The blog (skipcottagecurling.blogspot.com) is set for a revamp this weekend and may well be offline for a while.

Next week I'll mark the start of a new season with the upgraded site. Hasn't the summer gone by quickly!

As always, I'll welcome feedback, especially if there are any teething problems.

Bob

Thanks for this DA! Much as I like a challenge, I cannot find anywhere an accurate record for the number of teams which set out from ice rink level to challenge for the Scottish title that year. Rinks then had their own qualifiers to find a couple of teams to go forward to District Playdowns. This was not usually recorded centrally, not as far as I can find in the Annuals of the time, nor in the Scottish Curler or Curling magazines.

In 1984, there were four District Playdowns, at Ayr (ten teams), Aviemore (ten teams), Murrayfield (ten teams), and Dundee (eight teams). I have found almost all the names of those who played Districts that year. Two qualified from each for the eight-team Scottish Finals.

So, best I can say was that in 1984, there was, at minimum, 38 teams at the outset. If I remember correctly it would have been somewhat more than that. But it would be a guess if I said perhaps around 50. So, not huge numbers.

I'm not sure that I agree with fff that the past was perfect. Because of the iniquities and unevenness of the District system, there were many at that time who argued for a 'central entry', which is what eventually came about.

Bob

I can remember going along to the finals at Kirkcaldy the year that Billy Andrew won - the place was buzzing and the support was very partisan with a fair few busloads of Ayrshire folk partaking of the hospitality.

Unfortunately I couldnt find any record how many teams initially entered but i suspect it was certainly over 60 possibly nearer 100 teams.

I agree the Structure of the Scottish should be looked at - it is almost criminal that the main event can draw only 26ish teams from some 14,000 curlers across scotland. - Thats probably why the sponsorship has gone down the plug and with it any mainstream TV coverage of note. It is no longer the "Grand Finale" of the Scottish curling season for either the players or the spectators.

What creates a buzz for spectators and good competition in any sport? My answer to that would be a loyalty to a team, club or area - Tribal loyalty as it were.

We  see it every week at football, rugby, golf even -- The Scottish has lost that loyalty and representation- you only represent yourselves and supporters dont know who to support as the teams are generally from a concentrated area.

Back to basics sound pretty good to me as a starting point.

SS - fraid still none the wiser.

Hi Devils Representative,  Perhaps the current Board Minutes may help you understand,

< BK reported on the process that led to the decisions to invite Teams Murdoch, MacDonald and MacMillan to the men's play-downs. The invites to the ladies play-downs are for the teams that have qualified through the Scottish Championships. It was felt there was not enough evidence to change the invitations that have been made and it was agreed that the invitations should stand.

It was felt that for the future the Performance Committee should be more involved in the decision. For the future it was suggested that a committee would be made up of the Convenors of Performance and Events, a Director and the National Coach. A procedure will be written up for future reference, BK and JJ will draft a suggested process. >

How many under 30 players does this group of teams offer competition experience to?

Carefully worded to suggest that no other teams challenged the original change of the selection system.

I found the clip on bobs blog very interesting and a good comparison to the situation today.

You have to wonder where it all went wrong in a relatively short time.

First thing to note was that many of the same players are still competeing now - at that time they were a really good junior team - one of many good young teams of the time. So the question has to be why are they still to the fore and why hasnt a succession of younger teams kicked them into retirement long ago?

Note the interest and number of spectators - why arent people coming along to watch now?

A major sponsor - a pipe dream now?

On the Telly at a decent time.

Numbers of teams to enter that year - Bob will know but i can bet it was many times the current entry --- What is deterring teams from entering now? For heavens sake they got 24 teams to play at stirling in the middle of summer!

The whole thing now is corrupted and lost its way - a complete change in mindset is required, back to basics perhaps for the competition - maybe a new CEO can provide it??? then again .......probably  not!

The job of any ceo is to know the targets to set for those around him/her ( development officers etc).  He (or she) needs to be able to advise and inspire those below him (her) in the chain of command. BUT above all else a ceo must be able to set out a clear vision of where they see the company (association) going during their tenure. 
In my humble opinion the following are not neccesary attributes;
"credible record of working with...local authorities and national agencies"
"working knowledge...of ice sports in particular"
"knowledge of IT systems"
"knowledge of performance sports structures"
"awareness of the structures and funding sources in scottish sport"

I think with such parameters an "incestuous" appointment is inevitable.

It would seem crazy to spend £2 million on a new facility and then close it down due to running costs. But then the attitude of cuts and closing facilities which take people off the streets and keep them healthy seems to be growing.

Agree with JJK. The job might be tailored but as well as admin skills the new CEO must be Media savvy and also have connections with the business world. We have lacked good sponsors for most of our events for years. As for attracting more curlers that surely is being done by the development officers and the coaches at the ground level. It is the attitude of some of the clubs that need to change, welcoming new curlers and giving them help, encouragement and that curler thing, friendship.
Too many are based in the past with the attitude that thats the way it always was and no promotion for good curlers. Dead mans shoes comes to mind.
We need posotive action not muttering and criticism of those on the outside who dont curl or curl occasionally.

Redhammer

Not glasses I need just type too fast!

Anyone that has had a eye test recently at any of the opticians in Scotland should have had it for free as they are all subsidised! Although like free bus passes & cheap prescriptions will have to be looked at when the Government realise they can not afford it all.