As a curling fan, it’s been wonderful to watch the Scotties after so long without any curling at all. However, it certainly has a different feel with a new format and without the live crowd excitement. This week I had the opportunity to interview Gerry Adam, a curler from the Saltcoats area, who will be entering the bubble in Calgary as the coach of the BC team at the Brier. About a month ago, Gerry was asked by Steve Laycock (a member of the team) if he was interested in coaching Team BC at the Brier.
“It will be a bit different coaching a team that I haven’t worked with all year; however I know three members of the team very well so I think that will make it a bit easier,” Gerry says.
This year, teams entering the curling bubble will have to follow strict protocols. “From the Friday prior to the Brier to the Friday of the start of the Brier we will be Covid tested a minimum of four times. We will all have an app on our phones and twice a day it will go off and you will have to do a wellness check and record it. Also, you will need to do temperature checks twice a day as well. When we arrive at the Brier every player will need to isolate in their room for two days before being allowed to see your team and then eventually get to the arena for practice ice. We are not allowed to meet with our team in any rooms at all, we will not be allowed to visit with other teams. When we leave the hotel and arrive at the hotel we will need to scan in and again have temperature and wellness checks. We drive straight to the arena and do the same thing there (not even allowed to go through a drive through to pick up a coffee). Once at the arena everything is color coded. There are no change rooms so we need to come to the arena ready to play; just put on your curling shoes. Teams throwing red rocks enter at one end of the arena and yellow teams enter at the other end of the arena. Coaches and fifth players must always wear a mask. Players can take their masks off during the game.”
Another one of the major changes to this year’s championships to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is that there will be no spectators. “Not having spectators will be quite different. From past years having the crowds cheering always got the teams pumped up and you always knew when there was a great shot from the roar of the crowd. That will definitely be strange playing with no spectators cheering and just crowd noise in general.”
Due to the pandemic, many provinces were unable to hold provincial playdowns. As a result, Curling Canada had to alter the team selection process by choosing teams based on the winners of last year’s playdowns. “The process for selecting the teams this year was a difficult choice; however I do think it was the right decision in naming last year’s provincial winners as there was just not enough competition this year,” Gerry says.
Curling Canada also decided to add three Wild Card teams rather than one which will change the outlook of the competition. “Adding the additional wildcard teams will definitely make the competition much stronger. The men’s teams are Koe, Howard and McEwen so that will make it much tougher to win this year.”
The lack of competitions this year has made preparation more challenging but Gerry’s team has been finding ways to practice and prepare as much as they can. “Our team’s preparation this year has been limited of course with no competitions to play in. However, in BC it was a little easier to practice as there was ice available so the team has been able to practice 4-5 times per week. Steve has to practice by himself in Martensville 3-4 times per week.”
Despite the unprecedented circumstances, Gerry is excited to have the opportunity to go to another Brier. He stated, “Of course due to the pandemic and circumstances it is certainly going to be a unique experience. However, having said that it is still exciting getting another opportunity to go to the Canadian Championships. I have been close a few times and it would be a great feeling to win one!”
“I am looking forward to going to the bubble in Calgary. Although there will be no spectators in the stands we know that there will be a million people watching on TV. It will be different to be wearing the BC colors but I am hoping Steve and I will have a lot of fans cheering us on regardless of the colors we are wearing. I can’t wait to get there and get started!”
There will certainly be lots of people in Saltcoats and area that find themselves cheering for both Saskatchewan and British Columbia this year at the Brier!