Curlers grow as a team
Rankin skip feels future is bright if rink stays together
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
RANKIN INLET
Team Nunavut's junior men's curling team from the Qavik Curling Club in Rankin Inlet took part in a high performance camp in Ottawa earlier this month.
Javen Komaksiutiksak of the Qavik Curling Club in Rankin Inlet gets ready to make his shot during a Nunavut high performance camp in Ottawa earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Angela Dale |
Attending the five-day camp were skip Arthur Siksik, third Tyson Komaksiutiksak, second Javen Komaksiutiksak and lead Ryan Aggark.
And the young curlers also got to attend a number of games at the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier for good measure.
Siksik said the camp really helped the team improve its game.
He said getting to attend the big game at the Brier was also a memorable experience.
"We had tickets to a couple of games, but then we were given tickets to both the bronze medal and gold medal games," said Siksik.
"We were like, 'Whoa! Thank you! Thank you!'
"Curling friends are the best and they're so generous.
"They noticed Team Nunavut was there and when they realized we didn't have tickets, it was like, 'Here you go.'"
Siksik said the camp covered their delivery, their release and how they sweep.
He said they also worked with a sports psychologist to improve their game.
"Working with the psychologist was really something because in curling, if somebody misses a shot they get frustrated and if one person gets frustrated, it resonates through their teammates.
"You have to try to stay calm and focused, and that includes not getting overly excited when you make a good shot.
"I really hope our rink stays together because I want to see this team grow.
"And, so far, the boys seem like they want to curl, so it's looking pretty good for next season."
Siksik said getting Nunavut's first ever win at the national junior mens level was just a start for the team.
He said if they could stay together for a few years, they could really start making some waves.
"Next year, we're aiming to get a lot more wins.
"It's going to be pretty tough, but I really feel we can do it.
"The people we're up against started curling when they were four or five, and I started when I was 16.
"So when I got to the junior nationals there was a huge gap between their skill level and my skill level but if we can stay together, I know we can close that gap and keep improving as a team."
