Why I became a Curling Official

Why I became a Curling Official

By Rhonda Brandt

October 30, 2015

Fall in Wyoming -- when noses turn red and the wind really starts blowing. And, a few intrepid souls dig out their curling shoes, broom, and long-sleeved shirts to take up the ancient sport of curling. Having just turned 50 years old and had my knee replaced, I really appreciate being able to curl with a stick. Curling is a great sport where I can still compete with great athletes and friendly people.

I think I am the only curling official in Wyoming. There are not a lot of curlers in the world and there are even fewer curling officials. The Denver Curling Club is hosting the Mixed Doubles National Championship the first week of December. This is quite an accomplishment for a facility that has existed for only two years. But, it is also an accomplishment that needs officials.

Olympic-level curling events, to which this event leads, must occur in an unbiased and fair yet competitive environment for all. That means the players conduct themselves in a professional manner and compete as hard as they can. It also means they need help from volunteers to take care of tasks off the ice, so the athletes can concentrate on their games. This is where officials come in.

Officials are not referees. We do not blow a whistle nor do we throw flags or give out red cards. The best curling official is one you don’t know is even present. The first instruction at all officiating training is “do not interject yourself into the game, unless asked.”

Curling officials take care of the paperwork necessary to document this level of event. We run the timing clock because this level is a timed competition. We measure stones, so the reading is quick and unbiased. And, curling officials do whatever else is necessary so the athletes can concentrate on their games, including running to the First Aid box for bandaids, talking with the ice technicians, and keeping the event on schedule.

As you become a more experienced official, you may be asked questions by players or need to decide a ruling when two skips cannot agree on how to proceed. This happens rarely though as the teams are mostly self-regulating and the skips handle almost all issues. Plus, the players really know the rules at this level, so they don’t ask many questions.

So why would anyone sign up to stand around in the ice shed or sit and time a game? For me the answer is, because I know I will never play in one of those games. I want to still watch curling on television or the internet, so I want there to be games. If there are games, they need volunteers to make those games happen.

In addition, this is curling where everybody is nice. At the end of day, you might just have an Olympic or World Champion gold medalist buy you a drink and invite you to their broomstacking table. This happened to me last March. I served as the Deputy Chief Umpire for the 2015 Club National Championship. Lyle Sieg’s team won the men’s competition and Norma O’Leary’s women’s team won the bronze medal. Lyle invited me to sit down with his team for drinks and Norma’s team made sure I had food when I was working. Both teams were very gracious and I cheered them on during Senior World Championships in Sochi, Russia. I called my sister up and said “I know them!” when the Lyle won the gold medal and Norma won the bronze.

USCA senor  USCA women

You just never know who you might meet while officiating at these events. The world of curling is a pretty small world. I also met and played with a little boy named Luke Shuster, who was running around the warm room at Club Nationals. His mother was playing on Norma O’Leary’s team and his Dad was supposed to be watching him but kept getting distracted watching and talking about curling. His Dad is the current US Men’s Champion skip.

Helping teams get to the Olympics and World Championships is probably the closest I will ever get to those events. My knees are just too old to get there myself. Plus, I know the Denver Curling Club and the USCA need volunteers. So, I take the officiating classes and learn how to run these events. I want the USA to do well. This means they have to play in conditions that are the same as at the Olympic and World Championships. That means trained officials.

I encourage curlers of all experience levels to try officiating. First, you learn quite a bit about the rules of the game. Second, you see some great curling and can learn a lot from these teams. And third, you feel more a part of the curling world and the US efforts to win gold. There are Level 1 and Level 2 Officiating classes being held November 14 and 15 at the Denver Curling Club. Sign up and be a part of the US quest for gold.

 

Sign up on the USCA registration page  and  find "Officiating Courses - Denver (Nov. 14-15)"

 

For more information see the USCA page:

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling/Sport-Education/Certifications-and-Training/Officiating

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The Denver Curling is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to teaching, developing, promoting, and encouraging the spirit of curling; to develop youth and adult programs that lead to local, national, and international competitions. We host leagues, learn-to-curl clinics, corporate team building events, and open houses from September to May.   Contact us to learn more about this awesome sport and the benefits of joining Denver Curling.

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