Iqaluit curlers get national experience in Corner Brook

A group of young women from Iqaluit, Nunavut, are making a big impression in Corner Brook.

The National Junior Curling Championships are taking place in the city this week, bringing young curlers from all over Canada to Newfoundland's west coast.

The players from Iqaluit are one of the youngest teams at the tournament — made up of three 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old.

Curler Christianne West said it can be difficult back in their hometown to find other people to play against. 

"It's difficult, we play a lot of adults," she said.

"There are not a lot of teenagers that are interested in the sport."

The rink from Iqaluit is competing in its third national event despite their young ages.  

Newfoundland connection

West is no stranger to Newfoundland and Labrador. Her dad, Chris, is from Buchans, a place she has visited many times before.

Chris said it's special to see his daughter play in Newfoundland. 

"She was excited to come to her home province and I was very excited to see her play in the home province," he said.

Another player on the team, Katie Chislett Manning, said they hope to be going to many more competitions. 

"It would be amazing to keep going, maybe, possibly win the whole nationals, that's our goal, eventually."

The Iqaluit team will head to the Canada Winter Games next month in Prince George, B.C.