Former Strathmore resident to take part in junior curling nationals

Times Reporter

 

Curling is a national pastime beloved by many Canadians, and one former Strathmore resident is hoping to have the chance to make it to the World Juniors Curling Championships this year. 

Derek Clark and his team, squad, Team Hodgson, recently won provincials, which ended on Jan. 9, in Edmonton. 

“We ended up going 6-1 in the round robin, which put us into first place. That got us a direct buy into the final,” said Clark. 

Clark said they played against and beat Team Scott Smith. 

“Out of the south there are three teams to qualify. They were a team that actually beat us in qualification,” he said.

Clark said he has been curling for about 12 years, starting in Strathmore. 

“My parents were really big into it and then a friend of mine in Grade 9, he wanted to get competitive, so he started going competitive out of Strathmore and eventually I started playing out of the city,” said Clark.  

Because his team won the finals at the provincials, they will now be heading to the 2011 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors. 

“I actually went two years ago and got a bronze medal,” said Clark. 

The national competition takes place in Calgary, at the North Hill Community Curling Club and The Glencoe Club, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 6. All of the people participating in the Canadian Juniors are 20 years old or younger. TSN will be televising the finals for both the men and women, and the winners will be representing Canada at the World Juniors in Perth, Scotland March 5 to 13.