Two Elm Creek curlers are making a name for themselves in the stick curling world.
Sherri Bergen and Helena Borst were named the women’s division champions of the Western Manitoba Stick Curling Tour — a result they didn’t even know about until days later.
Elm Creek stick curlers Helena Borst, left, and Sherri Bergen were named the women’s division champions of the Western Manitoba Stick Curling Tour. They will compete at the Manitoba Stick Curling Association provincial championships Feb. 27 to March 1 in Beausejour
Having taken up curling only three years ago, the pair said they entered the tour simply for fun and were shocked to receive the congratulatory email.
“We were completely oblivious to the fact that we were the winners — it all came completely out of the blue,” Bergen said. “We curl because we want to meet others, have fun and connect with the community. Our focus is not on winning.”
The Western tour includes events in Killarney, Marquette, Swan River and Eriksdale. Bergen and Borst competed in Marquette and the Warren bonspiel, where tour points also applied.
They played three games in Marquette and six in Warren, winning four games overall — three during the second day of the Warren bonspiel and one in Marquette. Teams accumulate points for registering and for recorded wins, with standings calculated using each team’s best five events.
Because of their victory, they have qualified for the Manitoba Stick Curling Association provincial championships in Beausejour from Feb. 27 to March 1.
They said they have no expectations heading into provincials beyond enjoying the experience.
Bergen and Borst were introduced to the sport through their workplace, Prairie Roots Co-op, after colleagues in Marquette had already started a stick curling community.
“There were a lot of avid curlers who spent time teaching and encouraging us to get to know not only the game, but the engaging community of players,” Borst said. “There have been so many people along the way who just poured their ambition and passion into us.”
Stick curling involves pushing the stone with a long stick from either a seated or standing position, allowing players to remain in one place without bending or sliding on the ice. The format makes it particularly accessible for people with knee, hip or back injuries and for curlers of all ages and abilities.
It is played in teams of two with six rocks and six ends, with no sweeping and no switching sides.
Bergen described stick curling as more of a mental sport than a physical one, as players must be aware of where and how they plan to push the stone.
After learning the game in Marquette, the pair helped bring stick curling to the Elm Creek Curling Club, where participation has grown steadily. About 25 teams have taken part this season, with 15 to 20 teams attending weekly Tuesday games.
Both within Elm Creek and beyond, they said representing their hometown has been an honour.
“We’ve been able to learn, grow and evolve, and that has been the real joy of all this,” Borst said. “We love seeing people get involved — it’s a huge motivator for us.”
To them, much of the curling community is filled with people who want to teach, learn and inspire — especially when it comes to bonding as teammates. They noted they have always had the ability to “click,” whether through work, sports or travel.
“We are able to read each other,” Bergen said. “We don’t have the best technique, but we always seem to figure it out.”
Ahead of the provincial championships, they plan to approach the tournament stress-free.
“We are excited to share our love of the sport with others and spread a bit of Elm Creek pride,” Borst said. “It’s absolutely amazing how excited our little community has been for us.”
Bergen and Borst invite curlers young and old to give stick curling a try every Tuesday at the Elm Creek Curling Club, with games starting at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Registration is recommended through the TeamReach app. Games are $5 per person or $120 for the year. No experience is required — only clean shoes (grippers recommended) and a positive attitude.
