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DAYTIME Leagues

Women's Daytime Leagues - 2023-2024 Information Coming Soon!

Since 1964, the RA Women's Daytime Leagues have been a force on the women’s curling scene. Both new and returning members are welcome to enjoy a variety of curling and social activities. Both fixed and draw curling leagues are offered on weekdays. In addition, the RACC offers an active instruction program to both new and returning curlers who want to improve their skills.

For details on RACC Membership, leagues and instructional programs visit Membership & League Options or contact RA Member Services.
For comments, or answers to questions about the RACC Women's Daytime Leagues, please contact the members of your Committee.

Members Package: 2022 - 2023

Draw League Schedule 2022-2023 (as of March 2, 2023)

TEAMS & SCHEDULES

DRAW LEAGUE

FALL SESSION Name & Dates	Number of Games	Begins / Ends	No Game Due To:
Autumn Joy - Mon at 1pm Teams \| Schedules	5	Oct 17 to Nov 14	Oct 10 - Thanksgiving
Red Maple - Tues at 9am Team \| Schedule	4	Oct 11 to Nov 1	Nov 8 - Centennial M McGuire Bonspiel
Fall Fling - Weds at 1pm Team \| Schedule	5	Oct 12 to Nov 9
Fall Rocks - Thurs at 9am Team \| Schedule	5	Oct 13 to Nov 10

CHRISTMAS SESSION Name & Dates	Number of Games	Begins / Ends	No Game Due To:
Harvest Draw - Mon at 1pm Teams \| Schedule	5	Nov 21 to Dec 19
Turkey Draw - Tues at 9am Team \| Schedule	5	Nov 15 to Dec 20	Nov 22 - Hope Beddoe
Astrid Kempster - Weds at 1pm Team \| Schedule	5	Nov 16 to Dec 21	Nov 23 - Hope Beddoe
Astrid Kempster - Thurs at 9am Team \| Schedule	5	Nov 17 to Dec 15

WINTER SESSION 1 Name of Draw & Dates	Number of Games	Begins / Ends	No Game Due To:
Thistle Draw - Mon at 1pm Teams & Schedules	5	Jan 9 to Feb 6
January Thaw Draw - Tues at 9am Teams & Schedule	5	Jan 3 to Jan 31
Snowball Draw - Weds at 1pm Teams & Schedule	5	Jan 4 to Feb 1
Jack Frost Draw - Thurs at 9am Teams & Schedule	4	Jan 5 - Feb 2	Feb 2 - Crystal Heart Bonspiel

REMEMBER: it is each curler's responsibility to sign-up (see sign-up dates, below). If you see an ERROR on this page: please contact the Chair of Match Committee.

WINTER SESSION 2 Name of Draw & Dates	Number of Games	Begins / Ends	No Game Due To:
Blue Sky - Mon at 1pm Teams & Schedule	4	Feb 13 to Mar 13	Feb 20 - Family Day
Winterlude - Tues at 9am Team & Schedule	4	Feb 7 to Feb 28	Mar 7 - Ottawa Ladies Bonspiel
Snowy Owl - Weds at 1pm Team & Schedule	4	Feb 8 to Mar 1	Mar 8 - CurlON U21 Provincial Event
Canada Jay - Thurs at 9am Team & Schedule	4	Feb 9 to Mar 2	Mar 9 - CurlON U21 Provincial Event

SPRING SESSION Name of Draw & Dates	Number of Games	Begins / Ends	No Game Due To:
Spring Frolic - Mon at 1pm Teams & Schedules	4	Mar 20 to Apr 17	Apr 10 - Easter Monday
Trillium Draw - Tues at 9am Team & Schedule	6	Mar 14 to Apr 18
Club Championships PM Weds at 1pm Team & Schedule	5	Mar 15 to Apr 12
Club Championships AM Thurs at 9am Team & Schedule	5	Mar 16 to Apr 13

Please Note: The final for the Club Championship (AM winner vs PM winner) is planned for April 19 @ 1:00pm.

FRIDAY FIXED LEAGUE

TEAM LIST

Round	Schedule	Score
Round 1	Page 1 of 2 \| Page 2 of 2	Posted the on bulletin board
Round 2	Page 1 of 2 \| Page 2 of 2	Posted the on bulletin board
Playoffs	Schedule tbd	-
Fun Game April	Schedule tbd	-

KEY POINTS
Fixed Teams are created by a group of payers or by the invitation of a skip, with the usual plan of curling together for a year or more. The women's fixed team games will continue to be played on Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM. This year it will be considered a separate league. Please contact Louise Howe for more information at mlhowe@rogers.com or 613-226-4039.

Friday Fixed (FF) curlers must be members in good standing of the RACC (i.e. paid up members).
Fixed-team games are normally played on Friday afternoons; however if the number of teams exceeds 10, other ice-times may also be used.
RACC curlers who aren’t on a Friday Fixed team, may play as spares.

WOMEN'S DAYTIME COMMITTEE 2023-2024

Chair	Susan Murray
Vice Chair	Vacant
Treasurer	Peggy Ellis
Secretary	Margaret Woodley
Match and Rules	Phyllis Odenbach-Sutton
Friday Fixed	Elaine Brimicombe
Social	Wendy Burden
Assessment (Draw Leagues)	Judy Cavan
Interclub	Anne Marie MacNeill
LCA	Patti McCabe
Instruction and Golf	Leslie Behnia

WOMEN'S Daytime Rules and Regulations

For draw curling the Canadian Curling Association Rules of Curling for General Play will be observed except when they conflict with the Day Women's Rules and Protocols. Most importantly to ensure that all curlers are aware of their responsibility when playing the game, Day Women have adopted a Code of Ethics and Etiquette to help ensure an atmosphere of good sportsmanship is maintained.
If you have any questions on rules or protocols, please contact the Chair of the Match and Rules Committee.

Daytime Women Rules

Protocols

Curling Tips

COACHING TIPS
Eight ways to try to increase your throwing weight:

Stay lower – that angle produces more power
Place your back foot higher on the back of the hack so that you an rock back before moving forward
Take your sliding foot farther back and PAUSE
Driver harder out of the hack to attain more leg drive
Lower the body trunk at the release point
Exaggerate arm extension (Do not push the rock)
Release the stone sooner
Increase the speed of slider, brush and trailing leg

TEAM TIPS

This is a team sport. Help one another and learn from one another. LEARN, DO, TEACH
Sweepers should pass skip’s calls to the curler if she is not clear. To do this, pay attention to the situation in the house (skip’s signals and discussions with the third). Ensure you know what the skip wants each rock to accomplish (Plan B)
Keep track of how many rocks have gone down each side of the ice. If at the 5th end, few rocks have gone down one side, then the ice is likely to be heavier, may need more weight or more sweeping
It is good practice to analyze how each shot has moved and curled based on changing ice conditions. It is also a good learning experience to try and determine what the skip’s calls will be, based on the placement of rocks in the house. Eventually, every team member will become confident in their analytical abilities

OBSERVE AND COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TEAMMATES! THE TIME FOR CHATTING IS AFTER A GAME, NOT DURING IT.

TIPS FOR SKIPS

Skips should stay in the house to watch the line. Only exception is first rock when no other rocks are around. Let sweepers do their job
To call sweeping for line, as soon as rock is released, move to the back of the house
Always call ice on the T-line, not on the edge of a rock, not in front of house for long guard. The farther out of the house you move, the more ice you are taking. Instead, call or show where you want the rock e.g. “T-line”, “Top 8”, “Short Guard”, etc.
Be aware of Plan B. Talk to third about Plan B possibilities before throwing skip rocks
Communicate with your team (sweepers, curlers throwing). Be clear in your directions; advise your team what your verbal and hand signals mean
Always get behind back line of the house when opposing skip is calling shots. Your broom must not distract or confuse other team (hold broom horizontally and don’t move around)
Stand behind opposing skip (do not squat) to watch the line, to assess the curl of all areas of the ice for your shots and to assess opposing curler’s abilities
Believe what you see! The ice in the first ends will not be the same as ice in late ends. Typically, ice will change at 5th end
There are two sides of the house. Split your rocks. Don’t concentrate on only one side
Make sure curlers can see your broom head or shaft. Your legs may need to be closed so that a white broom shows against your black pants. The head of the broom may need to be changed to a more pronounced colour. Florescent colours show up the best
You may sweep an opponent’s rock as soon as the first of it crosses the tee line. You do not need to wait for the whole rock to cross
If you are ahead of the other team, it is often more prudent to draw in to their rock with some backing rather than go for the take out, so you do not allow them to build up an end. If your curlers miss their take outs, you are allowing the opponent to build up a larger score in the house when your rock sails right through the house
With skip’s rocks it is often more advantageous to “guard the real estate” if you are counting than to go for a take out of the opponent’s rock. If you miss, they can take you out and sit two rocks

TIPS FOR THIRDS

If you have one rock counting and are unsure if the second rock is yours or the opponent’s (as they are close), say “two” confidently and let the opponent challenge you or ask for a measure
If you are behind on the scoreboard, be sure you look at all rocks carefully as they may be doing the same thing to you. In this case you ask for a measure

TIPS FOR SWEEPERS

Sweepers must communicate with each other and with the skip about weight of thrown rocks, line, need to curl, etc. Skip may be able to tell if a rock is heavy or slowing down. Sweepers may need to sweep a light rock even if it needs to curl. If the rock is really light, it may be better to let it hog.
Sweepers should clarify with each other who will sweep next to thrown rock and both sweepers should look up at skip to see signals, to watch line and Plan B options. Even when a rock is not going to “take out” do not give up on the sweeping. Check to make sure if your sweeping will help your rock to out count their second shot.
Sweepers should get close to curler throwing in case rock needs sweeping early. Edge of the house is good, but the hog line is too far away. Throwers may wish to communicate with the sweepers
Sweepers must stay close to rock to determine how fast a rock is moving or if it is slowing down. If you start out running or walking fast and then start walking slower, then the rock is slowing and may need sweeping. Reading rock speed is an essential skill for all sweepers
Sweepers must stay with each rock into the house even if not sweeping. May need to sweep ticked rocks or rocks that die

SWEEPING INSTRUCTION
Sweeping is 75% of the Game for Leads and Seconds

What’s the job of the sweepers?

Watch every rock that is thrown and try to judge it’s weight, distance
Watch the path every rock takes, swept or not swept, was it on the broom
Try to keep track of the weight of the ice as the game progresses – is it normal, running fast, heavy (slow)
Work together to judge the speed of the rock as you walk along – does it need sweeping to get there. It is the sweepers that need to decide if the rock needs sweeping at the beginning, as the person in the house can’t really judge the speed until it gets closer. Communicate the weight or speed to the person in the house. It will help her judge the line the rock will take.
Watch/listen to the person in the house as to when to sweep or stop, she sees the line and the options, when you are trying to finish the rock the timing can be critical.
Sweep as efficiently as you can – decide who will sweep closest to the rock (get as close as you can without burning the rock), both sweepers within 3 feet of the rock, broom head at 45 or 90 degrees to the direction of travel, your weight over the broom, back and forth across the path of travel as fast as you can. Don’t sacrifice pressure for speed and short strokes.
Have fun! Nothing better than knowing you helped get the skippers rock right were it needed to be.

CURLING TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN

Books
Curling for Dummies
Fit to Curl - John Morris
Strategy Manual - Canadian Curling Association
The Joy of Curling

CDs
Hot Shots Curling Camp
Your First End in the World of Curling

DVDs
Detect & Correct - Wayne Middaugh & Kim Gellard 30 minutes
Team Communication - Anne Merklinger 60 minutes

Videos
Discover Curling - 24:43 min.
Discover Curling / Detect & Correct - 24 & 25 mins.
Tournament of Hearts 2012

INFORMAL aSSESSMENT PROCESS - DRAW LEAGUES

Download PDF

WOMEN'S BONSPIELS & INVITATIONALS

Bonspiels are competitions held at various clubs throughout the region. Invitationals are friendly competitions.

BONSPIELS

During the season there are a number of different events held at various clubs in the region that members of Women's Curling are encouraged to join.

Some events are organized by Ladies Curling Association (LCA), others are “Interclub” (local / regional clubs) and many clubs offer invitational events. The Crystal Heart Curling Classic is open to all women curlers and supports the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

BONSPIELS DESCRIPTIONS
LCA and Interclub bonspiels can be multi-day events where the winners earn a trophy and a pin. For LCA and Interclub events, sign-up sheets are posted on the Women's Daytime bulletin board in the curling lounge, several weeks before the entry deadline.

COMPETITIONS OF INTEREST

Interclub
http://ottawacurling.com/interclub/interclub.htm

Interclub bonspiels are designed to promote curling among clubs in Ottawa. There are presently 7 clubs in Interclub. Members of these clubs are eligible to enter the Hope-Beddoe Bonspiel, the Champagne Challenge and the Ottawa Ladies Bonspiel. Click here for the interclub rules.

Hope –Beddoe (November)
• The Hope competition is for thirds, seconds and leads. Teams are chosen, not drawn. A third may not play any position other than skip and a rated lead must play lead. Other positions are filled by seconds and leads. If a second or lead wishes to skip, she may do so. Teams play for the Hope Shield and the Silver Salver.

• The Beddoe competition is for skips. Teams may be chosen or drawn. Thirds may play if required to complete teams. There can only be two rated thirds per team and a third can play either lead or second. Teams play for the Beddoe Cup and the Edythe Huston Trophy.

Ottawa Ladies (March)
• All positions on teams are drawn from a sign-up sheet with each curler playing her rated position. There are four events and the trophies played for are the Williamson, Victory, Beulah Snelling and RCAF Silver Platter.

Champagne Challenge
• The Champagne Challenge is a single, three game match between two clubs. Curlers sign up in their rated position and teams are drawn. The club that wins two of the three games is subsequently challenged by the next club on the rotation list to a match at their club. This event is usually held twice a year. Click her e for the rules.

LCA
www.ladiescurlingassociation.com
Clubs from Quebec and eastern Ontario are organized into two Districts: District 1 (most of the province of Quebec) District 2 (Eastern Ontario & West Quebec) The RA Curling Club Women's Daytime is a member of Centre 7

Centennial Mary/McGuire Championship
• For curlers 55 years and older

Lady Tweedsmuir
• double rink competition
• playdown in our club to determine the teams to play at LCA event

Stanley Gauthier
• Players with 5 years or less experience
• No limit to number of teams that can enter from our club

LCA Challenge
• Open entry

McCallum-Filly Hamilton Shield
• Players with 7 years or less experience
• No limit to the number of teams that can enter from our club

MacDonald/Paterson/Roy Bonspiel
• Open entry

JANUARY 2023
Women's Invitational Bonspiel at Montebello
Click here for details

Crystal Heart
www.crystalheart.ca
usually the first weekend in February - Sign up directly

The Crystal Heart Curling Classic is played annually in Ottawa, Ontario, starting on the first Thursday of February. It is the largest women's bonspiel in Eastern Canada consisting of 384 curlers. There are 64 rinks in the Open Division and 32 rinks in the Seniors' Division, for those 55 years of age and over. Games are held in 9 different curling clubs and on 25 sheets of ice. A Gala Dinner with live entertainment is held on the Friday evening at the Centurion Centre on Colonnade Road in Nepean. It is a fundraiser for The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

INVITATIONALS

Invitationals are friendly competitions that often provide a fundraising opportunity for a club. They usually involve 2 games with a lunch provided by the host club. Due to the popularity of these events, for the Invitationals that are within Ottawa, or within easy driving distance of Ottawa, one team from our club is usually “drawn” from the list of teams on a sign-up sheet to attend. Invitationals that are further afield usually don’t require an in-club Draw: teams can send in their entry-form directly (direct). It’s best to know which is which. Our club Invitational (open to teams from other clubs) is the Halloween Bonspiel held the last Wednesday in October.

Below is a list of all Invitationals with the planned timing. For this years Invitationals, please click the link or look at the bulletin board or binder in the lounge, or contact the Women's Out-of-Club Coordinator.

Women's Invitational Bonspiels Drawn coming soon
Women's Invitational Bonspiels Direct coming soon

OCTOBER
Last Wednesday RA Curling Club Hallowe'en Haunt click to view poster (in PDF) Draw

NOVEMBER
First Monday or Tuesday Cornwall Curling Centre Senior Ladies Direct
First Wednesday Richmond Curling Club Day Ladies Christmas in the Valley Draw
Second Saturday Hawkesbury Curling Club Direct
Third Tuesday Brockville Country Club 1000 Islands Ladies Bonspiel Direct
Third Saturday Navan Curling Club Women 4 Women Draw
Third Saturday Renfrew Curling Club Ladies Direct
Last Wednesday R.C.M.P. Curling Club Ladies Invitational Draw
Last Saturday Napanee Curling Club Ladies Open Direct

DECEMBER
First Tuesday Morrisburg Curling Club Women's Invitational Bonspiel Direct
First Thursday (RCN) Navy Curling Club Grandmother’s (or Great Aunt's) Bonspiel Draw

JANUARY
First Saturday Arnprior Curling Club Gladys Armsden Memorial Bonspiel Direct
Second Wednesday Granite Ladies Invitational Draw
Second Sunday – Wednesday Le Chateau Montebello, Sewell Bonspiel Direct
Second Wednesday Carleton Place Curling Club Direct
Second Wednesday North Grenville Curling Club (Kemptville) Ladies Invitational Draw
Third Thursday Navan Curling Club Sr Ladies Winter Frolic Bonspiel Draw
Third Thursday Prescott Curling Club Robbie Burns Direct

FEBRUARY
First Saturday Cornwall Curling Club Ladies Invitational Bonspiel Direct
Second Saturday Russell Curling Club Ladies Invitational Draw
Third Wednesday City View Curling Club Draw
Third Saturday Napanee & District Curling Club Highland Lassie Direct

MARCH
First Saturday Manotick Curling Centre Women's Invitational Bonspiel Draw
Second Wednesday Alexandria Curling Club Macdonell Ladies Bonspiel Direct
Second Thursday Winchester Curling Club Grandmother’s Bonspiel Draw
Second Saturday Prescott Curling Club Ladies Invitational Direct
Fourth Wednesday Navy Curling Club Day Ladies Invitational Draw
Fourth Wednesday Perth Curling Club Black & White Direct

APRIL
First Saturday Carleton Heights Curling Club Breast Cancer Direct
Third Saturday Metcalfe Curling Club Ladies Invitational

SOCIAL EVENTS

Social events throughout the year include:

Semi-annual meeting & luncheon
Christmas luncheon
Annual Club Meeting and luncheon
Bridge
Golf Tournament - end of May

AWARDS & PHOTOS

2020 Christmas Photos   You Tube version
2020 Christmas Photos   Google Drive version

Current Season
Click here for photos of the activities of the curling club. Included are:
     Bonspiels
     Christmas Luncheon
     Crystal Heart
     Draw Winners
     Events
     Fall Luncheon
     Friday Fixed
     Spring Luncheon

Archives
Click here for the archived pictures from previous seasons. Select the season you want, double click and access the relevant pictures.

HISTORY CORNER

The painting image is “Curling on the Ottawa River” by Canadian artist and RA Women's Daytime Curling member Terry Ananny. This painting was reproduced as a UNICEF Christmas card in 2010.

Prints of the painting were presented to the participants of the 2010 Canadian Senior Curling Championships, participants of the 2015 Scottish Curling Tour visiting the RA and as a commemorative print to RA Curling Club members for the 60th RA Curling Club Anniversary in 2017. The painting was commissioned in 2007 by Nancy Jordan.

OVERVIEW
The RA Daytime Women’s Curling archives are a history record which contains the history of the RA Daytime Womens’ Curling Section and are maintained by the section’s archivist / historian in four hard cover volumes starting from the year 1964. The archives are also maintained electronically. Each year an overview of the years’ events is prepared by the archivist / historian. The information included is a list of the executive and committees, section members, In-club, LCA and Interclub trophy winners, members who attended Curling Canada instruction clinics, social events, general events, any 8 enders scored by club members during the season, special events, copies of the minutes of the Fall Semi-Annual Meeting and minutes of the Spring Annual Meeting. Executive Meeting minutes are now being stored electronically starting at year 2013. Members are invited to submit any events during the curling season that they would like to see included in the years’ overview. Terry Ananny is the archivist / historian and is available to assist you in accessing archival documents that are not available on the website.

Left: City of Ottawa 2016-2017 Victory Trophy Terry Ananny, Rose Mary Murphy, Gillian      Moine, Leslie Behnia
Middle: 2016/2017 City of Ottawa 2016-2017 Williamson Trophy - Hilary Casey, Jo Weston, Dianne Clarke, Beverly Munn
Right: City of Ottawa 2016-2017, RCAF Trophy, Vicki Einarsson, Nerine Waldron, Cathy Gilmore, Linda Prichett

DID YOU KNOW?
In 1964 the Womens Daytime Curling Section was organized by Mrs. Astrid Kempster and Mrs. Polly Baxter, with a membership of 12. By January 1965, membership had increased to 24. Instruction was given to new curlers by Astrid and Ray Kempster.

In September 1965 - Membership had grown to 65 members. In 1976 it peaked at 152 members and today (fall 2022) the figure stands at 75.

In l975, the Ladies Daytime Curling Section became known as the R.A. Riverside Curling  Section
In 1977, Mr. L. Porteous, in memory of his wife Mabel (a Riverside curler), donated the dye for the Riverside Section pin. The design was drawn by a member and approved by the Executive that year.
When the first Curling Canada Instructors’ Clinic was held in 1975, two of our members, Marion Rougier and Donna Pim, attended. Since then, more than 20 other section members have taken various levels of the clinics or club coach training,  and two, Donna Pim and Joan Semeniuk, have qualified as Curling Canada Umpires/Referees/Officials.

In 2022, the RA Riverside Curling Section became known as the R.A. Women’s Daytime Curling  Section. Eleven trophies have been donated to the Daytime Women’s Section for events during the curling year:

The Centennial trophy donated by the RA for the Daytime Women’s Club Championship;
The Suzanne Tremblay trophy donated in her memory in 2005 for the runner-up in the Daytime Women’s Club Championship;
The Tartan trophy donated in 1967 by Mrs. Miriam Sheard for the annual Skips and Thirds competition;
The Wee Bairn trophy donated in 1967 by Miriam Sheard for an annual Leads and Seconds competition;
The Mary Maynes trophy donated in her memory in 2003 for the Skips event;
The Astrid Kempster trophy donated in her memory in 2003 for a special event draw;
The Grand Aggregate trophy awarded to the top team in the Friday Fixed teams round robin;
The Trilliam trophy donated in 1997 for the Friday Fixed curling awarded to the winners of the A division;
The Friday Fixed teams B trophy for winners of the B division donated by Elizabeth Sliter;
The Friday Fixed teams C trophy for winners of the C division donated by Elizabeth Sliter;
The RA Riverside Invitational trophy donated by the RA for the winners of the Halloween Haunt bonspiel.

There are 9 Life Members in the RA Daytime Women’s Section who have been honoured for “outstanding contributions in the development of club activities”. They are:

Astrid Kempster 1981 (deceased)
Marion Rougier 1993 (deceased)
Esther Hamilton 1994 (deceased)
Joan Semeniuk 1997
Edith Nielsen 1999
Donna Pim 2001 (deceased)
Elizabeth Sliter 2006 (deceased)
Anna Doyle 2011 (deceased)
Audrey Taylor 2013

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