This year’s core group of curlers involved in the Falher Curling Club’s youth curling program includes 47 kids from various parts of the Smoky River region, including Falher, McLennan, Girouxville, Donnelly and Guy. The program focuses on providing youths between the ages of 7 and 14 with a basic knowledge and understanding of the game, Kids involved in the program will have the chance to put their skills to the test at an upcoming Youth Bonspiel being held Feb. 13 to 15.

The success of this year’s youth curling program in Falher can b summed up in two words... rock solid! “We’ve had a fantastic response from the community and region to our youth curling program,” says Falher Curling Club president Denis Simard. The program, which focuses on providing youths between the ages of 7 and 14 with a basic knowledge and understanding of the game, kicked off in late November and has been firing on all cylinders ever since. This year’s core group of curlers consists of 47 kids from various parts of the Smoky River region, including Falher, McLennan, Girouxville, Donnelly and Guy. It’s a figure which Simard says represents the highest turnout in the four-year history of the program. “This year’s response is our largest since the inception of the program,” Simard says, adding that participation in previous years has averaged between 35 and 40 curlers. Falher’s youth curling program is held on a weekly basis every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the local curling rink. The program is overseen by six experienced volunteer on-ice instructors, including adults Rita Lapensee, Doreen Dumont and Denis Turcotte as well as teenagers Chantel Dumont, Brittany Daubert and Darcy Boisvert. “Our instructors are doing an excellent job of teaching the kids the basics of the game,” says Simard, who also tips his hat to ice technicians Ron Gardecki and Norm Therrien for maintaing “fantastic” ice conditions throughout the current season. He also acknowledged the hard work of Lapensee, a local curler who recognized a need to launch the valuable youth curling program four years ago. “Rita has played an instrumental role in making this program the success that it is today. We’re extremely grateful to her as a club for her dedication and commitment to this program,” Simard explains. The thrust of the youth curling program is aimed at providing young curlers in the region with the basic fundamental skills of the game. That includes learning everything from shooting/sliding posture and shot release techniques coming out of the hack, to effective sweeping, rock speed judgement, scoring and developing effective game strategies. Most important, however, is the need to empasize proper etiquette and sportsmanship both on and off the ice. “Our number one goal is to teach the kids about positive team work and good sportsmanship,” Simard explains. The Falher Curling Club president also elueded to the importance of the youth curling program in the community in terms of its ability to promote physical activity in a fun and wholesome environment, while helping to grow the game locally. “Introducing our children to curling is an effective way to ensure the continued growth and success of our region’s curling program, both now and in the future. It’s a win-win situation.” Youth involved in this year’s program will get the opportunity to put their skills to the test next month as part of the Falher Curling Club’s Youth Curling Bonspiel. The event is being held from Feb. 13 to 15 and will represent the first chance for a number of young curlers to play in a competitive bonspiel atmosphere. “We’re looking for approximately 16 teams,” says Simard. Upcoming bonspiels in Falher The bonspiel is just one of several taking place at the Falher curling rink over the course of the next several weeks. Other events include the Ladies Bonspiel from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, the Farmers & Merchants Bonspiel from Feb. 27 to March 1, and the Closing Bonspiel on March 6 to 8. Simard says an official grand opening for phase two of the Falher Recreation Complex is being held in conjunction with the Farmers & Merchants Bonspiel. Teams interested in registering for any of the club’s bonspiels are urged to sign up at the curling rink or call Simard at 837-6200.