The Gimli Curling Club organized a Junior Funspiel for Interlake youth on Monday that saw about 64 kids from the Gimli, Petersfield and Arborg areas hit the ice and enjoy a fun-filled competition.
Jay Boaz, who coaches curling, served on soccer boards and loves all things sports, helped organize the day-long event for youth at the Gimli Recreation Centre. The rink’s five sheets were occupied from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by 16 teams comprised of kids aged six to 16.
The main aim of the event was to provide younger kids with an opportunity to have fun, as well as to curl against a number of new teams and enjoy a low-stakes competition without undue pressure.
“There are very few bonspiel opportunities for kids age 10 and under,” said Boaz. “We wanted to create an opportunity for the younger kids in the junior program to get out and enjoy a bonspiel too.”
The youth came up with very creative team names such as Team Swifties, Clandegirls, Sassy Sliders, One Man Short, Sweep the House, Petersfield Boys, Petersfield Girls, Nutton But Button and Finders Sweepers, along with Gimli Vikings and teams named after team leaders.
Boaz said the kids were broken into two categories: one for kids aged 10 and under and another for kids aged 16 and under. The kids in the 10 and under category (six teams total) played a half-sheet, meaning they had to throw the rock only half the distance. There were ten teams total in the 16 and under category.
All games were four ends (a normal curling game is eight) so that the kids could play three different teams that day. The scoring was modified so that no matter how many points were scored in an end, each end was only worth one point.
“Each end is worth one point, making the Funspiel very friendly to new curlers,” said Boaz. “Every game is close and the worst you can lose is 4-0!”
There were nifty prizes for the kids. A Draw to the Button Contest saw a winner in each category receive a Team Canada jersey signed by Kerri Einarson, and the winning team in each category won a four-pack of free game passes and a pizza from Gimli’s Bowlers Lanes bowling alley.
Jeff’s Plumbing, Marvelous Meadows Golf & Grill, the Marvelous Curling Week-end, Access Credit Union, Red Apple and Asham Curling Supplies supported the event and donated additional prizes. Each participant went home with a prize and were entered in a draw to win a free broom that was donated by Lynn Hoplock.
Express Photo by Rayme Thomson
