After a long season playing across Atlantic Canada and Quebec, Team Matheson is headed to Sudbury
After winning the 2026 Curling NB Junior Men’s & Women’s Championships, the Woodstock-based curling team is headed to Sudbury, ON, for the Curling Canada New Holland Under-20 Championships, which take place from March 28 to April 4.
“They’re being realistic. They’re excited. They’re a little bit nervous, but excited and feeling confident going into it,” said coach Colin Matheson.
The qualifying match was a triple round robin. The team went four and two, giving them a bye right into the final game, which they won.
Matheson says the team has realistic goals heading into the championships.
“They’re being realistic. They’re excited. They’re a little bit nervous, but excited and feeling confident going into it,” said Matheson.
The team is curious about how they will stack up against teams from Manitoba and Alberta, which are known as “junior powerhouses” according to Matheson.
To prepare, the team has been on the ice almost every day, practicing or playing games. The weekend of Friday, 20, they played a fun spiel to keep loose and in shape.
An additional player has been added to the lineup: Camron Sallaj. The Junior Curler from Moncton has been playing on men’s teams all year and has competed in six nationals over the past few years.
“He’s very experienced, and he can bring a good, calming, knowledgeable influence to the boys,” said Matheson.
The Carleton County community has been supporting and cheering on the team. The Woodstock Curling and Golf Club hosted a sendoff party on Thursday, March 19, and the Florenceville Curling Club hosted one on Monday, March 23. Fundraising support has also been an immense help for the team’s expenses in Sudbury.
“The Curling community, especially, is really behind us, and everywhere we go in town (Woodstock), everybody’s encouraging and pretty proud of the boys,” said Matheson.
“We haven’t covered all our costs yet, but we’ve certainly covered quite a bit of it through the support from businesses and from individual donations for a grant in the hand, fundraisers and raffle tickets that we’re selling.The support’s been fantastic.”
Their goal is $15,000, and they have raised around 86 per cent of the target.
The team is partnering with Wiebe’s Home Hardware Building Centre to give away a Blackstone grill. Each ticket is $20 per person, or $50 for three people.
The first-place winner will receive a 36-inch Blackstone grill and accessories, a Yeti Tumbler, Skullcandy earbuds, a Lakeville Convenience Gift Card, and tallow balm.
Second place will win a Chilly Moose cooler and tumblers, four WGCC Green Fees, and Skullcandy earbuds.
The third-place winner will win a Big Fiddle Still gift pack.
Those who would like to donate can pay cash to any team member or e-transfer to colinmatheson76@gmail.com.
Those who use e-transfer are asked to include their name, phone number, and RAFFLE.
The draw date is Thursday, March 26.
Follow the team Facebook page for updates and a link for the live streams.
The team’s tournament schedule:
March 28 – 5:00 p.m. vs Northern Ontario 1
March 28 – 8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
March 29 – 11:00 a.m. vs Alberta 2
March 29 – 7:00 p.m. vs Saskatchewan 2
March 30 – 3:00 p.m. vs Nova Scotia 1
March 31 – 11:00 a.m. vs Yukon Territory
March 31 – 7:00 p.m. vs Ontario 2
April 1 – 3:00 p.m. vs British Columbia
April 2 – 7:00 p.m. vs Manitoba 1
April 3 – Playoffs, if qualified, or seeding games
