EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS CANADIAN JUNIOR MEN’S & WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS CANADIAN JUNIOR MEN’S & WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

2. End-3 [1] – “Member Associations have equitable opportunity for their affiliated curlers to access Canadian Championships, recognizing diverse conditions such as geographical size, proximity and the numbers of competitors may vary considerably between Member Associations.” Websites and Social Media Staff Role-staff has been directed to present some critical insights and factors relative to the implementation of end 3[1] and have done so from a risk management perspective. Conclusion

3. "The challenge for those gathered at the NCC is to represent their association while ensuring the well being of the sport at the national level. At times there is a delicate balance between what we want and what is actually viable.“ This is one of those times. Websites

4. Implementation must take into consideration and carefully analyze the following factors • A historical perspective on how the Canadian Championship • round robin format came into being; • The significance of our history and traditions as we move forward; • Integrity/quality of championship; • Event consistency relative to format; • Fan appeal; • Local sponsor appeal/fulfillment; • Host Committee financial viability;

5. The impact of the numbers as it relates to the difference between • 12 teams and 14 teams: - Length of event - Associated costs - Host curling rink considerations

6. There is a conceptual difference between earning the right to compete at a certain level of competition and guaranteed direct entry and we believe access to all national championships should be performance based. Performance based examples: • Club championships; • Zone, regional, provincial/territorial championships; • Other examples from the curling community (Canada • Cup, Slams, Bonspiels; • WCF related examples (World Championship/Olympic • Games/World Junior Championships); • European Championship format; • Examples from other sports.

7. Motion: AGM 2010.06 Moved by Jim Campbell (CCA Governor), seconded by Lori McFadden (OCA) , that the implementation process for access to national curling championships, pursuant to AGM Motion 2009.08, be accepted as per the operational implementation plan presented by the CCA senior staff and further augmented by CCA senior staff in response to the summary of the Member Association’s breakout discussion. CARRIED

8. Summary of MA Break-Out Discussion Regarding Implementation of Including 14 Provinces/Territories in Nationals • Strong consensus was that subsequent to the 14-team year, the return to a 12-team event could include qualifying PRE-EVENT, allowing this year’s team to qualify themselves into this year’s event and also creating value for the individual provincial championships in that year. The CCA, as discussed yesterday, is prepared to facilitate a Pre-event qualification process for the Mixed and Seniors which will be part of the equitable opportunity to access Canadian Championships system that the CCA senior staff presented.

9. Summary of MA Break-Out Discussion Regarding Implementation of Including 14 Provinces/Territories in Nationals • There seemed to be a suggestion that in this scenario qualifying would be for one position. There seemed to be a suggestion that if there were no opportunity to do the 14-team 1st year option, then the qualifying should be two teams, for at least the first year (allowing both challenging teams to qualify into the first event they come to). However, it was proposed this is a topic for future discussion.

10. Summary of MA Break-Out Discussion Regarding Implementation of Including 14 Provinces/Territories in Nationals The CCA is prepared to do the following: The Mixed Championship in the first year of the new equitable opportunity to access system would include 14 teams.It is understood and with the explicit proviso that the 14 team scenario would be for one (1) year only and would be modified back to the proposed 12 teammodel in year #2 onwards. It is also part of this presentation and proviso thatthe 14 team scenario would be isolated to the Mixed and no other nationalchampionship.

11. Summary of MA Break-Out Discussion Regarding Implementation of Including 14 Provinces/Territories in Nationals • There seemed to be a suggestion that if there were no opportunity to do the 14-team 1st year option, then the team(s) ‘to be challenged’ should be based on some form of rolling-year’s formula and NOT on strictly currently year performance. The CCA is not opposed to such a scenario and could build that into our implementation plan.

12. Summary of MA Break-Out Discussion Regarding Implementation of Including 14 Provinces/Territories in Nationals • There is a need to build into the plan - a timeline for evaluation of the implementation. Absolutely. Given this, we will be analyzing the implementation process eachyear and will commit to provide a formal analysis to the membership after 3years (a standard PLC term) to ensure all parties are aware of the status ofthis new format. Such a formal presentation will be made at the NCC/AGMfor the benefit of face-to-face discussion.

13. Websites and Social Media Conclusion

14. Equitable Access in 2013 • On January 30, 2013, four (4) teams per gender will compete in a double knockout for two qualifiers per gender. • The winners (two per gender) will advance to the 12 team round robin • The four unsuccessful teams will return home February 3rd • The four teams per gender will be identified by the total number of MA junior wins from 2010, 2011 and 2012 • (CCA is committed to arenas for the juniors. Any community with 4 curling sheets, 1 hockey rink and 200 room nights can now host) Websites and Social Media Conclusion

15. Conclusion

16. Websites and Social Media Conclusion