Moose Jaw curling legend Dorenda Bailey is back in her hometown for the BKT World Men's Curling Championship.
Bailey began her curling journey at the end of Grade 9 at Central Collegiate. She was coached by Roy Theisen as she started what would become a long and successful curling career.
"I signed up and had never thrown a rock before, didn't have any bad habits, went straight from scratch, which I think is probably a bonus. I lived less than two blocks from the rink, so I literally practiced every day after school. I started skipping, believe it or not, when I was in Grade 11 at the age of 15," said Bailey.
The Moose Jaw native led her team to a provincial championship that season and lost in the finals the following year. From there, Bailey went on to the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), where she won five Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles. Following her graduation from the U of S, she got together with her sister Cheryl and formed a team in 1970.
"We won what is now known as the Scotties, but before it was the Canadian Ladies Curling Association title. So that kind of all happened in a fast sort of 10 years."
Bailey then won four provincial mixed titles (1975, 1981, 1982, 1983) playing third for Rick Folk's team, which won the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in 1983. She joined the team in 1975, replacing her sister Cheryl. The team had notable performances in the Canadian Mixed Championships, finishing third in 1975, reaching the finals in 1981 and 1982, and finally winning in 1983.
"And I also played after that in the seniors, went to the Canadians once, and then I played in the Masters. So, it's kind of been a lifelong thing. I'm just grateful that I did all that."
Now, Bailey resides in Vancouver, B.C., and came back home just for the championship. She complimented the Temple Gardens Centre for its ability to host such a massive sporting event.
"It's exactly the right size and it's wonderful to watch curling in. Moose Jaw has been a curling city for a long time. I can see that most young people love the sport and it's great."
Bailey's return to Moose Jaw for the BKT World Men's Curling Championship is a testament to her enduring love for the sport and her hometown. Her journey from a novice to a champion, marked by numerous titles and accolades, reflects her dedication and passion for curling.
As she enjoys the championship, Bailey's presence serves as an inspiration to the next generation of curlers in Moose Jaw, reminding them of the rich curling heritage and the possibilities that lie ahead.