In Own Words:
Curling can be a life-long sport and it has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember - my parents would take me to the club to watch their 7pm games rather than getting a baby sitter. There was no junior curling program until one reached high school so I would beg my parents to take me to the rink on Sunday afternoons when I was in elementary school. This common love of curling was a bond that provided endless family conversation around the kitchen table and brought me back home to Canada each year to curl with my Dad and brothers until my parents passed away in their 80's. This tradition is now being replayed in my home with all five of my daughters curling competitively and coming home occasionally to curl with their Dad.[cr][lf][cr][lf]Curling has a very unique culture that results in a local curling club being much like a family. The importance of playing the game in the true "Spirit of Curling" overrides the importance of winning. Members do not care what you job or "social standing" might be outside of the curling (unless maybe you are a handyman) - they are much more interested in your ability to hit the broom. Friendships I have made with members of my club and other clubs across the country are some of my most treasured relationships.[cr][lf][cr][lf]For many years growing up, I thought I might want to be a teacher. That never happened but coaching various sports, and especially curling, has provided me with the fulfillment that many teachers must enjoy. I started up the Philadelphia Junior Curling Program with my three oldest daughters and one other family when we moved to Philadelphia 22 years ago. Since then, I have been rewarded with watching countless young men and women fall in love with game. The fact that so many of them have done well competitively is only a bonus. This is the last year that I will have any of my girls showing up for Philadelphia junior practices but I hope to be able to continue finding fulfillment by helping juniors hone their skills and fall in love with this sport for years to come.
Curling Highlights:
Going back to Canada once a year to curl in a bonspiel with my brothers and Dad, until Dad was in his 80's. Watching all five of my daughters curl at Junior Nationals and each of them winning the Curtis Cup and three of them winning the silver medal. Having all ten of my Philadelphia juniors, who were high school juniors or older, make it to the 2014 Junior Nationals - it was a fantastic graduation gift they gave their coach. Traveling with Sarah and Taylor to Austria to see them compete in the Winter Youth Olympics. Coaching a complete team of Anderson sisters at Women's Nationals.
Junior Highlights:
Runner-up in 1971 Ontario Junior Playdowns