Jenine Bodner of Iqaluit isn’t fazed easily.
Facing the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the annual Canadian women’s curling championships, held this year in Halifax [Curl PEI note: it’s actually in Sydney] from Feb. 16 to 24, Bodner is more focused on representing her territory than getting caught up in nerves.
For her and Team Nunavut, the goal is “getting there and getting competitive.”
The territory has been represented in the Scotties since 2016. Bodner played in that competition, and made headlines when she threw Team Nunavut’s first rock in the 2016 pre-qualifying games.
Bodner has played for Team Nunavut every year except 2018, when she and her Iqaluit team lost the playdowns (a competition between different Nunavut-based teams to represent the territory in the national tournament).
Team Nunavut competes in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts on Feb. 16. From left: Jenine Bodner, Alison Griffin, Megan Ingram and Sadie Pinksen. (Photo provided by Team Nunavut)
From that point on, the group of women—Bodner, Jennifer Blaney, Alison Griffon and Megan Ingram—made getting into the 2019 Scotties their goal.
“I’m very excited, super excited [to be back],” Bodner said.
“[We’re] honoured to represent our territory.”
Building Team Nunavut
One of the biggest struggles for this year’s Team Nunavut was finding enough people to join their team.
Curling teams have four players and one alternate. That’s relatively small, compared to some sports, but there are a limited number of professional players in Nunavut.
So Bodner felt lucky when she found Griffin, an experienced curler who had recently moved from P.E.I. to Iqaluit. The women met at Iqaluit’s curling club, where they’re both members.
When the two started to chat with Ingram, another club member, they all became excited about the idea of starting their own team.
But there was a problem: the group couldn’t find a fourth teammate. We were furious, Bodner said.
Eventually, their coach suggested Blaney, an Ontario athlete who could act as an import player (teams are allowed one player from outside their province or territory).
The rest of the group would meet Blaney for the first time when they travelled to Ontario to play together.
Fortunately, despite being almost strangers, there was an “instant click” on the ice between the women.
After they won the playdowns, Sadie Pinksen joined as their alternate from a losing team.
Team Nunavut plays their first game in the Scotties on Feb. 16, against Team Quebec.