Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 12

24 sportsenergynews.com

Future Of Curling: Between A Rock And A Hard Place?

themselves.
By Gisele Grignon in 1994 thanks to MacDonnell, and the Optimist Club.”
today it features two groups of curling The approach to the sport may also “Curling has always been
ow do you get a gang of teens enthusiasts, aged seven to twelve and considered an honourable game. You
Hand tweens not only out of bed thirteen and older. There are about be considered a plus among many have rules but there are no referees,

before noon on a Sunday, but actually 50 in all, which is comparable to parents tired of the fierce competition so it’s like golf in that respect. If you
looking forward to it? With a broom past years, says MacLean. “It seems experienced in some sports…or in make a mistake you have to own up
in hand no less? there’s always a jump during the the stands. “We don’t emphasize to it yourself. And because you play
competition,” says MacLean. “You
That’s the challenge facing the Olympic years. But we’re not really can do competitions, and we do have four against four and you have to
Cornwall Curling Club, but it’s one trying to compete with other sports learn how to get along. Many start
teams that go out and compete and
they’re facing head on and have been or interests. The kids who come here have done well. But we emphasize out not knowing each other, but wind
since it introduced its youth curling like curling. skill development and participation.” up as friends.”
program almost 20 years ago. They’re often kids who for different And they may indeed go on to
The “Game of Scots,” however
Back then the challenge was reasons aren’t into hockey or other subliminally, also encourages a sense be friends who continue to share a
dealing with the traditional sports. Although we do have some of tradition, respect for elders and passion for the sport, adds MacLean.
competition: hockey, baseball, and kids who do other sports as well as integrity, starting with senior members “Typically, you can go on to curl well
the sport gaining the biggest chunk curling.” of the club visiting school children into your life. It’s a game you can
of the junior demographics---soccer. One of the attractions to the sport, and inviting back to the club to enjoy almost always come back to.”
Today, it’s no secret that technology says the club’s program coordinator, the game fi rst hand. “We have over That’s true of the Cornwall Curling
has created yet another challenge to is the cost of registration, equipment, the years seen that kids learn to play Club’s staff, says MacLean. “We have
getting kids involved in organized travel, and the sundry other pay- as a team,” says MacLean, and they people who’ve been coaching with us
sport. But that’s not to say people outs involved in most other sports learn patience because it’s not an easy for years.” And, adds MacLean, some
like Neil MacLean or his wife Lynn or activities. “We offer our program game, so they learn patience with of them were once just youngsters
MacDonnell are about to toss in the deliberately inexpensively (less than themselves and with others because it themselves learning the finer points

towel. Far from it. the cost of a pair of hockey gloves). takes a while to develop these skills of curling at this very club and have
Cornwall did have an after-school We want the kids to be able to play. So and knowledge. And it’s not a game come back to the club to coach or
curling program for high school aged the club subsidises the membership where getting upset will get them mentor and give back to the club that
youths years ago, but that program and we have terrifi c sponsors such as anywhere so hopefully they learn to not only introduced them to the sport,
lapsed. Then, Little Rocks was born the Kinsmen Club, Tim Horton’s and control emotions, how to conduct but also helped shape their character.

Karate Komments:

Am I Too Old To Begin Karate Classes?

declines. For many people much of the Traditional karate is used not only for self
ageing that they see and feel, is due mostly –defense purposes, but also as a means of

to a prolonged period of inactivity rather than attaining or regaining health and fitness. As
By Jim Riddell, the effects of ”Father Time”. we age our joints tend to stiffen up a bit and
Seaway Karate Club our muscles shorten. Simple, gentle stretching
A karate program with a moderate intensity

level can reverse and therefore slow down the using functional flexibility can delay or even
prevent this from occurring. Functional
ageing process considerably. Working drills
he question “Am I too old to begin taking flexibility means stretching the muscles in

Tkarate?” is a question that we instructors on focus pads, shields, and paddles, along with the same fashion as you would use them to
would probably answer differently today than kata, self-defense and specialty training, will execute a technique. This will increase the
our predecessors would have a generation provide a good mix of aerobic and anaerobic range of motion of your techniques and help
ago. activity. This full body workout will tone the to improve your skill level.
muscles and boost the metabolism.

When I first started training in Judo, back A few other benefits of training in karate

in the mid-seventies, most martial art students The body senses that more calories are as we age is, that, it helps enhance posture,
were teens and adults under thirty years of required to sustain these toned muscles, which balance, strength, mobility, endurance and
age. By the time that I took up karate in the will increase the metabolism. Karate training coordination.
eighties, the age parameters had widened in combined with a balanced, sensible diet can
help to achieve and maintain a proper body If you are curious about karate, do not be
both directions. It was now common to see afraid to give it a try. Training at your own
parents learning the sport along with their weight. pace, you may find yourself gaining the

children. Today many people in their fifties, Karate training involves many small steps confidence and skills to enjoy participating in

sixties and beyond enjoy the benefits of a and progressions. As a student advances a your new sport for years to come.

martial art. feeling of accomplishment comes with added
confidence. A sense of camaraderie develops KARATE QUOTE: If you really want to

As we age, our endurance and cardio do it, you will find a way. If not, you will find

vascular fitness decreases, our metabolism over time with the people in your karate class
thereby increasing your circle of friends. an excuse.
slows, and muscular strength and endurance