Local youth got to show off their curling skills at the annual Strathmore and District Curling Club Junior Curling Novice 12 and Under Funspiel on Feb. 27.
Curlers who had less than two years of experience played four ends and three games. During lunch, each team had their own table and were engaging in team conversation, and card games while they waited to get back on the ice for their next game.
“Curling is a lifetime sport. The kids have so much fun,” junior curling program coordinator Larissa Damen said. “From October to now the kids have learned so much and at Bonspiel time they get to put it all together and show their stuff.”
Two Chestermere teams took place. Team Maillot, with Griffin Maillot as skip, Izzy Cave as third, Dani D’Amico as second and Ember Linfoot as lead, and team Duff had Barrett Duff as skip, Jesse Bennett as third, Cody Bennett as second and Lea Tong-Woolsey as lead.
“It was a wonderful event put on by the Strathmore Curling Club,” Darby King-Maillot said.
In total, 12 teams participated in the Funspiel, and although registration was down a bit this year, the club is grateful for the teams that did participate in the day.
“It was a great turnout, considering it was a COVID-19 year. We are grateful,” Damen said.
With the 12 teams, Damen believed the Funspiel was a huge success, and coaches, volunteers, and sponsors all worked hard to organize the youth event.
“The kids were so excited. They worked together as a team to play their games and had fun,” Damen said. “I heard from a few parents that their child didn’t sleep the night before because they were so excited for the Funspiel, and one was up at 6 a.m. getting their parents moving and ready to go.”
Throughout the day, Damen and event organizers heard a lot of positive feedback from parents, and the youth who thanked them personally and commented on how great the day was, how much fun they had and that they are looking forward to competing next year.
“This is a major event for all of our Junior Novice Curlers. The kids work hard all-season learning skills, practicing those skills, and then at the end of the season, they get to show everyone what they have learned,” Damen said. “They all rocked it and I am so proud of our juniors.”
Visit the Chestermere Curling Association website for information on curling in Chestermere at https://chestermerecurling.com/.
