BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The famous song by Canadian rockers Trooper that goes 'We're
here for a good time, not a long time' certainly applies to the
curling foursome skipped by Maggie Mazzuca from the Copper
Cliff Curling Club (CCC).
The four women - Meri Bolander, Karen Cecutti, Annette
Lauzon-McDonald and Mazzuca - all curl for the pure fun of the
sport.
That shared philosophy is what has brought them so close
together in such a short period of time as they've only been a
team for less than two months.
But what a two months it has been for these four fun-loving
ladies.
And maybe more should follow their lead, as they're the first
female team from the Copper Cliff club to go to a provincial
championship in 80 years.
The team will compete soon in the Scott Tournament of Hearts,
which features the top rinks from across Ontario.
Back in January, the team participated in the Northern Ontario
Association Playdowns in Elliot Lake and they mowed down the
competition, going a perfect 5-0. This earned them the right to
represent Northern Ontario at the most prestigious provincial
tournament for women.
The group leaves for Mississauga and the Dixie Curling Club on
Sunday to play the best teams from across Ontario Jan. 22 to
28.
The Mazzuca rink isn't the only local representation at the
2007 tournament.
The Arryn Frantz rink from the Coniston Curling Club will also
go - with skip Frantz leading Melanie Patry, Nicole Dubuc and
Natalie Beauchamp to Mississauga.
Despite being on the verge of competing in the biggest
tournament of their lives, the Copper Cliff team was loose and
in high spirits during a practice session this week.
They believe having so much fun together has been their key to
success in such a limited time.
"Our strength is our friendship," said Mazzuca. "I am honoured
to go and compete at the tournament with a team with such high
spirits, and who like to have fun. The four of us understand
it's just a game and having fun is just as important, if not
more, than winning.
"If we keep that up...I think we can have some success against
some really tough curlers."
Cecutti has been curling for 16 years and has never reached a
provincial event. Needless to say, she's jumping for joy.
"I'm not sure what to expect, but I know I am excited," said
Cecutti. "We're all on the same page right now and everyone has
the same expectations. We're not over thinking about our game.
I hope we can win, but I would be happy with anything as it's
our first time. It will be a great learning experience."
Bolander has been curling for 28 years. On top of extensive
experience, Bolander went to the same Scotties tournament last
year in Fort Frances with a different squad. She will be
counted on to lend calmness to the team in the middle of the
pressure cooker known as the Tournament of Hearts.
"I know what to expect and I will try and keep the team
grounded and focused," said Bolander. "We still want to enjoy
the event. We've really blended well together...our
personalities and styles."
Any time a team gets to represent a region it is
overwhelming.
"We're all honoured to be representing the Copper Cliff Club,"
said Bolander. "We're thrilled to promote Northern Ontario
curling. It will be challenging. We don't have sky-high
expectations because the competition is going to be hard.
"We will give it a good fight. We're not going to be push-overs
and we will make the other teams' lives difficult. If we play
the same way in Elliot Lake, we have a chance to be highly
competitive."
Lauzon-McDonald, who has been curling for six years, grew
fascinated with the sports seeing it on television. Curling
quickly became an addiction.
"I finally get to go to a provincial championship after five
tries with different teams," said Lauzon-McDonald. "I've been
watching curling for 20 years...learning the sport with my
husband Gary. I've watched the provincials and thought some day
I would get there and now I am. I'm ecstatic."
Curling runs deep in Lauzon-McDonald's family circle.
"My deceased father-in-law, from the Copper Cliff club, went to
a senior provincial championship one year. My husband is in awe
we made it," said Lauzon-McDonald. "It's a big deal for me and
it means a lot in my life to get to go. We have all worked hard
and we showed it can be done."
The team is grateful for all the support from the local curling
community, especially fellow members in Copper Cliff, which
hosted a celebration party for the team recently.
"We appreciate everything everyone has done for us," said
Bolander. "They're proud of us and want us to do well. It's a
great feeling to have as we head off to the championship. It
gives us inspiration."
Anyone wishing to follow the exploits of the Copper Cliff team
as they scrap it out with the top players from Ontario can do
so by logging onto
www.dixie.curlingclub.ca/hearts
.
