To coach a high school curling team in southern Ontario was not always very easy. Most of the students from my school had never experienced the game. Many were born in other countries. I grew up with the sport as my parents curled at our small town curling club in Lindsay Ontario. Teaching and coaching in Mississauga gave me the opportunity to share this great game with students and staff who learned how to play for the first time ! I started out small with only a few kids interested and had to organize bonspiels with an overnight stay to encourage other students to get involved. The team grew and had successes and failures and created many fond memories. In 2002 both boys and girls teams qualified for the OFSSAA championship in Thunder Bay! Most of these students had never been on a plane before! We flew there for the week and had an amazing time. We did not make the finals but enjoyed the competition and learned a great deal. We won the the prize for the teams with the most Spirit!! I still have the banners for both these teams and I was very proud of both teams and how they did. One player I’m very proud to say continues to compete at the highest level
In the mens competition to this day! Jonathan Beuk! So proud to have been a very small part of his curling journey.
I keep in touch with a few of my student curlers to this day. They are married with children and life goes on . Curling has been a big part of my life as a player and a coach and a fan. So happy to share these fond memories of my curling story .
