2025 International Tankard to be held at Parksville Curling Club (BC)
Preparation for the 2025 International Tankard is underway! MoPac is honored to be able to send representatives as part of the US Contingent to the 2025 International Tankard to be held at Parksville Curling Club in Parksville, BC on Vancouver Island from March 21-23, 2025.
Nominations for the International Tankard are being accepted through Jan. 2, 2025.
Clubs should submit a statement (max: 500 words) that describes the outstanding volunteer efforts of your nominee for consideration in being selected as a MoPac representative for this year. Clubs are allowed to nominate more than one person, but must submit separate statements for each nominee. Please submit your nominations to president@mopacca.org.
About:
The International Tankard is a legacy event from the old Pacific Coast Curling Association (PCCA) and was passed onto Curl BC’s Region 11. It started in 1962 and was an unwritten agreement between the PCCA and the Washington State Curling Association (WSCA). The first Tankard was held in Victoria, BC. The agreement was to honor club volunteers by sending them to this event. Six teams from each Association meet in a friendly competition with Canadian teams meeting American teams. Each team plays 3 games. That tradition continues to present day. The rotation of the event is two years in BC and one year at the Seattle Granite Club. The BC selection of host club is awarded by Region 11’s International Tankard Committee while WSCA is responsible for the event when held in the United States.
MoPac coordinates nominations and selects by committee the region’s representatives to the Tankard. Look out for worthy volunteers from your home club and encourage their nomination to attend this special event, to be recognized and participate in a weekend of friendly competition and curling fellowship! The nomination cycle typically begins in January.
The program for the weekend generally follows these traditions:
- Friday night there is no competition, but registration and a meet and greet at the host curling facility.
- Saturday has the opening ceremonies with anthems, speeches, first rock and a group photograph.
- Each team plays two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday. The games are of eight ends however, at the end of the fourth, there is a broom stack and the teams move the lounge for a libation.
- On Saturday night, there is a banquet organized by the host curling club.
- Sunday’s Closing Ceremonies are a simple affair with presentation of the International Tankard to the winners and presentation of the International Tankard Banner to the next year’s host club. Everyone then joins hands in the singing of Auld Lang Syne and says their goodbyes.
Please visit the International Tankard page for more info.
MoPac Additional Honor
In 2018, the MoPac Board added a new honor for those nominated for the International Tankard from the MoPac region: The Timothy Max Irish Volunteer Service Award. This award is given by MoPac to volunteers nominated by their home clubs for excellent service to curling, named in memory of Tim Irish. Tim was known as a dedicated, hardworking, selfless and earnest man who gave tirelessly to the curling community, helping to grow the sport throughout our entire region. Those who receive this award reflect his dedication and exuberance for curling.
In 2024, this award was made into a standalone award, separate from the Tankard, now awarded in June. Please view the Timothy Max Irish Volunteer Service Award page for information about those separate honors.