By Remy Greer
Staff Reporter
An Okotoks family continued its legacy of awards with the Southern Alberta Curling Association.
Taylor Ardiel was given the Instructor Award with mother Lynn Ardiel taking home the Award of Recognition at the 2012 Southern Alberta Curling Association (SACA) Awards Night Banquet, May 5 at the Danish Canadian Club of Calgary.
Ardiel appreciated the recognition after completing his first year as the head instructor of the Okotoks Junior Curling Academy.
“It meant a lot, it’s tough stepping in with 88 kids and you’re by yourself,” Ardiel said. “Two years ago my dad also got the (instructor) award so (I’m) following in the footsteps in the coaching line. It meant a lot that two people in the same family have it.”
Having a father with such knowledge of teaching the sport was a buoy to Taylor’s rookie year as the head instructor at the academy.
“From a kid who never went from curling and you can look up to professional athletes and stuff, but my dad never curler before either and he stepped in,” Ardiel said. “We both took our Level 1 and our Level 2 coaching together. He’s quite a big role model for me to step in and say this is what you’re doing right and wrong and he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to curling.”
Keeping a calm demeanor as a coach and a player is a big lesson Taylor took from his father.
“Keeping that second persona when you’re talking or even playing with someone if there up on you or you’re starting to slip don’t show any emotion and you keep that mask on all the time,” Ardiel said.
The Okotokian said the zeal displayed the junior curlers to learn every week makes a demanding job incredibly rewarding.
“It’s most of the kids that come in and they look at you and say ‘oh my goodness what are we going to learn today’? It’s the eagerness of the kids that steps it up to make you want to come back over and over again,” he said.
His efforts and undeniable aptitude for teaching the game and relating with the children has not gone unnoticed by the parents.
Casey Thomas nominated Ardiel for the award after witnessing the 18-year-old go the extra mile all season.
“My son Logan is seven and a half and he has autism and he just wanted to try curling,” Thomas said. “I know nothing about curling and I was new to this completely and we took him to the (academy).”
Thomas said she’s amazed at the maturity of Ardiel.
“I think it is so impressive to me that someone that is 18 is so incredible with children and that he’s willing to spend that much time with them.
“With Logan in particular because Logan is the youngest on the sheets he just did so much one-on-one with Logan.”
Taylor’s work on the sheets was made possible by the behind-the-scenes efforts of his mother. Lynn Ardiel said the award, given to volunteers who provide service at the curling club level, meant the world to her.
“It means that the people that you enjoy spending time with recognize your passion,” Lynn Ardiel said. “It’s a passion to be with friends and family and these people are very easy to be with and to help and to be honoured for that is very nice.”
Lynn and Wayne Ardiel took over the reins of the Okotoks Junior Curling Academy after Richard and Shannon Kleibrink had to step back due to work commitments.
“It was given to Taylor and it’s something you can’t do on your own,” Lynn Ardiel said. “We let him do what he does best, he’s a little bit of a Pied Piper and looks after the kids.
“And you take it on because there isn’t a lot of people willing to do that.”
Lynn Ardiel received a number of nominations, a testament to her commitment to the academy, but it was Thomas’ submission SACA chose as the best in the Southern Alberta. Thomas credited Lynn Ardiel for her ability to generate support by coming up with creative ways to get people to help out in big events such as the Alberta Junior Curling Tour Players Championship in March to smaller, more intimate events. Thomas recalls Lynn Ardiel’s commitment in fostering a positive environment, enforcing no bullying and good sportsmanship.
“The other thing I believe really strongly in was she was really encouraging parents to really stay and watch their kids to see what they can do,” Thomas said. “She brought such a positive influence to not only those kids, but to the parents.”
