Rules and Clarifications to GNCC 5 Year and Under Events

Francis Dykes Memorial Bonspiel

Raymond Kayser Memorial Bonspiel

Elisabeth Childs Challenge

1. These Bonspiels shall be held annually at such times as are designated by the GNCC.
2. The bonspiels shall rotate among the affiliated clubs of the GNCC that have manufactured ice.
3. These competitions are sponsored by the GNCC to provide an opportunity for its curlers with five (5) or fewer years of curling experience to compete against opponents of similar ability.  The intention is to include all teams from the GNCC member clubs wishing to participate in the event. The GNCC 5U Championships are GNCC events and are not to be considered as playdowns or qualifiers for the USA Curling 5U Nationals. There is an application process for the USA Curling National events that is the responsibility of each host club to submit. USA Curling has a selection process from that point. If a club did not submit an application, if a club is not a USA Curling member club, or if a club submitted an application but was not selected by USA Curling, then the event held at that respective club will not be a 5U National qualifier.
4. At least one rink from each GNCC member club shall be accepted. To the extent that the host club can accept additional teams, one additional team will be accepted from each GNCC club submitting more than one team.  If space permits at the host club, one additional team will be selected from each club submitting multiple entries until the maximum number of teams the host club can accommodate is selected. It is the responsibility of the GNCC member club to place their multiple entries in numerical order for selection.
5. The USCA Rules of Curling: Club and Bonspiel Use shall govern the rules of play, except as specifically waived or modified by the GNCC event.  

1. Ties at the end of regulation for all “bracket format” games EXCEPT event finals should be decided via LSD with only offensive sweeping. Ties for “pool play” games may end in a tie at the discretion of the hosting club. Event final games ending in a tie shall play extra ends for pool play and for bracket format championships.
2. All games including finals shall be eight (8) ends.
3. The delivery of team stones in a mixed format must be performed with alternating genders.

6. The entry fee for each bonspiel shall be set by the host club and the GNCC.
7. Eligibility:

1. Members having curled longer than five (5) curling seasons shall not be eligible to compete.

1. One year of experience for adult, junior, and youth curlers constitutes 10 or more games and/or on-ice practice sessions - whether they are league games, practice games, or games during a bonspiel - during the May 1 - April 30 time period. A “game” is defined as 6 ends or more. A “practice session” is defined as ANY time spent on the ice, regularly scheduled or not, with or without an instructor/coach, including skill building classes such as practice drills, slides, sweeping, throwing rocks, game strategy scenarios, which may include less than six ends played.

2. The curling season starts on May 1st and ends April 30th.

2. All substitutes shall be governed by eligibility rule 7(a) above.
3. Each participant is responsible for determining his/her eligibility.
4. The eligibility of team members shall be certified to the host club, using the official GNCC 5yr and Under Eligibility form, by the president, treasurer or GNCC representative of the team’s club with respect rule 7(a) with confirmation that curling experience includes all years of curling.

8. The Francis Dykes, Raymond Kayser, and Elizabeth Childs Challenge bonspiels are adult events, and they are open to GNCC members in good standing that are at least 21 years old as of the day of the event.
9. A Head Official or Rules Official has the ability to place a team, in particular the skip, on the clock if slow play is ensuing.
10. All inquiries or protests by an entered team shall be resolved on site at the time of the protest or inquiry by the On-Site Chair in consultation with the GNCC event Chair if necessary.