Inside Junior Curling: Let’s start at the beginning…

Let’s take it back to the beginning – the very beginning, starting with Junior, Bantam, even Little Rock days. Do you remember your first end? Your very first end? Well, I don’t remember the first end I ever played, but I do remember my first rock. I was seven when my dad took me to at the Board of Trade Golf and Country Club in Woodbridge, Ontario, to heave 40 pounds of granite down a sheet of ice. Since then, I have been blessed with some extraordinary experiences as a young curler. This year, I welcome you to join me in discovering the wonderful world of junior curling. There are many incredible opportunities around Canada for young curlers and I plan to explore them in the coming months. Over the years, I have seen the programs and competitions for young curlers continue to grow and I’ve even experienced a few firsthand. It’s exciting to see numerous opportunities arise – the future for young Canadian curlers is bright! I believe in spreading my passion for curling around, whether it is teaching new curlers, having a long chat about the sport with friends, family and strangers, or sharing my experiences with others through writing and speaking. I have been fortunate to participate in competitions from the Ontario Elementary School Provincial Curling Championships right up to representing Canada at the World Universiade. I feel so lucky to have had the experiences growing up as a young curler and the wonderful coaching over the years that has allowed me to reach my potential. Now is another chance to give back to the sport that has given me so much! Keep your eye on this column for everything from features on junior programs across Canada to inside scoops on junior championships to interviews with some of the most influential people in junior curling. If you have any stories regarding little rock, bantam, junior or school curling that you would like to share, please contact me directly at [email protected]. Good curling and may the rocks be ever in your favour!

Danielle Inglis in action at the 2008 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championships in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (Photo CCA/Michael Burns)