The Steinbach Curling Club is extra busy this weekend with the Junior Bonspiel which has attracted young athletes from the region.
Coach Gord Oakley says they are hosting U13 and U15 teams.
“We have 14 teams in the bonspiel this year, which is great. In the Steinbach Curling program, we have 21 curlers, 4 who are returning from last year. The rest are all brand new.”
Oakley says it’s great to see so many kids showing an interest in the sport.
He believes youth are attracted to the sport for a number of reasons, but it all comes down to more awareness of the sport as Manitoba is home to many strong curling teams.
Jill Officer, legendary curler and 2014 Olympic champion, gives tips to a young curler on Saturday in Steinbach. (Photo Credit: Gord Oakley)By holding events like the bonspiel this weekend, Oakley says it gives local youth an opportunity to grow.
“They get to see the best of some of the teams in Winnipeg. The programs in Winnipeg are far more advanced than ours is right now and we're working towards developing it as a future competitive program, if kids want to.”
He says it is also important for the junior program to work as a fun introduction to the sport, giving players tools that will last for years.
“The beautiful thing about curling is if you want to just stay at the club and play and have fun, it's all there for you too. We have 85-year-old guys curling here, and we have 11-year-olds and 10-year-olds, so it's lots of fun.”
The bonspiel wraps up today.
(All photos submitted by Gord Oakley)
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