(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Anthony Corea

CURLING SEND-OFF

Dunstone excited to compete at worlds; appreciates support from Kamloops Curling community

Mar 20, 2026 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS – Residents and Kamloops Curling Club members gathered for a Thursday (March 19) night send-off party to celebrate Matt Dunstone, who skipped Team Manitoba to the 2026 Brier Championship and earned the right to represent Canada at the World Championship this month.

The skip, who hails from Winnipeg but lives in Kamloops, said he has a special place in his heart for his other hometown.

“I mean, ever since I moved here, the community of Kamloops has been incredible,” said Dunstone. “They’ve been supporting me from the get-go. Made me feel like one of their own, and I’ve always felt that. It’s pretty special to share this with all these people here.”

The love is felt in Kamloops and around the curling club as Kamloops Curling Club members feel a sense of pride every time Dunstone takes to the pebbled ice.

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“He actually inspired us to come curling a couple of years ago,” said club member Laine Mueller. “I see him out there practicing and I know he puts in all the hard work. It gives you a sense of pride, like Hey, man, I was playing curling right beside Matt Dunstone, and he’s on the national stage.”

At Thursday’s party, Dunstone took pictures and signed autographs for fans and well-wishes. Items were also raffled off throughout the night as well as a way to let ‘The Sheriff’ know that Kamloops is behind him as he prepares to compete at his first world championships.

“We just wanted to give him a great sendoff,” said Carolynn Boomer, the Executive Director at PacificSport Interior BC. “You know, just saying, good luck at worlds and representing. Everybody’s in their Canada stuff, it’s absolutely great to see.” 

The 2026 World Men’s Curling Championship will take place from March 27th to April 4th in Ogden, Utah.

Team Dunstone, which features third Colton Lott, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden opens against South Korea’s Kim Soo-hyuk next Friday (March 27) afternoon.

A full tournament can be found here.