Community, Camaraderie, and Curling: How Jennifer Chase Found Her Calling
Growing up in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Jennifer Chase initially found herself more interested in music than sports. Describing herself as a “band geek,” she spent her childhood biking and canoeing with her dad, yet never considered athletics as her path.
That all changed when she took a chance while working with a company doing promotions at a local curling club.
“After weeks and weeks of ‘you should come out on the ice with us,’ I gave in…and fell in love,” Jennifer recalls.
She eventually transitioned to coaching curling and bocce with the Special Olympics Lunenburg/Queens, after a concussion that left her wanting to help other athletes experience the joy of sport.
“Going through my own struggles made me want to help others,” she reflects. Working with athletes of varying abilities, Jennifer takes a highly adaptable approach, tailoring each lesson to meet the needs of every individual.
“You have to really know your athlete,” Jennifer says. “And seeing their joy…it doesn’t matter if they lose—they come off and ask, ‘Did you see that shot I made?’ That one shot is all that matters to them.”
That said, Jennifer’s athletes have reached impressive milestones under her guidance, recently bringing home the bronze medal at the Curling Invitational in Yukon.
As a participant in the Support4Sport VIP Coaching Program, Jennifer has gained essential tools and connections to fuel her passion for coaching. Through the program, she has met other coaches, gained specialized training, and even saw one of her athletes become a True Sport Athlete Ambassador—a role that empowers athletes to share the values of inclusive sport.
Jennifer notes that funding through programs like Support4Sport is vital, helping keep sports accessible for all.
“Without Support4Sport, there are many people who wouldn’t be involved in sports because they just can’t afford it,” Jennifer says.
For Jennifer, it is all about fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re playing against a team you’ve never met before,” she says. “By the end of the game, you’re friends.”
