From youthful talent to championship aspirations: Red Deer Polytechnic Curling’s next chapter

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Curling program enters the 2025-26 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season with new faces, growing chemistry and a commitment to building on its legacy of excellence.

"We want to make it to the ACAC Championships and qualify for nationals," says Brad Hamilton, Head Coach of the RDP Curling team.

Hamilton

Last year, the Red Deer Polytechnic Curling program enjoyed another impressive campaign. The Queens won ACAC gold and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) silver while the Kings earned ACAC silver and CCAA bronze. The Mixed Curling team solidified ACAC silver.

This season, the RDP Queens feature a youthful lineup anchored by returning lead Reegan Cox, a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences student who competed on the Mixed team last year. She is joined by newcomers Sofia Bascello (second), Danielle Taylor (third), and skip Kaily Sparks of Sexsmith, Alberta.

"Two of the new student-athletes played competitive U18, so the skill level is great," notes Hamilton, a four-time ACAC Coach of the Year. "They also get along very well, which is going to help."

The Kings roster blends experience with new talent. Returning players include Teryn Herder (lead and member of the 2024–25 ACAC All-Conference Mixed team), Joel White (third) and skip, Jaden Morlock, of Red Deer. Newcomer Jayden Bourke, a Business Diploma student, joins as second. Although Morlock is the only returning member from last year's Kings squad, the group has quickly rekindled chemistry.

Herder

"Jaden, Jayden and Joel curled together when they were around 12 years old, and Teryn is easy to get along with," explains Hamilton, who will be joined, once again, by assistant coaches Eldon Raab and Andrew Jones.

With no Mixed team this season, RDP's focus is squarely on the Queens and Kings.

Training has been underway at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, with additional practice and league play at the Red Deer Curling and Pidherney Event Centre. Hamilton and Raab also hosted a U15, U18 and U25 bonspiel, giving both teams valuable competition.

"The women played well and lost the U25 final," says Hamilton. "The Kings got better as the bonspiel went on, winning one or two games."

The Polytechnic curlers will open their ACAC schedule at Tournament #1 in Airdrie from November 21-23, 2025.

"We have told the student-athletes to focus on one game in a time—one win at a time," says Hamilton. "As coaches, we know that you can't make it to provincials after the first weekend, but you could eliminate yourself depending on your record. Curling in a different rink, you have no idea what the ice is going to be like. We want to get better and better as time goes on."

The results from Tournament #1 and #2 (January 16-18) will be combined. The top four teams in each division will advance to the ACAC Curling Championships hosted by Portage College from January 30 to February 1.