Bunch of the Month: US Junior Curling Association
Above: Interview with Dan Lieburn, on the right, the President & CEO of the US Junior Curling Association (USJRCA). Dan is responsible for board oversight and the day to day operations of the USJRCA. Coach Mike Graves on the left.
Above: The US Junior Curling Association is a non-profit dedicated to the development of junior curling in the United States.
Question (Q): What is the origin story of the USJRCA?
Dan Lieburn (DL): This grass-roots organization was started over 30 years ago by Bev Schroeder and Lynita Docken (Delaney). Over those 30 years we’ve developed roughly 5,000 junior curlers through our camp process, including some Olympic athletes. In 2019, some of us who had been with the curling camps project for a while, decided it was time to become a dedicated non-profit; solely focused on the promotion, education, and growth of junior curling and instruction in the United States.
Q: Describe some projects and involvements the USJRCA has initiated or taken part in. For you. Personally, what are you most proud of?
DL: We are currently reviving our version of the Junior Merit Program- one in which coaches can use to assess junior curlers across the country for proper camp placement as well as help those coaches have a baseline as to where their juniors rank based on set goals and technique.
We are also working on a much needed junior-specific instructor/coaching program as well as a parenting guide to junior curlers. Mini camps will also be offered this season to a variety of clubs throughout the United States.
As the president, I am very proud of the 9 other board members who have just as much passion for this organization and what we are doing to promote growth in junior curling throughout the United States as I do.
Q: What supports and allies does the USJRCA have?
DL: Each year, hundreds of volunteers from all over the country step forward donating their time, effort, and expertise to develop young curlers. One of our biggest strengths is really in the complete volunteer organization that we have put together throughout the United States.
Above: A shot from 2021 junior curling camp, at the Chaska Curling Center in Chaska, MN.
Above: The USJRCA's board of instructors, 2021.
Q: What is the mission of the USJRCA, and how do you carry it out?
DL: The US Junior Curling Association is dedicated to the development of junior curling throughout the United States. We execute this by providing junior curlers the opportunity to attend one of our summer curling camps or other minicamps and seminars we put on throughout the year. Through topnotch curling instruction by handpicked instructors from all over the world, we can maximize the experience each camper receives while at camp.
Q: How do you know what success looks like for your organization?
DL: Knowing that we’ve done our best to provide the highest educational experience to our campers; then seeing it pay off when playdowns and nationals come around is an amazing feeling. In the 2021 playdown season 95% of registered participants had come through one of our camps within the past 5 years. Success is also seeing 225 smiling faces at the end of the camp season and knowing that you’ve (the organization) have done your best to mold the future and change the lives of our campers, camp parents and coaches.
Q: What are your future goals for the USJRCA?
DL: We are currently working on a junior-specific coaching curriculum as well as a junior instructor program. We will be providing curling resources to coaches and parents. We will also be working on a junior curling circuit throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Q: What do you want the world to know about the USJRCA?
DL: We are always looking to grow grassroots junior programs, gain club connections, and run camps. If I, as a President, could promote one message it would be GET INVOLVED! Whether it be at your local club level helping with your junior program, starting a new junior program, or helping at one of our camps, GET INVOLVED.
Above & Below: Junior curlers work hard to improve skills, supported by Dan and the USJRCA.
Congratulations to the USJRCA for all you have accomplished so far, and good luck with future endeavors to promote junior curling!
Good Curling Dan, USJRCA coaches & affiliates, and aspiring junior curlers everywhere!
Have an idea for our next Fan or Bunch of the Month?