CurlManitoba and Sunrise Credit Union are pleased to announce a sponsorship agreement for live streaming of three of the most prominent curling events in the province. Sunrise will be the exclusive financial services sponsor of the live streaming coverage of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Carberry, the Viterra Provincial Men's Curling Championship in Selkirk, and the TELUS Junior Men's and Women's Championship in Brandon. “The history and heritage of curling in Manitoba has strong roots built on camaraderie, much like the history of credit unions in the province.  Right around the time that outdoor curling with cement-filled jam tins became a craze across the Prairies, credit unions were growing in size and number as groups of people helping people came together to help each other financially.  Supporting CurlManitoba is a natural fit for our organization,” said Sunrise Credit Union President & CEO Tim Klassen.  "The ability for us to help provide online access to watch these events will be significant for those who are unable to attend live events." CurlManitoba will live stream approximately 35 games and more than 72 hours of coverage during the three events. Live streaming allows dedicated curling fans the opportunity to watch top-end curling on desktop and mobile devices if they are unable to attend these events in person. “It will be great for curling fans across Manitoba and around the world to be able to see our best athletes competing for these provincial titles,” said CurlManitoba Executive Director Craig Baker. “In Manitoba, distance is a big factor in preventing friends and fans from attending in-person to support their team. Professional live-streaming is an important addition to our existing TV broadcast package as we try to ensure the widest possible access to this great championship curling.” CurlManitoba has some of the highest provincial curling digital views in Canada with over 1.8 million total page views with 145,000+ visitors averaging four pages/session over 4.5 minutes.

The City of Brandon, management and staff at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex are anticipating the reopening of the Sportsplex Pool in the coming month. The Sportsplex Pool has been closed due to mechanical system deficiencies. Construction was expected to be completed by mid-September, however unanticipated delays have impacted the completion date. A firm reopening date will be released once final inspection by Manitoba Public Health has been completed. Delays will have a direct impact on registered programming in the Fall 2021 session. Current registrants will receive further communication regarding these impacts. Information for public swim, lap swim, and aquafit is available at brandon.ca/pool. Information on Red Cross swim lessons and aquatic leadership courses is available at brandon.ca/swimming-lessons. Residents can also make Facility Reservation Requests. More information can be found at mycommunity.brandon.ca or by calling 204-729-2471. (City of Brandon PSA)

The North Central Hockey League will operate the 2021-22 season with four teams taking to the ice. Miniota-Elkhorn, Russell, Swan Valley Axemen and Waywayseecappo Warriors will each play a 12-game schedule, with a double home and home against each team. The season starts on Friday, November 12 and concludes Saturday, February 5. All four teams will complete in the playoffs for the league title. The league schedule can be found here.

Brandon resident Patrick Leask was recently announced as a winner of the 2021 National Indigenous Coaching Award. This summer Patrick started Oji-Cree Softball – a Softball Development Program for Aboriginal/Metis Youth. He offered free softball clinics and coached numerous teams with a goal of promoting healthy, active lifestyles in the community. From today's release "I'd like to thank my wife and kids for supporting me and my program it would not be possible without them, as they have been by my side every step of the way supporting me and all my new adventures. I have the best support system in place to push me to not only be a better man but a better coach. Anything is possible with the right people in your corner and a great mindset."

Over the weekend in Calgary, Brandon's Kurtis Cullen secured a double gold medal (Men's Open Singles and Men's Open Doubles) performance at the Western Canadian Racquetball Championships. For Cullen Sunday's Men's Open Singles victory was a redemption of sorts, as he upended a competitor he lost to earlier in the month at a national event for a spot of the national traveling team. Driving home from Calgary, he told bdnmb.ca that he typically plays in 3-4 larger tournaments a year and that he captured his first provincial title when he was only 16 years old. Cullen started playing the sport when he was just 4, 25-short years ago. He tries to hit the court 4-5 times a week to work on his individual skills including footwork, serves, and shooting set-ups. All the hard work and dedication paid off over the weekend, as in addition to the Men's Open title he and partner Mitch Brayley toppled 4 other highly skilled teams to take home the Men's Open Doubles title. Cullen also runs the junior program at the Sportslex, a program he is looking to grow. He recently became a Community Programming Co-Ordinator with Racquetball Canada and spends 3-4 days a week coaching and instructing local youth. Those interested in learning more about the sport can visit the Brandon Racquetball Association's Facebook Page here.