Rocking it

St. Vital

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This article was published 05/02/2025 (423 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of Winnipeg youngsters is hurrying hard to make its mark on the local curling landscape.

This year, for the first time, St. Vital Curling Club is part of the Hit Draw Tap program run by Curl Manitoba.

Three age groups of young curlers — six to seven, eight to nine, and 10 to 12 — recently swept the board at a regionals event at Deer Lodge and will now take part in a provincial competition in Portage la Prairie, Man., on Feb. 9.

Noting that organizers are “beyond proud” of the efforts of the young participants, youth program coach Barry Gorlick said the club runs leagues for three different junior age groups — Saturday afternoon sessions for beginners and novices aged five to 12, Sunday afternoons for curlers aged 10 to 14, and Sunday evenings for young adults aged up to 21.

Gorlick, who lives in Fort Garry, has a long association with the St. Vital-based club, which he believes is a jewel in the crown of the community.

“It’s a wonderful club, which so supportive of all its volunteers. In a way, it’s like a beautiful throwback to the ’50s,” said Gorlick, a longtime curler who first became involved with the sport at Rossmere Country Club.

“Winters in Winnipeg tend to be long, and winter sports matter. The overarching objective of these kinds of programs is to involve youth in athletic activity, and hopefully they will develop a lifelong association.”

Gorlick said the club’s youth programs are aimed at “anyone and everyone we can muster” and the fees of at least one participant are covered by KidSport.

Reflecting on the recent clean sweep at regionals, Gorlick is looking forward to the upcoming provincials.

“The kids were excited, and coach Barry was over the moon, thrilled beyond compare,” Gorlick said.

Ken Nguyen, who is 12, takes part with his brother, Ford, who is nine. The pair has been involved with the program since 2023.

“I think it has been great so far,” Ken said.

“For me, I think curling is a fun and competitive sport for any age group. Every time I (attend) the program, the ice is always perfect, and our coach is very nice. He has taught me a lot of things. I have learned a lot of things, like to have sportsmanship.”

Gorlick is grateful for the efforts of the local curling community in St. Vital, and beyond, which help ensure such grassroots programs continue to thrive.

As well as the Nguyens, Gorlick wanted to note the efforts of other youth players Brayden Brown and Miguel Walkof, as well as the support of club president Patti Ulrich, board member Richard Cleary, and Curl Manitoba’s Sean Grassie.

Gorlick said the roots of the youth program go back more than four decades, and are entwined with the area’s rich curling history.

“The program hearkens back more than 40 years when a group of parents, including the late Larry Jones, came up with the idea and put their energies in to it,” he said.

“It turns out Larry and Carol Jones’ daughter, Jennifer, had some success in the roaring game. And in a beautiful completion of the full circle … Larry’s 11-year-old granddaughter, Jennifer and (Brent Laing’s) daughter, is in our program on Sunday afternoons. Only in St. Vital!”

Visit www.stvitalcurling.ca for more information.