B6

By JOSIE LIVINGSTONE
For The Daily Gleaner

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The Fredericton Curling Club runs various programs for all ages at a reasonable cost.

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ALL AGES: holly ayles, 11, is part of the little rocks program at the Fredericton Curling Club. The club has activities for all ages.

A program called Little Rocks League is available for children from age eight to 12. It runs every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

"We have two qualified coaches and a very good volunteer group to assist them. The cost is low and the equipment needed is supplied," said Ed Haggerty, president of the club.

Meghann Douglas is one of the coaches for the Little Rocks program.

"It's all about learning skills and having fun. If they would like to try it, we start out with half sheets so they don't have to throw as far and we just have fun times. We have Christmas parties, pizza parties, games and we just try to make it fun," Douglas said.

Holly Ayles, 11, is part of the Little Rocks program. Holly has been with the program for three years. She said she likes the new location at the Fredericton Coliseum.

"I think it's much better because there are more sheets," Holly said.

James Ayles, Holly's father, also likes the new location. "I think it's great for the kids. It's a bigger facility, they seem to enjoy the ice," James said.

He also thinks the Little Rocks is an excellent program.

"It gives the kids an opportunity to really learn how to begin to develop your skills at an early age," James said.

There is a similar program for those who are 13 to 20 years of age. It runs twice a week and the coach is certified and is a former provincial junior champion.

Learn to Curl is for persons of all ages. The evening sessions are for six weeks on Tuesday nights. The cost is $45 for the six sessions or $10 per session.

Haggerty said that six sessions are sufficient to get a player started in a recreational mode with other people.

"LeRoy McGinn is the instructor and after the six weeks those who want to move along and curl can go into the Mixed League run by Dan Campbell," Haggerty said.

McGinn pointed out the crucial move in the game of curling.

"The most important thing is release of the rock and the delivery. It just takes practice," McGinn said.

McGinn added that the basics of the game can be learned in a short period, and the player just needs to keep refining his or her skills.

"I would say to play game for enjoyment it would take three or four one-hour lessons," McGinn said.

Haggerty said that those who want to take some more instruction can stay with McGinn at the same cost.

"Dan Campbell runs a very good league and it is a great place to play," Haggerty said.

Afternoon instruction is also available at the same cost.

Haggerty said that this season, the number of people in the programs has doubled compared to the first year of operation in their new FREX location.

"We made presentations at Stepping Stone Senior Centre and other seniors organizations to encourage them to come over. We haven't been able to get into schools because they have a new policy now that you cant you can't pass out leaflets in school, so we are trying to find a way around that one," Haggerty said.