OCA arrogance hits new level

If you’re a curler in Ontario, I think this will make you very, very mad.

Joe Pavia, who covers curling for the Ottawa Sun and operates Hog Line Curling where he has a regular blog, contacted the OCA to ask what the heck was going on with this CCA-OCA tiff. He wrote an email to the association president, Ian McGillis who responded as follows:

"It has always been the OCA position that we will not put this issue in the public domain and people should focus on the game of curling and the achievements of the excellent curlers in the Country (sic).”

Wow. I mean, Wow, Wow, Wow.

To me, this kind of encapsulates everything that’s happened up to this point. It’s as if the executive of the OCA doesn’t realize just who it serves. You just go over there and cheer on the curling and leave the important stuff to us, it seems to be saying. You don't need to know anything about why your association is under sanction or why it's on the cusp of being booted from the CCA. Only we need to know that. You just go over there and wave your flag and clap. 

Now we know most of what’s causing this issue. You can read all about it here.

Still, there’s a big issue that’s affecting all the curlers in the province but the OCA doesn't seem to give a rat’s ass about what you think. It knows our funding has been cut off and it’s possible that if you win a provincial championship you won’t be able to play for a national title, but you don’t deserve to know what’s going on. That's only the directors. 

I understand that not everything needs to be public but this has gone beyond the point of ridiculous. I think curlers all over should be pissed off at this arrogance. In fact, I’d suggest you write to Mr. McGillis and tell him what you think. Here’s his email which appears on the OCA web site:

ianmcgillis@hotmail.com

 While you’re at it, if you’re upset with the other side, the CCA, you can tell the CEO, Greg Stremlaw. Here’s his email:

gstremlaw@curling.ca

 Sooner or later these two sides will realize that they have to start dealing with the curlers. But it won't happen unless you tell them what you think. So email them and let them know.