Pacific International Cup
Our Legacy - 2000 - 2007
The Pacific International Cup has been enormously successful inside and outside British Columbia benefiting curling clubs, curlers, volunteers, spectators. It has provided a direct economic benefit to the several communities hosting B.C. Club Challenge competitions as well as the main host community of Richmond, site of the event each year.
The Pacific International Cup has successfully promoted grass roots curling throughout British Columbia. The event attracts teams from Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and 10 states from the USA as well as the Yukon.
Clubs and Curlers
The PIC has provided a meaningful reason for clubs to hold club championship or similar qualifying events thus promoting the sport and improving the quality of curling at the club level. With the prospect of advancing to the Annual Pacific International Cup in Richmond, inter club competitions now occur in six or more locations each year through out B.C. This is also replicated outside British Columbia in other countries such as Alaska. Other nations send their National Champions to play in the Pacific International Cup to gain skill and experience.
Of 92 curling clubs in British Columbia 75-80 of these clubs are now participating in the qualifying round to gain entry to the Pacific International Cup. From 2000 to 2007 thirty-eight of those clubs have qualified and participated in the Pacific International Cup. Every administrative region in B.C. has sent teams to the Pacific International Cup. Sixteen different Nations or States have sent teams to the Pacific International Cup.
Volunteer Training
Volunteerism is a key to the success of the Pacific International Cup. The core committee has expanded from 12 men and women to over 60, including the B.C. Club Challenge events. Their enthusiasm and good work has had a positive influence on their club mates, other clubs and the provincial association. In the result the PIC is an excellent training ground for future volunteers, which will continue to benefit not just Richmond but the larger curling community, and the sport of curling generally. Skill and strategy clinics are conducted for attending teams by qualified instructors. Junior Curlers are involved in the Pacific International Cup wherever possible, in ceremonies and as event assistants. All of these activities include volunteers from throughout the lower mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island thus sharing the volunteer enhancement and sport fellowship with the larger curling community.
Economic & Equipment Legacy
Each year the Pacific International Cup has accorded the Richmond Curling Club with equipment, special artwork, flags, signage. This improves the event and benefits the club. Wireless microphones were provided to the club. As a result of the international flavor, the Richmond Curling Club has increased its ice dimensions so as to be the only Curling Club in B.C. in compliance with International specifications. In 2007 Richmond will also install on-ice cameras with the ability to broadcast games on the internet, cable distributors or conventional television.
In summary The annual Pacific International Cup has benefited not only the participants and the larger curling community, but has inspired and provided improved facilities and equipment. The Richmond Curling Club has become a preferred destination for teams improving their skill and is now been designated by CurlBC as the High Performance Training Centre for British Columbia. National teams from Italy, Australia, Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei and China have traveled to Richmond to train and compete at the Richmond Curling Club.
These are the ongoing legacies of Pacific International Cup. All involved in the Pacific International Cup will be better prepared for the 2010 Olympics.
James A.W. Schuman
President, Richmond Curling Club
Chair, Pacific International Cup
All contents of this Web site are Copyright © 2007 - , PIC and B. Ettie O'Connell. All rights reserved.
Last updated: July 31, 2007
