ICE BREAKERS: INCREASING REPRESENTATION IN CURLING
Dean Gemmell introducing youth in New York City to the sport of curling.
USA Curling is proud to announce the launch of Ice Breakers, a programmatic approach designed to increase representation in curling at the local level.
In what started as a conversation at the Plainfield Curling Club in Plainfield, N.J., creators of the program, Debra Martin and Dean Gemmell, began putting pen to paper after both acknowledging the lack of BIPOC curlers within the USA Curling ecosystem.
Ice Breakers has developed a strategy based on the foundations of the sport that lend themselves to the opportunity to diversify, beginning with curling’s community-based culture.
“I’m hopeful, excited, and thankful for the continued efforts being made by a passionate team of individuals,” said USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush. “Ice Breakers will play a huge role in implementing programmatic change in the future of curling.”
Debra Martin (back row, center), socializing with fellow curlers at a bonspiel.
Ice Breakers will launch beginning in the 2021-22 season with a small group of clubs and plans to expand participation each year going forward.
"We will launch the program with an initial group of pilot clubs that have indicated their interest and have members dedicated to leading the effort," said Martin. "It's important in the first year that we don't stretch our resources too thin—we want to see measurable success in 2021-22."
As the sport of curling continues to grow in popularity, Martin and Gemmell will draw on the learnings from this pilot group to produce positive change within the 197 USA Curling member clubs and their communities.
"There is definitely going to be a learning curve, and we'll use the knowledge we gain from this first season to improve the offering and quickly expand participation in the years ahead," Gemmell added.
Ice Breakers, in conjunction with USA Curling’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, will leverage the social and sportsmanship-oriented ideals of the sport, while providing education and mentorship. Through this programmatic approach, new talent and perspectives will be brought into the sport, producing positive change throughout the broader curling community.
If you’re interested in bringing Ice Breakers to your curling club, please complete this questionnaire.
