Robyn Silvernagle's rink returned from their first appearance at the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts finishing third. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff) : Tyler Marr

By Brady Lang

Pride of the Battlefords

Silvernagle shines in Sydney and leaves the Battlefords and province proud

Feb 25, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Rachel, Chelsea, Jennifer, and now Robyn.

Rinks synonymous with excellence in curling gained a new name during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in North Battleford’s Robyn Silvernagle. After finally breaking that barrier of making it through to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts following two years of heartbreaking defeats, 2019 was the year Silvernagle broke through.

Ian Naismith, Head Ice Technician at the Twin Rivers Curling club watched the club evolve since 2015, and remembers the original two curlers in Silvernagle and lead Kara Thevenot. Since then the names have changed, and so have the expectations. Naismith said he couldn’t be prouder.

“It’s a big deal for them, and for curling in Saskatchewan. To see the hard work pay off, that’s the best showing we’ve had for the women’s since 2011,” he said. “It’s neat to see all the hard work pay off.”

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It seems that the Grand Slam played in the Battlefords in early January was really the coming out party for the rink. They had been close in provincials and picked up steam through bonspiels earlier on in the year, but the Meridian Canadian Open was where the lights were all on Silvernagle.

Being the hometown rink, it really gave the team the exposure that they needed. Prior to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Silvernagle said that it helped them get ready for the nationally televised games, and ready to take that next step.

North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater said watching the team play, it made the city and the province so proud that the ladies weren’t just there, but competing at the highest level.

“It was great to see (the performance). For the first time out, to come back home with a bronze, it’s just fantastic,” he said.

Bater said it’s elevated the profile of the team on a national level. He said it wasn’t just their on-ice performance that separated the foursome from the pack. The way that the team carried themselves throughout the tournament and the season, and becoming role models for young curlers in the community needs to be commended.

The team isn’t just the pride of North Battleford after this performance; they’re the pride of the province.

With Moose Jaw now the focus in the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, if Silvernagle does indeed make the tournament, it will be interesting to see how the team takes their experiences from this inaugural run. It was a learning experience, and with a third place finish, the sky is now the limit for the Biggar-born skip, and North Battleford foursome.

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brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangBFN