By Ottawa Sports Pages, for RA Centre
If you’ve been at the RA Centre this week for the Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships, then you’ve likely seen the friendly faces of Patti McCabe and Patricia Alderson. Or maybe they’re your new best buds.
Because beyond the action on the ice, connections between Canadians from across the country have been built during the Feb. 4-10 event in Ottawa.
“One of my favourite parts is the little conversations people have,” signals Elaine Brimicombe, the chair of the host volunteer committee, who’s loved hearing a joke of the day from a Nova Scotia supporter.
“Everybody gets to know everybody, and by the end of it, they’re giving each other high-fives. It really brings everybody together,” she adds. “You know, there’s a friendly rivalry, but there’s also a complete understanding that everybody’s here for the same purpose – for those kids that are out on the ice.”
Brimicombe has overseen a team of 136 volunteers who make the engine run at the Championships, largely from the host RA and Ottawa Hunt clubs. Two of them are McCabe and Alderson, who have been selling 50-50 tickets, checking people in, and taking care of other behind-the-scenes organizing.
“We’re all here to do whatever they need,” smiles McCabe, who is originally from small-town northern Alberta, “where everybody curls.”
She’s grown up around the sport, and that continued when she retired and moved to Ottawa over a decade ago to join her daughter. McCabe curls 3-4 times a week with the RA and attends bonspiels on weekends.
“It can take up a lot of time. You can put your whole life into it,” she indicates, noting that she’s looking forward to following the U18 curlers who played in Ottawa in the future, such as the daughters of Olympic champion Brad Gushue who represented Newfoundland & Labrador.
“Maybe we’ll get to see them playing in the Scotties in a few years,” forecasts McCabe.
But what she loves most about curling isn’t just the competitive aspect, it’s also a sport that can be played from young to old, and accommodates participants with different levels of ability and mobility.
Alderson, conversely, is a new curler. She was a little wary of joining in at first, but then she discovered stick curling, where the rock is delivered with the help of a stick instead of by hand. Last fall, she joined a Learn-to-Curl program at the RA, where she now plays in a ladies draw league.
“Now I can’t believe that I didn’t do it before,” Alderson reflects. “I play two hours, twice a week, and it just flies by. Fantastic exercise and great people – just wonderful curlers to learn from, and everyone is very generous with their assistance. It’s just a fantastic bunch of people and a great club to belong to.”
She answered the call for volunteers to help at the nationals immediately.
“I firmly believe when you join a club, you have to participate, because it doesn’t happen by magic,” says Alderson, who’s also enjoyed “cheering on curlers who have a lot more energy and skill than I do – at this point.”
She’s very pleased to know the proceeds of the 50-50 tickets they’ve been selling will be reinvested into youth curling.
“That’s one of the reasons we’re very happy to promote it,” highlights Alderson, who reports that many of the draw winners have been from other provinces. “They have to pay their own way and it’s not cheap travel, so it’s also really satisfying to know that they’ve got a little bit of help in that regard.”
On top of 50-50 proceeds, the government of Ontario provided $100,000 in funding through its Ontario Sport Hosting Program “to support objectives that build partnerships, engage youth, develop officials and volunteers in our community and continue to improve Ottawa’s ability to deliver national and international amateur sport events.”
“It creates a pathway for more people to get involved and I think that’s such a great legacy,” underlines RA Centre CEO Ian Fraser. “Long after everybody’s gone home and the bleachers are empty, that real core support will live on.”
Fraser, who was previously Run Ottawa’s Executive Director and Race Director, has managed many events through his career, but was nonetheless “blown away” by the work of the volunteers at the RA and Ottawa Hunt.
“You get that warm welcome when you come through the door from these amazing volunteers who make you feel special and so welcome,” he outlines. “These are people who are passionate about the sport that they love, passionate about their community, and they’ve just made it a real first-class championships.”
Together with event partners and the support from members of both host clubs, they’ve once again proven that Ottawa makes a great host for big events, and that the RA Curling Centre of Excellence – with its quality, barrier-free and gender-neutral facilities – provides a premiere venue as well.
Fraser had a bit of a “pinch-me” moment when he looked out onto the bleachers during last weekend’s opening ceremonies.
“When I saw the support from parents and everyone, I just thought that this is what bringing community together is all about,” he explains. “Having the U18 Championships mirrors how we think about the RA as a whole, where we offer opportunities for everybody.
“We like to think about health and fitness and wellness as something that starts when you’re young, and then continues all the way through your entire life. It’s a way to be in better shape, to have an active life and a connection with your community. I think this event really exemplifies what the RA means to the city.”
Fraser also extends an invitation to the public to come out for championship day Saturday and experience the energy that’s been bubbling all week. Children 11 and under are free.
Brimicombe has been involved with a pile of curling events over many years as a volunteer, but she was nonetheless stunned to see the atmosphere created by the fans who packed the stands for morning draws just as much as in the evenings.
“I love the sound of the horns and the cowbells, and the signs that people are bringing in. The noise coming from the crowds just pumps everybody up,” Brimicombe details. “Even though the people here have come from a lot of different places, there’s been such a wonderful community spirit. I think everyone’s going to be going home with a lot of great memories.”
Discover more about the RA Centre at RAcentre.com.