Curlers from Olds and district were among the eight teams that participated in the fifth annual Special Olympics bonspiel at the Olds Sportsplex on Dec. 6.
The approximately 40 players mostly came from teams based in Central Alberta and they participated in two matches that day.
Special Olympics curlers don't have a formal league so there's been an effort in Central Alberta to host a one-day bonspiel to give them a chance to compete, said Darren Brown, head coach of the Olds team and bonspiel organizer.
“It's an opportunity to have athletes get out and showcase their skills for family and friends and just enjoy themselves and meet some new people,” Brown said.
While some teams used the bonspiel to warm up for the 2015 Alberta Special Olympics Winter Games in Grande Prairie, the bonspiel also gave athletes a chance to meet new people, he added.
Brown currently has four assistant coaches helping him and he hopes to get his team to a provincial tournament one day.
“In general in Olds, we play the bonspiel more for fun, just to get out and play the competition,” he said.
“The big thing for us is developing a skip that feels confident enough to call the shots on their own and not have any assistance from coaches.”
