Nationwide, participation rates in junior curling have been sliding downward in the past decade. Stopping that trend and then reversing it is the sport's most important key to survival.
But, here in Prince George, the heartbeat of junior curling appears to be as strong as ever.
This season, the Prince George Golf and Curling Club's junior program is filled to near capacity. Close to 60 youngsters, ranging from eight to 15 in age, have been gathering at the PGGCC on Wednesday afternoons to learn the basics of the game and share in the enjoyment of throwing stones at targets.
"We've actually had an increase this year for juniors," said Tracey Jones, curling coordinator and coach at the local club. "We've probably got 15 to 20 more kids this year so it's been great. I've got a good group of coaches helping me out there and that makes a big difference."
By the time it's done, the junior program at the PGGCC will have run for 18 weeks. Today's ice session is the final one of 2012 and play will resume in January. If new players are interested in joining, Jones said she won't turn them away.
"We would just figure out how we would prorate the fees," she said. "We would have to look at how many weeks were left and go from there."
The price tag for the entire 18 weeks was just $90, plus tax.
The program's focus is on fun and skill development.
"They have to have fun out there and we want to show them the basics of curling and teamwork," Jones said.
"The kids want to get right into the game-playing but you want to teach them something too," she added with a chuckle. "I'm finding that really challenging but we've been going with what we had planned. I think we're going to make some changes in the new year to get the kids throwing more and learning more, hopefully."
Today, in the name of fun and friendly competition, players will take aim in a Turkey Shoot, sponsored by Save-On-Foods.
"Every sheet that we have going, kids will be able to win a turkey, with a draw to the button," Jones explained.
When Jones was a kid, she was introduced to curling at the Salmon Valley club and continued her development at the PGGCC. As a player, she went on to compete in multiple provincial championships, both in the junior and women's ranks. Curling, however, is one of those sports that can be played for a lifetime at the recreational level.
The PGGCC also offered its Little Rocks program again this season. Little Rocks catered to kids in the five-to-seven age group and wrapped up on Sunday.
"We only had seven or eight kids but it was a lot of fun," Jones said. "I actually did that for the first time this year, ran it myself, and the kids did really well. They were asking me, 'Are we doing it after Christmas?' so that's a good thing."
