The 2021 Senior Friendship Tour successfully changed its title to the 2022 Senior Friendship Tour and embarked on its journey one year after the original scheduled start date. The Canadians arrived from the Maritimes and Ontario and the Tour took place as originally planned. Many thanks to all of the host clubs that remained throughout COVIDs year delay and for offering up such warm welcome, keen ice, wonderful food, and hospitality. Each club offered a different experience for our northern friends, but all stayed with the theme of, good curling, presenting what their club and region has to offer, and of course friendship. So much so, that many ties will continue long after the short visit the tour allowed. Participating host clubs included Schenectady, Albany, Utica, Norfolk, The Country Club, Cape Co, Nutmeg, Philadelphia, and Potomac.
Upon arrival, the Canadian curlers didn't know each other, but it didn't take long before they were a solid group of curlers and friends. They continue to keep in contact and try to curl together as much as possible and are already planning events and spiels together for the 2023 - 2024 season. Several curlers have already returned to TCC for a mixed spiel, Winter 2023, and are hosted by women they met while there.
A welcome was given at the opening dinner by World Curling Federation President Beau Welling, via Zoom, as well as the Presidents from both Albany and Schenectady Curling Clubs. Nadia Leslie represented the USWCA in welcoming the Canadians as well by being at the first game at Schenectady CC and formally that evening at the dinner at Albany CC. Along the way, in addition to the curling, we were able to visit many sights and give the group a taste of what the varied North East has to offer. One special highlight was a private tour of the Women's Memorial in Washington D.C. set up by committee member Nadyne Krienke. Seeing the journey, steps, and progress women have made in the armed forces was interesting and awe inspiring. The tour farewell was wrapped up by Potomac President Lauren Luther, Kelly Stevens (representing the USWCA), Leveling the Playing Field, and the Washington Coalition of Women's Professional Sports. Both of the two sports groups are great advocates for women. The Coalition sent two Washington Diva players (professional tackle football) to speak to the group. They were strong and inspirational women who have families, work, and play a professional sport. It was a great finale.
The committee took on their responsibilities and carried them out so that everything was in place and things ran well. Not only did the committee put in many hours and lots of planning, but many of our members contributed by way of gifts, time, and talent to make it possible to stay on budget, offer a once in a lifetime experience to our Canadian visitors, and to strengthen the bonds that the USWCA has among itself by supporting each other. For that is what we are about and it showed throughout the planning and execution of the Tour. Thank you all.
To see information on the Tour visually summed up, visit the 2022 Senior Friendship Daily Report page. There are pictures posted of the adventures.
The next tour will go out as originally scheduled in the Fall of 2024. Applications will be available in September 2023 and the deadline to apply will be in December 2023.