We are very pleased to announce the 2022 recipient of the Rock of Ages Camp Scholarship is Rylan Gonczy.
Rylan is an avid young curler and member of the Little Rocks Blue Group which he attends every Sunday throughout the curling season. He is enthusiastic about learning and has shown dedication to improvement and true enjoyment of playing our game. Rylan was humble in his acceptance of the scholarship and says he still can't believe he gets to go to Alberta Rocks camp! His family couldn't be more happy for him. We know Rylan will thrive at the Alberta Rocks camp this summer, and return next season to share his experiences with other young curlers. Congratulations Rylan! Have fun at camp!
The Rock of Ages Camp Scholarship (RoCS) is offered by the St. Albert 50+ Mixed Curling League, with funds being raised through internal initiatives with the assistance of local community members. We are very pleased to have the Canadian Brewhouse join us in presenting the inaugural award for 2022.
Pictured are Brenda Eger Past President SA50+MCL, Nicole Bellamy SACC Manager,
Rylan Gonczy RoCS recipient, Rod Chmiliar President SA50+MCL and Alex Annis, Manager Canadian Brewhouse
This annual scholarship is seen as a way for the St. Albert 50+ Mixed Curling League - our ‘senior’ curlers - to give back to the game and to share our love for the sport of curling with the younger members of our club. Through our discussions around the creation of a youth award, we agreed that the success of the Alberta Rocks Junior Curling Camps in creating an experience for young curlers to develop a deeper love of the sport of curling, made it a perfect means to accomplish our purpose.
The RoCS award will be presented annually to a deserving youth member of the St. Albert Curling Club who demonstrates enthusiasm, dedication and willingness to share their love of the game with others. While the idea of this award has been floating around for a few years, with the cancellation of the Alberta Rocks Junior Summer Camps due to COVID, 2022 is our first opportunity to award the Scholarship and send our first young member to camp in August.
All members of the Little Rocks Blue & Gold groups aged 11-15 were invited to complete an online application this year, expressing why they want to attend camp, what they expect to get from attending, and even who their favourite curler is. Applications were reviewed by club staff, coaches and youth program volunteers to select our first Rock of Ages Camp Scholarship recipient.
As a side benefit of the new RoCS award, we hope to raise awareness of curling in the community, in particular the junior and senior opportunities to participate. The St. Albert Curling Club has affordable programs for all ages, all skill levels and anyone who simply wants to be active while having fun and meeting new people! Our youth programs start at age 8; our seniors aged 50-85+ are active 5 days a week in mixed and stick curling leagues; and the weekend family leagues even offer a place where young and old can play together! There is a spot for everyone at the St. Albert Curling Club!
The Alberta Rocks Curling Camps have been a tradition in our province for over 25 years. These four-day summer camps, which are delivered by highly qualified and caring instructors, provide young athletes with the opportunity to develop their skills, make new friendships and a deeper love for the sport of Curling. All areas of the athlete development are covered including technical, tactical, physiological and physical training. It's so much fun, on and off the ice!
/June 2022
