Toronto Curlers Hoping To Win On Home Ice

Welcome back from the school March Break - and just in time to see history, maybe, being made on home ice. Well, some claim a long shot but strange things have happened before in the world of sport.

What may be one of the best kept secrets is that Toronto is hosting a provincial high school curling championship. Make that two. They will be throwing plenty of rocks at several curling establishments later this week as schools go for the challenging gold medal.

But the last time a Toronto school won an Ontario championship in curling, boys' or girls', on home ice was - well, it has never happened.

Very few Toronto schools have won the big prize at all. Let's see, since 1970 (when records show these provincial finals started), Toronto has only won three titles. The last was in 1995 when coach Brian Balsdon, then at Don Mills Collegiate, capped a second consecutive (and back-to-back) title. Before that, in 1992, it was Victoria Park.  That's it.

For the girls', slightly better - four Ontario titles since 1975. Birchmount Park was the last to celebrate in 2004, and winning it in Sudbury. Before that, Agincourt, Humberside and George S. Henry.

But none of the seven Ontario titles won by Toronto schools were in this city.

It wasn't long ago that Canadians were enthusiastic about success in this sport. Gold and silver medals at the Olympics and just last week - another gold - at the Paralympics. It would be nice to see a Toronto school win at home While most of Canada's curlers are over the age of 30 and the diversity of the Toronto multicultural community hasn't made this a major sport in schools just yet, maybe things could be changing.

Brebeuf, York Mills and Senator O'Connor (wild card) are the Toronto entries in the 20-school boys' playoffs. Mary Ward, York Mills and St. Joseph/Morrow Park (wild card) carry the hopes on the girls' side. The final is set for Saturday, March 27 at the Bayview Golf and Country Club. Fingers crossed.

Comments

[Tim Taylor]

Very interesting item to read but it is also very nice to see someone cares about curling. After the Olympics, it disappeared from the sports pages. I hope this sport catches on with Toronto high school kids.

[JM]

Not a chance that a Toronto school wins a gold medal in this sport.

[Mr. Blake]

I enjoy reading your blogs and after going through this latest one I wonder why there are no screwups on recruiting and transfer students like we read about in basketball. Maybe these kids are more genuine.

[Lawrence Rutledge]

One of those rare occasions when the people running OFSAA have used their brains by putting both these finals in the same city and on a Saturday when people can go watch. Maybe they finally got the hint for the parents and fans who have to work weekdays.

[Pepper]

Don't be so quick to pat OFFSSA on the back. The individuals that make all those over-paid people look good are the volunteers.