National club championships should be big draw

Winnipeg

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This article was published 22/11/2023 (1019 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships are being held in Manitoba for the first time this week, and organizers say they could not have picked a better location than the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club. The championships, which attract the best 14 men’s and women’s club teams from across Canada, began Nov. 19 and run through Saturday, Nov. 25.

These championships are for recreational, club-level curlers who don’t have the time or resources to compete at the high-performance level, and the competition allows some very talented athletes to vie for a national title.

“The Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club was absolutely thrilled to learn that we were awarded the opportunity to host a national event,” said organizing committee member Hailey McFarlane. “We have hosted provincial events just as recently as March of 2023, but it has been over a decade since we hosted a national event.

“We were very fortunate to have an amazing team of board members, league members, past presidents, and volunteers sign up to join the host committee and help ensure that we put on a memorable event for all those involved. Hosting a national-level event affords us opportunities for exposure and gives us an opportunity to recover from the financial impact that the pandemic had on our curling club.”

McFarlane said curling fans can expect passionate, club-level curlers, many of whom are at their first national tournament. She looks forward to high-scoring affairs, complete with momentum swings and dramatic finishes.

Many things make curling events special, beginning with the fans having access to meet the competitors. McFarlane said an early goal was providing the competitors with the national-event treatment, which includes having fans at ice level.

“We will have bleachers along one of the end sheets, as well as a lounge on the opposite end sheet, which will also have tables and chairs to sit at,” McFarlane said. “This will give the crowd a chance to really get into the curling; cheering for great shots and being able to see the athletes up close and personal.”

It wouldn’t be curling without some great social events. Fans and competitors can mingle at a special performance by the Asham Stompers on Nov. 23 and at a Manitoba social on Nov. 24.

“We will have a DJ, dancing, drink specials, and a classic social food spread for everyone to enjoy throughout the night,” McFarlane promised.

Manitoba has a tradition of success at these championships. The buffalo province has won four women’s championships since the first club championship was held in 2009, the most by any province. Brandon’s Stacey Fordyce captured the trophy in 2013 and 2017. The Meghan Armit squad won in 2011 and Tracy Andries’ foursome took home gold in 2016. Ontario and Alberta have three crowns each, with Prince Edward Island and Northern Ontario both having one.

Alberta and Ontario have won three men’s titles each, British Columbia and Saskatchewan two, and Newfoundland & Labrador and Nova Scotia one.

All games are played at Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club, 940 Vimy Rd. Tickets are available at the door. For draw times and more info, visit www.curling.ca