It’s not every day Olympic hopefuls visit small-town Saskatchewan, but for the past 13 years, Corr Grain’s Community Rocks program has been doing just that. Led by mixed doubles curling stars Laura Walker and local hero Kirk Muyres, the initiative introduces children to curling in a fun and educational environment, building excitement for the sport.
“We’ve been doing this for 13 years, visiting communities throughout Saskatchewan, just getting kids excited about the game, get them coming out to the clubs going ‘that was really fun – I want to go back to the curling rink.’”
This year’s program includes stops in Unity on Jan. 28, Kindersley on Jan. 29, and Denzil on Jan. 30. Muyres encouraged families in those areas to participate.
“If you’re around those locations, come on out, say hi to us, and bring the kids out for some fun,” he said.
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Community Rocks predate Walker and Muyres’ partnership in mixed doubles, with Muyres having long been a champion of youth curling. Over the years, he has worked with several competitive players on his four-player men's team, including his brother Dallan Muyres, Matt Dunstone of Manitoba, the Marsh brothers, and Colton Flasch. Muyres also credits others in the curling community for their dedication to growing the sport among youth.
“Community Rocks has been great, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle,” he said. "There are tons of programs and initiatives like this done by other teams throughout the country. There are also the associations that get around to events like this, and all the clubs too."
In Humboldt, Muyres praised local leaders such as Bev Kaip and Brian Wempe for their efforts in engaging kids at the Humboldt Curling Club. The ripple effect of these efforts, he noted, is clear: kids return to clubs, join youth and school leagues, and often continue in the sport, potentially becoming the next generation of curling leaders.
While fostering youth engagement remains a priority, Walker and Muyres have their sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The duo is vying for a berth in the Canadian Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials, with upcoming stops in Guelph for a pre-trials qualifier and Banff for a final event. The trials themselves take place from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4 in Liverpool, P.E.I.
As Walker and Muyres juggle their Olympic aspirations with local outreach, their efforts underscore the importance of inspiring the next generation of curlers. For Saskatchewan kids, it’s an opportunity to learn from some of the sport’s best—and maybe dream big themselves.