Since 2010, Chestermere Lake Middle School teacher Adam James, has been coaching the grade 9 curling team. Over those years, he has coached his teams to great success, including 2012 – 3rd place, 2013 – 2nd place, 2014 – 3rd place, and just wrapped up the 2015 season with a 3rd place win. It’s no surprise that the teams do so well by having him as their coach, as Mr. James love for curling goes way back.
“I have curled on and off since I was in high school. My family, especially my grandmother and grandfather, took me to a few bonspiels when I was younger. When I had the chance to curl for the first time in a high school physical education class, I tried it and have enjoyed it ever since! I curled in high school and then again in university. All curling has been just for fun at the recreational level,” explained Mr. James who teaches math, science, and options – History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hobby Shop (it is a 1/32 scale plastic model building class), and guitar at CLMS.
Marla Forth, Junior Curling Coordinator for the Chestermere Curling Club, said, “Adam has been coaching the Grade 9’s at the Chestermere Lake Middle School for several years now, which is so wonderful of him to do since the students would not be able to compete in the Rockyview Divisional Bonspiel without a staff member from the Middle School representing them and coaching them after school to prepare them for this Bonspiel. Also, he allows the Grade 8’s to join the Middle School Curling Group and take in the practices even though only the Grade 9’s are able to enter the bonspiel. It is a great experience for the Grade 8’s and prepares them for their turn next year. Several of the Chestermere Lake Middle School curlers are from my junior curling program but not all of them are, it is open to any students at the Middle School who have an interest in curling.”
The Chestermere Curling Club Junior Program starts with a Curling Clinic to get kids interested in the program. At this clinic they have some on ice and some off ice instruction. They touch on all the basics of curling; delivery, sweeping, rules, strategy, and etiquette. It’s a great review for those with curling experience and a great introduction for those with no curling experience. Registration will begin on Energizer Night with the cost to become a member of the Junior Curling Program being FREE with the purchase of a Family Chestermere Community Membership ($65.00). There is a beginner group (under the age of 10 years old with little to no experience)/Lite Rockers (under the age of 8 years old or a child with a very small build who are comfortable throwing lite rocks and have little to no experience) and an Intermediate group (2 years’ experience in a junior program) and Advanced group (more than 2 years’ experience in a junior program). For more information and to check availability in this program, please contact the Junior Coordinator, Marla Forth at juniors@chestermerecurling.com.
When asked what he hopes to bring to the children that the coaches, James’ commented, “My goal with coaching and teaching my option classes is to provide options to the students that they may not otherwise have been afforded. I truly believe that curling is a lifelong activity and can be done until you are well into your later years if you are lucky enough to be able to remain active. My hope is that by exposing the students to curling at an early age, they will acquire the skills to become lifelong curlers and enjoy what the sport has to offer for many years to come. If they only ever curl recreationally like myself that is great. If they are more ambitious and take it up competitively like a few of my players have this year, then great!”
