News that Curling Nova Scotia cancelled several provincial curling championships due to COVID-19 didn’t come as a surprise to Jamie Murphy.
Skip Jamie Murphy, left, and third Paul Flemming talk strategy during action at the 2020 Nova Scotia Men’s Provincial Championships at the Dartmouth Curling Club on Jan. 20, 2020. – Eric Wynne
But on Monday Curling Nova Scotia announced the cancellation of all provincial championships until March 1, including the Scotties and Tankard.
I never thought there would be a day that I would turn down an invitation to go to the Brier, but with all the other factors, it did weigh on me.
– Jamie Murphy, Halifax Curling Club skip
On Monday, Murphy said that his rink of Paul Flemming, Scott Saccary and Philip Crowell accepted the invitation to Brier, but he had to pass on the opportunity.
“I told the guys I didn’t see a clear path for me to be able to attend,” said Murphy. “All of our guys are in slightly different family phases and work availability. I can’t make it work for me. The isolation requirement upon return is really a challenge for me both personally and with work. I don’t have the right household setup, I have three very young children and it just didn’t seem to weigh the risks for me.”
Murphy said his teammates are in the process of finding a fourth player to round out the team.
Brothers rink evaluating commitment
The Brothers Mayflower rink that includes [PEI native] Erin Carmody, Sarah Murphy, Jen Brine and Emma Logan was given the opportunity to compete at the national Scotties as Mary-Anne Arsenault’s 2020 provincial championship didn’t meet the qualifying standards of having three of the four original members playing together this year.
The rink has until Wednesday to make a decision, according to Curling Nova Scotia. Update: Curling Canada has granted them a one-day extension.