Back in 2003-2004, my husband and I joined the Barrie Curling Club in Ontario, and we sure enjoyed our first season of curling while learning the game and meeting so many amazing people. On the second last week of the season, I found out I was expecting our second son, Cory. We were not able to return for many years, due to raising our young family. Fast forward to 2016. I asked my husband to return to curling for 3 seasons, but he didn’t want to return. I said, “Forget it., I am going on my own.” I walked out the front door when my son was walking up the driveway. Cory said, “Where you going, Mom?”. I told him I am going to the Curling Club to sign up. He asked, “Are you signing me up too?”. I paused, and explained what will be expected of him, including to pull his pre-teen butt out of bed every Sunday morning for his 10:00 a.m. league. Cory said, “Okay, I would like to join too.” So, we both jump in the vehicle and we sign up for curling. Cory joined the Junior League, as he was 12 years old at the time. The first sessions were VERY challenging for Cory, as curling was not as simple as it looked. He got extremely frustrated, angry, and visibly upset. There were 2 ladies coaching who noticed his growing frustrations, so they took him to a side sheet. They provided encouragement and guidance, such that Cory remained and engaged further. Over the next 3-4 weeks, the one lady continued to work 1:1 with Cory on the side rink, and he “got it”. He continued to play on the Junior league, and he won a 1-year free membership as he was awarded “Most Improved Curler” for that season. Cory went on for a number of years in curling, joined his high school league, and now, as he is 19, started playing on some adult leagues with me! What joy it is to curl with your son, especially after watching him have SUCH a rough start! Many curlers come up to me to say how wonderful Cory is with curling, encouraging others and engaging with them, with most being anywhere between 10-60+ years older than him. Needless to say, he is becoming quite popular to spare for others too. Cory has a life-long sport to which he ABSOLUTELY loves playing, and instant amazing connections with so many others! We are in debt to the Barrie Curling Club, the Junior League over many years, the members of our Club, and especially to the two women who took Cory under their wings in 2016. This is “THE TRUE POWER” of the curling community! Thank you!
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