Two-time Brier champion Pat Simmons instructs local youth about the sport of curling. (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Learning from the very best

Curling Day in Canada teaches love of the game

Feb 25, 2024 | 12:03 PM

Curling Day in Canada was in Melfort on Saturday, as a national celebration was held, with TSN touching down on the northeast community.

One of the major benefits of the celebration though was the education for the highly-loved Canadian sport, as both young and old got to learn the game from one of the nation’s best.

Two-time Brier champion, Pat Simmons was curling all day at the Melfort Curling Club, teaching anyone that was interested about the game he loves.

“I’m very happy to be here, personally, I have lots of good memories from Melfort as it’s where my team won our first provincial Tankard ban, so really nice to be back,” Simmons told northeastNOW.

“Also just a great day, obviously the rink’s been full and hopping all morning with kids, adults and learn to curl, so it’s just nice to see so much interest, excitement and just everyone having fun, it’s been awesome.”

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Simmons won his first Saskatchewan men’s final back in 2005, which was located at the Northern Lights Palace.

Now, 19 years later, he’s back to where it all started and has nothing but respect for the area.

“Just a great community, you can see here by just looking at all the people that are in the rink today and across the road in the arena too, just tons of interest and enthusiasm here, a great community with lots of support, and just all around a great day,” Simmons added.

The 49-year-old has been out of the curling world as a player since 2021-22, but is now the coach for Robyn Silvernagle and her team.

On Saturday, he got to continue that level of coaching for those who might be up next.

“That’s kind of what Curling Day in Canada is all about, just introducing the sport to those that maybe have never tried and for those that maybe have tried a little bit just to have some fun and get out and enjoy it and meet some people,” explained Simmons.

“There’ll be some kids today that meet some other kids out and they’ll be friends and they may end up being teammates and who knows what, so today it’s all about just celebrating the sport and the community, and in this case bringing that all together into one.”

Six-time Scotties champion Jill Officer was also supposed to be in attendance with Simmons, however unfortunately, she got sick and was unable to attend.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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