Talented curlers from Central are making international headlines, qualifying for the World Championships while living in an unusual setting.

The New Zealand men’s team is based in a retirement village in Calgary, Canada, following a social media post from World Curling Federation board member and former Australian Curling Federation president, Kim Forge, hoping to find them accommodation.

Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence answered their call.

Their story has featured on television news, including Seven Sharp, The Project and Radio New Zealand. They have also caught the attention of radio and television outlets in Canada, the United States, including the New York Times) and on the World Curling Federation website.

Brett Sargon said it feels great, but also crazy, to see how much attention the story has attracted.

“As athletes we want to succeed on the ice, but we would also love to contribute to the growth of this great sport back in New Zealand. 

“We hope the interest in our story will raise awareness . . . back home. The dream would be for this to lead to greater resources [for curling]. 

“It would be amazing to be able to get some dedicated curling ice in Auckland, which we firmly believe would lead to the sport exploding in New Zealand,” Brett said.

Three of the men’s team (Team Hood) have connections to Central: Hunter Walker (Kyeburn), Ben Smith and skip Anton Hood (Naseby). The other team members are Brett Sargon (Auckland) and Peter de Boer (Wellington).  

Brett was the first to land in Calgary and he was immediately encouraged to join the local retirement home residents for a beer at Happy Hour.

“They live up to the Canadian stereotype of being incredibly friendly and welcoming,” Brett said.

“They didn’t judge a book by its cover and wanted to know our story.”

The four Kiwi curlers are now at home amongst the 175 permanent residents of Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence in the Canadian city of 1.6 million people.

The NZ men’s team on day one of PCCC. PHOTO: Seixeiro Photography

Brett said the team’s focus is to prepare the best they could for the World Championships at the end of March. 

“We are missing home and are so thankful for all the support and messages we have received while we chase our dreams over here in Calgary.”

Team Hood (from left) Peter de Boer, Hunter Walker, Brett Sargon, Ben Smith and Anton Hood. PHOTO: Team Hood Facebook 

The women’s team have strong ties with Central; they either live here currently or grew up here, including; skip Jessica Smith (Naseby), vice-skip Bridget Becker (Patearoa), Natalie Thurlow (Becks), Holly Thompson (Ranfurly), Courtney Smith (Naseby), and women’s coach Sean Becker (Ranfurly) assisted by Nelson Ede (Naseby).

Team Smith (from left) Natalie Thurlow, Courtney Smith, Jess Smith, Bridget Becker, and Holly Thompson. PHOTO: Team Smith Facebook

The New Zealand curling teams have both recently played in the Pan Continental Curling Championships (PCCC) in Kelowna, Canada (October 29 - November 4). The top five teams at PCCC have qualified for the World Women’s and Men’s Championships in 2024.

The Kiwi teams matched last year's results, again both securing a fifth placing to qualify for their respective World Championships. 

The 2024 World Men's Curling Championship, which will be held in Schaffhausen, Switzerland (March 30- April 7) and 2024 World Women's Curling Championship will be held in Sydney, Nova Scotia (March 16 -24). 

Residents can follow Central curlers on the Facebook accounts, Team Hood and Team Smith.

The Central App will update readers on the teams’ campaigns in the months as the World Championships get nearer.

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