Family activies galore!

Kids, families ‘Go Green’ at the Montana’s Brier

Kermit the Frog once sang ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’.

Well, it certainly will be easy — and a lot of fun — being green at the 2024 Montana’s Brier this week in Regina.

Curling Canada, through its For the Love of Curling Philanthropic Program, will be encouraging kids and adults to dive into the spirit of curling during the Montana’s Brier, all with a green backdrop.

The aim? To get younger faces and families to engage in the sport, as spectators and participants. And what better place to do that than at a championship event, where youth, students, and families can learn about the sport of curling and engage in fun activities in their own community?

“We know our sport has a lot to offer the next generation,” says Brodie Bazinet, Manager, Philanthropic Program. “The outcome is felt way beyond the field of play, from physical and mental development opportunities to character building and social impact benefits. But we also know that a younger, more diverse generation has a lot to offer our sport. Curling across Canada can benefit immensely from inviting a younger presence, sharing the joy of our sport, and welcoming the culturally enriching opportunities of greater diversity.”

A big focus has been on the Montana’s Brier, specifically the lead-up to the event and the first weekend at the Brandt Centre. There has already been multiple Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings and on-ice Try Curling initiatives for youth and their families.

Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings is a program where youth learn the game through floor curling, a sport without ice that uses target mats and stones on bearings that provide an indoor curling experience.

The opening weekend — draws one through six — at the Brandt Centre will be packed with family friendly, fun and informative activities.

The For the Love of Curling Challenge should be a hoot for everyone.

“Every youth that visits us at the Brandt Centre on opening weekend will be given a bingo-style game card and lanyard for some fun in-seat engagement,” says Bazinet. “Things to watch for out of the ice and cross off on their game card, as well as guide them through the challenge stations around the arena.”

Youth stations, include fun learning opportunity such as naming the parts of a rink, spot the difference, curling trivia and the ever-popular FloorCurl, should keep the kids on their toes.

“The game card and the stations are geared at offering new-to-curling spectators the chance to learn a bit about the game in a fun and engaging way, while also watching the top men’s curling teams in Canada battle it out on the ice,” says Bazinet.

At the recent Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary, volunteers handed out more the 2,000 game cards.

“And we’re ready to do the same at the Montana’s Brier,” says Bazinet. “They are so fun and engaging that adults are asking for them.”

Saskatchewan Sunday (March 3) will be a celebration of everything Saskatchewan. All spectators are invited to wear their favourite green attire and bring their Sask-pride!

Throughout the day there will be appearance and activities from a fantastic lineup of local partners, including: Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, Saskatchewan Science Centre, University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (including the Rider Pep Band and Cheer Team and Gainer the Gopher), Regina Pats, and the Regina Farmers Market.

“We want to create a space at our Canadian championships where every member of the local community feels not only welcomed but actively invited to both share in the ownership and celebration of hosting such an event, and also experience the joy and culture of the curling community,” says Bazinet. “I think these opening weekend initiatives are a great step in that direction.”