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​Welcome to the 55th Annual Canadian Fire Fighters Curling Championship​
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HISTORY OF THE MANITOBA FIRE FIGHTERS CURLING ASSOCIATION (M.F.F.C.A.)

 

In 1958 a Vancouver fire fighter, Aubrey Neff, had a dream to start a Dominion Fire Fighters Curling Championship.  He sent a proposal to fire fighter curlers in every major Canadian city.

Howard (Howie) Smith from Winnipeg replied on behalf of Manitoba.  Five provincial teams (Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) participated in the first Dominion Fire Brier held in Regina, SK on March 31 and April 1, 1960.  Manitoba was represented by John McCorrister, Howie Smith, Harold Stenkey and Alf Warren.

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The first annual meeting of the Dominion Fire Fighters Curling Association (D.F.F.C.C.) was held in Regina and a Canadian executive elected.  Howie Smith was elected as the executive member for Manitoba.  A curling fund for the D.F.F.C.C. was set up, with each province paying $10.  As well, each provincial curler participating in a city play down, leading to a provincial play down, leading to the Dominion Championship, would be required to pay 25 cents towards the D.F.F.C.C. fund.

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Howie Smith was President of the Manitoba Fire Fighters Curling Association from 1960-1964.  He was followed by dedicated fire fighters wanting to keep the dream alive…

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“One man’s dream remains a reality for all who continue to champion his cause.”

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In the beginning, Manitoba provincial play downs were held during the week but soon had to include weekends to accommodate the increase in entries and the rural teams.  Clubs used included the Transcona Country Club and Fort Rouge Curling Club, with extra ice rented at the Heather, Winter Club, Assiniboine Memorial, Grain Exchange and Pembina curling clubs. 

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​Rural teams wanted to host the event, so over the years teams travelled to Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Morden, Dauphin, Gimli, Glenboro, Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa.

 

The M.F.F.C.A. members relied heavily on fundraising events.  Corporate sponsorship was sought and Carlings’s came on board as a National Sponsor.  After a short few years with no major sponsorship after Carling’s left, Labatt’s came on board until 1992.   ​Since then, fundraising and various minor sponsors have helped keep the M.F.F.C.A. operating.

 

In the 60’s and 70’s winning teams were responsible for all expenses, including transportation.  The M.F.F.C.A. in the early 1980’s started giving the winning team and director $200 each to help defray their costs to represent Manitoba at the Canadian Championship.  Rooms were often $28 a night back then so the funds definitely helped the winners and director.  Over the years, this amount has increased drastically with the cost of living and increase in services.  Manitoba is still one of the provinces able to send their winning team and directors to the Canadian Championship with all team costs covered. 

 

Manitoba Trivia

1961 – Winnipeg hosted the Dominion Fire Brier for six teams (Southern Ontario joined).

1964 – Ice rental for the Manitoba provincial play downs was $25.16 total. 

Team registration cost $16.

The MFFCA sold memberships to their association to any fire fighters who wanted to

support the curlers at $1.50 per person.  This amount was also required to be paid for

all curlers participating in the bonspiel who had not already paid the yearly fee.

1965 - The MFFCA had 109 members of their association, not all of them curlers.

1969 – MFFCA membership rose to 195 members, and was now raised to $2 per person.

            The provincial play downs team registration was raised to $18 plus membership fees.

1973 – MFFCA membership was now 256 members.

            The provincial play downs had 36 teams participating.  Team registration was now $20.

1975 – Team registration was raised to $40 due to increasing costs.

 Manitoba hosted the Canadian Championship March 20-25^th at the Fort Rouge Curling

 Club with ice rental costing $100.

            The host hotel was the Marlborough and rooms were $18 a night, double occupancy.

            The final banquet cost was $6 per person.

1979 – Team registration was raised to $60.

            The provincial playdown had 45 teams, including 12 from Rural Manitoba.

 The play downs were held at the Fort Rouge Curling Club, with ice rental $1,000

 including one breakfast.

1989 – An amazing 57 teams registered for the provincial playdowns at $180 per team