(Jun 12, 2009) -- TORONTO, June 12, 2009 – After a nomination process that has seen several excellent candidates step forward, voting for the World Curling Players' Association (WCPA) Board of Directors will open today at 2:00 p.m. ET. Voting will take place online through the World Curling Tour website.
Players that have participated in a World Curling Tour event during the 2008-09 season are eligible to participate in the voting, which closes at 2:00 p.m. ET on June 26, 2009.
The new WCPA Board will consist of eight elected members, with a minimum five positions reserved for Canadian representatives. The group of five Canadian representatives will feature three male and two female members.
There are six nominees for the Canadian men's positions, with interim President Pierre Charette vying for re-election alongside Brent Pierce, Scott Pfeifer, Craig Savill, Garth Smith and Nolan Thiessen.
The Canadian women's position produced just two nominees – Sherry Middaugh and Heather Rankin. As a result, both individuals have been elected to the Board.
The one position for Europe has also been acclaimed with Simon Strübin stepping forward. The United States' position features a pair of nominees, with John Benton taking on Bill Todhunter.
The final Board position will be filled by the highest vote getter among the remaining nominees. The eight Board members will then elect a President, Treasurer, and Secretary from within their group.
The President, Treasurer, Secretary and the director with the most votes will be elected to the Board for two years. The other four directors will be elected for one year. Responsibilities will include heading up committees in areas of interest such as finance, sponsorship, events, marketing, technology and other relevant portfolios which may be added as needed.
Committees will be made up of volunteers not elected to the Board who wish to be involved in the direction on the World Curling Tour and the WCPA.
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For additional information, please contact:
Gerry Geurts
Operations,
World Curling Tour
gerry@curlingzone.com
519-702-8383
The List of Nominees running for the WCPA Board of Directors
Pierre Charette -- currently the interim President of the WCPA, Pierre has been important to the WCT by providing the players' voice at the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events, as well as guiding the direction of the WCPA for the last two years. He has been involved in negotiations with the CCA on behalf of the players for the past four years.
Charette's background on the ice has been as one of the most versatile players in curling. Having played all positions at a high level, his experience in the game brings a valuable insight to the sport.
"I am very proud to have been part of creating the Order of Merit that is now recognised worldwide and is used by the CCA to establish the strength of field for all events. Recent meetings and negotiations have also produced great news for the players. Changes regarding scheduling and team formations will be announced mid-June at the Curling Summit in Gatineau."
"The next few years are going to be critical for the future of our sport. So I am very pleased to see the quality of the people on the list of nominees. Should I be re-elected, I would be very confident and honoured to serve with any of the nominees."
Brent Pierce -- WCPA Vice President from 2000 through 2008, Pierce has curled on the World Curling Tour for 19 years. Pierce has played in numerous Grand Slam events since their inception and was also a member of the Greg McAulay's World Championship team in 2000.
"Through the passion I continue to possess for the Roaring Game, I am committed to help grow the sport of Curling. Whether that is at the grassroots, regional, provincial, national and international levels."
"As a competitor, builder and volunteer within the sport for over 30 years, I wish to do all that I can to give back to this tremendous game. "
"Curling has great growth potential in Canada and throughout the rest of the curling world. The sport has garnered tremendous exposure through expanded television coverage and the inclusion in the Winter Olympics. We have greater opportunity before us. I wish to continue playing a role as an active leader in building for the future."
Scott Pfeifer -- a member of the WCT and WCPA over the past 12 years, Pfeifer feels this would be a great opportunity for him to contribute his knowledge and experience to the future success of the Tour.
"Based on my curling experience, business background, analytical style and attention to detail, I feel I could best serve the Board by focusing on Event Logistics, Finance / Accounting and as a Liaison with WCT event organizers, Sponsors, Sporting Orgs, and Players."
Pfeifer is a Masters of Business (MBA) graduate from the University of Alberta in 2004, and is a two-time Players' Champion, along with numerous national and world titles curling with Team Randy Ferbey.
Craig Savill -- Craig Savill has been involved with the sport of curling for over two decades and a member of the World Curling Tour since 1997. Key accomplishments include two World Junior Championships and one World Men's Championship. Savill has been active for years in efforts to enhance the sport of curling for all those involved, including recent efforts to propose a new Playdown Structure in Ontario.
"The main objective behind my nomination is that I am passionate about the sport of curling and see so much potential in it. To me, curling is more than just a game played with some buddies on the weekend. It's one of the leading amateur sports in Canada that is on the verge of becoming professional."
"Enthusiasm for it is growing across the globe. I have a lot of ideas that I think can improve the tour for organizers, fans and players. I am also willing to assist with the work to help implement them. In particular, I am interested in sharing my ideas and expertise to support enhanced event experiences for fans, player marketing, improved event scheduling and encouraging the next generation to join our sport."
"Over these years I have been witness to the many improvements that our sport has seen, including the introduction of the Grand Slams. However, there is still work to do to make our sport."
Garth Smith -- has spent the past 20 years in business, and has a good education and experience base in everything from Sales and Marketing to Executive Level business ownership. In the past, Smith has been involved in the sale of curling promotions and sponsorship, including getting Provincial Level curling televised.
On the ice, Smith competes on the WCT with Team Burtnyk, reaching the Brier in 2008. Garth has two Manitoba Junior titles to his credit, and has returned to the game in the last few years at the competitive level after focusing on business and travel.
"I'd like the opportunity to give back to the game, and I have many years experience in all facets of business and have sat on Boards (including my current company). I do owe the game a tremendous amount!"
Nolan Thiessen -- member of Team Kevin Koe, at the lead position, Thiessen has played with the team for three years and has qualified for the Canadian Curling Trials in Edmonton in December as one of the four direct entries.
Thiessen has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta for two years and also has a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours degree with a Major in Accounting from the University of Manitoba.
"I feel that his background can help ensure that the association is ensuring that its financial and reporting needs are being met, along with bringing knowledge of ‘not-for-profit' organizations is valuable to the Board."
Sherry Middaugh -- has been around the women's competitive curling scene for a number of years and have witnessed many changes; some positive and some not so positive, in her opinion. It is crucial to have female representation on the WCPA Board and that is why she has submitted name for nomination.
Middaugh has competed on the Women's Tour since the 90's beginning in Saskatchewan and now in Ontario, winning several Tour events, as well as participating in several National events. Her experience and drive at the top level of the game shows her passion for the sport and she hopes to work to help the growth of the game.
Heather Rankin -- has been competing on the Tour for 20+ years seeing three decades of curling events, playing with players in their 20's (just out of juniors), 30's and 40's so she understands the complexity of the women's game and the challenges met by women of varying ages. Having participated in and been on committees on events while being based in Calgary and Halifax previously, her background helps her to understand the challenges and cultures of both areas of the country. Her experience with the original Women's Tour also brings valuable knowledge to the committee as well.
Rankin runs her own business in Calgary focused on assisting businesses to improve their business processes, IT projects, overall project delivery and ability to deliver highly effective solutions to many common business problems.
John Benton -- very interested in serving the WCT as a representative of the United States as he has curled competitively for over 25 years and has played on the WCT since its inception. Benton is the co-chair a highly successful WCT cash spiel in St. Paul, Minnesota and is the past president of the Minnesota Curling Association along with being an Athlete Representative on the United States Curling Association (USCA) Board.
Benton plays lead for Team Shuster, who recently won the United States Trials and will be representing the USA in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
"I am very interested in serving the WCT as a representative of the United States, enjoying giving back to the game as it has given so much to me."
Bill Todhunter -- participated in two World Championships, as well as numerous WCT events including three Capital One Grand Slam of Curling events. Currently playing with Jason Larway out of Seattle, Todhunter has a wealth of committee experience as a member of the United States Olympic Committee - Athlete Advisory Council and USCA Executive Committee since 2005, as well as a member of the USCA Board of Directors and USCA Athlete Advisory Council since 2004.
"I am interested in sponsorship, events, and technology. As well a increasing participation from outside Canada at WCT Slam events."
Simon Strübin -- Curling since the age of eight and having played lead for Ralph Stoeckli's Swiss team for over 10 years, he had a great opportunity to see the operations of the World Curling Tour first hand. With an education background in one of the largest Swiss banks along two years of business management at the University of Winterthur, Simon feels he would be able to play a vital role in the newly formed board.
Simon sees the WCPA as an important organisation in the world of curling and one who has a long history of bringing fresh ideas to our sport.
"The good of curling and the interests of the players have to have a good voice and I would be highly pleased if I could contribute to this."
Simon considers Switzerland with its four World Curling Tour Europe (=> now Curling Champions Tour) tournaments a hotspot for curling in Europe and believes a good understanding between the organisers of the tour and the involvement of the players interest is key for further progress. Knowing the people of the tour in Europe since years as well as all the tournament organisers could help them to get the players voice to them. |
