(by Murray McCormick)
The winds of change have blown through Amber Holland’s women’s curling team.
Holland told the Leader-Post on Monday that the 2011 Canadian women’s curling championship team from Kronau has broken up. Holland informed Kim and Tammy Schneider and Heather Kalenchuk that she wanted to go in a different direction. Holland said that meant leaving a team that she had skipped for seven years.
“I made the decision first to step away from the team,’’ Holland said. “That’s where it started. When I let the girls know, they discussed it and they decided they will go their separate ways based on their time commitment and where they are at.’’
PEICurling.com photo: Amber Holland team at 2011 Scotties
Tammy Schneider said Monday she was surprised by Holland’s decision.
“I’m disappointed because I didn’t expect it to end this way,’’ Tammy said. “I thought we would play together one more year for sure. We’re giving up a pre-trials spot and we worked hard to get to the last (Canadian Olympic team) trials. Now that spot is gone … It’s frustrating and disappointing.’’
Holland said she’s isn’t giving up competitive curling. She felt the first step was telling her teammates of her decision to leave the squad. Now she’ll start the process of forming a new team.
Holland won consecutive Saskatchewan women’s titles in 2010 and 2011. Holland captured the 2011 Canadian women’s title in Charlottetown and finished second at the 2011 world championships.
Holland’s reign as Team Canada was a disappointing one. Holland earned $900 on the cash circuit and failed to make the playoffs at the 2012 Canadian women’s curling championship. It was the first time since 2008 that Team Canada missed the playoffs at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Holland said the team’s performance in 2012 wasn’t a factor in her decision.
“It was a change that I needed for myself,’’ Holland said.
The decision has financial ramifications. Holland’s squad was eligible for $72,000 in federal funding for another year as carded Canadian athletes after winning the Scotties in 2011. Three of the four team members have to stay together to continue to receive the $18,000 per player for the 2012 season. The breakup of the Holland team means none of the players will be eligible to receive Sport Canada funding.
“I’ve never played this game for money,’’ Holland said. “I play it for the love of the sport and to be the best player I can be.’’