"Now I Can Grieve"

Week ends in Heart-break

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008

It's over.

Michelle Englot's emotionally wrenching week as the hometown skip of Saskatchewan's team as the Canadian women's curling championship ended Thursday evening at the Brandt Centre with a 10-3 loss to Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink.

"In a sense, I'm glad that it is over," Englot said. "Now, I can grieve."

The defeat concluded seven days in the spotlight that no curler at the Scotties would have ever dreamed of having to endure. It started Feb. 15 when Joe Englot, Michelle's father, died of a heart attack at the family farm in Montmartre. He was 74.

Between then and last night, Englot played through her grief. She finished at 5-6 and won the support of a curling nation for the manner in which she dealt with totally unexpected adversity.

"It was the toughest week of my life but I made it through," Englot said before Thursday's late draw. "What is the song? 'What doesn't kill you can only make you stronger?'"

Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons were strong before the Scotties started. On Feb. 15, before Englot's world was shattered, they held a team meeting and were ready to toss rocks with some of the best teams in the country. It was Englot's sixth appearance at the Scotties and her first as a hometown skip. Englot's excitement about what lay ahead was noticeable.

"I really believe that had we played well and like we could, we could have won it," Englot said. "We know that we can beat the top teams. That was our goal before the beginning of the week."

The goal changed to surviving. Englot didn't miss an end while dealing with the death of her father. She only avoided one set of interviews Tuesday when she had to rush to Montmartre to attend the funeral service. Englot said she did consider stepping back and allowing alternate Lorie Kehler to fill in for her on Tuesday.

"We thought we had time to do everything and they had worked the funeral around my schedule," Englot said. "I was committed to playing the whole event."

She did all of the things that are required of a player at a national event. She had just one public breakdown -- Tuesday afternoon while being saluted with a standing ovation by the Brandt Centre crowd. Saskatchewan spent its badly needed bye attending the funeral. Englot returned to action Wednesday and lost both of her games to extend a losing streak to three games.

"I was emotionally drained (Wednesday)," Englot said. "Tuesday was a tough day. We didn't play well and it showed that I was drained. I did what I could and it wasn't enough."

Englot and Co. plan on remaining together for at least another year. After what it had been through this week, it would be shame to break up.

"They are some of my best friends and I can only believe this can make us closer as a team," Englot said.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

"Maybe Tomorrow We'll Figure Out What My Job Is"

Kehler challenged by her role

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008

Lorie Kehler had one of the best seats in the Brandt Centre at the Canadian women's curling championship.

She was the fifth with Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot, which provided Kehler with one of those elevated chairs behind the scoreboards at the home end. Kehler enjoyed the view and her role with Team Saskatchewan at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

"It has been fun and it was kind of like being in a fishbowl," Kehler said after Thursday's 8-1 victory over Prince Edward Island's Suzanne Gaudet at the Brandt Centre. "There has been a lot going on and it's a great event to be involved with. I thought that my Scotties years were over, so it was nice to have another."

Kehler had been involved in five other Canadian women's championship with Englot. Kehler played lead, second and third with Englot at those events, which Kehler said was a little easier than being one of the support team.

"You haven't any control over anything," Kehler said. "At least when you're out there you can take it out with you sweeping or just being there. It's a very different role."

Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons already had well-defined roles before winning the provincial championship. Anita Ford worked as the team's coach before the Scotties. The squad, which is well-organized, was looking for support and encouragement from its alternate.

"Anita had worked with them before, so she had a bit of role already," Kehler said. "As far as running and managing things, they have that covered. They really didn't need anyone."

Englot appreciated having Kehler as part of the team, especially during a challenging week.

"Lorie and I are very close and we always have been," said Englot, who was 5-5 heading into Thursday's final draw against Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink. "We couldn't have picked a better person to be our fifth in this situation."

Kehler filled the role as a cheerleader and as a shoulder to lean on when the emotions grew to be too much for the members of the Englot team. Kehler also filed a daily dairy to saskcurl.com that provided insights into Saskatchewan's team away from the pressure of the Scotties.

"Anita and I tried to scout rocks and see what everybody else was throwing," Kehler said. "Michelle pretty well has her mind made up and there isn't a lot of input from me. I'm just a big supporter."

Kehler said reaching the 5-5 mark was huge. It improved their performance in Sudbury in 2001 by one win.

"You always want to come back with a winning record," Kehler said. "I remember that 4-7 was really tough coming home. You just feel that you let everybody down. You want to go out on a winning note."

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

It's always interesting to see what a fifth thinks about the job. Here's Lorie Kehler herself, writing on the same subject, just a few days ago:

Speaking of my job, that has been a topic of debate.

What is my job? Certainly not remembering what rocks/sheets we have been on, or are heading to. Without Anita’s magic book I would be lost.

Playing, not my job unless an emergency, this is the girls' show.

Slight emergency yesterday when I left my glasses at home, Roberta was quite concerned that it would cut into my crowd watching. Now that is my job, but as Joan Stricker can attest to, I could do that when even when I was curling.

I told Roberta not to worry as my glasses were being hand delivered by my hubby and in the meantime, I could borrow coaches’ binoculars, surely she could do without them for an end or two.

How important can determining how the other teams are matching rocks and throwing rock on certain sheets anyway, which by the way is not my job, Anita can pick out what rock anyone on any sheet is throwing and I am still focussing the darn binoculars. Maybe I just needed the pressure of needing them for crowd watching.

Then last night, I found a smelly, worn out, old pair of mitts that I thought Bert had had since the 2001 Scott in Sudbury, and I thought finally I can show my worth to Bert. But sadly, I was wrong. Sorry to whomever’s smelly, worn out, old pair of mitts I stole, check the yellow rock dressing room.

Maybe tomorrow we’ll figure out what my job is.

"We're Here To Curl"

Englot team turns focus to curling

Murray McCormick, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, February 21, 2008

REGINA -- Michelle Englot has attempted to take control of the off-ice distractions at the Canadian women's curling championship.

Englot returned to action Wednesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts after attending a funeral service for her father, Joe Englot, in Montmartre on Tuesday. She was beaten 7-5 by Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador on Wednesday and proclaimed to the media that was she was fine.

"The funeral went fine and we're here to curl," Englot said after falling to 4-4.

Englot and her teammates -- Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons -- have formed a unified front in dealing with the media's questions regarding the squad's off-ice emotions.

"Our team motto is, 'The funeral is done, we've said our good-byes and we're going to focus on curling,'" said Simmons. "We have to keep our heads into the game and not worry about the media."

Joe Englot, 74, died Friday at the family farm in Montmartre after suffering a heart attack. Englot has played through her grief and was able to keep her emotions in check. That was until after Tuesday's 8-6 loss to Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault. The Brandt Centre crowd saluted Englot with a standing ovation, which led to the skip breaking down.

"It was just getting caught up in the moment," Englot said. "We knew that we had some tough things to deal with that day and we've dealt with them. We've decided to concentrate on curling and that's all that we're thinking about."

Englot fell behind 6-2 to Newfoundland-Labrador after five ends after giving up steals of one in the fourth and fifth ends and a steal of two in the sixth. She closed the gap to 6-5 in the eighth but that was as close as she could get.

"We were chasing them the whole first half of the game," Englot said. "We turned it around and finally had them chasing us. It was too little, too late."

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Sask Playoff Hopes Are Slim

Sask.'s playoff hopes need help

Englot loses twice on Wednesday to see record fall to 4-5

Murray McCormick, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, February 21, 2008

REGINA -- Michelle Englot, who has dealt with more adversity off the ice than any skip should have to endure, is in dire straits at the Canadian women's curling championship.

Englot lost two games on Wednesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and needs plenty of help to make even a tiebreaker. Englot (4-5) is tied with Team Canada and B.C. for seventh heading into the final day of round-robin play.

"We need help -- big help," Englot proclaimed after losing 7-5 to Manitoba's Jennifer Jones at the Brandt Centre. "Five losses are probably too much but I haven't looked at who plays who and whatever to see if 6-5 would make it -- not that it matters at this point.

"It's a matter of pride in trying to get a better record. We'll come out and play hard (today)."

Englot and her Tartan crew of Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons opened play Wednesday in control of their fate. A couple of wins may have moved Saskatchewan into the playoff picture with a bit of cushion. Instead, Englot was beaten 7-5 by Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador and then lost to Jones in the evening draw.

The evening loss may prove to be critical because both teams entered the game at 4-4. Teams with 6-5 records have made tiebreakers five times since the Page Playoffs were instituted in 1995. Those with 5-6 marks have never advanced.

"We were confident with four losses going into the game that we would be able to pull off a tiebreaker," Kidd said. "After this one, there has to be a lot of icing on the cake if we're to make playoffs."

Englot was back on the ice Wednesday after having two draws off. She left immediately after Tuesday's 8-4 loss to Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault to attend her father's funeral in Montmartre. Joe Englot, 74, died Friday at the family home in Montmartre of a heart attack.

Englot stated the team was finished dealing with questions about her father's death and wanted to concentrate on curling. She was focused Wednesday but couldn't seem to recapture the momentum that led to a four-game winning streak which followed losses in her opening two games.

"It's just us," Kidd said. "The ice has been the same every game. The ice is a little bit quicker in the middle ends but it's us not doing what we should be doing."

Englot, who has lost three straight, hasn't had time to do any scoreboard watching.

"I've been glancing at the standings but there have been a lot of other things going on," said Englot, who was 4-7 in 2001 at her last Scotties in Sudbury. "It's hard to say what is going to happen but typically you never know what happens until the last game."

The seventh and eighth ends were the keys in the evening matchup. Jones was able to draw for three in the seventh to grab a 5-4 lead. In the eighth, Englot was heavy on both of her draws. The misses allowed Jones to steal two and assume control.

"We've been slipping deep all week and not controlling the front of the rings," Englot said. "That makes a big difference."

Englot has a bye this morning. She returns at 2 p.m. to play Prince Edward Island's Suzanne Gaudet (3-6) and opposes Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink (8-1) at 7 p.m. Englot's fate could be decided before she throws her first rock.

"That could be but we still want to play hard and have a record over .500," Englot said.

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Not The Streak They Had In Mind

Not the streak Englot likely wants

Murray McCormick, Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot is on another streak at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Englot lost her second straight game on Wednesday, this time dropping a 7-5 decision to Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador. Englot opened the Scotties with two losses, then rattled off four straight wins before leaving Tuesday to attend her father's funeral in Montmartre. She had a bye Tuesday night and Wednesday morning before returning to action on Wedneday.

Englot fell to 4-4 and likely needs help to make the playoffs. She's to play Manitoba's Jennifer Jones in tonight's draw. She concludes the round-robin portion of the Scotties on Thursday with games against Prince Edward Island's Suzanne Gaudet and Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink.

Englot struggled on Wednesday, facing a number of rocks in the house. Her team did play well, which gives her something to build on tonight.

© Leader-Post 2008

The Cheers Drew Tears

Saskatchewan curling fans are tough!

When you wear the green, they expect you to win; they also expect you to play well, especially at home.

So when the hometown skip shoots 41% in a one-sided loss, she doesn't expect a standing ovation.

Cheers and tears at the Scotties

by Murray McCormick, The Regina Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The cheers drew tears.

A Tuesday afternoon crowd of 3,819 at the Brandt Centre saluted Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot with a standing ovation after she was beaten 8-4 by Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Englot acknowledged the tribute at the Canadian women's curling championship with a wave and a smile.

Seconds later, Englot was battling tears. Englot, who left immediately after Tuesday's game to attend her father's funeral in Montmartre, wasn't able to control her emotions any longer. Joe Englot, 74, died Friday of a heart attack at the family farm in Montmartre.

Michelle Englot was embraced by her teammates when she reached the end of Sheet A. The diminutive skip's shoulders were shaking as she finally gave in to her grief.

"What a strong lady," Nova Scotia lead Nancy Delahunt said while wiping away tears after the win. "I've always had so much respect for her. Now I respect her more for maintaining her commitment to the team. Her boys (Bret and Derek) were here and she is setting such a wonderful example for her family by doing the most difficult thing that she has ever done.

"She is leading her whole family and I expect they will look to her as a beacon and a leader. There is always someone who emerges at times like this and Michelle is that one."

Englot wasn't available to speak to the media after the game. The team rushed from the Brandt Centre to Montmartre to make a 7 p.m. funeral. There was also a viewing at 5:30 p.m. that Englot was hoping to make.

Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons made the 90-kilometre trip to Montmartre in private vehicles. Some of the curlers, along with representatives from the host committee, the Saskatchewan Curling Association and the Canadian Curling Association, boarded a chartered bus to attend the funeral. The players in the evening draw wore green ribbons as a sign of the support for Englot.

"I can't imagine doing it," Delahunt added when asked about the game. "The family will find a lot of strength in watching what Michelle does."

Englot looked sharp Tuesday morning while beating Kerry Galusha of the Yukon-Northwest Territories 9-4 to increase Saskatchewan's winning streak to four games.

Englot dealt with a crush of media after politely informing them that members of the team wouldn't be available for interviews after the match against Nova Scotia.

"I just wanted to get going right after the game," Englot said.

Against Nova Scotia, Englot's mind was obviously on more important matters. She faced a number of difficult shots, which she wasn't able to execute. Englot made only 41 per cent of her shots before shaking hands in the eighth end.

"You feel sympathy and empathy for her in that situation," Arsenault said. "Not that it is wrong what she's doing but I don't know if I would have the guts to do that."

Englot has been a rock, at least in public. She is the manager of external communications with SaskTel and had the foresight to let media know of her intentions regarding interviews. She was greeted by the largest scrum of the Scotties after her win over Galusha.

During that scrum, Englot paid tribute to her father.

"I learned to curl with my dad," said Englot, who is appearing in her sixth Scotties but her first as the skip of the hometown team. "He used to let me skip during club curling in Montmartre. He was very hard on me but that that's why I am where I am today."

Materi said that Joe Englot was always at the rink when Michelle played.

"He was a silent man and I'll bet it was hard on his nerves at times," said Materi. "But he was also very supportive. I think in her heart that she knows he's here. We're playing for him and we know that he's watching."

The afternoon loss dropped Englot to 4-3 and sixth place before last night's draw. She had a bye Tuesday night and another this morning before returning to action at 2 p.m. today against Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador. Englot plays Manitoba's Jennifer Jones in the 7 p.m. draw.

"I think we will be fine," Englot said when asked about regrouping from the funeral. "We have plans to meet as a team around noon. Then, we'll go from there."

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Three In A Row: The Rebound Continues

Englot continues to rebound

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Before her father's death, before starting 0-2 at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Michelle Englot was feeling great about her lot in life.

The Regina-based skip of Saskatchewan at the Canadian women's curling championship was pleased with work, her family life and the way it had come together in her 44th year. Most of those good feelings were pushed to the side when Joe Englot died Friday, one day before the Scotties started at the Brandt Centre. Joe Englot died at the family farm in Montmartre after suffering a heart attack.

"I'm battling to get back, get back there and that isn't coming easily," Englot said after rebounding from her dreadful start to improve to 3-2 and tied for fourth with four others heading into today's draws. "Hopefully we'll use the other strengths that we have."

Englot has drawn upon more than the support of her team to deal with the tragedy. Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons had met with sports psychologist Gary Gregor on Thursday and a number of times over the weekend. Gregor, who helped 1989 Saskatchewan Roughriders win the Grey Cup, has helped the players and alternate Lorie Kehler and coach Anita Ford deal with the grief they are all feeling.

"We gave each other permission to play like we normally do and that was huge," Simmons said. "It was OK to have fun out there, to be ourselves and play the way we want to play. It's not disrespectful and we've given ourselves permission to have fun and that's when we play our best. If I couldn't do that, I wouldn't be playing."

Normal is a state Englot is striving to reach. She was not there when Saskatchewan was beaten 9-6 by Quebec's Marie-France Larouche on Saturday and 8-6 by Ontario's Sherry Middaugh on Sunday.

"It was definitely hard and it is hard to step out there," said Englot, who is appearing in her sixth Scotties but first as the skip of the hometown team. "There are moments when I get weepy but I'm doing OK."

A three-game winning streak has helped. Englot was dealing more with curling questions as the weekend progressed.

Gregor, who worked with Englot at the 2001 Canadian Olympic team trials, has helped her clear some of the hurdles associated with her grief.

"It's nice having a third party come in and talk about your emotions," said Englot. "Giving us permission to play was important for me because I was struggling with it. Maybe I shouldn't be here ... That definitely helped me."

The move forward started Sunday night when Englot bounced back from a 6-4 sixth-end deficit to pull out an 8-6 win over Team Canada's Kelly Scott. Englot backed up that win with a 10-5 victory over New Brunswick's Sylvie Robichaud on Monday morning and a 5-4 win over B.C.'s Allison MacInnes last night.

"Family Day was good to us and we'll take it," Englot said. "We just hope that we can keep building on this."

Englot has games today against Kerry Galusha of the Yukon/Northwest Territories at 9:30 a.m. and Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault at 2 p.m.

Upon the completion of those games, Englot and her team will make the 90-kilometre trip southeast of Regina to Montmartre for a funeral mass, 7 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church. Saskatchewan also has Wednesday morning off before resuming play at 2 p.m. against Heather Strong of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We'll deal with (today) the same we have been," Englot said. "We'll give ourselves permission to play. We have a funeral to attend after that but I think we're through the toughest part emotionally. (Tonight) will be tough but we have grieved and we're starting to turn the corner. We'll be all right and we'll deal with it."

Englot (3-2) was tied with Manitoba's Jennifer Jones, Arsenault and Larouche. Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink (5-0) is first followed by Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador and Ontario's Sherry Middaugh at 4-1.

The Scotties runs through Sunday. The winner is to represent Canada at the Ford women's world championship, March 22-30 in Vernon, B.C.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Curling With A Heavy Heart

Saskatchewan skip Englot's father passes away

Murray McCormick, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 15, 2008

Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot will be playing at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts with a heavy heart.

The Canadian women's curling championship begins Saturday at the Brandt Centre. Joe Englot, Michelle's father, died Friday at the family farm in Montmartre. He was 74.

"It's not as if he wasn't healthy but he told my mother (Norma) that if anything happened to him to tell Michelle to curl," Englot said Friday. "That's what I'm going to do and I'm going to do it for him. I know he wouldn't have wanted me to not play. I'll do it with him in my heart."

Michelle Englot, 44, made the 90-kilometre drive to Montmartre to be with family members Friday. She returned to Brandt Centre in time for Friday's 10 a.m. practice sessions. Englot also took part in the Ford Hot Shots competition before meeting with the media to discuss her father's unexpected death.

"He went to the doctor (Thursday) because he was having some chest pains," said Englot, who is curling with Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons. "He told him to lose some weight, go home and you'll feel better."

Englot didn't give much thought to backing out of the Scotties. She said she would draw upon the support of her teammates, family and friends to make it through the week.

"I'll use his strength and I'll be fine," Englot said. "(Friday) night will be a bit of a letdown. We'll regroup and come out strong (Saturday)."

Englot watched her teams throw rocks while sitting on the bumper behind the sheet. She looked stoic and composed and was even seen laughing with her teammates. Englot's 17-year-old son, Derek arrived Friday afternoon and the two shared a long embrace.

It's the first opportunity that Englot has had to play in the Scotties as the hometown team. The proximity of Regina to Montmartre was one of the reasons Englot felt that she could continue.

"I wouldn't have stayed if we were in some other part of the country," Englot said. "It's a blessing that we are at home. I feel that I can still play because all of my family and friends are here. I wouldn't have had that if had been across the country."

Joe Englot is survived by his wife, Norma, and children Mallory, Michelle, Nissa and Norman and numerous grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.

The Scotties runs through Feb. 24.

© Leader-Post 2008

Third: Darlene Kidd

No Kidding around, she's in it for the green

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 15, 2008

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts starts Saturday at the Brandt Centre with 11 of the country's provincial champions and Team Canada in Regina pursuing a Canadian women's curling championship.

Regina's Michelle Englot is the Saskatchewan representative. Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons have earned the right to be the hometown team in the championship.

Wednesday, The Leader-Post's Murray McCormick began a four-part series on each member of Englot's team with a profile of Simmons. On Thursday, it was Materi's turn. Today, Kidd is in the spotlight.

A lighthearted comment turned into a dream come true for Darlene Kidd.

In 2006, after Regina was awarded the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Kidd was talking to her father from her home in Brampton, Ont. Ron Kidd suggested that she get back to the Queen City soon because the 2008 Canadian women's curling championship was to be held at the Brandt Centre.

"In the back of my mind I knew it was joke," said Kidd. "It could also have been that he just missed me."

That nudge was just enough to push Kidd into a decision. In August, Kidd returned to Regina after spending seven years in Ontario working and curling. On Saturday, Kidd will join Regina skip Michelle Englot, second Roberta Materi and lead Cindy Simmons to comprise Team Saskatchewan in the Canadian championship.

A relocation to Regina made sense for Kidd, who grew up in Lumsden. Kidd had been commuting between Toronto and Regina for 18 months in two-week intervals to be with her 12-year-old son, Nick -- of whom Kidd and Jeff Gartner share custody. She quit her Toronto job as project manager with the Ontario Centre for Excellence in May and spent the summer enjoying cottage life in Ontario before moving West.

"That was something I wanted to do more than anything," said Kidd, 35. "I also wanted to come back to curl."

It didn't take long for Kidd to settle into her former life. She found work at the same firm she had been employed with before leaving for Ontario. She moved back into the same house and quickly connected with her former skip and second in Roberta Materi.

Kidd also had ties to Simmons because they shared in the 1990 Saskatchewan and Canadian junior women's curling titles. It has paid off in Kidd's first provincial women's title and an opportunity to participate in the Canadian women's championship while wearing Saskatchewan's colours.

"There isn't anything that beats green," said Kidd. "I went to the Roughriders games and I wanted to be on the Dream Team. Everything has always been green for me."

Kidd and Scott Bailey, who plays lead for Toronto's Wayne Middaugh, have been partners for eight years. Kidd watched Bailey play in the Canadian men's curling championship but had a difficult time adjusting the Ontario colours of black, white and red. Kidd adjusted to the pace in Eastern Canadian but missed what was taking place back home. She stayed involved in the game, including reaching the 2004 Ontario women's championship with JoAnne.

"I enjoyed playing but it was entirely different from Saskatchewan," Kidd said. "You all live in different communities and you meet in whichever town you happen to be playing in that weekend. Here, you play club, super league and you practise together. It's more team-like."

Kidd enjoys that team atmosphere.

"There are lots of times when you don't want to throw," Kidd said. "That's the commitment that we have made to each other. We'll all be ready on game days."

The team's history helps. Each member has different ties to their teammate. They are also mothers, wives and have full-time jobs. Kidd and Simmons know what it's like to have partners who are also competitive curlers on the men's side. Pat Simmons, Cindy's husband, is a four-time Saskatchewan men's champion.

"We get along well and we've all been very good friends for years," said Kidd, who is an executive assistant with Clifton Associates. "That is one of the key factors for us. We have a lot of history, backup and support. When you put that all together we are a blended package that has the same goals. We're committed to what we want."

Each member of the team contributes to its performance. Englot said that Kidd brings intensity to the team.

"Darlene is probably the most intense of all of us," said Englot, who finished second at the 1998 Saskatchewan women's championship with Kidd and Materi. "You need to have someone who can keep the intensity level up. Everyone has a role to play and teams who are successful have a good balance of that."

Kidd is aware of her intensity when the team is on the ice.

"They tell me that I scare them sometimes," said Kidd. "I know that I'm the one they have to make smile. I'm intense because I'm not out there to lose. I'm out there to win."

That remains the team's goal. Saskatchewan hasn't won a national women's championship since the late Sandra Schmirler in 1997. Englot's squad plays a type of game that could end that drought.

"We're aggressive and there are a lot of teams that won't play aggressively with us," Kidd said. "Then we have to be patient when we have the hammer and when to go for it. If that happens in the first end, then we'll go for it."

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Second: Roberta Materi

Materi has her own home team

Murray McCormick, Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts starts Saturday at the Brandt Centre with 11 of the country's provincial champions and Team Canada in Regina pursuing a Canadian women's curling championship.

Regina's Michelle Englot is the Saskatchewan representative. Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons have earned the right to be the hometown team in the championship.

Wednesday, The Leader-Post's Murray McCormick began four-part series on each member of Englot's team with a profile of Simmons. Today, it's Materi's turn.

Roberta Materi is second on one curling team and could be the skip of another.

Materi throws second stones with Regina's Michelle Englot, who with third Darlene Kidd and lead Cindy Simmons, are Saskatchewan's representatives at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Englot earned a berth as the hometown team in the Canadian women's championship, which starts Saturday at the Brandt Centre.

Away from the rink Materi, 32, rules a house of a different kind. Materi and her husband, Scott, are the parents of three year-old triplets -- Alexa, Peighton and Kaden.

"It was very chaotic, with a lack of sleep and they were very demanding,'' said Materi, who took a two-year hiatus from competitive curling with Englot to devote time to her young team. "At the same time it was lots of fun. I wouldn't have wanted to be away all of those weekends while they were babies.''

Now that the triplets are older, Materi was able to take on a more demanding schedule. Englot played in five weekend bonspiels during the pre-Christmas cash season and all three levels of the playdowns en route to winning the provincial championship.

"I wouldn't want to play a more demanding schedule than that,'' said Materi, who is a human resources manager at SaskTel. "Scott is very supportive and he's very competent at home with the kids by himself. Not all dads can do that but he can.''

There are tradeoffs. Roberta said her husband is an avid outdoorsman and is particularly interested in hunting. Scott has his time off to hunt and Roberta gets to curl.

"It's challenging at times but Scott and I are very organized,'' said Materi, who has been married for eight years. "We just make it happen. Right now, the kids are young enough that they aren't in a lot of activities other than day care five days a week and swimming. I know in a few years that will change and it will be more hectic.''

Materi remembers when curling wasn't as hectic. She shared in the 2001 Saskatchewan women's championship with Englot, Lorie Kehler and Joan Stricker. There weren't any children and basically all that Materi had to do was head to Sudbury, Ont., for her first Scotties. Englot didn't make the playoffs after finishing 4-7.

"It has definitely made me want it more,'' said Materi. "It's so special that you just want to keep working hard and get another crack at a national title.''

Materi spent another three seasons curling with Englot before missing 2005 and 2006 playdowns. Materi curled some while the children were young but mostly it was motherhood and getting herself back in shape. Materi could be seen some mornings jogging behind a stroller full of her kids.

"I did miss curling and I spared a bit which kept me on the ice,'' Materi said. "I missed being part of the competitive game.''

Materi has been with Englot for eight of the last 10 years. Materi played on the team, along with Kidd, that finished second at the 1998 Saskatchewan women's championship. Regina's Cathy Trowell won the provincial championship that year and was rewarded with an opportunity to be the hometown team in the Canadian women's championship. Ten years later, the three team members finally have the opportunity to be Saskatchewan in Regina.

"We did get to play in the Olympics trials in 2001, so we got to have a little taste of it,'' Materi said. "There were three other Saskatchewan teams, though, and it will be different being the one and only.''

Kidd said that Materi is the ultimate front-end player, which simply enhances the team's chances for success.

"Roberta only speaks when spoken to, which you want in a front-end player,'' Kidd said with a laugh. "Michelle is the leader of the team in some ways but Roberta is the boss. We all have our own game faces and we all know how to deal with each other.''

Materi has honed that ability while guiding her young team around her home. Starting Saturday, Materi will be able to have the run of another house while pursing a national title. She's looking forward to being the hometown team.

"It was hard for our families to get to the provincials with them having to look after all of the little kids,'' said Materi. "We should have more support at home and that's exciting.''

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Lead: Cindy Simmons

Curling is a family affair

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts starts Saturday at the Brandt Centre with 11 of the country's provincial champions and Team Canada in Regina pursuing a Canadian women's curling championship.

Regina's Michelle Englot is the Saskatchewan representative. Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons have earned the right to be the hometown team in the championship.

Today, The Leader-Post's Murray McCormick begins a four-part series on each member of Englot's team. First up is Simmons.

The closing ceremonies at the 2008 SaskPower Scotties Tournament in North Battleford featured a moment that was significantly poignant.

It happened while Del Jones, the president of Saskatchewan Curling Association, was presenting the members of Michelle Englot's team with the provincial jackets they would wear as Saskatchewan women's curling champions at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Jones presented the jackets to Englot, third Darlene Kidd, second Roberta Materi, lead Cindy Simmons and coach Anita Ford.

The final two presentations were especially emotional because Cindy's father, Gary Ford, was Jones's best friend. Anita is Simmons's mother and Gary's widow. Gary, a four-time Saskatchewan men's curling champion, died April 22, 2004, at the age of 65.

"Without having my dad there to congratulate me . . . but having Del present me with the jacket in his last year as president of the SCA . . . was pretty darned close," said Simmons, 33. "It was a great experience for my mom and I. To have Del right there was special."

The presentation summed up what Simmons is about -- family, friends and curling. Simmons, who is to begin play at the Canadian women's curling championship Saturday at the Brandt Centre, can't remember when curling wasn't part of her life, including her family and friends.

"I played volleyball and basketball in high school but then I was given an ultimatum," said Simmons, who grew up in Grey, attended Sheldon-Williams Collegiate and lives in Moose Jaw where she is a financial planner with RBC. "I had to give up basketball if I wanted to curl because they conflicted. It turned out to be the right decision."

It sure did. In 1990, Kidd and Simmons won the provincial and Canada junior women's curling championships. It would be the first of three provincial titles for Simmons. She won a provincial mixed title in 2004 with Regina's Randy Gilewich, Englot and Pat Simmons. Cindy and Pat, the four-time Saskatchewan men's champion, have been married for six years.

Cindy's accomplishments follow a string of curling successes for the Ford family. Gary was a four-time Saskatchewan men's champion with Avonlea's Bob Pickering from 1968 to 1971. Anita was the coach with Sandra Schmirler's powerhouse team that won three Canadian and world titles and gold medal in women's curling at the 1998 Winter Olympics. Atina Ford, Simmons's sister, was the Schmirler's alternate and skipped the junior women's team in 1990. Anita Ford won senior women's provincial championships in 2004 and 2005 as a third with Regina's Crystal Frisk.

Cindy credits her parents with having an influence on her development as a curler.

"They offered different aspects of the game," said Cindy. "Dad was really into strategy and he was the one talking to us around the kitchen table. My mom has been the silent supporter. She is somebody you can talk to and will give great advice but she will never interfere. That's one reason why she's a great coach. She brings that grounding that every team needs."

Cindy adds that to her current team. She has curled off and on with Englot since moving into the women's ranks. This is the team's first year together in the current formation but each player has history with each other. Those ties create a comfort level that increases the team's chances of success.

"Cindy loves the game and has been involved in it since she was a young whippersnapper," said Englot. "I remember watching her in juniors and thinking what a great personality that she has. She's perfect for the game. She has a lot of experience to feed off."

Simmons has also planned her opportunities to be involved in competitive curling. Cindy and Pat have two children -- Makena (two) and Max (eight months) -- who were both born during the offseason. Planned parenthood is also a part of the Simmons' lifestyle.

"We worked it out so I would be pregnant in the winter," said Simmons, who barely missed a draw while carrying her children. "We're lucky that we don't have any problems getting pregnant. We know our curling season. The prime time to have children was early in the summer so they would be around three months by the time curling season came around. My family is all curlers and it's just something that we all do. It makes sense for us and it has worked out very well for us."

There is also an added bonus. When Cindy misses her father and wishes he was here to see her curling accomplishments, she only needs to look at Max.

"He looks like so much like my dad," Cindy said. "He acts like him, has the same blue eyes and the same mannerisms. He's just like my dad and when I go home, it's like having him there."

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008