Botelle students learn Norfolk’s trademark game
By David Beers

Students in grades three through six at Botelle School have been curling at each of their gym classes for all of February and early March. After some initial instruction in curling rules, vocabulary, scoring and history of the sport, red and blue four-person teams were formed and curling games were under way.
Each student throws the stone once in each game (four stones total) and the skip (team captain) changes after each game. Instead of sliding on ice, stones move on metal rollers down to a plastic mat called the house (target area). Sweeping the stones is done by flat cleaning mops, with red and blue painted yardsticks for which the curlers aim .
A team of volunteer instructors from the Norfolk Curling Club, led by Bill Brodnitzki,  have joined Botelle gym teacher Hanna Sobieski in helping the students with their games,
“It has been a great experience working with the children and the school on this project,” says Brodnitzki. “In just a few short weeks the participants are able to come into the gym and play the game of curling. They understand the role of each of the players and the objective of the game.”
The excitement level at Botelle is high and students, teachers and volunteers are looking forward to trying ice curling next year at the new Norfolk Curling Club.