Rainbow Rockers Curling League

Hello curlers!

We interrupt your summer with some important curling pre-season information – believe it or not, the start of the season is right around the corner!

REGISTRATION UPDATE

We are excited to announce that the league will once again have 42 teams and 6 divisions. Work is currently underway to finalize the composition of all teams and determine the first round divisions. Skips will receive an email from the Membership Coordinator by the first week of September seeking their validation of the composition of their teams (members and positions).

We also have a waiting list of people looking to join the league, and would encourage teams to consider adding a 5^th player to help us find spots for new folks. If you’re interested in adding a 5^th player to your team, please send an email to [email protected].

Finally, please note that full season registration fees must be paid by September 19. The registration fee for the season will be staying at $210/person, or $150 for 5^th players, so for most of you who have already paid the $50 deposit, your remaining balance will be $160 (or $100 for 5^th players). Payment can be made in person by card, cash, or cheque at the pre-season meet and greet on September 19 (see below), or by e-transfer to [email protected] if you cannot attend the event.

PRE-SEASON MEET AND GREET AND PIZZA PARTY ON SEPTEMBER 19

Save the date! The pre-season meet and greet will take place on Thursday, September 19 from 5:30-8:30pm at the Ottawa Curling Club. This annual event is an opportunity for you to reconnect with your team and league members, meet our new members, and strategize for the upcoming season! This year we are holding it at the Ottawa Curling Club to allow new members and spares to familiarize themselves with the club ahead of the season. We are also hoping the curling shop at the club will be open for those looking to buy new equipment (still TBD). But most importantly, pizza will be served and the bar will be open! 

SEASON OPENING AND SCHEDULE

League games will start on Sunday, October 6. Members of the executive will be on hand on opening day to chat or answer any questions you might have. The season calendar, list of divisions, and the detailed schedule for Round 1 will be available in the coming weeks. We’ll also be providing an updated waiver for members to sign.

We are also hard at work planning for our first Saturday social event in October. Stay tuned for more details!

BEGINNER’S CLINIC

If you are new or relatively new to curling, it will be important for you to register for the pre-season Beginner’s Clinic taking place on Saturday, October 5 at the Ottawa Curling Club. The clinic will be led by experienced league members and include off-ice and on-ice instruction. There is a registration cost of $10. More information to follow, but for now, new curlers please save the date!

RRCL STRATEGIC PLAN

We are excited to announce that the executive has spent some time over the summer drafting a 3-year Strategic Plan for the league, and over the course of the next few weeks, we will be consulting members on the draft plan. The plan outlines where we envision the league going over the next 3+ years and provides details on proposed goals, objectives, and activities for the league to undertake. A separate email to members will follow with a copy of the draft plan and details on where and how to provide feedback.

OVER THE RAINBOW BONSPIEL

This year’s Over the Rainbow Bonspiel (OTRB) will take place January 23-26, 2025. The OTRB website with details of the bonspiel and registration information will launch on Friday, September 6. Registration for the bonspiel will open at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 5. Additional information and notices will follow in September by email and on social media, but keep these dates in mind.

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!

If you are not already following the league on social media, we invite you to do so to receive timely updates and connect with members. Our socials can be found here:

• League Facebook page
• Over the Rainbow Bonspiel Facebook page
• League Instagram account (rainbowrockersottawa)
• Over the Rainbow Bonspiel Instagram account (otr_bonspiel)

BUY/SELL EQUIPMENT

League members are responsible for having their own equipment to play (i.e., curling broom, curling shoes or slider, gripper, etc.). If you’re looking to find a new home for some of your old equipment, or are a new curler looking to buy used equipment, we invite you to take advantage of the RRCL “Buy/Sell” spreadsheet that can be accessed from the RRCL website.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep an eye out for more season information coming in September!

Your Rainbow Rockers Executive

Happy Spring Curlers! We have some exciting announcements to share with you …. – Bocce Ball Tournament and BBQ – It’s back! – Trial Aggregate Scoring Results – End-of-Season Member Survey – 2024-2025 Registration – Deadline approaching!

Bocce Ball Tournament and BBQ – It’s back!

After a break due to COVID and construction on North River Road, Bocce and a BBQ is back to help us maintain the curling spirit as we move into summer! Never heard of Bocce Ball? Not a problem! This game of “summer curling” is fun, fast and easy to learn. Let’s see if our players are as good on grass as they are on the ice! This event will be held at 221 North River Road (near the Cummings Bridge off of Montreal Road), the home of our league president on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. sharp, with games starting at 6:30 p.m. Please note that there is no parking on North River Road, please park on side streets.　Bocce games will be played on the lawn of the park across the street along the Rideau River and we will be serving a BBQ, including vegetarian options. The cost is $10 per person which includes BBQ burgers, sausages, salads, snacks dessert and soft drinks/juices. BYOB but please make sure you arrange for designated drivers or public transport.Bring your friends, partners, and any new or prospective league members to give them a chance to get to know our group. Members of the Executive will be on-hand to meet people and answer questions. Please RSVP (including number of guests) to our new Promotions Coordinators, Kevin and Dean at [email protected] before Friday, June 14, 2024.

Trial Aggregate Scoring Results

As mentioned at the start of the season, concurrent to the league’s usual approach to final team standings and rankings (based on Round 3), the league trialed an aggregate approach that used team’s results from each of the three rounds. The results of the trial are now available on the website at Trial Aggregate Scoring ResultsIn part, the trial was intended to test the aggregate waters and stimulate discussion on the option within the league. The year-end survey to members includes an opportunity to submit feedback on this trial, as well as any thoughts on staying with the current approach that uses Round 3 results or using an aggregate of all three rounds. The Executive will be considering the matter in the coming months, ahead of the start of next season.

End-of-Season Member Survey

We would like your feedback on our league. Please complete this short survey to keep us informed of your priorities for our league – should take you only a minute or two. See your email for the survey link.

2024-2025 Registration – Deadline approaching!

The registration deadline for returning members is May 17, 2024. As of June 1st, we will begin accepting new member registrations and will no longer guarantee spots for returning members.Please note that each curler must submit their own registration. When registering, you will be prompted to indicate whether you are registering as part of a team, or as an individual looking for a team. To confirm your registration, you must complete the following 2 steps: Complete the online registration form at: https://rainbowrockers.org/online-registration/ Pay your $50 registration deposit by sending an e-transfer to: [email protected] If you have already registered online and paid your deposit (for example, at the year-end banquet), you do not need to do anything further.For any questions about the registration process or your registration status, please reach out to our Membership Coordinator at [email protected].

Have a great summer, and see you at Bocce on Wednesday June 19th! Steve H / Chad B / Bill J / Patrick P / Mike M / Kevin M / Russ F / Brian J / Dean L / Kevin V.

View division champions here

This is an important reminder to submit your registration for the 2024-2025 curling season if you haven’t already done so and intend to curl in the league again next year. The registration deadline for returning members is May 17, 2024.

As of June 1^st, we will begin accepting new member registrations and will no longer guarantee spots for returning members.

Please note that each curler must submit their own registration. When registering, you will be prompted to indicate whether you are registering as part of a team, or as an individual looking for a team.

To confirm your registration, you must complete the following 2 steps:

1. Complete the online registration form at: https://rainbowrockers.org/online-registration/
2. Pay your $50 registration deposit by sending an e-transfer to: [email protected]

If you have already registered online and paid your deposit (for example, at the year-end banquet), you do not need to do anything further.

For any questions about the registration process or your registration status, please reach out to our Membership Coordinator, Mike McGuire, at [email protected].

Have a great summer, everyone!

Hard to believe it, but the Rainbow Curling season is coming to an end this Sunday!  Please see some important end-of-season announcements below:

1 – Final Banquet details
2 – Spares Fees
3 – Registration for next season

Final Banquet Details:

The banquet is full at 156 people! We have a few people on the waiting list, so if you paid and now cannot attend please email Steve Horwood asap ([email protected]) so we can accommodate those on the waiting list.
The banquet begins at 6pm with appetizers, and the Lone Star meal will begin at6:30pm. This Mexican Fiesta should be epic – Feel free to wear your sombrero!
Don’t forget to bring some cash for the 50/50 – extra 50/50 prizes will be drawn. Tequila cooler drinks will be available at the bar!

Spares Fees:
If you have missed paying a spare fee for ANY game, please pay it on Sunday (pencil case at the bar).
NOTE: If we discover a spare who has not paid, the result can be a default for the team who does not declare/pay the $5 spare fee. Please always pay your fee right after the game.

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER FOR NEXT SEASON:

The time has come… for you to secure your spot for next season!

Registration for the 2024-25 Rainbow Rockers curling season is now open. Returning members who intend to curl again next year have until May 17, 2024 to complete the registration process and pay your deposit.

As of June 1st, we will begin accepting new member registrations and will no longer guarantee spots for returning members.

Please note that each curler must submit their own registration by May 17. When registering, you will be prompted to indicate whether you are registering as part of a team, or as an individual looking for a team.

To complete your registration, you must complete the following 2 steps:

1-    Complete the online registration form at: https://rainbowrockers.org/online-registration/

2-    Pay your $50 registration deposit in person at the end-of-year banquet on April 14, or by sending an e-transfer to: [email protected]

For any questions about the registration process, please reach out to our Membership Coordinator, Mike McGuire, at [email protected]

This season’s closing banquet will be held on Sunday, April 14th @ 6pm. In addition to the banquet there will be regular season games at 1pm & 3pm.

Champions will be crowned in each of the divisions and ALL teams take home cash!

Bonus prizes will be added to the cumulative 50/50 draw!

Banquet Time: 6pm – cocktails & appetizers, 6:30pm Mexican Fiesta Dinner catered by Lone Star Texas Grill.
Cost: $20 (Full-time Members) / $35 (Spares & Guests) – pay by Cash or Tap or e-transfer to [email protected]

We will have a signup sheet at the club this Sunday only. (Many have already signed up last week)
There is limited availability so please make sure to signup on Sunday.

If you do not curl this Sunday and have not yet signed up, please email “[email protected]” to request a ticket before Sunday, and send an e-transfer to “[email protected]”. [you must do BOTH]