Due to the extension of the Public Health Guidelines for sports, Nova Scotia Curling announces that a provincial competition cannot be held for the Tankard Men’s Championship in the 2021-22 season. The Provincial was scheduled to commence February 8, 2022 at the Bluenose Curling Club in New Glasgow.
“Curling Canada requires the names of the Provincial champions by February 15th in order to make travel and other arrangements for the 2022 Tim Hortons Brier scheduled to commence March 4, 2022 at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. We have had to make the decision to select a winner,” Rob Belliveau, Competitions Director, Nova Scotia Curling. “We realize that the 10 teams entered wanted to play the event and declare the 2022 Champion but we simply do not have a guarantee that competition for sports in Nova Scotia will be allowed before February 15th.
“Team Paul Flemming from the Halifax Curling Club will be representing Nova Scotia at the Brier. They were invited to attend based on being the top Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS). This was the most unbiased, fair way of deciding a winner”, says Belliveau.
Three of the original four members on the team must be able to travel and adhere to all Curling Canada COVID protocols. Should Team Flemming not be able to field a team prior to departure, 2nd place Team Stuart Thompson will be invited.
The Tankard, one of Nova Scotia’s premiere events, was originally scheduled for late January; rescheduled to February 8th hoping that the restrictions would be lifted. “We now have 20 events that we are trying to reschedule into 8 weekends”, says Belliveau. “Every week that goes by makes it that much harder to address events that would affect athletes from the Under 11 to Masters level”.
Host clubs have been very flexible province-wide and have been working with the Association the last number of months when it became apparent shifting dates would be required this year due to Omicron.
For further information contact Rob Belliveau, Competitions Director, Nova Scotia Curling 902-830-5055 or Virginia Jackson, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Curling, 902-223-3218.
