USWCA NEWS USWCA's roots are deep in promoting curling to women, youth By Shelley Dropkin, USWCA President


welcome the opportunity to serve as the 66th president of the United States Women's Curling Association. Little did I know back in the early 1980s,


I


when observing my husband, Keith’s, competi- tive and social curling, how my intrigue for the sport would lead to such incredible experiences. Or years later, when our sons Stephen and Ko- rey first started curling, how their and our com- mitment to the sport would evolve into family- shared experiences. And now that our nest is empty, as both sons chase their curling dreams, we are grateful for wonderful friendships forged across the country. What other sport can truly provide such a valuable family and community experience? Troughout many years serving in volunteer


positions, a reoccurring theme expressed by many is how few people outside of the USWCA truly understand the organization’s purpose and accomplishments. Hence, my primary mission this year will be to help the curling community better understand the tremendous value of the USWCA as an organization and all that it con- tributes. Te USWCA was founded in 1947. Its mission


is “to develop, nurture and promote the sport of curling among today’s women and all youth.” In so doing, the organization truly supports the “grassroots” of curling. We have over 66 member clubs with more than 3,100 women and even a few male members. Te organization holds na- tional meetings twice a year in September and February, and with a number of focused com- mittees working throughout the year managing programs in four specific areas: • Annual events hosted by clubs in regions across the country.


• •


International (incoming and outgoing) tours with women from Canada and Scotland.


Funding for youth, women and coaches to attend camps, training programs, and other development opportunities.


20 usacurl.org ))


t is with tremendous pride, love and re- spect for our sport and all that it has brought to family and friends, that I truly


ers by sponsoring or supporting attendance at camps and other training venues. Equipment program:


Te USWCA has provided numerous brooms


and sliders to clubs in need of equipment to sup- port the development of their growing youth curling programs. In upcoming articles, I will go into greater


depth in describing USWCA initiatives, how they support grassroots curling, and shine a light on those in our organization who have made this possible. As we embark upon another Olympic year,


Dropkin •


Providing equipment to curling clubs in support of youth development.


Here is an overview of what is included in the


four program areas: Annual events:


• All-American intra-club events for US- WCA members.


• •


5-Year-and-Under events: Regional com- petitions for women curlers with less than five years of curling experience.


Junior bonspiel – Regional bonspiels with funded awards.


• National Women’s Bonspiel – A 32-team national event held in rotating regions.


•


Senior Women’s Bonspiel – A 12-20 team national senior bonspiel held in rotating regions.


• Women’s Circuit – Regional tour with monetary awards supporting competi- tive development. International curling tours:


Te USWCA organizes two international


tours. Te Senior Women’s Friendship Tour is a tour held every three years as an exchange with a provincial area in Canada. Te Scot Tour is a tour held every five years as an exchange with Scotland. Both tours rotate locations between the U.S. and either Canada for the Friendship Tour or Scotland for the Scot Tour. Funding for camps and training programs: Te Women’s Curling Development Fund sup- ports the development of women and youth curl-


when our sport truly benefits from a spike in in- terest and participation, the USWCA will contin- ue to be there supporting the next generations of women and youth in our commitment to grass- roots curling. With the arrival of the curling sea- son, I wish good curling to you all! n


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46