REGISTRATION POLICY – 2024-25 SEASON
Revised June 9, 2024
Curling games are scored, and winners are declared, making curling inherently competitive. However, not all curling is played at a competitive level, so registering at the right level of play is important. Registering in the right league maximizes season-long enjoyment. Registering in a league above skill and experience may result in a season of perpetual, discouraging losses.
Registration for Intermediate and Competitive Leagues must only be per team (i.e., four players who register individually, but who have agreed in advance to play together for the entire season). As intermediate and competitive teams often shuffle players, DO NOT ASSUME THAT PLAYING ON LAST YEAR’S TEAM GUARANTEES YOUR SPOT ON THAT SAME TEAM OR SAME LEAGUE FOR THE COMING YEAR. Please consult with your other team members and confirm your team’s composition before registering.
Registrants in Recreational Leagues can either specify teams or register individually, always remembering that the main purpose of these leagues is to socialise rather than compete. The Director of Membership and Member Services and the League Coordinator will group lone registrants in a league with other lone registrants to form fixed teams according to availability.
The Center will be guided by the following criteria:
- Attempt to accept, to the extent possible, all returning players wishing to register in the same or different Leagues in the upcoming season. Returning players will be confirmed in the leagues they played last year only if registration and full payment are received by August 31. After this date, those on the waiting list for each league will be confirmed if their registration and payment have been received. Last year’s players who did not pay by August 31 will be added to their league’s waiting list.
- Grant priority to returning players in last year’s leagues according to the following order of precedence
- 2.1: The four players in last year’s team are returning to play, they are registered and have paid by August 31.
- 2.2: Three players in last year’s team are returning to play, they are registered and have paid by August 31.
- 2.3: Two players in last year’s team are returning to play, they are registered and have paid by August 31.
- 2.4: One player in last year’s team is returning to play, is registered and has paid by August 31. This applies to Recreational leagues only. For Intermediate leagues, only one player remaining with three new players is considered a new team.
Note: If teams have the same order of precedence, selection will be made by random draw when there is insufficient space to accommodate all teams.
- When demand exceeds availability in a league, the Centre will place new players on a waiting list for that league.
- The Cash League will henceforth be managed independently. Registration procedures are available here and will be in force for the 2024-25 season.
Payment of Membership Fees
Full payment is required at the time of registration. Payment can be made by electronic transfer to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by cheque payable to Curling des Collines, or by debit or in cash at the Center. Failing full payment by August 31, your league selections will not be confirmed. In addition, a member who has not paid the full membership fee by the first game of the season will be subject to a $25 late payment penalty and may have his or her privileges suspended.
Payment for Blizzard (6-12 years of age), U-21 (13 to 20 years of age) and Training Programs will be due before the start of the program.
Recreational (Social) Leagues – Individuals registering in Recreational Leagues are players with all levels of skill and experience interested in having fun, staying fit, and enjoying curling fundamentals in a sporting atmosphere. To promote socialization, League Coordinators may regularly or occasionally shuffle players among teams. Games may or may not be scored, and teams may or may not be ranked throughout the season. Competitive players registered in lower-level Leagues should be ready to teach, coach, and provide constructive criticism while enjoying a less demanding level of play.
Intermediate (Transitional) Leagues – Teams registering in Intermediate Leagues are made up of players wanting to eventually transition to competitive play (after sufficient experience at the intermediate level where games are scored, team standings are maintained and season champions are declared - but where skill consistency, skill accuracy and sweeping requirements are not as exacting as at the competitive level). Intermediate League players should also realize that a few seasons of intermediate play guarantees neither sufficient experience nor skills to progress to Competitive Leagues. Competitive players registering in lower-level leagues should be prepared to teach, coach, and provide constructive criticism while enjoying a less demanding level of play. Mixed Doubles Leagues are considered Intermediate.
Mixed Doubles Leagues – Mixed Doubles Leagues are considered intermediate-level leagues and players must register as a team. A team is usually made up of two different-gender players but, to encourage participation, same-gender players are accepted.
Mixed Leagues – Mixed Leagues are considered intermediate-level leagues and players must register as a team. A team is made up of two women and two men with alternating gender positions. If the Skip is a man, the Vice-skip is a woman, and so on.
Competitive Leagues – Competitive Leagues keep scores, rank teams, and declare champions. Teams registered in Competitive Leagues should include players with a strong command of curling strategy and the ability to sweep effectively. These players should be able to throw rocks precisely and consistently, with the weight, turn, and line requested by the skip.
Men’s and Women’s Leagues – It should be noted that the caliber of play in these Leagues may include all three skill levels.
Sturling Leagues – Each team is made up of two players. One member of each team is positioned at each end of the rink to limit displacements, accelerate play, and provide variety for each player. Sweeping is limited and only allowed between the hog line and the back of the house at the playing end. This increases the challenge to place the stone in the right place without the help of a sweeper.
Spares Membership – This membership allows a non-member to spare in all leagues, subject to availability with a limit of 10 replacements during the season. It also gives access to practice sessions, without, however, having a right to vote. Their status, as well as their availability, will be posted on the website. Games not played are non-refundable. After 10 replacements, this spare player will pay the $20 fee.
Social Membership – Supporting Member having the right to participate in the Center’s activities and attend Member meetings without the right to vote.
Fifth Player Membership – Member registered as a fifth player in a fixed team and is first to spare in that team. When this player spares in another team, he or she must pay the spares fee in effect.
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NOTA: In Intermediate and Competitive Leagues, all four players are expected to sweep (occasionally even Skips). Being unable to sweep imposes a heavier burden on the other three team members. The Skip has a demanding and technical role to play. This position is not recommended for non-sweepers. Curlers unable to sweep should disclose this limitation to their potential teammates before registering the team and should not assume that their inability to sweep is a “default” to the Skip position.
Board of Directors
June 9, 2024
