More than 300 curlers under the age of 12 took part in the Little Rocks Jamboree at Fredericton’s Willie O’Ree Place and the Capital Winter Club this weekend as 71 teams from all over the province competed in the junior provincial championships.
The massive turnout comes as a relief to veteran players, who have been trying to grow the sport by drumming up interest in kids and teenagers.
“The way that we’ve been marketing and promoting it, obviously holding a jamboree in an environment like this is so special to [the young competitors],” explained Wayne Taillon, former senior curling world champion. “I just hope that they catch the bug and want to continue playing the game.”
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The increasing numbers haven’t happened overnight, nor by chance, as a concerted effort to make curling accessible — and above all, fun — for the kids has helped tremendously.
“It’s all about the parents and the volunteers that are putting a lot of time into the sport,” Taillon said. “They have coaches, the right environment to enjoy the sport… [It’s about] making them feel comfortable and making them want to come and play.”
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