Rinks learn life lessons at bonspiel
Not sure if they should hurry hard or wait and see. Morgan Hazar, Courtney Smith, and Samantha Lysons of the girls PCHS curling team watch anxiously as the rock makes its way down the ice during the Junior Bonspiel Feb. 4.
Email
Print
Share
The Ponoka Curling Club had to add extra play-time to the Junior Bonspiel last weekend because of extra interest from teams; so players competed the evening of Feb. 3 and all day on Feb. 4.
Co-coach Don Lysons said they had bonspielers from as far away as Chauvin enter the bonspiel. “I’m happy with the turnout.”
The biggest lesson for his team is what other players can bring to the table.
“It’s a true team sport and it takes a team to win and lose,” he explained.
There is less risk of injury compared to sports such as hockey and football and players have an opportunity to meet and socialize with other youths.
“It’s not expensive, you can play into senior years and can play together as a family,” Lysons added.
The goal is for players to understand how one team member is just as important as another.
For some competitors, it gives them time to socialize and work together.
“I like the atmosphere of it all,” said the girls’ team second, Courtney Smith.
Teammate Courtney Hoar has been playing for 10 years and enjoys competing with friends but for her, a solid throw makes the game fun. “I like the feeling when making a good shot.”
Co-coach Kelly Smith said last year’s bonspiel had 10 teams. “It’s great to see these young kids coming out.”
His hope is for the young players to develop skills they can use later in life; team sports and building character go hand in hand, but for curling, “every position is vitally important.”
Some sports may have a key player who makes the difference but in curling, if any one player is struggling, it could mean the difference in a game.
This is the third bonspiel for Ponoka youth, with previous competitions in Camrose and Lacombe. The youths who are competing appear to want to be there.
“Kids that curl like the sport. They’re here because they want to be, not because they have to. It’s good for their self-confidence,” explained Smith.
Here are the results for this weekend’s bonspiel:
Pool A:
1 Lindsay Thurber
2 Ponoka Composite girls
3 Notre Dame
4 Coronation
Pool B:
1 Red Deer
2 Coronation
3 Lindsay Thurber
4 Onoway
5 Ponoka Composite boys
Pool C:
1 Ponoka grade 7 and 8 girls
2 Chauvin
3 Coronation
4 Lacombe
Ponoka will compete in Ponoka, at area finals Feb. 17.
