A Rosetown teacher who began coaching curling three years ago was recently awarded the Female Coach of the Year award by West Central Athletics. Laurie Slocombe teaches at Walter Aseltine School in Rosetown, but also has been an integral part of the junior girls curling team, leading them to three division championships in three years.

Slocombe has been curling for most of her life, starting at the age of five in her hometown of Herschel, SK. Growing up playing the sport and being involved with the school, Slocombe blended her two interests and started toonie curling approximately 12 years ago. The after-school program allowed youth in grades four through six to come out and learn about the sport, have some fun and earn themselves a toonie if they won.

“It was fun, obviously not in it for the money but it was a good way to get kids out and we’d teach them a few things, but we just had fun,” shared Slocombe.

Four girls who participated in the toonie curling approached Slocombe and said they wanted her to coach them in juniors when they reached Grade 7.

“I never saw myself as an athlete or even a coach, so for the girls to approach me and see something in me that they thought I could bring to the table and help them, it was really special,”said Slocombe.

Since that time, Slocombe and her team have grown individually and as a team, claiming the district championship title for three years in a row.

Despite their success, Slocombe shared she was shocked and surprised when she was presented with the award.

“I was here [Walter Aseltine], doing our own awards ceremony and I saw Mr. Wintonyk walk in and then I saw four girls and said, wait a minute, those are my girls, and I just knew. They came up and Mr. Wintonyk said a few words on my behalf and, it was just a real surprise and I’m honoured, it was pretty special.” shared Slocombe.

The four girls that surprised Slocombe with the award, and that made up the junior girls curling team this year, included Cassandra Mackenzie, Pyper Zacharias, Corina Fritz and Brylee Jeffries.

Slocombe said all of the girls except Pyper, will be returning this year to start the endeavour into senior girls and stated they are starting to recruit now for the spot.

Regardless of the award, Slocombe proclaimed she is extremely proud of the girls and emphasized how amazing it is to see them play together, “they just gel, no matter what is happening, when they get on the ice, it all just comes together and they are so good together”.

She said that she is already looking forward to next year, stating the senior level will bring new challenges but is looking forward to what her team will bring to the ice and still gets chills when she thinks about winning the award.