Curling Post-season Meeting Minutes

March 5, 2007

1. Attendees
Brent Leibel, Bert Church
Dave McDougall, Cochrane
Jacquie Mirtle, RVSD
James King, George McDougall
Kerri Rowsell, George McDougall
Marg Kent, Beiseker

Regrets
Corina Braun, Bow Valley
Ira Stroh, Beiseker

2. Commissioner's Report/Review of 2006-07 Bonspiel
Thank you to Ira Stroh and Marg Kent for acting as co-commissioners this season. While Ira couldn't make the meeting, he did send in his report saying that this year's bonspiel went well. "Coaches and players are to be commended for keeping the "spirit of the game" a priority over "competition". We need to remember that most of the curlers are still learning the game. If we want them to curl for a lifetime, make sure they have fun."

Coaches agreed that the draw worked well, with each team being guaranteed at least two games. All in attendance like the Airdrie Curling Club but commented on the poor quality of the rocks.

3. 2007-08 Commissioner
The commissioner term is traditionally two years.
Action: JM to see if Ira and/or Marg would agree to be commissioners again next year.

4. 2007-08 Bonspiel
Week of Feb 4-8.
Coaches discussed an alternative format for the Divisional bonspiel.
Motion: Brent Liebel (Bert Church) moved that we change the bonspiel format to two full days from five after-school time slots. Marg Kent (Beiseker) seconded the motion.
Coaches' Vote: Unanimous: 4 in favour, 0 against
Rationale:
a. Avoid conflics with student commitments throughout the week (i.e. work, drama, other club sports).
b. Decrease the number of no-shows.
c. Increase participation from schools that haven't participated in the past.
d. Decrease travel and sustenance costs.
e. Allow more preparation time for Zones.
f. Decrease the "rush" factor for students just learning the game.
Implications:
The bonspiel can be completed in two full days with five time slots throughout the day (40 games per day for two days equals 80 games). Teams can play a maximum of two games per day. The ice would need to be cleaned after each game and there will be an extra cost for this. Action: JM to contact Gary at Airdrie Curling Club for an estimate.

5. Awards
Motion: Ira Stroh (Beiseker) moved that we have a Grade 9 curling banner. James King (George McDougall) seconded the motion.
Coaches' Vote: Unanimous: 4 in favour, 0 against
Rationale: All other competition categories (Mixed, Boys, Girls) have championship banners.

6. Handbook Review
The group reviewed the Curling Handbook and made some changes (clarifications) to the language.

7. 2006-07 Pre-season Meeting
Thursday, January 10, 4:30 pm

8. Other
The group discussed possibly having teams put up a bond when registering to discourage no-shows at the bonspiel. Coaches decided to wait and see if the motion to change the format goes through Parameters as no-shows wouldn't be an issue with the new format.

We also discussed Rocky View's Zone participation. Our Zone participation was really low this year. In fact, the Zone wanted us to double our representation at the girls draw and we ended up not even entering any girls teams. (We entered one mixed team and two boys teams.) The question was asked what kind of impact does having the Zone championship on the Family Day long weekend have? Action: JM to pose the question at the Zone meeting in May.