Each week during the summer, we’re featuring one of our recipients from the 2024 Curl BC Annual Awards so we can learn more about our well-deserved award winners!

This week, let’s learn more about the 2024 Judie Roberts Friendship Award recipient, Sharon Morrison (Vernon).

Q1: Where and when did you start curling? 
A1: I started curling in Prince Rupert, BC. Back home in Saskatchewan, I had watched a lot of great competitive curling. I did not feel intimidated starting out in Prince Rupert, however, as everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly! We went for 2 years and stayed for 20, mainly because of the wonderful friends we made through this sport.

Q2: What does it mean for you to win the Judie Roberts Friendship Award?  
A2: Judie Roberts was a friend whom I met when she was on the Board of both BC Ladies Curling Association and Curl BC. She did an incredible amount of work for the sport, and I consider it an honour to receive an award in her name.

Q3: How did you get involved in curling?  
A3: Once I began playing more competitively myself, I took the Curling Canada Coaching Courses –  both to improve my own skills and to work with young athletes in my Club.

Q4: You’ve had a lot of great curling memories across the globe – is there one or two that really stand out to you, that you sometimes will reflect on?  
A4: This is a tough question to answer as there are many that stand out. Working with athletes from around the world, including multiple visits to New Zealand to coach and run camps for the Kiwis and Aussies that flew across the pond. Another would be time spent coaching and instructing with Linda Moore in Switzerland and Italy, and some of these athletes are now coaching World Class teams in their own country. A third would be instructing at a World Curling camp, where I worked with some Romanian curlers and then returned to put on a Camp and coach their teams at their first European Championship.

Q5: What do you consider your biggest curling accomplishment (as an athlete, coach, official…etc)?
A5: As a Coach, I have been fortunate to work with many incredible athletes who have gone on to national and international Championships.  The one who definitely tops my list is Ina Forrest.  I have coached her for over 20 years and still find her the most motivated, open minded, hard working, and team-oriented athlete I know. As a National and International Umpire, I have worked with dedicated officials from all over the world.   As the Curl BC Officiating Coordinator, I had the privilege of mentoring BC Umpires like Dianne Barker and Linda Kirton who have gone on to become Chief Umpires at both Canadian and World Curling Events. As a curler, I consider myself so fortunate to be able to take part in this lifetime sport.  60 years, and I am still curling 3 times a week!

Q6: What advice would you give to the younger generation of curlers?  
A6: Curling is a fun sport!  It should be fun at whatever level you want, from the Recreational League to the Olympic or Paralympic Podium!  You will make friends for a lifetime and gain some physical fitness at the same time!

Q7: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A7: I was truly fortunate to work with Curl BC’s first CEO, Linda Moore. Her vision of Regional Coaching became a reality, and I was hired as the first, and only Regional Coach at the time. It started out as a few dollars in funding through Pacific Sport in Kamloops and grew into a part time job.  Linda had many great visions for curling in our province, and I was privileged to work with her.