Sixteen-year-old Thompson resident Brooke Graham will be competing with Team Briscoe of the Burntwood Curling Club at the 2020 women’s curling provincials in Rivers Jan. 29-Feb. 2. Graham, who started curling at age six, comes from a dynasty of curling players. She’ll be the youngest athlete in the Manitoba Scotties, where 12 teams will compete. Three of the world’s top five teams are participating, propelling the humble youth into the stratosphere of international curling.
“Both my parents are curlers, and my grandparents, my whole family were curlers,” the Grade 11 student explains.
The journey to upper-level curling has been a challenge for Graham, who has successfully navigated responsibilities at school and long hours of practice.
“It’s been hard, but when you enjoy something, it makes it easier to incorporate it into your day,” she said. “I usually curl after school. Some days I curl two times a day. I play with my [women’s] team on Wednesdays, and I have a curling team that I skip myself, and we are going to zones in February.”
Graham has tried getting a junior team to Thompson, but there aren’t enough people.
“So, I went to the woman’s team and asked them,” she said. “And they said they were looking for someone. It’s crazy because we are going to be playing against Olympic champions. I’m so excited.”
Graham is grateful for the support of her friends, even if some don’t know a lot championship level curling.
“Everyone’s been posting about it, so it’s making them think, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s cool,’” she said. “A lot of people think curling is easy … and they realize that you’re really good at it, and it takes a lot of work to get to this point. I have a lot of support from Connor Njegovan as well.”
Graham plans on attending post-secondary school in Manitoba, where she’d like to put together a junior team.
“Actually, I have a few friends down south,” she said. “My dad’s friend has a daughter the same age, so he said that we can put together a team.”
Becoming a teacher is Graham’s ambition after university.
“I want to come back here,” she explained. “I really love the north, but the opportunities for curling here are not that good. I want to represent the north as best as I can.”
