Nunavut returns to Scotties after one-year absence

They weren't there last year, but they will be this year.

Nunavut is returning to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts after a one-year hiatus.

"We're all very, very excited to be Team Nunavut and getting to represent [Nunavut] again at the national level," said Leigh Gustafson, the second on the team.

Iqaluit's curling rink was closed last year to be a set for the new show North of North.

That, combined with a lack of available players, according to Peter Van Strien, the secretary-treasurer of the Nunavut Curling Association, led them to decide not to field a team in Calgary last year.

But players returning and the reopening of the rink has helped the team prepare for next month's tournament in Thunder Bay, Ont.

And the team's fans across Canada have gotten behind them once again.

"People are pumped for Nunavut to come back," said Gustafson.

Julia Weagle, sister of three-time Scotties winner Lisa, will skip Team Nunavut at this year's tournament.

Gustafson will be making her second appearance at the tournament, after serving as the alternate for Team Nunavut in 2023.

Even Curling Canada is happy that Nunavut is making its return to the Scotties.

"That reminds us that it's a true national championship," said Al Cameron, Curling Canada's director of communication and media relations. "It's great that all of our 14 member associations will be represented."

Van Strien agrees.

"I think it's one of the best sporting events in Canada because every area of the country is represented," he said. "It loses a bit if not every member association is in the competition."

And now that they're back, Van Strien is optimistic about this team's chances.

"Wins are definitely hard to come by for Nunavut," he said. "But I do think this team is competitive and will scare some of the good teams there and I could definitely see a win or two."

The growth of curling in Nunavut

Nunavut's return to the Scotties isn't the only curling news to come from the territory.

This year's team for the Montana's Brier has been selected, with Van Strien serving as the lead for the rink to be skipped by Shane Latimer. Latimer's rink won this year's territorial playdowns over the weekend.

And in a bright spot for the future of the game in Nunavut, there will be a men's and a women's team at this year's Canadian U18 Curling Championships in Saskatoon.

Van Strien said that's part of what's needed to grow the game in the territory.

"We need more young people taking it up so that we can have players that come behind the good players that we have," he said. "They've gone to the Arctic Winter Games before, but this is a great opportunity. They're going to be in tough there for sure as well, but they're all very young too; well below 18 [years of age]."

Van Strien and Gustafson both say more money is also needed. Gustafson said that should be used to fly curlers to the south for competitions.

"Right now it's largely left to the competitors to fund their way down, which we do, and we do fundraise and we do get sponsors," she said. "But the kids don't necessarily have that opportunity. It lies largely with the Nunavut Curling Association, which has limited funds available to it, so they don't always get to go to everything else."

Gustafson added later that without their sponsors, even the senior team wouldn't be able to compete at the national level and grow the game.

Cameron said Curling Canada will always be a resource, adding that coaching programs and ice technician programs are available to every member association.