Rocks and Rings program Rocks a big one
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s clear from the response of the participants the Capital One Rocks & Rings program rocks.
The Capital One Rocks & Rings is an off-ice program that has been able to generate interest in the sport. The program focuses on children and families who would not otherwise receive the opportunity, with the ultimate goal being increased participation in the sport.
Under the enthusiastic guidance of junior curler instructors Chris Haynes, Alex Breen, and Kazia Drake, more than 1000 elementary students in the area have been introduced to the sport, including schools at South Nelson, Blewett, Hume, Redfish, Rosemont, Brent Kennedy, Nelson Christian School and McLean Elementary in Rossland.
The instructors have also been invited to present the program in Cranbrook, Kimberley and Kelowna.
The program allows students to experience a high energy, fun-filled session using unique floor curling equipment as they learn about the sport in their school’s gymnasium.
With each elementary school visit, the Capital One Rocks & Rings program reaches seven to eight classes or approximately 150 to 200 students. Upon completion, each student receives a graduation certificate and valuable information on where and how the student and his or her parents can get involved in curling in their area.
The addition of the Capital One Rocks and Rings program is part of an overall strategic plan adopted by the Nelson Curling Club.
The idea, following on the heels of the success from the 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympics Games, is to increase participation in the sport and ultimately, membership in their curling centre.
And the program appears to be working as almost 40 new adult curlers registered in the Friday night mixed league alone.
There has also been a sizeable increase in the junior curling program — a junior fun spiel in Nelson attracted 16 teams from Nelson, Trail, Castlegar, Riondel, Salmo and Kaslo.
Schools have enthusiastically embraced the Rocks and Rings program and followed through by subsequently offering curling as an option for students for the schools’ winter activity program.
For more information, please visit www nelsoncurling.com.
