The heart of curling is in its incomparable spirit.
Without that spirit, curling is just another pastime. Played in that spirit, it is the king of all games. The spirit of curling is reflected in its most cherished traditions.
Curlers play the game to win, but not to humble their opponents. Every curling game ends with a hearty handclasp and good will to both teammates and opponents.
Every true curler would rather lose than win unfairly.
A good curler never attempts to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent him from playing his best.
No curler ever deliberately breaks a rule of the game, and should he do so inadvertently and be aware of it, he is the first to divulge the breach.
From time immermorial, curling has been a truly amateur sport. No curler ever plays the game for pecuniary profit either to himself or to anyone else.
The respect and honour accorded to any curler is derived neither from his wealth or social position but from his worth as a man, his skill and gentlemanly conduct as a curler, and his devotion to the game and its spirit.
Only by strict observance of these time-honoured traditions can curling be kept as a game that is played for love of it alone.
To ensure that all curlers are aware of their responsibilities when playing the game, the Canadian Curling Association has adopted the following Code of Ethics as an official supplement to the Rules of Curling:
Curlers' Code of Ethics
I will play the game with a spirit of good sportsmanship.
I will conduct myself in an honourable manner both on and off the ice.
I will never knowingly break a rule, but if I do, I will divulge the breach.
I will take no action that could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or demean my opponents, teammates or officials.
I will interpret the rules in an impartial manner, always keeping in mind that the purpose of the rules is to ensure that the game is played in an orderly and fair manner.
I will humbly accept any penalty that the governimg body at any level of curling deems appropriate, if I am found in violation of the Code of Ethics or rules of the game.
Coaching Code of Ethics
The coach shall act with integrity in performing all duties owed to athletes, the sport, other members of the coaching profession and the public.
The coach shall strive to be well prepared and current in order that all duties in his/her discipline are fulfilled with competence.
The coach shall act in the best interest of the athlete's development as a whole person.
The coach shall accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules that define and govern the sport.
The coach shall accept the role of officials in providing judgment to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and in accordance with the established rules.
The coach's conduct toward other coaches shall be characterized by courtesy, good faith and respect.
The coach shall maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and support the principles of Fair Play.
Fair Play
Fair Play begins with the strict observance of the written rule; however, in most cases, Fair Play involves something more than even unfailing observance of the written rule.
The observance of the spirit of the rules, whether written or unwritten, is important.
Fair Play results from measuring up to one's own moral standards while engaged in competition.
Fair play is consistent demonstration of respect for teammates and opponents, whether they are winning or losing.
Fair Play is consistent demonstration of respect for officials, an acceptance of their decisions and a steadfast spirit of collaboration with them.
Sportsmanlike behaviour should be demonstrated both on and off the ice. This includes modesty in victory and composure in defeat.
Gerry Dawson
Website Facilitator
Scotland Team appears to have burned the yellow rock in the 10th end at the 2009 Men's World Curling Championship in Moncton. They lost the end. However, they won the game in the extra end. The score was 6 to 5. To get maximum results the sweeper next to the rock has to be as close to the rock as possible without hitting it. It appears the sweeper could of been an inch further away from the rock and get close to maximum pressure on the ice.
