NEWSLETTER
December 2007
Half the season gone already! Much has happened - The Falconer has been fought and won, as has the Club Points competition. The Club Bonspiel was held earlier this month and the SMD league is half way through. Beyond the Cub games, Province Leagues are half way through their programme and the knockout competions are progressing, two area 10 Bonspiels have taken place and members from the Club have taken part in the Super League, Fochabers bonspiels and the Nairn Curling Club Centenary Bonspiel. All in all a busy few months and the second half of the season is set to continue in the same way.
Moray Province Curling Development Group
The MPCDG has been established in order to promote curling within Moray. It aims to utilise the available assistance and experience from all Moray clubs to promote and expand the sport for the benefit of the local clubs and new curlers.
A very successful ‘Come & Try’ session was held on 27th October which was attended by over 30 people – of all ages. Of those most have joined one of the evening follow on sessions with the intention of joining one of our local clubs in the near future.
At present follow on coaching available comprises of: Four week “Curling’s Cool” sessions for schools on Wednesday mornings which have proved very popular with all the children so far. These sessions are co-ordinated by Barbara King and a number of volunteer helpers;
A Tuesday evening (5.45 – 6.45) Curling’s Cool club for children co-ordinated by Gordie Kennedy and Allan Campbell;
A Wednesday evening (5.45 – 6.45) junior curling programme led by Allan Campbell;
Monday evening (5.00-6.45) adult learners coaching and practice co-ordinated by Les Morgan.
It is also hoped to organise improver sessions for existing curlers if there are the numbers interested and coaches available. These sessions are only able to operate thanks to the time and effort given by Oonah Grigor and Roger Beck
as Technical Coaches, and a small band of willing and currently enthusiastic assistant coaches and helpers. However, more helpers, assistants and potential coaches are always needed in order to provide cover and reduce the commitment currently required. The groups will also require opposition of all abilities to have friendly games against as they progress towards club memberships. Anyone willing to assist with any of the above sessions whether as helper or by training to become a coach – whether at assistant or technical level – can contact the Group’s chairman, one of the lead session coordinators as identified above, or one of the committee contacts for more information and to volunteer their services.
Contact Details are
- Bill Nicol (chairman) 01309 672023 - Allan Campbell 01340 872012
- Gordie Kennedy 01340 87100 - Barbara King 01343 86036
- Les Morgan 01309 676716 - Morag Cumming 01343 551061
- Louise Marshall 01343 547940.
Club Bonspiel
The Club Bonspiel was held on the 15th December - a great morning’s curling wth the Tennis Club ending up as eventual winners. The programme required teams to keep changing after four ends with players having to rotate their position in the team, so everyone had to play in every place from Lead to Skip. Many thanks to Ian and Sheena Yeats for donating the prizes.
Other competitions
The Falconer was won by Kenny Oswald’s team pictured below, with Alistair Grant skipping the Runners-Up. The Points competition was won convincingly by Kenny and the ladies winner was Barbara King. No photographs unfortunately.
e-mails & Websites
Communicating to members by e-mail seems to be effective as there have been no reports (yet) of anyone failing to hear of something about which they should have known. Consequently we shall continue with this method for those members who have e-mail addresses, but should you wish hardcopy just contact Bill Steven. Also if you have heard of others receiving something electronical but you have not let Bill know as well as we may not have your e-mail address correctly noted.
The Club website is up and running and can be reached at
www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org/areas/10/prv/moray/club/
Elgin48991/index.cfm
Alternatively you can go to the Moray Province website then get
to the club website from there
www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org/areas/10/prv/moray/
index.cfm
Name that Curler!
Chris Taylor discovered some photographs taken at the Curling Pond some ears ago. One is included here and the rest can be seen on the website – many thanks Chris. If anyone else has any old photographs please pass them on and they can be included as well.
Social Event
There was not what could be described as an overwhelming response to the survey about a ‘non-curling’ social event, and from the responses there was no definite preference seen. The Committee gave the matter due consideration and it was decided to try once more with a more restricted choice. Bill Steven will be sending out a letter asking for opinions - please note the return date - Wednesday 9th January
