Again this year the annual Wheelchair Funspiel fundraiser bonspiel was held at the Broda Sportsplex.
Starting on January 24, the bonspiel wound up on January 26, with the Jason Pennell foursome of Kamsack taking top spot. Members of the rink included Cameron Rozema, third; Brad Anderson, second and Mackenzie Bielecki, lead.
A total of 12 four-person teams participated in the event which required players to send curling rocks down the ice using a stick, while seated in a wheelchair steadied by a person standing behind.
Proceeds of the Funspiel go towards helping pay for ongoing therapy for Teddy Hudye who has been confined to a wheelchair since a dirt bike accident five years ago. Hudye鈥檚 foursome included Taylor Geres of Langenburg, third; Carl Jonas, second, and Austin Hilderman, lead.
Kim Hudye, Teddy鈥檚 mother and an organizer of the event, estimated that around $4,000 was raised this year.
鈥淭eddy has to travel to Regina to access ongoing therapy at Four Steps Wellness Centre in Regina,鈥� she said.
Again this year, the Funspiel attracted new players to test their skill with wheelchair curling.
鈥淎 first-time team from Invermay included a young man who received an injury similar to Teddy鈥檚 around a year ago, and he was out on the curling ice on Friday night,鈥� said Kim. 鈥淓veryone enjoyed the event, despite the freezing rain that hampered travel conditions.
It was said that a new feature at the Sportsplex, the lift that was installed earlier this fall, was a real help for the players with mobility issues.
In the Shoot to the Pin contest, Andrea Marsh was the winner, also winning two of the four raffle prize baskets. Other raffle basket winners were Kin Chutskoff and Curtis Bucsis of Yorkton.
Kim noted that the event was a success. 鈥淧lans are already in the works for next year. We wish to acknowledge the support of the curlers and sponsors,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he event would not be a success without them.鈥�
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