The 2020 Manitoba Canola Growers Junior Men's and Women's Curling Provincial Championships are coming to Dauphin.
From January 1-5, 2020, several of the top curling teams in the Parkland will get the chance to win a buffalo in front of all of their friends, family and in their home region.
"This is fantastic news for junior curling in the Parkland," said Mark Hadway, one of the co-chairs. "We have many teams that represent the Parkland at the provincial level, and now they get everyone coming to compete on their ice."
Not only does the Parkland have teams compete at the provincial level, but the teams that do often perform very well. For instance, Dauphin's Lauryn Kuzyk and her team won the Canola Growers in January. That team is eligible to play again next season as well.
Dauphin's Lawson Yates, Terron Stykalo and their foursome ended up being in the final four at the 2019 event as well. Many other Parklanders played in the event including Dauphin's Carter Williamson and his team on the men's side while Emma Jensen and her team also played in the event and should be title contenders at the 2020 event in Dauphin.
"That's 99% of the reason why this event is coming to Dauphin, because of the success that's coming from this region," said Hadway. "Kids are working hard and are representing us so well. It's a privilege to get the chance to give the Parkland curlers a chance to play in this event in Dauphin."
The event will be played between the Dauphin Curling Club and Credit Union Place. Four sheets will be used at the DCC and four will be made and used at Credit Union Place.
"These kids get to watch all of the best players play on arena ice on TV, so it's really exciting that they're going to get that same chance," Hadway added. "We're going to have Greg Ewasko coming in to make the ice and he's one of the best in the world."
16 men's and 16 women's teams will be split up in two pools of eight on each side. The top four teams overall will make the playoffs on the men's and women's side.
"There is pressure on every team that plays in this but especially for our Parkland teams on their home ice," said Hadway. "We're hoping they just remain calm and relax. This is a learning process for everyone and it really is the next step. We hope to graduate these players to the next level."
Gord Wood is joining Mark as a co-chair and the next step is getting a committee together.
