Coaching Kids Curling

Send a text Amélie Blais founded Passion Curling in Quebec in 2015. Since then, its youth programs have expanded to clubs across Canada. In this episode, we talk about how she started curling, her competitive experience, the creation of Passion Curling and becoming certified as a Competition-Development coach. Some of the topics we discuss include: * How her family got her started in curling (1:33...

Send a text You've likely heard of these youth curling programs: Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings, Hit Draw Tap, For The Love Of Curling Scholarship Program. But did you know that they're supported by the Curling Canada Foundation? In this episode, the Foundation's Manager, Brodie Bazinet, joins me to talk about the philanthropic program of Curling Canada and its support of youth curli...

Send a text Greg Wilson of the Brantford (Ont.) Golf & Country Club joined me last December to talk about his junior program. Back then, he mentioned that he was organizing an online curling league for his kids. In this episode, his gives us a recap of his online "season" and offers advice to coaches and organizers who are thinking about putting together their own online league. He a...

Send a text Last January, Atina Ford Johnston and the Okotoks (Alta.) Curling Club were awarded a Gender Equity Award grant from Curling Canada. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of that idea from weekend curling camp to one-day provincial "Women In Curling" summit. We also discuss the youth curling program at Okotoks CC, including their competitive Junior Curling Academy. Some o...

Send a text Right after the "Adapting Thriving 2021" Conference ended on Sunday night (Mar 21), I had a chance to speak with Delores McCallum and Janet Murphy of the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club about our reactions to the two-day symposium. Links to the resources mentioned in this episode: Adapting Thriving 2021 Conference Web page  (NOTE: URL no longer exists) https://ontariocur...

Send a text On March 20 & 21, 2021, the Ontario Curling Council - in partnership with CURLSASK, CurlManitoba & Curl BC - will be hosting the "Adapting Thriving: Focusing on the Future" Online Coaches Conference. In this episode, I get a preview of the conference with the OCC's Education Manager - North, Andrea Ronnebeck. Some of the topics we discuss include: * Where did the...

Send a text Teaching kids how to sweep (and making it FUN) is one of the biggest challenges for any youth curling coach. In this episode, I speak with brushing specialist Glenn Paulley about the principles of good sweeping and how we can teach kids to value this skill. Glenn will be presenting a session alongside Craig Savill titled "Sweeping Technical Skills" at the upcoming "Adapt...

Send a text In early February, Curling Canada announced their schedule of youth events for the next several years. In this episode, I speak with Curling Canada's Manager of Youth Curling and NextGen, Helen Radford, about the new U15 "Rockfest" as well as two other programs targeted to U12 curlers. Helen will also be presenting a session at the upcoming "Adapting Thriving"...

Send a text What are the best practices when it comes to teaching strategy and tactics to kids? In this episode, I speak with Laurentian Varsity Curling Coach Ryan Lafraniere. Ryan will be presenting a session at the upcoming "Adapting Thriving" Curling Coaches Conference in March 2021 titled "How To Teach Strategy And Tactics." Some of the topics we discuss include: * How Ryan...

Send a text In this week's episode, Coach Glenn tells the story about how he met his wife. Hint: Curling! Follow our podcast on Twitter: @kidscurling Glenn Gabriel is an NCCP-certified curling coach who lives in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has been the coordinator of the Little Rocks (U12) program at East York Curling Club in Toronto since 2011. If you have a question or feedback on the po...

Send a text For this episode, I invited Delores McCallum of Oakville Curling Club and Mississaugua Golf & Country Club and Patrick Brown of Uxbridge & District Curling Club to join me for a roundtable discussion of gender equity in youth curling programs. We talk about the state of our own curling programs, obstacles to equity, and ways to increase the participation of girls and female coa...

Send a text In January 2021, Curling Canada announced the winners of its first-ever Gender Equity Awards. One of those winners was Stephen Fish, who is the Little Rocks coordinator at Niagara Falls (Ont.) Curling Club. In this episode, Stephen joins me to talk about the project, which is "to put on a mentorship program featuring women mentor curlers working with girls ages 10-15 in the club’s...

Send a text Matt Bean only started curling about five years ago, but in that short time, he (a) won a silver medal in Quebec's "Colts" competition, (b) earned his competition coach certification and (c) created the "Curling Class" Web site. In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion about his discovery and love of the sport, what he learned from being coached and p...

Send a text How do you promote curling when clubs are closed? In this episode, I talk with Abbie Darnley, Director of Events and Operations for Rock Solid Productions Inc. We discuss how her company is adapting to the new world of the pandemic and talk about the status of her U12 curling program at Stroud CC in Innisfil, ON. Some of the topics we discuss include: * RSP's new product, "Ba...

Send a text In this timely episode, Coach Glenn shares the origin story of East York Little Rocks' "December Party." He learns important lessons about listening to your parents and not being afraid to try new things. Near the end of the episode, we're visited by a very special guest (it's not Santa!) NOTE: The podcast is taking a holiday break. Our next episode is tentativ...

Send a text Our series profiling youth curling programs continues. In this episode, I have a conversation with Greg Wilson, Junior Curling Convenor at the Brantford Golf & Country Club (ON). Some of the topics we discuss include: * The importance of FUN in his program and allowing his coaches the flexibility to change things when they aren't fun (7:01) * His experience coaching his three...

Send a text On Dec. 21 & 22, 2020, the Ontario Curling Council (OCC) will be hosting a virtual "15 for 15's Athlete Series" of webinars targeted at the U15 age group. In this episode, I speak with two people involved with the series: Sean Turriff, OCC Education Manager (South) and Delores McCallum, Assistant Curling Professional at the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club. Sean...

Send a text Our series profiling youth curling programs continues. In this episode, I have a conversation with Chris Summers, Junior Program Coordinator at the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster, BC. Some of the topics we discuss include: * Why he pays his junior coaches (7:07) * The difference between the recreational junior program and competitive teams (17:21) * Building a "working...

Send a text This is the first in a series of profiles of youth curling programs. In this episode, I have a wide-ranging conversation with Lisa Rauliuk, Junior Program Coordinator at the Granite Curling Club of Seattle (WA, USA). Some of the topics we discuss include: * Why it's important to be flexible as a program organizer * Ideas to attract more youth to your curling program * Treating jun...

Send a text Coach Glenn has a bunch of coaching and curling books. In this episode, he'll take you through his curling bookshelf and tell you why some of them are important to him. Book List: The Double-Goal Coach (2003) by Jim Thompson The Joy of Coaching (1990) by Ed Lukowich, Eigel Ramsfjell & Bud Somerville Ken Watson On Curling (1950) by Ken Watson Smart Curling (2008) by Vera Pezer...

Send a text In the third installment of our "Lesson Planning" series, Coach Glenn gives you tried-and-tested tips when it comes to putting together your weekly lesson plans. This week's Coaching Tidbit highlights the Gender Equity Campaign of Curling Canada and its recent partnership with Canadian Women & Sport that includes posters featuring two high-level female athletes. Link...

Send a text In the latest installment of our "Lesson Planning" series, Coach Glenn takes you on a tour of his Sunday Little Rocks practice . What are some of the program's priorities and how do they fit into weekly practices? Follow our podcast on Twitter: @kidscurling Glenn Gabriel is an NCCP-certified curling coach who lives in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has been the coordinat...

Send a text In this week's episode of Coaching Kids Curling , Coach Glenn speaks with Eric McLoughlin of the Coaches Association of Ontario about a new Web site called "Safe Sport 101." It is "a new virtual resource hub for coaches focused on safety in sport." Links to the resources mentioned in this episode: Safe Sport 101 Web site https://safesport101.coachesontario.ca/...

Send a text Lesson planning is a key skill for any youth program organizer. In this week's episode of Coaching Kids Curling , Coach Glenn highlights the need to set priorities for your youth program before you start writing individual practice plans. This episode will be a part of an ongoing "Lesson Planning" series in the coming months. Thanks to Coach Stephen Bruneau of the Bright...

Send a text In this week's episode of Coaching Kids Curling , Coach Glenn talks about (a) not running a Little Rocks program this season, (b) a recent webinar organized by the Ontario Curling Council and (c) the future of this podcast! Links to the resources mentioned in this episode: OCC "Youth Program Forum" Webinar recording (Oct 8/20) https://recordings.join.me/SWyh3CJsYkWbdS2C2...