By Sarah Tone, Communications Coordinator
Leading up to the 2023 Canada Winter Games, we are featuring the dedicated coaches who spend countless hours giving back to sport. Let’s get to know curling coaches, Keith Stoesz (women’s) and Graham Freeman (men’s)!
How long have you been coaching this sport?
GRAHAM
I’ve been coaching for the past 6 years. Both of my sons have been active curlers on the Manitoba Junior curling scene and I have been their coach from the beginning. I am trying to use my own past curling experience to assist and teach junior curlers to learn the game and hopefully strive to continue playing and improving their skills into their future. The future of our sport depends on our youth.
KEITH
5 years
What do you love most about coaching?
GRAHAM
I enjoy watching the kids get excited about the game. Seeing their passion and drive to keep improving is a very satisfying thing to be a part of. I am proud of both of my sons who have developed into very good young curlers and good people. I’m very proud of the wonderful experiences they have shared with their teammates and I. Sport teaches so many valuable lessons that can only be beneficial to our youth as they move forward in their lives.
What is your favourite coaching moment?
KEITH
Being able to coach the same four young ladies for four years working toward becoming Team Manitoba for the 2023 Canada Winter Games and then seeing them achieve that goal.
What does a typical practice look like for your team?
KEITH
Our practices are usually around 2 hours long. We’ll spend 15 minutes warming up and stretching and during this time we’ll have a chat about what we will be doing in practice. If it’s early in the season we’ll spend 30 minutes or so working on specific technical skills. If it’s closer to competition season we’ll do a few rounds of pre-game practice simulations. Then we’ll do a variety of either hitting or throwing drills and we’ll end with a fun draw competition or an end or 2 of Bocce Curling.
What are the team goals for the 2023 Canada Games?
GRAHAM
We are first of all, going to really enjoy the experiences and atmosphere of our first Canada Winter Games. There will be so many things to soak in I’m sure. We are going to compete in our sport to the best of our ability, with the main goal of trying to win the Gold!
KEITH
Win a medal.
What do you look for in a Canada Games athlete?
KEITH
I would rather coach an athlete with a positive attitude, a willingness to work hard and be a good team player than one that may have more skills but be more difficult to work with.
What is one thing you want your team to remember going into the 2023 Canada Games?
GRAHAM
We will know that we earned this opportunity and should embrace it. We will be ready to compete hard but will show great sportsmanship throughout. We will be proud to represent our province! We will know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet with people all across our country and to enjoy ourselves as much as possible.
KEITH
Work hard and HAVE FUN!
