The Yukon Curling Association (YCA) is excited about the upcoming 2010-2011 curling season.

Over this past summer, YCA established a landmark decision in partnership with the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) and other provincial and territorial curling sport governing bodies.

After years of debate and various efforts, the YCA is very proud that the CCA's membership endorsed a motion which will see each of the member associations have an equitable opportunity to access the CCA's national championships in the years ahead.

This is long overdue and will provide a fair platform for all, as it will be built on a performance-based criteria for each member association to qualify for the final field of 12 teams in each championship.

The Canadian Mixed Championship in 2012 will be played with all member associations, including the YCA having the right to send a team to compete in the inaugural qualification. The 14-team round robin will be for a one-year period only, with the competition returning to a 12 team round robin format from 2013 onwards.

The Canadian Seniors Championships in 2012 will continue as a 12 men's and 12 women's team competition.

However, all 14-member associations of the CCA will have the opportunity to qualify for the championships.

This will be a wonderful opportunity for Yukon Curling, as it will now ensure that the teams winning the Yukon Mixed, Senior Men's, Senior Ladies', Junior Men's and Junior Ladies' championships will no longer be required to play off against teams from the Northwest Territories prior to advancing to the Canadian Championships.

The YCA is also excited about a number of other activities planned for the upcoming season.

From Oct. 8 – 11, YCA is facilitating a Junior Development Camp weekend.

This camp will be taking place in Whitehorse, and athletes from as far away as Inuvik, N.W.T, are expected to attend.

The camp is aimed at junior athletes, primarily in the nine – 15 year old age range that have basic curling experience and are considering their knowledge and skills in the sport. For more information, contact the YCA office at 668-7121 or by e-mail at yca@sportyukon.com.

From Oct. 11 – 13, the community of Watson Lake will be provided with an opportunity to work with Al Kersey, a well-respected curling instructor and youth programming facilitator from British Columbia.

The YCA will be partnering with four different communities and curling clubs over the season to have various Yukon championship teams declared.

This is the first time in more than 10 years that four different communities and curling clubs will be hosting various Yukon championships.

The 2010 YCA Annual General Meeting will be taking place on Sept. 29 at the Sport Yukon building. For YCA members in the communities, an opportunity to participate by teleconference will be possible. Contact the YCA office at 66807121 or by e-mail at yca@sportyukon.com for more information.

• Article courtesy YCA president Wade Scoffin