Last year, Glooscap Curling had a breakout year of participation in their Learn to Curl, Junior Curling, and Curling + Concerts initiatives. The aim of all their programs remains the same: teach basic curling skills in a fun and practical way so that people leave excited and interested.
Learn to Curl, held in two eight-week sessions, had 60 participants of various ages learning the basics while getting comfortable on the ice. Junior Curling had 55 kids between ages seven to 19 learning the basics and working their way up to more advanced skills. Last year, the club hosted an LGBTQIA+ event cleverly named ‘There’s nothing straight about it’ with the intention of promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for the community and their allies. This, paired with a Curling + Concert night, saw 75 curlers attend.
“In the one-day events it sticks to the basics: – safety and fun,” said Krystol Bell, Club Manager. “We always start with a safety brief inside and a basic lesson. On the ice, we reiterate safety, give a demo, start with sliding, balance, and positioning, and then move on to using a rock, getting them to throw the rock.”
Like many clubs looking to grow their participation in programs, acquiring adequate equipment for individual athletes can be a challenging barrier to overcome. To curb this, their junior program has an equipment library where kids can sign out equipment for the year, further assisting with the cost of participation. Aging equipment created the need to access Sport Nova Scotia’s Sport Fund grant and allowed the club to purchase new sliders, grippers, and brooms, improving the athletes’ experience.
“New equipment has really made it a more pleasurable experience for participants and instructors,” said Bell. “Instructors don’t have to deal with malfunctions or not having enough sizes, which helps retain our volunteers.”
Having great community support has made a difference over the years. From individuals who volunteer, to community groups that share the club’s events through social media and emails, it’s all made a difference in promoting the club. Spreading the word has made a significant impact this year in particular, which has seen the club reach its highest participation numbers to date.
To learn more about the club’s programs, visit their website, or to stay current on events and initiatives, head to their Facebook or Instagram page.
The Glooscap Curling’s growth was made possible with the assistance of Sport Nova Scotia’s Sport Fund. Check out our Sport Fund eligibility for more information about how Sport Nova Scotia can help support your community sport initiative.
