A number of eligibility rule changes have been made for the 2015 Travelers (formerly The Dominion) Curling Club Championship. The revisions take into consideration suggestions received, the level of play at the national championship, and the true spirit of the event.
Here are the revisions, and the rationale:
Eligibility Requirement #2: Each club will declare a men’s team and women’s team of FOUR (4) players to represent their club through either their normal league or club championship process, or through a designated Travelers Curling Club Championship competition within the club. The declared teams, through either process, MUST have at least three players who have played together in a sanctioned club league during the current season. If a replacement fourth player is used, (i.e., a player who did not play regularly on that team throughout the season) that player MUST play lead. It is recognized that some clubs prefer to have an end-of-year competition to declare their champions. For those clubs who choose this championship process, teams that enter must have at least three of the original team members who curled together within the club. The replacement player rule was created for clarity during club championships.
Eligibility Requirement #3: No player on the team can have played in a Canadian Juniors, Men’s, Women’s or Senior’s Canadian Championship in the current or previous four curling seasons (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-2015) (i.e. national competitors are excluded as regular or replacement players on the team). This encourages the participation of true club curlers, not past or present elite.
Eligibility Requirement #4: Players who competed in the 2014 Travelers Curling Club Championship national event are ineligible to compete in the 2015 play downs. The implementation of this rule encourages more club curlers to participate in the event and shares the national championship experience amongst more athletes across Canada.
Eligibility Requirement #7: Each team must be comprised of 4 players aged 19 or over, as of November 1st, 2015. Since the inaugural event in 2009, there have been very few players under the age of 19 competing at the national championship. With this in mind, the event is treated as an adult competition and now, the eligibility rule reflects this fact.
Here are the complete eligibility requirements:
Travelers Curling Club Championship Eligibility Requirements 2015
We trust that all participants will respect the intent of this championship which is for curling clubs to engage their members to participate in a club championship to declare a club champion to represent the curling club. The event is formulated for true club championship teams, not past or present elite. The objective is to support the development of curling across Canada. We keep this objective in mind as we set our eligibility requirements and on-ice rules, including the CCA Rules of Curling for General Play. Travelers Canada reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to exclude any team that violates this spirit and intent as it pertains to the rules below.
1. The curling club, represented by the team, must be affiliated with its provincial/territorial curling association and all dues must be paid in full. The players of any club champion team must be members in good standing of the affiliated curling club. Any player can be a member of more than one affiliated curling club, but shall declare one “home club” for this competition.
2. Each club will declare a men’s team and women’s team of FOUR (4) players to represent their club through either their normal league or club championship process, or through a designated Travelers Curling Club Championship competition within the club. The declared teams, through either process, MUST have at least three players who have played together in a sanctioned club league during the current season. If a replacement fourth player is used, (i.e., a player who did not play regularly on that team throughout the season) that player MUST play lead. Players who play exclusively in a major/super league without playing in another sanctioned club league are ineligible to compete. Clubs that only have mixed or open leagues (i.e., no men’s and women’s leagues) must contact their association for approval to participate.
3. Each team will be allowed only one player who has played in a Juniors’, Men’s (Brier), Women’s (Scotties) or Seniors’ provincial/territorial event in the current or previous four curling seasons or participated in a Grand Slam event in the current or previous four curling seasons (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014- 2015).* No player on the team can have played in a Canadian Juniors, Men’s, Women’s or Senior’s Canadian Championship for those years (i.e. national competitors are excluded as regular or replacement players on the team).
* Exception – Provinces/Territories with an open provincial/territory event will be permitted 1 player who has placed top 25% in a Juniors’, Men’s (Brier), Women’s (Scotties) or Seniors’ provincial/territory event in the current or previous 4 curling seasons, or participated in a Grand Slam event in the current or previous 4 curling seasons.
4. Players who competed in the 2014 Travelers Curling Club Championship national event are ineligible to compete in the 2015 play downs.
5. All games will be 8 ends with ties being decided by a full extra end.
6. Once a four person team has been declared a club champion, a maximum of 1 replacement/substitute player from the club can play lead.
7. Each team must be comprised of 4 players aged 19 or over, as of November 1st, 2015. Provincial/Territorial curling associations may adopt a more restrictive age criteria if they choose.
8. Travelers Canada has the sole authority to grant exceptions to these rules in extraordinary circumstances. Before exercising this discretion, Travelers Canada will consult with the relevant provincial/territorial curling association, and will notify the provincial/territorial association in writing of any decisions regarding exceptions that are granted.