by Cheryl Bernard | Jun 4, 2017 | Blog, News & Events
Ashli Barrett/Lacombe Globe Friday, June 2, 2017 3:02:30 MDT PM Olympic silver medallist Cheryl Bernard delivers a keynote speech to hundred of students the Alberta Student Leadership Conference at Lacombe Composite High School on Tuesday morning. (Ashli Barrett/Lacombe Globe)You don’t win silver, you lose the gold is a notion former Canadian curler and Olympic silver medallist Cheryl Bernard isn’t a fan of. Kick-started by a controversial Nike ad campaign in 1996, it implies anything less than gold should come with feelings of regret, missed opportunities and failure, something Bernard has made the conscious decision to refute. A keynote speaker at the Alberta Student Leadership Conference (ASLC) hosted by Lacombe Composite High School, she spoke to around 600 students from across the province on resiliency, attitude and choosing how to view life experiences. Naturally, the focus was on one of her biggest experiences in Vancouver 2010, where her final shot in the extra end didn’t curl the way she’d expected and her team missed the gold by mere millimetres. “I really am a big believer in perspective and learning from losses,” Bernard said. “I told them the one quote – when I competed it hung on my mirror for years – and it said ‘I never lose, I either win or I learn.’ I honestly think if you can approach life that way and don’t have everything built around being an athlete or winning, but around the experience, the journey is pretty incredible.” Losses and failures, she said, are inevitable. It’s how one chooses to deal with them that builds resiliency and defines leadership. While athletes are recognized when...
by Cheryl Bernard | Apr 24, 2017 | News & Events
Young volunteers applauded by community through Champions of Good By Marcia Love, Spruce Grove Examiner/Stony Plain Reporter Saturday, April 22, 2017 3:29:44 MDT PM Above: Forty youth were recognized at the Champions of Good event at Horizon Stage on April 18 for their volunteer efforts in Spruce Grove. Photo supplied by Darwin Park Forty young volunteers honoured earlier this week are living proof selflessness and compassion are alive and well in the next generation. The youth, ranging in age from 12 to 18, were recognized for their volunteer work in the community during the Champions of Good event at Horizon Stage on April 18. The youth recognition event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Spruce Grove and Goodwill Industries of Alberta. Those recognized were applauded for their volunteer work in Spruce Grove — ranging from work with Girl Guides and Boy Scouts to seniors’ centres, sports teams and churches. John Oldham of the Spruce Grove Rotary Club congratulated and encouraged the youth. “When you’re following your interests, you develop a set of skills and knowledge, and you become more aware of the world around you,” he said. “You make new friendships… and you make a contribution to your community.” He added the high number of youth recognized demonstrates how there are many enlightened young members of the community. Brenda Hawryluk, director of donor and business relations at Goodwill, said the youth being recognized are incredibly humble, giving individuals. “Listening to the amazing things that they’re doing within their organizations and for the community, I’m very proud to be a part of their evening,” she said of the Champions...
by Cheryl Bernard | Jan 9, 2017 | Blog, News & Events
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2016 06:00 am By: Simon DucatelOlympic medallist Cheryl Bernard shares on Wednesday, Dec. 4 a moment with Sundre Junior Curling Club member McKenzie McElhinney.Noel West/MVP Staff Despite retiring from professional curling following a silver medal win at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Cheryl Bernard remains passionate about sharing her love for the sport with the next generation of curlers. “I’ve been lucky to play this game since I was eight,” she told the Round Up during an interview at Sundre’s curling rink while about 30 members of the junior club practised. “To see kids having that opportunity, that’s a big deal to me,” she said. “I love just seeing them interact — seeing them do well out there. They get so excited when they make a shot. They get so excited when they learn something new. For me, that’s a big part of it, is just seeing them succeed and have so much fun playing the game. That’s why I do it.” Bernard could not refuse when her friend Derek Ralph, who recently relocated to Sundre, invited her to share her story with the local junior curlers. Although her schedule as a TSN curling commentator keeps her busy, Bernard said she aims to spend time with young curlers at every possible opportunity. “This was nice, it’s close to home,” said the enthusiastic and friendly Calgary resident, adding she’s also been involved with curling camps that introduce children to the sport. Junior curling programs are perhaps increasingly important during times of extended economic hardship. Curling is a lifelong and “very inexpensive sport,” compared with, for example, hockey or golf...
by Cheryl Bernard | Jan 9, 2017 | Blog, News & Events
I was honoured to be at the opening of the 2017 Participaction 150 Play List in Toronto this morning and promote one of Canada’s chosen sports, curling! To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday Participaction.ca created a list of the 150 most Canadian activities out there. And of course curling is on that list! Along with hockey (no surprise) and soccer and everyday activities like the “all Canadian” pursuit of snow shovelling as well as hopscotch and bean bag toss. In 2017 Participaction is challenging Canadians everywhere to complete as many activities on the list as possible for chances to win spectacular prizes like activity trackers, trips across Canada, and a new car! So lets getting moving Canada! Get out there, try as many activities as you can! Do them with your friends & family! Track your activities online and earn chances to win great prizes! Click here to sign up! You can follow all the activities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on what’s happening, including cool contests, practical tips and even more opportunities to get involved. You can also join the social media debate about which activities are the most Canadian by using the #150PlayList hashtag. Jan 6,...
by Cheryl Bernard | Nov 9, 2016 | Blog, News & Events, Uncategorized
Retiring from the game I love was a difficult decision for many reasons. Curling afforded me many fantastic opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had, and I knew I would be giving up some of those when I tossed my last competitive stone. I’m thankful I was able to leave the game with few regrets, but one had always stuck with me – I never had the chance to play an event in Scotland, the birthplace of our sport. So, when Golf Away Tours presented my TSN colleague Bryan Mudryk, and I with the opportunity to host a golf getaway with a little curling mixed in, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Ten of us set out for an action-packed Scottish adventure. Several group members jokingly pondered how much scotch we would consume before all was said and done. When I inquired whether that was a necessary part of the cultural acclimation process, I received a rather emphatic yes and quickly realized there would be no room for compromise on this issue. A wave of hesitation washed over me when it came time to try the native nectar, but when in Rome…er, Scotland, I suppose. I will spare you the unpleasant adjectives and just say it has quite the unique flavor. Four doctors were among our crew – one of whom just happened to be a liver doctor. After I took the first sip, I was extremely grateful he was there. Despite my body’s inner protests, I tried several times to acquire a taste. I never quite made it, and that is my one regret from the trip. ...
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