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www.sturling.net
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Great! It’s time to make a commitment.
This has been done hundreds of times before,
and it’s not all that difficult. Just follow the steps here and take advantage of what has been learned through experience. Event type and dates are interrelated since different event types require different lengths of time (number of draws). Optimally, each team should curl three games in one day. More than three games results in a marathon event or involves more travel, which is hard on the senior curlers and results in less entries. The most popular Sturling competition is the Stakes draw, and is very straightforward, easy to run cash spiel. This can be run for ANY even number of teams, no matter how much ice you have (see the www.sturling.net website, ‘Draws’ page). The one day spiels are very appealing, as they don’t require a big commitment by the players, and minimize traveling. If you are hosting a championship event, remember that the emphasis is different. Although there may (and should) be some game-by-game winnings, there is really only one MAIN prize – to be declared champion. Therefore everyone should be given a fair chance at that prize, which usually means a modified double or triple knockout qualifier, or round robin (depending on the number of entrants), with some kind of final playoff. Don't overlook the possibility of a Skins competition. |
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1) SELECT EVENT TYPE, DATES(S)
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Your poster should contain the following
elements:
a) Where the event is to take place, b) When it will be, c) What type of event it is, and the main special features, d) How much the entry fee is, and e) Who to contact for information, and to enter. A few graphics will make your poster more attractive, and draw attention. Color also helps. Some examples of posters can be viewed on the 'PRODUCTS' page. |
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Write down your entries as soon as
possible after getting them. To forget anyone is a
serious gaff (and it can happen). Collect BOTH team members names, as far as is possible. Get the correct spellings -- people appreciate having their names spelled correctly. Record phone numbers, and when available, email addresses. Email is by far the easiest way to get back to people. Note any special requests, such as prefered starting draw times. A useful entry form can be downloaded and printed out by Clicking Here. |
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2) CREATE POSTER
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Choose the specific draw you want to use
(help with this can be found on the DRAWS
page), for the number of teams entered and the sheets of ice available. Note that for the Stakes draws, any even number of teams can be accommodated. If you have less than the optimum number for the ice you have, select a draw for a lesser number of sheets, and combine that with a draw for more sheets, using the earlier and later draw portions of each. Revise specific draw times if prefered. One draw each hour seems to be ideal, with a break after each three draws for ice maintenance (sweeping, pebbling, and nipping). Randomly divide the teams into groups for the earlier and later starting draws, but DO NOT enter teams on the draw at this time. Teams should only be entered on the draw when they appear at the event, again by random draw, so that everyone is present and can witness that the draw is truly unbiased. It is useful at this time to prepare a schedule of the events, which can be distributed to the staff and others involved with running the event. |
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Contact each team to confirm their entry,
and to inform them of their start time. Email is
the easiest way to do this, when possible, since there is less hassle making contact, but be sure to request a response to be sure the message was received. |
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Be sure arrangements are made, and the
proper people are notified for things such as
the provision of lunch, and ice preparation and maintenance. Have intended prizes available, and for cash payouts (such as Stakes draws), have the necessary change to be able to pay each person the proper amount. The stakes draws available on this site have a list, in the lower left hand corner, of the numbers of each denomination necessary to guarantee this. |
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Post the rules of the event. (Download,
then print, from the RULES page.)
Complete and post the draw, and keep it updated. If desired, greet and welcome the teams. Notify everyone of any special rules for the event, and of special arrangements. Start each draw at the appropriate time. Be prepared to answer questions, and to address unforeseen problems. Make the prize presentations and payouts. Take pictures of the event winners. For Stakes draws, this is normally meant that team(s) that won more money than any other teams. Pictures should be at a reasonably high resolution (close up), with minimum background (and preferably a plain background). |
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Send the names of the winners, their
picture, and where they are from to
admin@sturling.net, for posting on the EVENTS page, under RESULTS, of this website. The same, with a description of the event, can be sent to any local newspaper. If you had event sponsors, a thank you note is generally appreciated, and makes them more receptive for the next time. |
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4) COLLECT ENTRIES
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9) FOLLOW-UP
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8) RUN EVENT
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Okay...well done. I'm sure there were
many who appreciated your efforts. Why not do it
again? And you don't have to wait until next year -- many clubs have several of these events each year, with great success. Now is the time to start thinking about the next one! You now know it's not that hard, and I'm sure you're aware of details you can change to make it even better. Good luck! |
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7) ARRANGE DETAILS
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10) REPEAT
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6) NOTIFY TEAMS
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a) Send your poster (or at least the
event details) to admin@sturling.net,
so it gets
posted on the EVENTS page of the sturling website. b) Put the poster up in appropriate places around your community, and nearby communities. c) Contact local newspapers and/or radio stations to see if they will publicize your event (taking a copy of your poster is an easy way to pass on the correct relevant details). d) If necessary, phoning or emailing entrants from previous years, and inviting them back, can bolster your entries. |
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5) CHOOSE DRAW
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3) ADVERTISE
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STURLING EVENT HOSTING WHEEL OF SUCCESS
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EVENT TYPE, DATE(S) |
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POSTER |
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ENTRIES |
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DRAW |
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TEAMS |
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DETAILS |
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EVENT |
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What follows are some tips to help in the
hosting of a Sturling event. By following these few
easy steps you can be assured of a sucessful event. Just click on the underlined portion of each step title to jump to a few details for that step, or just scroll down. Best of luck! |
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WHY DO BONSPIELS FAIL? Consider the
following.
LIST of some PROHIBITIVE BONSPIELS # 1 Age: > Seniors, over age xx (sometimes varies, and may include a team average age restriction), > Masters, over age xx, > Juniors, under age xx, > Juvenile, under age xx, > Bantam, under age xx, etc. # 2 Gender: > Ladies only, >Men only, >Mixed, 2 male, 2 female, or 1 of opposite sex. # 3 Specific Groups: >Closed - curling club members only, >Occupational - Police, Firemen, Postal workers, Farmers, etc, etc. >Organization members - Legion, Individual religions, University students, etc. # 4 Specific Conditions: >Grannies - must have a grand-child to enter, >Must partner with a non-curler, >Must partner with someone not a member of a particular league. # 5 Delivery style: >Slide only, >Stick only, ......2-person teams, ......4-person teams, >1 stick, 1 slide, >Wheelchair only. # 6 Team makeup: >Single entries only (teams to be drawn / arranged), >Limits on the basis of previous accomplishments. We recommend 1-day Sturling spiels as
they are very popular, easy to host and a lot of fun.
(numerous clubs host several such
bonspiels each year; thus making their club a profit)
Two or more day events compels teams; to
commit to curl, to make arrangements for travel and lodging;
resulting in loss of entries.
Banquet suppers present a problem for
some folks who are vegetarians, or religion doesn't allow
them to eat
certain meats, or they are on special
diets,or they have food allergies, or they are unable to
stay and partake
in the supper. This results in a costly
outing that they are paying for but cannot enjoy
(which becomes an added cost to enter
spiel). There is also all the preparation work to
organizing this.
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