I'm sure we are all waiting with anticipation. Meanwhile the Blog is open to Invited readers only, and as I have no invitation (and refuse to go through Google to see what Bob has to say), I'll simply have to be patient and see what changes in the next day or so.....

Well done, Bob, and immediately an improvement. I shall follow it religiously every day!

And thank you for taking on the challenge for another year(s??). Without you we would have very little.

   I agree, looks good

after my eyes adjusted to the bright purple - it is a good improvement with the updated format. Well done.
Still think you could do with a donations link though

I would just echo FFF and suggest the donation line be set up.

A further thought is that if the RCCC were on the ball they would combine Bob's undoubted managerial and journalistic abilities and professionalism with the forum member's willingness to participate to have a real grown-up information board and debating forum about the future of our beloved sport.

Hi Auld Yin

BTW I actually don't mean to come accross as a perpetual irritant to the RCCC, yes I think they get lot's wrong, singularly their infatuation with selection and squad systems which imvhv just put us normals off from even filling in  the entry forms and set's national competition entries into perpetual and self-assured decline.

That said, the RCCC also get some things very right - there have been some great initiatives, come and try on the back of the Euros, and some excellent Summer Camps (the Loon has just returned from one) . Credit where credit's due.

A very significant debit would be the non-Grand Match - 30 years (no actually nearer 40)  since I started curling, will I get another chance ? There's lot's like me asking the same question - yeh Ok we hear about squads, Olympics, World Domination etc but what about really matters - ie THE GRAND MATCH !!

I think what I'm trying to say is that there is probably enough passion out there (both RCCC and Grass Roots) if played and channelled correctly to ensure our sport's survival and reverse the continual decline we see in both overall club curling and competitive curling participation - the question is what is the medium that will bring together views which at times are divergent, but if debated sensibly and openly will lead to sound strategy. IMVHO that will take an open forum, visible to all, and accessible to all, and to be taken seriously by those who are empowered.

Here endeth the lesson.

An extension of HLWP's new blog might be a good start..................However I still think the biggest threat is member apathy, most members of the RCCC neither know nor really care where the grand boat of curling is being navigated twoards, when it hits the rocks, they'll be the first to complain.

But give them a chance to participate and voice opinions and together, we might just ensure the future of curling.

Think i would have to agree with Guddler also - he has been spot on with his last few posts. Especially the point about the competitions - that was one of the reasons we havent entered the mens for the last couple of years. How many folk are like us out there? Thats why i think the Scottish mens needs some kind of complete revamp to get folk interested again. There are plenty teams out there, they just need a reason and some motivation to enter.