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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, February 28, 2014 | 12 U.S. women's skip gives students pointers by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Fresh off the heels of the Sochi Winter Games, Oakville Olympian Erika Brown and her husband, world championship curler Ian Tetley, paid a visit to their children's school to bring the game of curling to the youngsters. Heritage Glen Public School invited the veteran curlers Thursday to show its Grades 1-3 students the basics of the game -- Brown and Tetley have two sons, Cole and Nathan, in Grades 1 and 2, respectively, at the Glen Abbey public school. "They (young children) can definitely understand the basic rules of the game and to have this level of exposure at a young age is just great," Brown told the Oakville Beaver. The Wisconsin-native was skip on the U.S. women's curling rink at Sochi. Tetley echoed his wife's sentiments, saying having access to curling rinks in Oakville is key to increasing the popularity of the game among children. "And it's such an inexpensive sport for kids to pick up and that definitely helps get more kids exposed to it," he said. Tetley has been curling for 35 years, while Brown started the sport at age seven and attended her first Olympics when she was 15 -- she has been to the Games three times. The pair was also invited to the Heritage U.S. women's curling team skip Erika Brown of Oakville and her husband, world championship curler Ian Tetley, put in an appearance Thursday at Heritage Glen Public School to give students an introduction to the game. Above right, Izzah Syed, 8, doesn't know what to think after she threw the hammer, the most successful rock thrown all morning and the gym exploded in applause. | photos by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Glen to celebrate a $600 donation it received from the Halton Learning Foundation that helped bring an indoor curling set to the Oakville school. Grade 1 teacher Cara Sprout applied for the grant in December 2013. "We always promote healthy living and staying active at the school and in class, and curling is a game you can play all your life," said Sprout. "If we can expose this fun game to a younger audience and give them the chance to play it here at Heritage Glen, all the better." Indoor curling can be played on a standard gym floor as the "rocks" are on wheels. Starting with a demo, Heritage Glen students learned the basics of curling, including rules, terminology, throwing techniques and scoring. Volunteers had the chance to play a friendly game between Team Tetley and Team Brown -- the latter won 3-1. Students also had the chance to ask Tetley and Brown questions; the pair covered why they play the game, how long they've been playing, and what types of food was available at Sochi. Brown says getting children interested in curling is beneficial in their development. "It helps them build balance, flexibility and dexterity, and it's great for fitness and exercise," she said. "Like most sports, it also helps teach them how to follow rules, teamwork and communication -- life skills every child needs." Tetley added it also helps get kids active, out of the house and away from time spent on electronics. Turning backyard dreams into reality LARGEST COLLECTION EVERYTHING ON SALE! Custom, innovative, getaway backyards FAMOUS EUROPEAN BRAND NAMES ALL UNDER ONE ROOF 905.319.7502 / 416.410.2066 www.poolsforhome.com One Company. One Responsibility. INGEBORG'S WAREHOUSE Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 to 5 Sat. 10-5 Sun. 11 to 4 1681 FINFAR COURT, MISSISSAUGA 905.823.7415 LOOK FOR US ON