Curling with champions: SDSS Perth County Farm Girls sweep their way to success

The championship curling team from Stratford District Secondary School includes, from left, Deanna Halls (Second), Hailey Peters (Vice), Addison Hyatt (Skip) and Brooklyn Hyatt (Lead). Kimberly Hyatt photo

By Gary West

Four young curlers from Tavistock and Poole are making their mark on the ice, competing in bonspiels across Ontario and showing that hard work and teamwork pay off.

The team – all students at Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS) – is led by skip Addison Hyatt, who says the group’s growing experience in larger tournaments has helped them improve their game tremendously.

“The more experience we get in bigger cities, the better we work together as a team,” Hyatt said. “You can see the difference every time we step onto the ice.”

So far this season, the team has competed in several U18 events, including the Phoenix Slam at the K-W Granite Club in Kitchener, where they finished strong. They went on to play in the Hammer Spiel in Hamilton in early October, followed by the U18 Stu Sells Oakville Tankard, where they posted their best record yet at 2-2, advancing to the semifinals in a series of close matches.

Off the ice, these curlers are equally impressive. All four are active in Perth County 4-H, where they show dairy calves, and each has also competed at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Their coaches say they are proud of the team’s dedication, growth and sportsmanship, both in competition and in their community.