Now that the second half of the season is upon us it is time to start getting ready for SAHWA to host the 2011 "AA" Senior Women's Provincials the weekend of March 18-20 and our 2^nd Annual SAWHA Social, on March 25, 2011.

At our league meeting on the 31^st of January I will be handing out tickets for each of the teams to sell for the social.  As well I will be reminding all the team reps at the meeting that each team will need to provide a raffle prize to be used at either the provincials or the social and two volunteers from each team will need to sign up on the website to volunteer at either the social or the provincials.  The sign up forms will be posted on the website around the second week of February.  Please make sure that you double check your schedule and sign up early in order to get the best times and the best time that works with your schedule.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

 Jennifer Baragon

Director of Marketing and Promotions

Most of you have probably noticed that the "second half", well really February and the first part of March's schedule has been posted on the website.  Thank you again to my 4 tier schedulers, Nicole, Erin, Sandy and Karly who were instrumental in making this happen.  Of course another BIG THANK-YOU to Lil for providing the provincial playdown pairings in record time. Thanks Lil!

Just when you think we've had enough cold weather, Mother Nature raises her ugly head and sends us another cold blast.  As a result three games were cancelled on January 8^th and 9^th.  We will try to reschedule those games using the last of our available ice times or any ice times that we can pick up outside of Calgary.  If not the next time these two teams meet their game will count as two games.  If they do not meet again the game will be deemed a tie.

I am working on the playoff schedule and I should have it posted soon.  The format is the same as in prior years, a double knockout.

Good luck with the rest of the season and in playoffs!  Stay warm!

Leslie Ann Kalman

Director of Scheduling

Please note, all teams and players, the last day to register players is Feb 10^th.  Also, please remember to send in any updated signatures on HCR forms.

Jenn Lunn

SAWHA Registrar

jenn-reg@telus.net

403-309-6927

Team reps have now received a HA Bulletin that was issued on September 16, 2010 along with a comparison spreadsheet completed by our President Marg Holman.  Therefore, Effective February 01, 2011, SAWHA will be adhering to the minimum suspensions attached in the Bulletin. In particular, please note the change to a two game suspension under Rule 9.2.

If we would like to pursue any changes to be brought in line with Senior Men's, we will need a motion at the upcoming meeting from the floor.  Please note, these changes will not come into play until after the HA AGM, which means next season.  If you have any questions on this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kerri Ravndahl

Director of Discipline

FAIRVIEW ARENA STAFF

 ROB CURTS:  ARENA MANAGER

Rob began working in arenas at the age of 17 at the Crowfoot Arena in Calgary's NW. As a student at the University of Calgary, Rob worked part time at Crowfoot while working towards his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Under Ian Brownlee, one of the top Arena Managers in the city, Rob learned the important aspects to being an arena operator and eventually the many intricacies of running the business of a recreation facility. Rob became the assistant manager after 5 years of being an arena operator. Rob has his Level 1 and Level 2 Arena Operator Course certifications (as offered by Alberta Recreation Facility Personnel {RFP}) and has helped teach Olympia maintenance courses alongside Jody Laye from Big Hill Services/Olympia.

Once Rob finished his degree at U of C he planned on leaving his job at Crowfoot in order to pursue his chosen career path of urban planning. However before he had time to job hunt he was approached by representatives from FWHAS and interviewed for and was offered the job of Arena Manager at the Fairview Arena.

Outside of work, Rob is an avid sports enthusiast and was recently married in November of 2010. Rob and his wife have two dogs and live in Airdrie. He still plays competitive baseball in Calgary in the Foothills Major Baseball Association, where his team is the two time defending league champions. Rob grew up playing all sports at a competitive level and has coached both hockey and baseball over several seasons. In baseball, Rob coached the AA Rockies of the Babe Ruth Association in Calgary (15-18 year olds) for two seasons, and spent another two years at the Junior Major level (13-14 year olds) with the NWLL Blue Jays. In hockey, Rob coached Crowfoot Junior C (18-20 year olds) for two seasons and helped out on two separate Peewee hockey teams at Crowfoot (PW 6 & 9) during those two seasons as well.
 

FRANK SZAKALY:

Frank is a kind hearted man who takes pride in his work. He is very interactive with all patrons, easy to talk to, and once you have been to Fairview once you know who he is. Despite being a big man in stature, his personality certainly is not overshadowed. Frank pays close attention to the activity within and surrounding the facility, and cares about the Fairview Arena more than is expected of an employee. Frank always strives to give every group a great sheet of ice, and is disappointed when that does not happen.  He always calls the manager when he has questions or concerns, and keeps the entire staff informed of the ongoing events, issues, etc. here at the arena. He is one of the most reliable people you will meet, and always goes out of his way to ensure that things are taken care of at Fairview, including helping out the rest of the staff anytime he is asked.

 Frank loves NFL football, specifically the Dallas Cowboys, and enjoys the outdoors and camping with his wife Kathy in the summer.

WAYNE "RED" NIELSON:

Red is every bit as observant as Frank, and makes sure he accommodates all users of the arena in every way that he can. Red is the most tedious Arena Attendant we have in terms of his cleaning. He keeps the facility at a level of cleanliness that is unrivaled. As an operator of the Olympia, Red has several years of experience and notices the little things that makes someone a great "ice resurfacer". He is also good about asking questions, and is always willing to learn and improve his skills in all aspects of the job.

Away from the arena, Red is an avid golfer with a near scratch handicap. He enjoys sports and spending time with his wife Stacey, and young daughter Sam. He is one of the funniest people you will have the opportunity to meet, and if you spend a few minutes in a conversation with him you will bear witness to this fact.

BRYCE ROESSNER:

Bryce is a young man who is very focused on his post-secondary education at Mount Royal University here in Calgary. He is intelligent and will succeed in whatever field he enters upon graduating with a business degree. In addition to his focus on academics, Bryce is also a great athlete, specifically a hockey and is very skilled, with good speed.   Bryce has played junior hockey in Calgary until the age of 21.

As an arena operator, Bryce is one of the best part-time employees I (Rob Curts - Arena Manager) have had the pleasure of working with. Very attentive and possesses the seemingly uncommon "common sense" that it takes to be successful in real life and be able to thrive in any field, noticing the smallest of details and never leaving anything undone. Seemingly, Bryce makes life easier for the other employees he works with. Bryce has approximately 5 years of experience as an arena operator and has been a valued team member the entire time, both here at Fairview and at the Crowfoot Arena (where he also still works). When he moves on to bigger and better things it will be a big loss to our team.

BRUCE FALCONER:

Bruce is an experienced man with many accomplishments. He was most recently the General Manager at the Jack Setters Arena in SE Calgary. He had semi-retired in 2010 and has been gracious enough to come and help us out as needed at Fairview. Bruce is an extremely sociable person with good communication skills. He interacts with all patrons and is constantly in public view making it easy to find him when an arena operator is needed for any reason. His knowledge of the job and his experience doing the job makes life easy for all of the other staff. He is very capable in all aspects of arena life and leaves things in better condition than when he arrives.

Bruce has a loving wife and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. An easy going guy who is very accommodating to all, Bruce is a pleasure to know and is a valued addition to our team here at Fairview.

BILLY GIRLING:

Billy is someone I (Rob Curts - Arena Manager) have known for over 10 years and he has about that many years of arena experience. He has worked at several facilities, including Triwood, Brentwood, and Crowfoot, all while being very involved in Calgary Minor Hockey at the coaching level. He is a talented hockey player that skates well and has great hands leading to having scored many goals through his junior hockey career here in Calgary with the Westwood Warriors. Billy loves sports and spending time with friends. He is a very genuine person and makes everyone who spends time with him want to know him better and be his friend.

Billy is very knowledgeable as an arena operator only having to tell him something once to know it will get done.  Billy also helps out the other staff in many ways and makes life easier for the Arena Manager. Billy has been a great addition to our team over the past year or so, and will continue to be a vital part of our ability to function smoothly in times to come.