As elementary school students threw their first stones on Wednesday and Thursday, Inuvik curlers are hoping it sparks a new passion for the sport.

Part of the Rocks and Rings in-school curling training session, gym teacher Nadine Wagner walked youth through the basics of the sport and helped them get their first taste of the sport. Further events held in town over the coming days will aim to spur further interest, but the school was session was a fun first toss.

SA国际影视传媒淭he kids really enjoyed, especially once they actually got to throw the rock,SA国际影视传媒� Wagner said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey had a great time.SA国际影视传媒�

Wagner said students walked away with a basic knowledge of how to curl: the rules, the scoring and the techniques behind the sport. Though, they could always be restless.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey like to move,SA国际影视传媒� Wagner said about some jittery youth waiting their turn to throw. However, they did SA国际影视传媒渞eally well,SA国际影视传媒� she said as they waited roughly 30 minutes for their turn. Cheering while they wait helps matters, and give the students a chance to be involved as they watch their peers curl.

Facilitated through the Inuvik Curling Club,  the attempt to increase interest in curling will continue with a free session on Saturday, running at the rink from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

SA国际影视传媒淎ny kid in this elementary school who liked curling enough can show up at the arena tomorrow,SA国际影视传媒� Wagner said.

Nick Saturino, president of Inuvik Curling Club, said the group was aiming to get the program to Inuvik for years. After youth get a crash course in the support at school and at the Saturday session, they have the option to get involved with Junior Curling on Sunday.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to grow the sport,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur goal is to get 200 kids in Junior Curling in the next five years.SA国际影视传媒�

Exposing youth to curling will be key to the health of the sport in town moving forward, he said. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 also something that can be played at all stages of life: Elementary school students getting started this week can play well into old age, building a lifelong pastime, he added.

Once started, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 also a strong chance for youth curlers to head to the Canadian National Championship. The NWT can send one boys, and one girls team. A lack of players means a committed effort early could yield a good chance of being involved in the competition.

SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 have many kids participating unfortunately,SA国际影视传媒� Saturino said. SA国际影视传媒淎ny four boys, or any four girls, that put a little bit of time into it, have a really shot at going to a national championship.SA国际影视传媒�

That travel is a chance to see the country while curling competitively, he said. Overall, the NWT Curling Association has a five year strategic plan to get 1000 youth involved.

Meanwhile, at East Three Elementary, youth had the chance to a take a break from classes with a trip to the gym and first chance at curling, and the life skills that come with it.

SA国际影视传媒淚t teaches them sportsmanship, teamwork,SA国际影视传媒� Nadine Wagner said.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey actually have to work together SA国际影视传媒� especially in curling you need a plan of what youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to do,SA国际影视传媒� she said, explaining itSA国际影视传媒檚 never one person setting the terms of teamSA国际影视传媒檚 strategy. SA国际影视传媒淵ou have to have some manners in curling.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淵ou never know: you might have the next (curling champ) Kevin Koe. You never know.SA国际影视传媒�