "that we will be able to enhance both grass root and high performance development via expanded programs and services."
No details as yet.
The top six wheelchair athletes at the end of the assessment year in June receive funding for the following year through the carding system; a monthly training stipend. The five members of the gold medal team receive full cards: Jim Armstrong, Darryl Neighbour, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet, and Bruno Yizek. Bruno trades places with Chris Sobkowicz who now receives funding at "development" card level.
Sport Canada will monitor Jim Armstrong's future eligibility as events relating to his upcoming trial unfold.
"This means," said a very happy Gerry Peckham, the CCA high performance coach in overall change of the program, "that we will be able to enhance both grass root and high performance development via expanded programs and services."
No details as yet.
The top six wheelchair athletes at the end of the assessment year in June receive funding for the following year through the carding system; a monthly training stipend. The five members of the gold medal team receive full cards: Jim Armstrong, Darryl Neighbour, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet, and Bruno Yizek. Bruno trades places with Chris Sobkowicz who now receives funding at "development" card level.
Sport Canada will monitor Jim Armstrong's future eligibility as events relating to his upcoming trial unfold.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Braehead curlers in charity wheelchair push
photo - Aileen Nielson]
Bob Cowan reports that members of the Braehead WCC held a sponsored 10 mile wheelchair push to raise funds for Erskine Hospital.Michael McCreadie said, "For the past five years we have raised money for our own club. However, this year we felt it appropriate that another worthwhile organisation should benefit."
Gaudet and Forrest honoured by their community
Ina Forrest and Sonja Guadet
[photo - Jesssica Schwitek/Morning Star]
Team Canada teammates Ina Forrest and Sonja Gaudet were co-winners of the North Okanagan Athlete Of The Year Award in Vernon sponsored by Dan and Jamie Currie of Tim Hortons.[photo - Jesssica Schwitek/Morning Star]
“The (award) committee took a long time to make their decisions. The choices were not easy," chair Mel Briggeman told the Vernon Morning Star, "but in the end we went with the best front-end curlers in the world."
Forrest, a mother of three who lives and runs a business in Armstrong, said she appreciated getting some exposure at home.
"It's very nice recognition from our community," she said following the outdoor ceremony at Tim Hortons on Highway 97. "We don't often play in our own community on our national team so it's nice to be recognized in your community for accomplishments away from your community."
Gaudet, who won the award last year, echoed that sentiment. "No, it doesn't get old, but you appreciate the support and being noticed by your community. It's just as special (as last year) definitely. Ina and I are great teammates and we bring the best out in each other so I'm happy that we got this award together."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Promising start for Aussie program in Melbourne
Glen Bond gets into position at Melboune's Ice House June 21, 2010
The Victorian Curling Association followed up its successful initial give-it-a-go session last month by attracting ten wheelchair users onto the ice for what will become regular learn to curl sessions leading to wheelchair users joining regular play.
The sessions are being held at the Ice House in the Docklands area of Melbourne. James Oastler, who has been a long-time advocate for Aussie curling, reports: We worked on weight control and then played an 8 end game. Next month we'll use the video camera on their delivery with time out to view and discuss their approach. If we can maintain interest we will run the sessions fortnightly.
For more information contact James Oastler.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Hopes dashed for Team Canada discussion at CCA's AGM
Bruce Cameron reports that the topic of team selection for Team Canada was not discussed at this weekend's AGM of the Canadian Curling Association.
While disappointing to those hoping for at least an acknowledgment of the issue, it was not surprising given the administrative hurdles involved in bringing a topic to the floor without months of preparation and due notice.
Athlete empowerment, bringing wheelchair curlers into the decision making process in all areas of the sport, takes organisation and effort, even when there is broad agreement on goals. Wheelchair curling is no more than a pimple on the backside of the sport as a whole, and it will take a lot for the CCA to change present processes that bring reflected glory via podium success.
There has been a very productive discussion in earlier threads about the issues and possible ways forward. For those wanting change, ignore the naysayers who claim nothing can be done; ignore those who call dissatisfaction with the present system mere whining.
Change can come if athletes force it. So, form a wheelchair curling association within your province and affiliate with your provincial association (PA). Set your policy about Team Canada selection. Make your policy known to your PA and find out how to make it provincial policy, at a minimum by making it a topic for their next AGM.
If most wheelchair curlers are represented at the provincial level, a national association might be a next step.
If enough provincial associations have, as policy, a change to the Team Canada selection process, then there will be the support necessary to put it on next year's CCA agenda.
There are delegates to the CCA's AGM who are willing to help. They need the tools, and only action by wheelchair curlers themselves can supply them.
I've added Bruce Cameron's report to the comments, which are open to positive suggestions for ways forward. If your point of view is that nothing can or should be done, this thread is not the place to express it.
While disappointing to those hoping for at least an acknowledgment of the issue, it was not surprising given the administrative hurdles involved in bringing a topic to the floor without months of preparation and due notice.
Athlete empowerment, bringing wheelchair curlers into the decision making process in all areas of the sport, takes organisation and effort, even when there is broad agreement on goals. Wheelchair curling is no more than a pimple on the backside of the sport as a whole, and it will take a lot for the CCA to change present processes that bring reflected glory via podium success.
There has been a very productive discussion in earlier threads about the issues and possible ways forward. For those wanting change, ignore the naysayers who claim nothing can be done; ignore those who call dissatisfaction with the present system mere whining.
Change can come if athletes force it. So, form a wheelchair curling association within your province and affiliate with your provincial association (PA). Set your policy about Team Canada selection. Make your policy known to your PA and find out how to make it provincial policy, at a minimum by making it a topic for their next AGM.
If most wheelchair curlers are represented at the provincial level, a national association might be a next step.
If enough provincial associations have, as policy, a change to the Team Canada selection process, then there will be the support necessary to put it on next year's CCA agenda.
There are delegates to the CCA's AGM who are willing to help. They need the tools, and only action by wheelchair curlers themselves can supply them.
I've added Bruce Cameron's report to the comments, which are open to positive suggestions for ways forward. If your point of view is that nothing can or should be done, this thread is not the place to express it.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Halifax's Mayflower CC to be made wheelchair accessible
The Mayflower CC in Halifax NS has been awarded a grant of $20,000 towards making the club accessible to wheelchair users.
“We have provincial, national and world titles and soon enough we hope to have a wheelchair curling title,” Paul McDonald, past President of the club, told the Metro News.
Wheelchair curling is huge now across Canada, and Mayflower wants to be able to offer it; McDonald added in an interview with The Chronicle-Herald.
A ramp and accessible bathroom are the first improvements planned, with a lift from the main floor onto the ice shed level.
“We have provincial, national and world titles and soon enough we hope to have a wheelchair curling title,” Paul McDonald, past President of the club, told the Metro News.
Wheelchair curling is huge now across Canada, and Mayflower wants to be able to offer it; McDonald added in an interview with The Chronicle-Herald.
A ramp and accessible bathroom are the first improvements planned, with a lift from the main floor onto the ice shed level.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A letter from Team Bradford (Ontario)
Hi Eric,
Team Bradford would like to thank you for all your hard work in gathering and keeping up to date the latest news, headlines and information on wheelchair curling in Canada and around the World.
We have come to depend on your web page and have found it to be the leading web site for anything to do with wheelchair curling.
The Bradford Team would like to show our appreciation to you and recognize all your hard work in managing Wheelchaircurling.com.
We would like to donate $100.00 towards supporting your web site. We would also like to challenge all other teams to match our donation and to request that individuals who continually use this site, take a moment and make a contribution, large or small, to you and to the wheelchaircurling.com website. We believe these contributions will ensure the ongoing success of this great web page.
Thank You
Team Bradford
Ontario
Team Bradford would like to thank you for all your hard work in gathering and keeping up to date the latest news, headlines and information on wheelchair curling in Canada and around the World.
We have come to depend on your web page and have found it to be the leading web site for anything to do with wheelchair curling.
The Bradford Team would like to show our appreciation to you and recognize all your hard work in managing Wheelchaircurling.com.
We would like to donate $100.00 towards supporting your web site. We would also like to challenge all other teams to match our donation and to request that individuals who continually use this site, take a moment and make a contribution, large or small, to you and to the wheelchaircurling.com website. We believe these contributions will ensure the ongoing success of this great web page.
Thank You
Team Bradford
Ontario
Richmond (BC) International Bonspiel Dec 1-4, 2010
The Richmond Centre for Disability has been very active in its support for wheelchair curling over many years. This year they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary and are planning the 2010 International Bonspiel to be the biggest yet.
The competition runs from December 1 - 4, with practice ice available November 30th. Entries are $250 for up to 12 teams with half payable by the registration deadline of September 30.
They are currently negotiating hotel accommodation, and would appreciate an expression of interest in attending ASAP.
For more information and a registration form contact Rich Green.
The competition runs from December 1 - 4, with practice ice available November 30th. Entries are $250 for up to 12 teams with half payable by the registration deadline of September 30.
They are currently negotiating hotel accommodation, and would appreciate an expression of interest in attending ASAP.
For more information and a registration form contact Rich Green.
Ontarians favour national champs in Worlds the following year
The results of the Ontario Curling Association's survey on the Team Canada selection process produced a large majority for Option 3 - the Canadian national champions representing Canada at the World Championships the following year.
This option allows up to a year of preparation time and has been used previously at the Junior level. It was chosen by 68% (19 of 28) of the respondents to the survey.
Full survey results (options are detailed in the previous post).
Option 3 - 68% (national champs go to following year's Worlds - 19/28)
Option 2 - 18% (use Brier/Scotties system - 5/28)
Option 4 - 10% (best of 5 playoff for Worlds - 3/28)
Option 1 - 4% (present system - 1/28)
This option allows up to a year of preparation time and has been used previously at the Junior level. It was chosen by 68% (19 of 28) of the respondents to the survey.
Full survey results (options are detailed in the previous post).
Option 3 - 68% (national champs go to following year's Worlds - 19/28)
Option 2 - 18% (use Brier/Scotties system - 5/28)
Option 4 - 10% (best of 5 playoff for Worlds - 3/28)
Option 1 - 4% (present system - 1/28)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Ontario seeks input on Team Canada selection process
The Ontario Curling Association has polled their competitive wheelchair curlers and coaches on their views on their preferred method of Team Canada formation.
The poll asked for four selection methods to be ranked, and promised that the results would be tabulated and shared with the other provinces at the CCA's Annual General Meeting next week. We now know that this issue is being raised by at least two provinces.
Option 1: Continue the current selection process as run by the CCA with their National Coaching staff selecting the 5 members of Team Canada from any province.
Option 2: Have the winner of the Canadian Wheelchair Championship represent Canada at the World Championship in the same season that the World Championship is held. Note: this option requires changes in scheduling of Provincial and National Championships.
Option 3: Have the winner of the Canadian Wheelchair Championship represent Canada at the following year’s World Championship. Note: this option allows the winning Canadian Championship team to receive additional coaching/training and competition for up to one year before competing at the World Championship.
Option 4: Have the winner of the Canadian Wheelchair Championship play a best 3 of 5 games playoff against the “selected” Team Canada for the right to represent Canada at the World championships.
If you haven't already done so, you might want to browse the opinions expressed in the thread "Team Canada - time for a change?" to familiarise yourself with some of the issues. Then please add a comment and your ranking, with any explanation for your choices, to the comments below.
The poll asked for four selection methods to be ranked, and promised that the results would be tabulated and shared with the other provinces at the CCA's Annual General Meeting next week. We now know that this issue is being raised by at least two provinces.
Option 1: Continue the current selection process as run by the CCA with their National Coaching staff selecting the 5 members of Team Canada from any province.
Option 2: Have the winner of the Canadian Wheelchair Championship represent Canada at the World Championship in the same season that the World Championship is held. Note: this option requires changes in scheduling of Provincial and National Championships.
Option 3: Have the winner of the Canadian Wheelchair Championship represent Canada at the following year’s World Championship. Note: this option allows the winning Canadian Championship team to receive additional coaching/training and competition for up to one year before competing at the World Championship.
Option 4: Have the winner of the Canadian Wheelchair Championship play a best 3 of 5 games playoff against the “selected” Team Canada for the right to represent Canada at the World championships.
If you haven't already done so, you might want to browse the opinions expressed in the thread "Team Canada - time for a change?" to familiarise yourself with some of the issues. Then please add a comment and your ranking, with any explanation for your choices, to the comments below.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Frank LaBounty wins CurlBC's Athlete with a Disability Award
Prince George resident Frank LaBounty was selected by CurlBC's Awards & Recognition Committee to receive the Athlete with a Disability Award for he 2009-2010 season.
The award is for accomplishments in events recognized by Curl BC. Winners must have competed at the national or international level or have shown outstanding achievement at the provincial level.
Frank played third for Gerry Austgarden, winning the BC provincials and earning a silver medal at the National Championships won by Gary Cormack, also from BC.
Last year's winner was Jim Armstrong. While Frank has been a stalwart in BC wheelchair curling since the beginning, it is perhaps surprising that he beat out all nine BC residents who won Paralympic and National gold medals last season.
Team GB's Aileen Neilson wins S. Lanarkshire Sports Award
[photo - Bob Cowan]
Aileen Neilson was crowned the South Lanarkshire Female Sports Performer of the Year. As well as competing in the Vancouver Paralympics, the Bent Primary School teacher was also in the rink which won the Scottish Championships in October and the British Championships in September.The 38-year-old told the East Kilbride News: “I’ve had a great time this year and I’m delighted and honoured to have won this award. Although the team didn’t return home from Vancouver with a medal, this award shows our hard work and dedication in the sport of wheelchair curling has still been recognised by South Lanarkshire Leisure.”
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Team Canada - time for a change?
I've been getting emails asking whether the current selection process for Team Canada should be changed to the traditional "win to play" system used in the able-bodied game: if you win a national championship you become Team Canada with the perks and responsibilities that go with that title.
We have just finished a funding cycle where the importance of winning a gold medal overrode all other considerations, though proponents of selection dispute that there is a useful distinction between what is good for Canada's medal prospects and what is good for the sport as a whole.
As we approach a new quadrennial, there is an opportunity for participants in wheelchair curling to say whether there should be change.
Opponents of the current national squad system argue that moving away from curling's traditional "win to play" method of Team Canada selection discriminates against wheelchair users on the basis of their disability. It prevents them from having the same opportunity to represent their country, by winning a provincial and then national title, as able-bodied curlers.
The present selection system stresses the importance of a successful national team in generating funding, some of which, says the CCA's Gerry Peckham, trickles down to aid the development of the sport at the grassroots. He feels that selection is necessary if Canada is to field the strongest possible team and have the best possible chance for success on the world stage, and disputes the notion that having a separate system for Canada's wheelchair curlers is discriminatory.
He notes that all other countries select their teams and Canada needs to field a team that can successfully compete against them. Over the next couple of years he hopes national coaches will be spending more time working with wheelchair curlers across the country, and will be looking for those individuals with the skills to join the high performance pool."
Does national team selection help or hinder grass roots participation? Would proponents of "win to play" be prepared to forgo funding from organizations such as Own The Podium predicated on a selection system? How would the winner of a national championship have time and resources to prepare for a World Championship, even if the Canadian Nationals were scheduled before the Worlds? (The 2011 Nationals are scheduled a month after the 2011 Worlds.)
Add your thoughts to the comments below.
I have always been a proponent of individual team formation at the provincial level, and for wheelchair teams to be offered the same opportunities granted to able-bodied curling teams. Most countries are satisfied with just enough wheelchair curlers to qualify for World Curling Federation events. But Canada has the facilities, resources, nation-wide coaching and pool of potential curlers to allow an internationally competitive team to qualify through a national championship.
Policies for the sport are decided at the CCA's Annual General Meeting coming up in June. Every province sends representatives who vote on motions presented to that meeting. If you have an opinion on how our sport should be organised, discuss it here, but also make your opinions known to your provincial association. They represent you, and can't know what you think unless you tell them.
If you have formed a wheelchair curling association affiliated to your provincial association, make sure your association's views are reported to your province and then to the CCA's AGM.
If the principles governing the organization of Team Canada are to change, now is the time for that to happen. The present system has produced titles. It has not driven participation across Canada. Would a change of method in selecting Team Canada change that? Would the sport grow from the present 20 or 25 teams nationally, or would, as Peckham noted, it shrink as is happening in all other areas of curling as curlers realise that only elite teams can hope to succeed?
Let those making the decisions for the next four years know how the people who play and support our sport feel about its future direction.
We have just finished a funding cycle where the importance of winning a gold medal overrode all other considerations, though proponents of selection dispute that there is a useful distinction between what is good for Canada's medal prospects and what is good for the sport as a whole.
As we approach a new quadrennial, there is an opportunity for participants in wheelchair curling to say whether there should be change.
Opponents of the current national squad system argue that moving away from curling's traditional "win to play" method of Team Canada selection discriminates against wheelchair users on the basis of their disability. It prevents them from having the same opportunity to represent their country, by winning a provincial and then national title, as able-bodied curlers.
The present selection system stresses the importance of a successful national team in generating funding, some of which, says the CCA's Gerry Peckham, trickles down to aid the development of the sport at the grassroots. He feels that selection is necessary if Canada is to field the strongest possible team and have the best possible chance for success on the world stage, and disputes the notion that having a separate system for Canada's wheelchair curlers is discriminatory.
He notes that all other countries select their teams and Canada needs to field a team that can successfully compete against them. Over the next couple of years he hopes national coaches will be spending more time working with wheelchair curlers across the country, and will be looking for those individuals with the skills to join the high performance pool."
Does national team selection help or hinder grass roots participation? Would proponents of "win to play" be prepared to forgo funding from organizations such as Own The Podium predicated on a selection system? How would the winner of a national championship have time and resources to prepare for a World Championship, even if the Canadian Nationals were scheduled before the Worlds? (The 2011 Nationals are scheduled a month after the 2011 Worlds.)
Add your thoughts to the comments below.
I have always been a proponent of individual team formation at the provincial level, and for wheelchair teams to be offered the same opportunities granted to able-bodied curling teams. Most countries are satisfied with just enough wheelchair curlers to qualify for World Curling Federation events. But Canada has the facilities, resources, nation-wide coaching and pool of potential curlers to allow an internationally competitive team to qualify through a national championship.
Policies for the sport are decided at the CCA's Annual General Meeting coming up in June. Every province sends representatives who vote on motions presented to that meeting. If you have an opinion on how our sport should be organised, discuss it here, but also make your opinions known to your provincial association. They represent you, and can't know what you think unless you tell them.
If you have formed a wheelchair curling association affiliated to your provincial association, make sure your association's views are reported to your province and then to the CCA's AGM.
If the principles governing the organization of Team Canada are to change, now is the time for that to happen. The present system has produced titles. It has not driven participation across Canada. Would a change of method in selecting Team Canada change that? Would the sport grow from the present 20 or 25 teams nationally, or would, as Peckham noted, it shrink as is happening in all other areas of curling as curlers realise that only elite teams can hope to succeed?
Let those making the decisions for the next four years know how the people who play and support our sport feel about its future direction.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Edmonton's Jasper Place CC to host the 2011 Canadian Nationals
Cathy Craig, manager of the Jasper Place Curling Club in Edmonton, Alberta, tells the Edmonton Journal that the club will host the 2011 Canadian National Wheelchair Curling Championships, March 20 - 27.
The club will be undertaking a two-stage renovation made possible by a $263,200 grant from the federal Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. Phase 1 will include an elevator to the viewing area, and accessible bathrooms.
The club will be undertaking a two-stage renovation made possible by a $263,200 grant from the federal Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. Phase 1 will include an elevator to the viewing area, and accessible bathrooms.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Team USA receives Congressional Award
WKTV reports that the U.S. Paralympic Curling Team was honored with a Congressional Record Statement Friday. The statement, presented by Congressman Michael Arcuri, was presented at the Sitrin, New Hartford, the team's sponsor.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Armstrong pleads not guilty - trial date July 6
The Victoria Times Colonist reports that Jim Armstrong entered a plea of not guilty to charges of trafficking in fake Viagra pills. A date was set for trial in US District Court in Seattle for July 6.
Armstrong was arrested April 15 after collecting a package containing 3,000 fake pills, and has been free on $20,000 surety bond. Armstrong’s son Gregory, 28, is also named in the indictment and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Armstrong was arrested April 15 after collecting a package containing 3,000 fake pills, and has been free on $20,000 surety bond. Armstrong’s son Gregory, 28, is also named in the indictment and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Wheelchair curling down under - Melbourne, May 24
The Victorian Curling Association in Melbourne, Australia, is sponsoring a "come and try" session on May 24 from 6pm at the Icehouse in the Docklands. You can download the event poster from the link on this page of their website.
Though Jim Oastler has for many years been promoting curling in general and wheelchair curling in particular in Australia, he's hopeful that the attention garnered by the Paralympics will provide the catalyst to gain wheelchair curling a toe-hold in a country obsessed with sport .
"We are also eager to expand wheelchair curling through the Australian Curling Federation. We will continue to offer come and try sessions at the Curling Nationals; and plan return visits to Queensland and New South Whales to establish wheelchair curling with those state curling associations."
Though Jim Oastler has for many years been promoting curling in general and wheelchair curling in particular in Australia, he's hopeful that the attention garnered by the Paralympics will provide the catalyst to gain wheelchair curling a toe-hold in a country obsessed with sport .
"We are also eager to expand wheelchair curling through the Australian Curling Federation. We will continue to offer come and try sessions at the Curling Nationals; and plan return visits to Queensland and New South Whales to establish wheelchair curling with those state curling associations."
Monday, May 10, 2010
Chris Daw to be inducted to London (ON) Sports Hall Of Fame
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Ina Forrest honoured in her community
Roger Knox/morning star
Read more from the Vernon Morning Star's report HERE.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Accessible sports demo in Sault Ste Marie May 9
There's an afternoon of accessible sports demonstrations including wheelchair curling being held in the John Rhodes Centre in Sault Ste Marie ON this Sunday May 9th from noon till 4 pm.
The event has been organised by the newly formed Sault Ste Marie Accessible Sports Counci with a grant from ParaSport Ontario.
The event has been organised by the newly formed Sault Ste Marie Accessible Sports Counci with a grant from ParaSport Ontario.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Team Shinshu wins Japan National Champonship
The Shinshu team from Nagano went undefeated in an 8 team field to win the 6th Japan National Wheelchair Curling Championship, held at the Sapporo Olympic Stadium in the Mika Hotai-ikukan April 9-11.
Japan will compete at the World Qualifying tournament later this year where the top two teams will join the top eight teams from the 2009 Worlds, for the 2011 World Championship, February 21 - March 3 in Prague.
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