2016/2017 Northern Alberta Curling Association Module 5 – Ford World Men’s Curling Championship and NACA Members

2017 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship The 2017 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship, set for April 1-9 at Northlands Coliseum, will be the final opportunity for countries to earn qualifying points to be part of the field that plays for gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. The Northern Alberta Curling Association is excited to be a partner in bringing the 2017 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship to Edmonton. We look forward to continuing Edmonton’s successful record hosting major athletic competitions, and showcasing our beautiful city and exceptional volunteers. Check www.curling.ca/2017worldmen for more information.

The Last Hurrah! The 2017 world championships will be the last curling event to be held at the Edmonton Exhibition or Northlands. We are promoting the event by focussing on all the champions from previous curling championships held at this site. These events were the six Briers from 1954 to 2013 to determine the Canadian men’s champion, the 1980 Canadian Women’s Championship, 2007 World Men’s Championship, and the 2009 Olympic Trials (Roar of the Rings) for women and men.  These past championship teams have been invited to attend the 2017 World Men’s and will be introduced to fans during the nine-day event. In addition there will be autograph sessions, and the popular “Up Close and Personal” program with these teams.  Premium events such as the Ford World Men’s focus attention on the athleticism and calibre of play in curling, and the comradery between competitors and fans like no other sport. We welcome the opportunity to host the 12 countries competing for the title of World Champions. And we know Canada will again be represented by a top calibre team ready to meet this challenge. So which teams won their championships in Edmonton? 1954 Brier Matt Baldwin (AB) 1973 Brier Harvey Mazinke (SK) 1980 Cdn Women’s Marj Mitchell (SK) 1987 Brier Russ Howard (ON) 1999 Brier Jeff Stoughton (MB) 2005 Brier Randy Ferbey (AB) 2007 FWMCC Glenn Howard (CAN) 2009 Roar (Women) Cheryl Benard (AB) 2009 Roar (Men) Kevin Martin (AB) 2013 Brier Brad Jacobs (NOnt)  

How NACA Members Benefit In early October 2016, FWMCC sent a letter informing clubs of the upcoming event and asking them to assist with promotion of the event. In return for your assistance, they extended to clubs the offer of providing tickets for prizing and fundraising. Contact Kersten Morris at kersten.morris@curling.ca or phone 780-328-3779, ext 224. NACA clubs will also benefit as they receive a share of the 50/50 proceeds; this occurred this past season when clubs shared proceeds from the 2015 Calgary Brier.  

FWMCC and Junior Stars Twenty-four NACA youth curlers can be a part of the experience to taste competitive curling at its very best… and meet with the biggest names in the sport! At every event on the Season of Champions schedule, junior curlers, between the ages of 10 – 16, affiliated with clubs in the region can apply to be a Junior Star. All it takes is to answer the question, in 50 words or less… “Why would you like to be an Honorary Team Member with one of the teams competing at the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship? ” Selected applicants become honorary members of one of the teams competing in the championship and receive: A commemorative Junior Stars jacket; 3 tickets to the draw where their team is featured at, which includes tickets for their parents/guardians; A 2017 Ford World Men’s Curling Championship Event Pin and Souvenir Program; An official photograph with the team. A tour of the TSN or WCTV mobile production truck. But the best part is they have the chance to meet the team, observe their pre-game practice from ice-level and take part in the pre-game ceremony. CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: January 4, 2017