Curlers’ Code of Ethics
I will play the game with a spirit of good sportsmanship. I will conduct myself in an honourable manner both on and off the ice. I will never knowingly break a rule, but if I do, I will divulge the breach. I will take no action that could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or demean my opponents, teammates or umpires. I will interpret the rules in an impartial manner, always keeping in mind that the purpose of the rules is to ensure that the game is played in an orderly and fair manner. I will humbly accept any penalty that the governing body at any level of curling deems appropriate, if I am found in violation of the Code of Ethics or rules of the game.

Coaching Code of Ethics
The coach shall act with integrity in performing all duties owed to athletes, the sport, other members of the coaching profession and the public. The coach shall strive to be well prepared and current in order that all duties in his/her discipline are fulfilled with competence. The coach shall act in the best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person. The coach shall accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules that define and govern the sport. The coach shall accept the role of umpires in providing judgment to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and in accordance with the established rules. The coach’s conduct toward other coaches shall be characterized by courtesy, good faith and respect. The coach shall maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and support the principles of Fair Play.

Fair Play
Fair Play begins with the strict observance of the written rule; however, in most cases, Fair Play involves something more than even unfailing observance of the written rule. The observance of the spirit of the rules, whether written or unwritten, is important. Fair Play results from measuring up to one’s own moral standards while engaged in competition. Fair Play is consistent demonstration of respect for teammates and opponents, whether they are winning or losing. Fair Play is consistent demonstration of respect for umpires, an acceptance of their decisions and a steadfast spirit of collaboration with them. Sportsmanlike behaviour should be demonstrated both on and off the ice. This includes modesty in victory and composure in defeat.

Residency & Eligibility Requirements

Canadian Team Ranking System Information

CTRS and Points Calculation Structure

Curling Canada Residency Rules

• Residency Eligibility Rules
• Birthright Status FAQ
• Free Agent Rules

Proof of Residency Requirements Form should be submitted if:

• You have been requested to show proof of residency by a Provincial/Territorial Member Association.
• You are requesting residency to compete in playdowns in a Province/Territory and you have not been a permanent resident of that province/territory by the September 1 deadline

Application for Exemption of Residency Requirements Form should be downloaded if:

• You are living within a short distance of a provincial/territorial border;
• You are a student wishing to compete in the province/territory where you are attending school versus your province/territory of your permanent residence;
• You are based in two locations due to your employment situation;
• You are applying to be a free agent (the sole out-of-province player) for a BC men’s or women’s playdowns team;
• You have birthright status.

Curl BC adheres to international brush head technology and sweeping regulations for playdowns in BC leading to national events. The regulations were approved at the World Curling Federation Annual General Assembly in September 2016 and have been updated regularly since then as new technology becomes available.

All brush heads, including “target” brooms must be WCF compliant. It is the responsibility of the players and coaches to ensure compliance.

Hair brooms and corn brooms are banned as sweeping devices. Visit the WCF website for the up to date code list and for more details: https://worldcurling.org/competitions/brushes/ . Visit https://www.curling.ca/team-canada/hp-athletes/policies-guidelines/brush-head-moratorium/ for the detailed Brush Head Moratorium document.

Team Sponsorship

Curl BC recognizes the importance of team sponsorship. However, we also need to honour the importance of our own sponsors. Sponsorship not in conflict will be permitted unless otherwise noted.

If teams have conflicting sponsors or are unsure whether your sponsorship is permitted, contact the Curl BC Office for further clarification.

Curl BC Sponsors:

• Best Western – hotels
• Belairdirect – home and travel insurance
• AMJ Campbell – moving and storage
• Safetek Profire – firetrucks

Uniform Standards

These uniform standards apply to all players, coaches and fifth players while accessing the field of play and during ceremonies:

• Visible advertising on team apparel will be permitted if there is no conflict with Provincial sponsors. Curl BC retains the right of refusal.
• One or more team members can wear headgear. Any headgear worn must be the same for every player and should be a continuation of the uniform design or neutral. Headgear worn for safety, religious or cultural reasons (such as hijabs, turbans, or yarmulkes) are permitted, and are excluded from the uniform colour/design regulations.
• Players are required to wear matching jackets, vests, sweaters or hoodies.
  • Coaches and Fifth players may either match the players or wear plain black.
  • Exception: U15, BC Winter Games Zone Qualifier, Open Qualifier
• Shirts must be of matching “like” colour(s) if worn without a jacket.
• Players are required to wear pants of matching colour; no jeans are allowed.
  • Coaches and Fifth players may either match the players or wear plain black.
  • Exception: U15, BC Winter Games Zone Qualifiers, BC Winter Games, Open Qualifiers
• Non-compliance will result in the individual or team not being able to access the field of play for the event until they comply.

Cresting

BC Women’s Curling Championship – each team member (coaches are excluded) is required to wear a Best Western crest on their uniform. Crests must be in the same position for all members of the team.

Teams wishing to sublimate the crest onto their team uniforms may contact Curl BC for the appropriate file at any point

Helmet Policy

For all of its programs and events, Curl BC mandates the use of well-fitting, properly worn helmets, CSA or designed specifically for the sport of curling for individuals under the age of 12.

Fines for Violations

• Dress code violations, including the use of prohibited branding on clothing or equipment, are not allowed. Fines with regard to dress code violations are as follows.
  • 1st Offence: Fine from $150-$500
  • 2nd Offence: Fine from $500-$1,000
  • 3rd Offence: Fine up to $1,000 and suspension.

  Uniform checks may be done prior to pre-event practice and teams may be given an opportunity to change before fines are issued.

   

   

In cooperation and with the support of the World Curling Players Association, Curling Canada and Curl BC have introduced a fine system that consists of fines for the following:

1.On-ice conduct, including:

• Use of inappropriate language to the point that it is offensive.
• Making an obscene gesture that is deemed inappropriate by the Chief Umpire.
• Being abusive to anyone involved with the event.
• Refusing to talk to an accredited member of the media.
• Refusing to wear an RF microphone. (Broadcast games only)
• Refusing to cooperate with the televising network. (Broadcast games only)
• Dress code violation (including the use of unapproved logos or sponsorship on clothing or equipment)

• 1st Offence: Fine from $150 – $500
• 2nd Offence: Fine from $500 – $1000
• 3rd Offence: Fine up to $1000 and suspension

2.Refusing to take a directive given by a Curl BC Official

• 1st Offence: Fine from $300 – $600
• 2nd Offence: Fine from $600 – $1000
• 3rd Offence: Fine up to $1000 and suspension

3.Conceding a game before the time frame designated by Curl BC without permission.

• 1st Offence: Fine from $500 – $1000 for each member of the team on the ice

4. Off-ice activity:  Any conduct considered to be inappropriate by Curl BC.

• 1st Offence: Fine from $300 – $600
• 2nd Offence: Fine from $600 – $1000
• A suspension may also be levied in association with these fines.

Dress code violations, including the use of prohibited branding on clothing or equipment, are not allowed. Fines with regard to dress code violations are as follows. See https://www.curlbc.ca/resources/rules/ for uniform rules:

• 1st Offence: Fine from $150-$500
• 2nd Offence: Fine from $500-$1,000
• 3rd Offence: Fine up to $1,000 and suspension

Uniform checks may be done prior to pre-event practice and teams may be given an opportunity to change before fines are issued.

The fine system is detailed on the Curl BC website in our rules section under “player fines for violations”.  https://www.curlbc.ca/resources/rules/ Applicable for all Curl BC Championship events.

For all Curl BC-owned or managed events from which athletes are eligible to receive funds, fines shall be collected from the amount of money owed the team at the conclusion of the event.  For other Curl BC events, any fines levied shall be collected prior to the athlete’s participation in another Curl BC event.

All funds collected through fines shall be contributed to the Curling For Life Endowment Fund (https://www.curlbc.ca/fund/).

Appeals

• See Curl BC’s appeal policy; https://www.curlbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Curl-BC-Board-Policies-2023-June_2-1.pdf
• Any questions can be sent to:

Scott Braley
Curl BC
2001A – 3713 Kensington Ave
Burnaby, BC, V5B 0A7
or email: sbraley@curlbc.ca

• The appeal must include full details of the identified infraction.

Curling Canada and Curl BC have both adopted Concussion Guidelines and Return to Play Policy (PDF).

Introduction

Curl BC and our member centre event host committees are actively engaged in social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, blog sites) to extend the reach and messages of our organizations and engage with key audiences in a meaningful way. Staff, volunteers, athletes, coaches and officials are the best ambassadors and promoters of curling and are encouraged to take part and share their experiences through social media.

Guidelines

Only designated individuals will be given the authority to communicate through social media on behalf of Curl BC. These guidelines provide direction for volunteers, participants, and supporters who choose to identify their relationship with Curl BC through personal social media accounts at Curl BC events or in the lead-up to Curl BC events.

1. Be authentic and transparent. Write in the first person and be clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of Curl BC.
2. Exercise good judgment. Everything online is visible to the entire world and is discoverable. Respect the privacy and opinions of others, and don’t reveal confidential information.
3. Links to the Curl BC website curlbc.ca, our event websites, our member centres’ websites or other scoring sites are encouraged.
4. Add value and insight for the people who will read your posts. Social media is about building relationships, and providing worthwhile information and perspective.
5. During championship events, competitors should be conscious of sponsors. Curl BC’s partnerships with companies such as belairdirect and Best Western help our events run successfully, as well as provide money that covers the cost of banquets and training for officials. Curl BC would ask competitors to respect those partnerships by not: A) distributing messages that may be seen as critical of the sponsors; and B) distributing messages praising direct competitors of our sponsors. This applies specifically during championship events.
6. Be responsible. Staff, volunteers, and participants are representatives of their community, sport, and member centre and are responsible for the content they publish and how they participate in social media.
7. Competitors hurt the sport and hurt their teammates by sending out negative messages of their own, or by sharing/retweeting negative messages from other people. These can consist of criticism of opponents, teammates, officials, broadcasters, events, sponsors, facilities and playing conditions, or sexist, racist or homophobic slurs.
8. During championship events, out of respect for the integrity of the game, players, coaches and alternates on the field of play will be prohibited from using any form of social media from 15 minutes prior to games until the completion of the game. However, teams can appoint someone sitting in the stands or watching on television to send messages via social media as long as there is no direct contact with the players, coach or alternate in the field of play.

Enforcement

Publishing inappropriate content related to Curl BC or one of its events, or any content that could be construed as bringing Curl BC or the event into disrepute, may lead to disciplinary procedures. For more information on Curl BC Policy, see the Curl BC Board Policy Registry.

Reporting

Participants who believe that social media use by another participant or volunteer is inappropriate or may violate Curl BC’s rules or policies should report the matter to Curl BC (604-333-3621, sbraley@curlbc.ca).