June 26, 2008

Competitions' entry for new season

Have you entered yet? The closing date for Scotland's main curling competitions next season is Monday, June 30. So if you want to play in the Columba Cream Scottish Ladies' Championship, the Bruadar Scottish Men's, the Scottish Juniors, Mini Tour Men, Mini Tour Ladies, the Scottish Senior Mixed, the Scottish Seniors, the National Masters, the Scottish Mixed Doubles, or the Henderson Bishop, then you have very little time left to get your team's entry to Cairnie House. Entry forms can be downloaded here, or you can contact the Royal Club HQ by phone or email (details here).

Although the U-17 Slam events are already underway, teams can still sign up for the remaining four competitions. Monday is the deadline.

The entries for the Scottish Mixed do not close until November 30, 2008, and for the new Double Rink Championship for club teams until July 30.

It will be interesting to see how many teams enter for the various events. That will say something about the health of the competitive game in this country. There are unusual circumstances this season too. Clashes of dates with the World Universiade and the European Youth Olympics, and the fact that the Seniors' Championships are in New Zealand, with no guarantee of governing body help to cover costs, may see decreased entry numbers.

Entries for the Scottish Ladies' Championship (formerly called the Gold League) continue to decline. This year there will not even be a qualifying competition. But one bit of good news. A new team will take to the ice! Mairi Milne, who last season played fourth stones for Edith Loudon, takes the head now, with her sister Claire at third, Katie Loudon as second and Lynn Cameron as lead. Curling Today is not usually one for predictions but I will be surprised if this team is not up there challenging Team Wood and Team Munro! I look forward to the first round of games in this event - at Curl Aberdeen, November 21-23. The full competitions calendar is here.

Mairi Milne at the Gold League finals last season by Bob.

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