Junior League Info

Greater Kingston Junior Recreational League

Revised: September 2024

Purpose:

To aid in the development of junior curlers and to promote the sport of curling by providing an additional option to regular junior curling programs.

Cost:

The Junior League is funded by the Greater Kingston Curling Junior Lottery Fund, and will abide by the spending guidelines set out by the fund.

Team Make-Up:

Individual teams will be comprised of more experienced players at Vice and Skip, and less experienced players at lead and second. Competitive players are welcomed but there is the need to stress the spirit of friendly and balanced competition within the league.

Teams may be comprised of all girls, all boys or any combination of boys and girls up to a 5-man team. Each player or spare must be registered and actively participating in his/her junior program.

Spares: it is not necessary for team participants to be the same for each game. Teams are encouraged to use a spare of similar ability to the one being replaced. Games can occur with 3 players, but this is not encouraged.

Cancellation: If a game must be cancelled due to one team not being able to attend, the forfeiting team must call their club junior representative as soon as possible so the opposition can be notified.

Uniforms:

Teams are encouraged to have matching jackets/sweaters, but this in not required.

Format:

The League will consist of series of games with one team from each club placed in a senior (A) division with more experienced players, and a second team placed in a (B) division with younger less experienced players. The team make-up will be determined by their club representatives. Normally there will be 2 teams represented from each GKC club, one in each division.

Playoff Bonspiel:

Season end Bonspiel will be a 1-day event.
Location to be based on accommodation of teams and availability of ice.
Bonspiel format will be determined by the league representatives and league coordinator.

Game Rules:

Coin toss for last rock/colour
10 minute practice before the games.
Game Length: 6 end games/2-hour time limit.
Teams may concede after 4 ends of play.
There will be a single 2-minute time out after 3 ends of play to allow for player substitutions and coaching. Only “Fair Play Time Outs” will be allowed during play.
Examples of “Fair Play Time Outs” include dealing with a player’s behaviour before escalation would cause removal from a game, aiding an injured or distressed player, interpretation of the rules if players are uncertain. Only one coach/parent for the team calling the time out is allowed to access the ice surface accompanied by the host club official. No coaching on strategy is allowed. In the case of interpretation of the rules, only the host club official is allowed access to the ice surface.

Host Club Responsibility:

Each club is asked to support the league by providing ice time.
Ice will be freshly maintained prior to the commencement of the game(s)
Officiating: The host club will identify one person to be the “official” in case a ruling is required. This person’s decision is final.
The host official will announce the “official start time”.
Rules of the League should be posted at each participating clubs and must be accessible on the day of the competition.

Coaches/ Adult Supervision:

Coaches are expected to participate by role modelling ethics and fair play
Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children
Unless a team coach has been specified and is willing to take on the responsibility, each curler must have a designated adult at the club for the duration of the event.
Rule of two. The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring that a coach is never alone with an athlete. There may be exceptions for emergency situations. The Rule of Two states that there will always be two screened and club certified coaches with an athlete in situations where the athlete is potentially vulnerable. One–on– one interaction between a coach and an athlete, without another individual present, must be avoided in all circumstances except medical emergencies.

Player and Spectator Conduct:

All players, coaches and spectators are required to adhere to the GKC League Code of Ethics and fair Play. Copies of this document will be posted at each GKC club, and available on the GKC web page for review.

Curlers, Coaches and Spectators must recognize that this curling league is one that will be inclusive to all and is designed for improving curling skills and understanding through participation.

Comments should be complimentary.

The GKC league will not tolerate

Poor behaviour on the ice (broom slamming, rock kicking or other disruptive behaviour)
Physical harm to another individual
Malicious or offensive teasing/bullying
The use of inappropriate language
Stealing or the intentional vandalism of material and/or property at any of the GKC Clubs.

Parents/ Guardians of GKC Curlers understand that if their curler fails to comply with the above terms and conditions, he/she may be removed from the GKC Junior League

Spectators/Parents understand that

The league is designed to allow all participants to gain skill and understanding through participation
Each participant is improving and learning the game

Failure to comply to the above terms and conditions, he/she may be removed from the hosting club.

Curlers will have completed at their home clubs

CurlON (Curling Ontario) Risk assessment forms.
Rowans Law Concussion Awareness