Manitoba Curling Association Announces Committee Members to review Provincial Championship Format and Qualifying Process

Monday Apr 13 2009
by MCA News Release

The Manitoba Curling Association has identified the individuals who will make up the Main Committee of the Provincial Championship Review Committee. Committee members will start work  immediately on review of the format of the MCA provincial championships and the qualifying process for each of the age and gender categories - including Mixed. Committee members include Rose Neufeld, current President of the MCA; Rae Hainstock, current MCA Board Member; prior Brier Champions John Helston and Jon Mead; current Manitoba Senior Women's Provincial Champion Lois Fowler; 5 time Scotties participant Terry Ursel; and current MCT and WCT tour participant Justin Richter.

"This Committee has a lot of work ahead of them over the next year and the recommendations that come forward will have a major impact on curling within Manitoba.  The MCA is excited about the cross section of curlers who have volunteered to sit on this main committee and feel that this Committee will do an excellent job," stated Shane Ray, Executive Director of the MCA.

Over the past years the MCA has, to the extent possible, standardized all the provincial championships and the qualifying process across all of the categories, with the exception being the Safeway Championship.  In recent years, the demographics, participation and the skill level of curling has changed in Manitoba.  Given these changes, the current process and standardization may not be applicable.  After completing the review, the committee will then recommend goals for each category, and the championship format and qualifying process that meet the respective goals.

The Committee will work over the course of the next year with assistance of various age and gender category specific participants, volunteers, media, coaches and sponsors to help determine championship and qualifying formats that best meet the needs of all Manitoba curling stakeholders.  Changes to formats may come as early as the 2009-2010 season depending upon the speed of the Committee and the required changes to the championships and qualifying processes, however it is anticipated that the majority of changes will happen in time for the 2010-2011 season.

***Short bios on each committee member are presented below.

Terry Ursel
* Curled in Provincial Scotties 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 - representing Zone 5
* Best record was in 2008 with  5 wins 2 losses - then lost the  2 - 2 game to Kristy Jenion.
* Volunteered at the Scotties when it was held in Neepawa - in the year 2000.

Lois Fowler
* 4 Provincial Scotties titles
* 1 Provincial Mixed title
* 1  Provincial Senior Women's title.  
* Certified level 2 Curl Canada instructor/ Coach. 
* Served as pres of the Brandon ladies CC, currently secretary of the Steam n' Wood Curlette league.  
* Chaired the 1993 & 2002 STOH  & have volunteered at the 82 Brier, 89 Mixed, 1997 Olympic trials plus several other provincial events in Brandon

Justin Richter
* Participated in the 1995 Canada Winter Games as a lead on a team representing Team Manitoba with a 5th place finish.
* Participated in three junior men?s provincial championships (under both the old double knockout draw and the new round robin draw). Best finish 4th place.
* Actively playing on the Manitoba and World Curling Tour events. Won several events during that time, with total team winnings in excess of $100,000. Have participated in 3 Grand Slam curling events.
* Participated in 4 Safeway Select Men?s provincial championships. Best finish 4th.
* Participated in 2008 Canada  Cup of Curling. Finished in 8th.
* Certified Level 1 coach ? have worked with two junior teams in a coaching capacity in the last 5 years.
* Currently sitting on the board of directors for the Beausejour Curling Club. Have been a board member for the past 3 years.
* Volunteer coach in the after school curling programs for 5 years,
* Draw master for the past 4 years at the Beausejour Curling Club for all league play and bonspiels. Have also prepared the draw for the MCT event held in Beausejour annually.

Jon Mead
* 1986 Manitoba & Canadian Junior Men?s curling champions (Team McFadyen)
* 1987 World Junior Silver Medalist
* 1999/00/06  Manitoba  Men's curling champs (Stoughton)
* 1999 Canadian Men?s Brier curling champs (Stoughton)
* 1999 World Silver Medalists (Stoughton)
*  3-time Olympic Trials participant
* Runner-up at 2005 Canadian Olympic Trials (Stoughton)
* MB Hall of Fame member (inducted 2008)
* Career Grand Slam champion (have won all four Grand Slam events)
* Currently curling with Team Middaugh and qualified for Olympic Pre-Trials (CTRS: #5)

John Helston
* 2004 Canadian Masters Champs
* 1991 Canadian Senior Champs
* 1984 Brier Champs
* 2007 Masters Provincial Champs
* 1998 Provincial Seniors Champs
* VP Marketing 2003 Ford Worlds
* Director Facilities 1998 Brier
* Part of 3 person team that recommended Amalgamation of Ladies and Men?s curling
* 2000 Curler/ Builder Induction
* 2006 Ursel Team Induction (MB Hall of Fame)
* 2009 Riley Team induction (MB Hall of Fame)

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