Curling club plans event for Team King

Team King Send Off is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Tillsonburg Curling Club (TCC), a combined celebration/fundraiser for local Jayden King (arms folded on the table, left, following their Tankard win) and his rink. King will be representing the TCC in the Montana’s Brier Feb. 27 to March 8 in St. John’s Newfoundland. Team King Send Off features a 10 a.m. to 12 noon curling crash course, social time, official ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. and a four-end ‘friendly’ between King’s foursome and representatives from the TCC. (Contributed Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Jayden King has enjoyed receiving curling congratulations from his home club’s membership along with friends and competitors he’s met across the province and nation.

But the Farm & Food Care Ontario Men’s Curling Championship winning rink’s skip made sure to dedicate time for a personal thank-you to neighbours and super fans Les and Nora Peter, who first introduced him to the sport.

“It was a great moment to share with them,” said King.

He hopes the long-time curlers can be in the crowd during Montana’s Brier Feb. 27 to March 8 in St. John’s Newfoundland, a competition which will arrive sooner than one might expect.

“It’s been super exciting to get the planning underway,” said King. “But it’s been a lot.”

Balancing high-level curling with school and work is an ongoing challenge for King, a physiotherapy student at the University of McMaster. Currently on placement at Gateway Neuro Physio, he is working primarily with those battling Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

King will be representing the Tillsonburg Curling Club (TCC) at the Canadian championships, heading into the annual event with ‘official’ support from his home club and broader community. Team King Send Off is scheduled for Saturday, Febr. 21 at the club, an extended combination of celebration, social and fund-raiser. Curling Canada assists teams with expenses associated with attending the Brier, however not all are covered.

The day will open with a learn to curl crash course from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by social time leading into 1 p.m. ceremonies including player introductions, well-wishes from community members and officials, and presentations to the team. From 1:45 to 2:25, King and his rink will play a four-end exhibition game against a foursome of TCC members, looking to use knowledge of their home ice to advantage.

“Each league is selecting a representative to play against our team,” said King, looking forward to fun and friendly competition.

“It’s going to be a real great day,” he added. “Just a relaxed time before the real work begins at The Brier.”

Donations will be accepted during Team King Send Off. In addition, ‘My Back Still Aches’ Tillsonburg Curling Club hoodies (https://tillsonburgcurlingclub.com/images/TCC_Hoodies.jpeg) and hats (https://tillsonburgcurlingclub.com/images/TCC_Hat.jpeg) will be on display and available for sale, $12 of which from each purchase will be donated in support of the team.

“Curling is a cold sport, so we’ve got hoodies,” King explained.

Montana’s national sponsorship of The Brier is also being linked into Team King Days at Montana’s Woodstock. Support Team King cards will be available at the TCC the week of February 9. From Monday, Feb. 16 through Wednesday, Feb. 18, presenting Team King cards to one’s wait staff member at the Woodstock location will result in 15 per cent of the meal’s purchase price (excluding alcohol and taxes) donated back to Team King and a Montana’s Curling Card, offering patrons discounts on their next visit.

In a sense, King admits he may not have fully absorbed the fact he’ll be heading to The Brier, a goal most curlers don’t realize in a lifetime of curling.

“You can’t just roll into The Tankard and win,” he said, the ’surreal’ 15 minutes following their victory and subsequent reflections on the hours and years of work it took to get there, all part of the experience. “It’s really nice to see it come through.”

There is a measure of pressure to represent the province well at The Brier King admitted, balanced by the ‘really cool’ support he has received from amongst the curling world, and importantly, his home club and community.

“It’s awesome knowing everyone is behind you and cheering for you,” he concluded. “You’re going to go out and do your best, wherever the rocks stop, that’s what’s going to happen.”