Hello curlers and welcome to what feels like a very early edition of the Victoria Curling Club newsletter. I hope that you are all enjoying the summer, but that you haven’t let your curling shoes get too far out of sight, as the season is suddenly only a couple of months away!
The VCC will be opening registration quite a bit earlier this year, and most of us are aware of the reason why – the closure of the Juan de Fuca Curling Club after many years, has created a situation where demand for curling is going to outstrip the supply of available ice that is left in the city. Between Juan de Fuca and Glen Meadows, Greater Victoria has lost 14 sheets of ice in the last two years – leaving only 14 sheets left, between our Club and Esquimalt.
In order to accommodate curlers who have played at the VCC in the past, in some cases for many years or even decades, we have decided to open up registration this year in a two part process. This is new for us, but it is important to try to integrate as many curlers – both old and new – into the Club as possible, without creating a situation where existing leagues end up under or over subscribed.
REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING CURLERS WILL OPEN ON JULY 15
It will be required that *one person* from a team put a deposit of $200 to secure their team’s spot in the league. In order to hold a spot, the registration and deposit must be completed by July 31. The deposit will be non-refundable until ALL team members have registered and paid as individuals, at which point it will be refunded or credited to the person who paid the deposit.
All team members must still register and pay as individuals, but this does not have to happen until closer to the season unless you wish to do so (we’ll happily take full payment in advance). We expect all curling dues to be paid prior to the start of the season, which will be September 20 this year.
Team registration and deposit payment can be done online HERE. (Note – this page will be empty until July 15. See the end of this email for all of our league information).
Individual registrations and payments will be found HERE. (Note – be sure you are searching in the correct season – this year).
NEW CURLER REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON AUGUST 1
We will open up registration for all remaining spots in our leagues on August 1 – at this time, both new and returning curlers will be able to register teams and individuals until the leagues have been filled. The links above will remain active.
PLEASE ensure that you are not registering as an individual until you know that your team has been registered and has a spot in the league. If in doubt, check with the league rep for that league (links will be online at the VCC website or the registration links) or with the office directly.
REGISTRATION FOR MONDAY AFTERNOON LADIES, TUESDAY/FRIDAY SENIOR MEN, TUESDAY “OPEN 6”, TGIF, AND BRITANNIA LEAGUES
These leagues operate on a “draft” basis – individuals may sign up without needing a specific team to play on. Teams are assigned, typically at the beginning of the year. We are following the same basic principles as team registrations – current VCC members (who played in one of these leagues last season), may register to secure their spot starting July 15, with new curlers able to join in on August 1. Please note that the Tuesday/Friday Senior Men’s league has another entire draw time available to it, and we should be able to accommodate any new curlers who wish to join in the fun without issue – don’t panic!
Registrations and payments for these leagues will be found HERE. (Note – be sure you are searching in the correct season – this year).
A reminder that although registrations must take place online, payments may be made either online by credit card, or in person at the office by the method of your choice (we still take cash – although sadly beads and trinkets are out). Yes! We can take e-transfers!
NEW THIS YEAR AT THE VCC
We have some new leagues and old leagues with expanded time slots and openings:
NEW – Tuesday “Open 6” – open league (any configuration of male/female curlers) for fun and recreation playing 6 end games starting at 9:00pm on Tuesday evenings.
NEW – Sportsmen League – the Sportsmen League is returning to the Victoria Curling Club on Saturday mornings, starting at 9:30am
NEW TIME – our Saturday Junior League (focusing on gameplay for junior curlers aged 12 – 19) will be starting at 12pm this year.
NEW – Our Adult Learn to Curl program was so successful last year it helped to create a new league from graduating players and players returning to the game from a layoff – the Rookie League will be playing on Sunday nights at 5:00pm
NEW TIMES – With the exception of the Saturday Sportsmen, all of our morning daytime leagues have been pushed back to a 10:00am start time to help accommodate curlers commuting into the city from the West Shore and the Peninsula.