The Sandra Schmirler Foundation Charity Funspiel will take place Jan. 10-11 at the Moose Jaw Ford Curling Centre and is being hosted by local junior curling standout Skylar Ackerman as part of a scholarship she received from the Foundation earlier this year.
“It’s going to be a unique format and a lot of fun, so we’re hoping to get a lot of people out to raise some money and have a good time,” Ackerman said.
Players enter as individuals, with a $30 entry fee. The first game will be a one-on-one head-to-head contest, the second game will see names drawn out of a hat for a mixed doubles game and the third and final game will once again see names drawn to form four-player teams.
“And there will be a few funky rules, but I don’t want to give away too much there,” Ackerman said with laugh.
Ackerman is hoping to see a total of 64 players and raise over $1,000 for the Foundation, with the cheque being presented during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw Feb. 14-25.
While hosting a charity event is a requirement of being awarded the scholarship, Ackerman felt that holding a quirky bonspiel would be a way of doing something different to support the organization.
“I figured this would be a good way to get the community together and have some fun and all play the sport we love while saving people’s lives,” Ackerman said.
The Sandra Schmirler Foundation raises funds for neonatal intensive care units throughout Canada.
Organizing charity bonspiels isn’t all that the Peacock grad has been up to around the rink as of late – Ackerman, third Emily Haupstein, second Taylor Stremick and lead Abbey Johnson recently booked their spot in the junior women’s provincial championships after winning the ‘B’ side at the junior women’s Q-spiel #1 in Yorkton.
Provincials begin Dec. 27 at the Saskatoon Sutherland with the eight-team round robin running through Dec. 31 followed by a four-team Page playoff.
