Hosting Guidelines - Golden Gals Provincial Curling Association

Revised May, 2026

The following is a guideline to assist you in planning the Provincial Playoffs which will be held at your Club.

Get acquainted reception – (where applicable) for the participating teams – by Host Club before playoffs begin, at which time rules are read and teams register. This does not need to be a big affair, something like appetizers, muffins, and coffee, or whatever is suitable. A blanket invitation may be included in the Secretary's letter to the District Winners, District Chairpersons, Provincial President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Anyone else may be invited at the discretion of the Host Club (charge can be assessed if Host Club desires).
Opening Ceremonies – Guests invited by Club may include Mayor or Reeve, President of Chamber of Commerce or local service club, life members of Club, President of Men's Club, President of Ladies' Club. The opening ceremonies should be held immediately following the first two draws and before the banquet or at any time at the discretion of the Host Club. Arrangements should be made for a piper for the opening ceremonies. If a PA system can be used on the ice, the opening ceremonies should be held there. If not, they can be held in club rooms. The competitors will be piped around the ice before the ceremonies. See suggested procedures re opening ceremonies.
Banquet – Sponsored, if possible, to be held on Friday night. Arrangements are made by the Host Club in co-operation with the Executive committee members. Invitations will be sent out by the Provincial Secretary to District winners and President. District Chairpersons, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer may be invited, and any other invitations may be issued at the discretion of the Host Club with attendees paying their own cost or at least a portion of the meal cost. President of Golden Gals to emcee the banquet.
Umpires – Please arrange for one main umpire at ice level who could be a volunteer. Score cards should be used for all games. Umpires to measure rocks.
Banner – Supplied by Golden Gals, to be put up at far end of rink as soon as possible.
Publicity – Results are required following each draw. An updated list of contacts will be provided.
Programs – Printed locally. Information on District winners and rink personnel to be submitted to Host Club as soon as possible; preferably three weeks and not later than two weeks prior to commencement of Provincials. Information as same becomes available should be submitted as soon as possible to allow the printer to start downloading information.
Names for Scoreboards – Skip's last name to be posted on the scoreboard, if possible and to be provided by host club.
Goodie Bags – Not necessary – at discretion of Host Club if they wish to provide.
Raffle – A silent auction maybe held within curling club during playoffs to help defray expenses. Request each team to donate an item for the silent auction. Proceeds from 50/50 ticket sales go toward the Golden Gals Curling Association.
Table Numbers – For the Friday evening banquet, assign seating according to the districts – placed in such a manner that the rural and city teams are mixed.
Entertainment – at banquet to last approximately one-half hour.
Hotel Reservations – Availability of hotels and prices to be supplied by Host Club to Secretary to provide to participating teams.
Remuneration – Golden Gals pays $3,000.00 to Host Club to help defray costs.
Draw – The teams representing the four pools for round robin play will be provided by the Executive. The Host Committee can make up the draws in each round robin pool with the assistance of the Golden Gals Executive, if requested.

UMPIRES

Hold umpires meeting to go over rules – general and appropriate playoff rules as printed in yearbook.
Must be stationed at ice level.
Must not go on ice unless called by teams involved.
Must wear appropriate footwear.
Score cards to be used (provided by Host Club). Winner must sign.
Keep draw sheets up to date after each draw and pass on the results to the host posting committee for publizing.
There is no bell in provincial playoffs.
Skips will be notified if taking too long.
Umpires will do all measurements.

REPORTS

Host chairperson should attend the May annual meeting to provide an update of Provincial planning and if not possible, provide a report to Golden Gals Executive on the of planning of Golden Gals Provincials to date.
A detailed committee report, following the event covering the year's activities should be compiled prior to the Annual Meeting and forwarded to the Secretary to be included in the Annual Report. This report is presented along with recommendations for the forthcoming season.

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR PLAYDOWN FINALS:

GET ACQUAINTED RECEPTION – Responsibility of Host Club. Registration of teams, review personnel, make sure names are correct, if spares being used, etc. Instructions re Opening Ceremonies; Emcee – Chairman of Host Club, Golden Gals President says a few words, Chief Umpire reviews rules. Snacks may be provided if Host Club so desires. Team photographs may be taken at this time and emailed or texted to team skips.

OPENING CEREMONIES TO INCLUDE:

Piper or suitable substitute
16 standard bearers to carry district stanchions.
16 teams (spare included) to be led by standard bearers.
Officials to line up facing spectators.
Emcee –comments and introduction of honored guests, Golden Gals President
Golden Gals President brings greetings.
Introduction of team members either by Golden Gals President or Host Club Emcee
Invitations to opening ceremonies provided by Host Club and invitation should be included if speech from attendee is required.
Select a curling club member to throw first rock, broom holder and sweepers, if desired.
A toast could be made (scotch or ginger ale, if preferred) with the Emcee and Piper if desired prior to teams being piped out.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: