Team Profiles - Newfoundland & Labrador

As promised, even though the Scotties are over, I'm updating the blog with some extra information I gathered during the week but didn't have time to post.

Before the Scotties began, I emailed teams who I could get contact info for and asked them some questions.  Thanks to Lisa Weagle (Ontario), Sarah Wazney (BC), and Stacie Devereaux (Newfoundland & Labrador) for responding to all my questions.  Thanks also to Mary-Anne Arsenault (NS) for taking the time to answer a couple of questions.

This is what Stacie Devereaux of Newfoundland & Labrador had to say.

They think it is amazing to put on their provincial team colours.  It makes them very proud!  They were very excited about Kingston and it was so much fun for them.  They all hadn't been to Kingston except Lauren Wasylkiw who had been here before the Scotties!  They wanted to play to their potential this year.  I think this was a very good goal!

When I asked them, “How do you manage being elite athletes with your careers and your families?, they responded with this answer: "We're still trying to figure it all out day by day and we have understanding families and bosses!"

Their most favourite thing about curling is the teamwork, Stacie said.

They love having crowd support!

I asked them, “What are your thoughts about the changes to the Scotties in 2015 with the addition of Northern Ontario and the pre-qualification for the bottom teams from the previous year?” Stacie said, "It will be a tough fight, that's for sure, not just for playoff spots but for placing.  There's good and bad in it."  

The team idolized Sandra Schmirler and Colleen Jones growing up.  Stacie said that their toughest competition would be everyone.  She said that Team Canada also may be their toughest competition.

They prepared for the Scotties with a lot of extra games and practice.  They get a little excited before a big game or competition.  They don't have a lot of nerves.  

She said, "It's weird to have people know stuff about you!"  After I asked her about sharing personal information with the fans!  They enjoy the fact that curling is a very fan accessible sport.  "It's weird but fine!”, Stacie said.  

Team Newfoundland and Labrador was very nice with the fans.  They were always so positive and friendly. Their coach gave a team broom to a young female fan after each game to encourage them in the sport of curling.  I thought that was really generous!

Even though they had a tough week in the standings, they really hung in there and had a lot of close games on the scoreboard that could have gone either way.  I hope they get another chance at the Scotties to improve their record and show the fans their true potential.