LITTLE CURRENT—The skirl of the pipes echoed throughout the NEMI Recreation Centre arena as piper Alain Blondin led the teams competing in the Northern Ontario Curling Association Men’s and Women’s championships to the traditional tune of Scotland the Brave.
Welcoming the six women’s teams and 14 men’s teams to the event was master of ceremonies Scott Mosher, who introduced the dignitaries providing comments to open the games.
Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin welcomed the teams to his community before a packed house of fans and family members. “It’s my pleasure to be here tonight,” he said. “I want to thank Little Current Curling Club for giving me a chance to welcome you to this event.” Mayor MacNevin invoked the memory of the last championships where “Manitoulin fans really did us proud. I want to thank some of the volunteers and the hockey teams and figure skaters who gave up their time to help make this event possible.” When Mayor MacNevin referenced that the women’s teams were here this time, he evoked loud applause from the audience.
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha opened his remarks in Anishinabemowin and welcomed the crowd “to the largest freshwater Island in the world.”
“We potentially have on this ice in front of you the next champs of the Scot’s and the Briars, not only that, potentially the next world champions here on this ice in Little Current,” he said. “It takes an army of volunteers to do what needs to be done to put this type of event together,” continued Mr. Mantha.
“I really want to offer a huge thank you to the committee for the fantastic committee and the volunteers,” said NOCA Executive Director Laura Forget. She also offered thanks to the members of the ice preparation team. Ms. Forget, in a demonstration of the calibre of players taking part, asked the athletes to raise their hands if they have ever won a provincial championship of any kind in their curling career. Most of the participants raised their hands, and when asked who had participated in a national championship, many of the competing curlers again raised their hands.
“On behalf of the whole community, I want to welcome you all here,” said chair of the Little Current Curling Club host committee Joe Cooper. Mr. Cooper thanked the many sponsors, especially Manitoulin Transport. “We have five curling clubs on Manitoulin,” he noted, pointing out that they and the Espanola Curling Club have provided volunteers for the event.
Mr. Cooper especially referenced volunteer, the late Lew Lanktree. “Six years ago at the age of 84, he volunteered as timekeeper and he was ready to volunteer this time as well, but unfortunately he just passed away recently at 90. He was a wonderful volunteer.”
“We sold a lot of tickets,” he said, enjoining the crowd to put on a great show for the competitors.
Mr. Mosher noted that many of the junior rocks players, the next generation of curlers, were also on hand as volunteers.
Members of the Manitoulin Special Olympics Curling Team, skip Tyler Madahbee, vice Dylan Danville, second Dane Tipper, lead William Leclair and alternate Austin Recollet along with coaches Ellen Holryd and Janet Anning joined the competing teams in processing onto the curling rinks prepared on the arena ice surface. Skip Madahbee threw out the ceremonial first rock to the cheers of the crowd.
“We are looking forward to an exciting tournament where memories are made,” said Kelly Chaytor, the representative of the tournament’s premier sponsor Manitoulin Transport. “Good luck to all from management and staff of Manitoulin Transport.”
The teams taking part in the opening ceremonies included Scotties Provincial (women’s) contenders McCarville Rink out (Fort William), Mann Rink (McIntyre), Johnston Rink (North Bay Granite), McCormick Rink (Idylwylde), Burns Rink (Northern Credit Union) and Despins Rink (Fort William). The Montana Briar (men’s) hopefuls included the Adams Rink (Port Arthur), Horgan Rink (Northern Credit Union), Deschene Rink (Northern Credit Union), Chandler Rink (Little Current), Assad Rink (Copper Cliff), O’Bright Rink (North Bay Granite), Warkentin Rink (Port Arthur), MacEwan Rink (Northern Credit Union), Rajala Rink (Northern Credit Union), Minogue Rink (North Bay Granite), Silver Rink (Fort William), Bonot Rink (Fort William), Burgess Rink (Port Arthur) and Hunt Rink (YNCU—Sault Ste. Marie).
