FORTH VALLEY AREA
RULES FOR COMPETITIONS
All Competitions will be played in accordance with the current RCCC Rules of the Game and Scottish Curling Competitions Book, as amended by the local rules below. Only the “Rules of the Game” Section applies – other sections relating to specific Scottish Curling Competitions do not apply. There is no restriction on the type of sweeping device that can be used but must be as supplied by the manufacturer and not modified in any way.
MEMBERSHIP / ELIGIBILITY – all players must be a member of the same Club that is affiliated to, and pays an annual subscription to, the Forth Valley Area. All players must also be a current member of the RCCC (Scottish Curling) and be able to produce a current year’s membership card (if requested).
No player can play for more than one Club in any Forth Valley Area competition. Players who are members of more than one Club in the Forth Valley Area, can play for different Clubs in different competitions, but not in the same competition. All 4 Players playing in a team in an Area Competition must be members of the same club – i.e. you cannot make up a team from members of various clubs in the same Province. Any breach of this, will result in the team that the member plays for in the second game, or the team comprising members from more than one club, being disqualified. In event of disqualification (which will be decided by the Committee after the game has been played) will result in the normal penalties for non-appearance being applied. As the game will have been played, ice fees as previously billed will stand, and defaulting team will not be responsible for full ice fees for both teams.
SCORECARDS - At the completion of all games, the winning skip is responsible for delivering the scorecard to the Forth Valley Area Secretary. This can be done in person (by handing it to the Secretary or Area Treasurer or either Area Representative), or by taking a photograph of the scorecard, or scanning it, and emailing it to the Secretary (secretary.forthvalleyarea@gmail.com) within 72 hours of the game finishing. Any games where no card is received by the Secretary, then the game will be declared void, and both teams will be eliminated from the competition. No points or shots will be awarded to the winning team. If the result can be ascertained, then the losing club (not being responsible for submitting the scorecard) will have their score counted in the competition as it could be required to determine a winning Province. In an KO competition, both teams will be eliminated from the next round. The Secretary and/or Committee, at their sole discretion, may accept scorecards out with the 72 hours, if a reasonable reason is supplied.
FAILURE TO APPEAR
In Knock Out games where one member of a team fails to appear, the game must start on time. Penalty shots will apply as follows :
After 5 minutes 1 shot, After 10 minutes 2 shots, After 15 minutes 3 shots, After 20 minutes 4 shots, After 25 minutes 5 shots. Maximum penalty is 5 shots.
In such cases, the lead and second will play 3 stones each, and the skip 2 stones. Once an end has started, and the lead has thrown 3 stones, the late player cannot join the game until the start of the next end, but penalties only apply up to the point the player appears and is ready to play.
If 2 players fail to appear for a team, the game cannot start.
If a third player does not appear before 30 minutes have elapsed after the designated start time for the game, the game is declared forfeited in favour of the non-offending team, and the offending team is responsible for the full cost of the ice.
If a third player does appear within 30 minutes, the game can start with 3 players, and the normal penalties above apply.
In Bonspiels when ‘ends scored’ decides the result, where one member of a team fails to appear, the game must start on time, and 8 ends can be played. Penalty shots will apply as follows :
The offending team will be deducted 1 end for every 15 minutes, or part 15 minutes, a player is late (after 5 minutes) up to a maximum of 3 ends.
In such cases, the lead and second will play 3 stones each, and the skip 2 stones. Once an end has started, and the lead has thrown 3 stones, the late player cannot join the game until the start of the next end, but penalties only apply up to the point the player appears, and is ready to play.
If 2 players fail to appear for a team, the game cannot start.
If a third player does not appear before 30 minutes after the designated start time for the game, the game is declared forfeited in favour of the non-offending team, and the offending team is responsible for the full cost of the ice. The non offending team will be awarded 2 points, 5 ends and 6 shots. The offending team will have no points, no ends, and no shots.
If a third player does appear within 30 minutes the game can start with 3 players and the following penalties apply.
After 5 minutes the non-offending team are awarded 1 end and 2 shots, after 20 minutes the non-offending team are awarded 2 ends and 4 shots.
Number of ends forfeited shall be deducted from total ends to be played – i.e. if 1 end is awarded to non-offending team, then maximum 7 ends are to be played, if two ends awarded, then maximum of 6
ends are to be played.
FORTH VALLEY AREA BONSPIEL
This competition is played over 2 sessions (of 8 ends or the bell, whichever comes first) on an evening (normally) in January at the Peak Sports Village, Stirling.
24 teams compete, composed of any 4 curlers from one Club. 6 teams represent each Province. Club selection is the responsibility of the 4 individual Provinces. The draw is on a format to encourage the social aspect among Provinces, and to avoid teams from the same Clubs playing each other in consecutive years.
Scores for each Province are totalled and the winning Province determined by points, then ends scored, shots +/- and total shots. [2 points for win, 1 for peel]
TROPHY - The President or a representative from the winning Province is presented with the Trophy after the game. After having it engraved, it should be returned in time for presentation the following year.
FORTH VALLEY AREA KNOCK-OUT
This competition is played in evenings at the Peak Sports Village, Stirling over November and December. 16 teams compete, composed of any 4 curlers from one Club. Club selection is determined by the individual Provinces. Based on the number of Clubs in the Provinces, the representation is – Forth and Endrick Province– 4 teams, Scottish Central Province – 3 teams, Stirlingshire Province – 6 teams, and West Lothian Province – 3 teams.
Should any Province be unable to supply sufficient teams, then the Committee at their sole discretion, can invite and another Province to submit an additional team.
This competition is played to the Bell.
In a tied game, as a result/winner is required, each Skip will nominate a
player to draw to the button. Normal Sweeping rules apply, except opposition can not sweep the stone past the far tee line. (NB - Ends won do not count in deciding the game).
FORTH VALLEY AREA CHAMPIONSHIP
This competition is played on a knock out basis between the top team in each of the 4 member provinces. Each province is responsible for nominating their representative based who won their top competition – Province League or Province KO.
Should any Province be unable to supply a team, then the Committee at their sole discretion, can invite and another Province to submit an additional team.
This competition is played to the Bell.
In a tied game, as a result/winner is required, each Skip will nominate a
player to draw to the button. Normal Sweeping rules apply, except opposition cannot sweep the stone past the far tee line. (NB - Ends won do not count in deciding the game).
Amended May 2024