Return To Curling Guidance RCCC
Now that indoor sports facilities can open again, we are really looking forward to getting back on the ice safely over the coming weeks and months.
We’d like to take this opportunity to give members an update on some key areas that affect our sport, our membership, and our operations in these unusual times.
The latest on Ice Rink Opening Across Scotland
At present, ice rinks across the country are all working hard towards re-opening.
Each facility is different; some are able to welcome curlers in September and October while others have taken the difficult, but understandable, decision to delay re-opening until January.
Throughout the summer we have been working with sportscotland to develop return to curling guidance in line with the latest government guidelines.
Our latest guidance can be found here.
We will keep this updated as the situation develops over the coming months.
The latest version is always available under the Covid 19 tab on our website.
It’s important to remember that each facility varies so there will be guidance issued by your local ice rink clarifying things like exit and entrance arrangements, as their reopening date approaches.
Return to Curling Video
We have produced a short video to talk our members through what to expect when they return to curling.
You can watch it here
Each ice rink is issuing its own specific guidance and will be in touch with their members with full details specific to their local facility.
COVID Officers
As sports return to activity it is a requirement from sportscotland that all sports have key contact people, called Covid-19 Officers.
Club Secretaries have received full details of this role and we would like to thank everyone who has already volunteered to be a Covid-19 Officer
As all sports organisations and clubs are required to have a Covid Officer, and to summarise, we envisage the split or responsibilities to be as follows:
- Scottish Curling Covid-19 Officer – Central point of contact at governing body for non-facility specific guidance on the sport. Our appointed Covid Officer is Maggie Wilson, but all members of the team have been working closely on the return to curling guidance and will be able to offer advice on their area (e.g. competitions, workforce, etc.)
- Rink Covid-19 Officer – Key contact for club Covid Officers on Covid matters associated with local rink e.g. specific operational plans and risk assessments for that facility. They will also be the key point of contact for curlers who are not participating as part of a club. Any facility specific queries should be directed to the Rink Covid Officer.
- Club Covid-19 Officer – to circulate key information and be the central point of contact for their club members. The Covid Officer should liaise with local rinks to ensure records are kept of all club members playing for Test & Protect.
- Individuals – All curlers have a responsibility to act safely to avoid spreading the virus and should reach out to a Covid Officer if they have any queries or concerns.
To read our original article regarding Covid-19 Officers, published on our website on 25th August please see here
Membership
We understand there will be some members who do not want to curl this season because of Covid-19, and we respect that decision.
In light of this, the board has agreed to offer these members the opportunity to “pause” their membership for the 2020-21 season.
It goes without saying that we could not do the work we do without our Clubs and Members.
The support of our members has meant that in the last few months we have successfully held:
- two virtual AGMs, with more than 450 members attending the RCCC AGM
- a well-received Coaching Conference with over 100 participants
- an excellent Umpires Refresher Day with over 50 participants
- a Junior Club Conference, where almost every club was represented
- a total of 6 Child Wellbeing & Protection in Sport courses, with a further 7 courses planned this year.
The 2020-2021 subscription fees will enable us to continue to:
- invest in the development of curling in Scotland, including floor curling and innovative COVID safe outreach programmes
- adapt and safely run competitions for thousands of competitors
- support Young Athletes through the Scottish Curling Academy
- enable people with disabilities and additional support needs to try curling
- provide courses, training, and online tools for hundreds of volunteers, coaches and officials
- invest further in livestreaming, for spectators unable to visit venues
- support ice rinks with grants and equipment loans
- lobby government to support ice rinks and promote safe participation in our sport
Should any member choose to pause their membership for the 2020-21 season it will mean:
- their membership fee will be waived for the 2020-21 season
- they will continue to receive the Your Curler e-zine
- they will continue to receive all communications related to their membership
- their future 50-year medal entitlement will not be affected
However, in line with the RCCC’s memorandum and articles, members who do not pay the full membership fee and pause their membership will not be eligible to vote at the 2021 AGM.
They will also not:
- be insured by Scottish Curling to take to the ice for 2020-21 season
- receive other member benefits such as discounts
Should a member wish to pause their membership because of COVID-19 they should contact their Club Secretary whose details can be found here
We understand these are challenging times and would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their patience, determination and continued support over the last few weeks and months.
Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable season,
The Scottish Curling Staff