BONNYVILLE - District curling competition took place in Bonnyville earlier this month, with teams vying for spots at the Northeast Alberta School's Athletic Association (NEASAA), which is set to bring curlers from across the region Feb. 12 and 13 in Lloydminster.
On the boys' side, Notre Dame High School defeated Bonnyville Centralized High School to advance to zones, and the Notre Dame mixed team defeated both BCHS and École Beauséjour to earn their place at zones, according to Nicole Flanagan, a teacher and coach at NDHS.
"I think our district competition... was great preparation for zones. We got to see the skill level of some other schools and get a feel for what the competition is going to be like. We also got a feel for the full process that the zone follows of a five-minute timed warm-up, a draw to the button for hammer and a full eight end game," explains Flanagan.
"It was exciting for the kids."
Curling is an important part of the culture at NDHS, adds Flanagan, "because we want to promote an active lifestyle for all of our students."
While curling may not seem like the most physically rigorous sport, it does introduce students to a sport that they can enjoy throughout their life.
"Most of our students likely won't continue on in many sports in their adult lives, but curling is something they can take with them for a long time," says Flanagan. "It is also a very social sport where they can get out into their communities and meet new people."
There was only one girls' team in the district this year, which means the girls from Cold Lake High School will also advance to zones automatically.
The BCHS mixed team and boys' teams also get wildcard spots for zones.