Provincial Mixed Doubles Curling Championships

CURLING CRESTS: an order form for curling crests will be sent to all zone convenors. Orders must be placed and pre-paid by the date specified which will be in November or December. If orders and payment are not received by the date indicated your zone will not receive crests.

1. DEADLINE DATES

ONLINE ROSTERS must be submitted by JANUARY 18. All teams must be entered online regardless of whether or not they will be participating in the Provincial Championships. Separate rosters must be created for each team within the school.

ZONE/INTERZONE PLAYOFFS must be completed by Wednesday, FEBRUARY 12. Zone Convenors must notify the MHSAA office at 925-5642 or greg@mhsaa.ca as soon as the zone representative is known. Some zones may be involved in an interzone game.

2. FORMAT & RULES

A) FORMAT: 
Boys & Girls: there will be a sixteen (16) team double knock-out format used for both the girls and boys championship.

Mixed Doubles: there will be a sixteen (16) team round robin of four (4) pools of four (4) teams. Play-offs will be a sixteen (16) team single elimination bracket.

B) RULES: Curling Canada Rules will be used unless special playing rules are put forth by the MHSAA. In this case, the MHSAA rules will take precedence.

Boys & Girls: 
Before provincial play commences, a spare or fifth may be named (must be on curling eligibility sheet). If a player cannot continue to play in a particular game, he/she can be replaced by an alternate (fifth) player for that game only. Once the alternate player enters the game, he/she must remain playing for the entire game. In subsequent games, any four (4) players may start.

All boys & girls games will be eight (8) ends using the thinking-time system. In the event of a tie, at the end of the 8th end, an extra end is necessary and shall be played in rotation until a winner is declared. Thinking time will be 32 minutes. For mixed doubles all games will be six ends with a time clock of 50 minutes.

Warm-up – each team will have 5 minutes of warm-up time and will complete a single draw to the button at the completion of warm-up to determine who has hammer. If neither team’s draw reaches the house a coin toss will be used to determine who has hammer to start the game.

The Curling Canada broom moratorium will not be in effect for the MHSAA provincial curling championships.

Time-Outs – In mixed doubles there are no time outs. In the boys and girls curling teams may call two sixty second time outs per game. One time out per extra end is allowed. The coach may confer with the team at that time. A player or coach of the team whose clock is running may only call a time out. The team that called the time out may access the playing surface with their coach. The team that did not call the time out may confer with the coach, but they shall not access the playing surface. These two time outs are in addition to the five minute time out after the 4th. Before the first extra end, there will be a two minute break, where the coach is allowed to go onto the ice to talk to their rink.

If a team is unable to commence play at the designated time, it shall be assessed a penalty of one point and one end shall be considered played for the first 5 minutes the team is late. One penalty point shall be considered for each additional five minutes the team is late. When the game commences, the non-offending team will be given the choice of last rock. After thirty minutes have elapsed, the non-offending team shall be declared the winner.

Scorecards will be placed behind each sheet. The winning team must sign the card and turn it into the umpire immediately after the game.

Thirds make their own measurements. If there are any concerns, the umpire can be summoned to assist.

Uniform Rule: Style and colour of uniform must be consistent throughout the team. Uniforms must also be representative of their school. No multi-colored pants, jeans or club affiliated clothing permitted. Curlers and coaches will not be allowed to wear headwear during competition, opening ceremonies, awards ceremonies, banquets and/or luncheons. Any curler, team member or coach deemed in violation may be subject to a performance bond violation in the amount $50.00 - $100.00 assessed to the school.

Advertising on uniforms must adhere to guidelines as outlined on pages 132-133

Coaches should be advised that if the uniform rule is not adhered to, the team may not be allowed to compete and may be fined up to $200.00. The school may also be put on probation (probation being that if the school violates the infraction again, the school may be fined $200.00 and be suspended from all MHSAA activities).

It is expected that all teams attend opening ceremonies and related functions. Non-attendance may result in fines and/or further sanctions against the school.

No smoking on the Provincial sites.

3. AWARDS

In each division, the championship team will receive the Association championship banner, first place medals and Championship T-shirts (max. of 6).

The runner-up team in the championship event will receive the Association finalist banner and second place medals (max. of 6).

4. SUPERVISION

At all MHSAA Provincial Championships, interzone and wildcard games, participants must have a teacher from the school division in attendance as a supervisor, or they will not be allowed to compete. In individual sports where it may be unrealistic for one teacher to accompany one student, the zone may designate teacher supervisors for athletes. This must be a written request, signed by each principal involved, and approved by the MHSAA, well in advance. The designated teacher supervisor should have a copy of the letter, with them during the championship.

Teachers employed in the school division where they are coaching a team, may be the supervisor for that team. The responsibility rests with the school to ensure that supervisor(s) are fully acquainted with all MHSAA rules, regulations and consequences. Violation of this rule may result in a fine up to a maximum of $200.00.

5. INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE

The MHSAA, in cases of severe weather disruptions, may have to make decisions as to the possible rescheduling of Provincial Championships. MHSAA decisions will be based on Environment Canada weather reports, the Manitoba Highway reports and weather conditions at the host site.

Information on possible schedule changes will be posted on the host website between 6:30 and 7:00 am on the day of the Championship. Schools will also be emailed any changes. In case of inclement weather, schools should refrain from travelling to Provincial Championships until they receive notification from the MHSAA Assistant Executive Director with instructions and updated scheduling. Schools deciding to travel prior to receiving notification from MHSAA Assistant Executive Director do so at their own risk and will be responsible for their travel and hotel costs, should the event be postponed or changed.

Many schools travel to Provincial Championships on the day prior to the championship beginning. In cases where most schools are already at the host site, the convenor along with MHSAA assistant director will try to modify schedules to accommodate teams that will be arriving later due to weather conditions.