Meet one group hurrying hard towards inclusivity

• Players of all skill levels welcome
• Open to curlers of all gender identities, orientations and allies.

The Okanagan Pride Curling League (OPCL) provides an opportunity for a fun, welcoming, and social curling experience, no matter the skill level.

The initial idea to establish a pride curling league in the Okanagan came from volunteer league coordinator Layne Oakhart.

He was part of a pride league in Vancouver, and saw a need for something similar when he moved to Kelowna.

“I started talking to the manager of the [curling] club, Jock, and he was very supportive and basically pushed me to get it going and actually start the league here, which has been awesome,” Oakhart told Kelowna10.

He added there are a few ways the OPCL can benefit the community.

“Kelowna in particular, I think as a growing city, really needs and is trying to embrace more diversity,” Oakhart said.

According to Oakhart, he thinks catering to diverse communities including the LGBTQ+ community is a big part of that.

“Our league is intended and set up specifically to be not just for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but also allies,” Oakhart said.

He added he thinks it serves an important function of merging those two communities together.

“The reality is whether you see members of the LGBTQ community on a regular basis or not, we exist, we’re here,” Oakhart said.

When it comes down to it, Oakhart enjoys curling for the accessibility of the sport, the strategy involved, as well as the social culture.

“People will go, shake hands after their game, go upstairs and sit and have a drink with, not just their team but usually the opposition as well, and socialize after the game…” Oakhart said.

General Manager of the Kelowna Curling Club, Jock Tyre, said “absolutely” to starting a pride league.

“We’ve had pride curlers curling in our building, but not as an organized league. Now finally we’ve got them organized,” Tyre said.

He added that the buzz about it is awesome.

“People are excited, they’re telling their friends,” Tyre said.

Tyre also added they really try hard to make curling accommodating for people.

“It’s a safe environment that you can come down, and enjoy yourself doing an activity with your friends.”

Anyone who is interested in the OPCL and wasn’t able to sign up this year, can go to the Kelowna Curling Club website to stay up to date for when registration opens.