Using the Website Spare Functions

Editor: Geoff Daw
Date: 2022-10-26

At some point you may not be able to make one of your games and will need to find a spare. Or maybe you would like to get in some additional games so you would like to spare for other teams. The spare functions on the club website are there to help you both find spares and let others know that you are available to spare. 

If you would like to make yourself available as a spare, then complete the Spare/Substitute Details in your profile. Simply signon to the website  and from the Members menu select the My Profile menu item and then spare/Substitute Details tab. Provide your sparing details - any notes or details, position(s) you can play and leagues you are available for and then click on the 'Save Changes' button on the bottom of the screen. Don't forget to check 'include my name on the spares/substitutes list' box at the top. Your name and details will then appear on the spares list. If there are times when you are not available to spare you can signon again and go to your profile and update the spare tab and uncheck the 'Include my name on the spares/substitutes list' box. 

If you find that you need a spare you can also use the website to help you find one. Many leagues have bye teams and they can be your first point of contact. You can find the bye team by signing on to the website and then finding your league from the 'Our Leagues' menu. Check the schedule and for the date of your game you can find the bye team. Then from the roster tab you can find the team, it's members and their contact information. Next, you can check the list of people who have offered to spare in various leagues. Again select the 'Our Leagues' menu item and then the first item in that menu 'Find Spare/Subs'. If you added your name to the spare list then it will be displayed here. You can filter this list on different parameters - position, league, gender. Find the list of available spares and use the contact information in the matching list to contact them. Note, that the other way to access this list is from Members > Updates > Find Spares/Subs. 

You can also enter a spare request from Members > Updates > Request Spare. Enter the information based on your requirements and then save your request. Other members can see spare requests from their Member Dashboard after they sign on by selecting the 'Request for Spares/Substitues' tab on the member dashboard. If you enter a request and get a response then remember to go back and delete your request. Requests that expire will be automatically deleted. 

The club also has a Spare Policy which can be found on the members documents page. This provides the details on who can spare, how often etc. It is also posted on the bulletin board at the club.

Sparing is a key function in any curling club and critical to ensuring that our games get played. Using the spare/substitute features on the website can help us connect teams that need spares with members who would like to spare. If you have not used these features before, have a look next time you are on the website and you have a 'spare' minute.