Rocks and Rings teach curling basics

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Canadian Curling Association’s Rocks and Rings curling program is expanding through the school system to teach students the basic fundamentals of curling in their gymnasiums.
Students from the Sacred Heart Academy had some fun while learning how to throw and sweep the rock on Dec. 17.
“The program is about bringing fundamentals of curling to the kids at the schools so they get a better feeling of what curling is about and try to make them enjoy it and learn about it,” said Rocks and Rings instructor Jose T. Fazio.
“The main goal is for us at the end of the day to remember that curling is fun. If they learn or don’t learn everything that we teach here, it’s up to them, depending on the age, the key is to have fun.”
The program is just not limited to Alberta, as it is a national program and is held at many schools around the country.
“We’re sponsored by the Canadian Curling Association, so it’s a national program. So we’re trying to boost the kids programs around the clubs,” said Fazio.
“We do them (program) because we want to promote the sport. The sport in the last few years has been looked as an idol sport.”
The equipment that is provided is for gym flooring as the rocks have sliding wheels and the bottom of the broom is meant for that surface as well.
“We mainly do school gymnasiums and we bring our own special equipment, we have brooms and rocks,” said Fazio.
The program runs for students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.