In a year of transition, this year’s Pat Spiring Awards will be presented May 3, 2025 to Jay Kinnaird (Virden) and Kim Link (East St. Paul). The presentations will be a highlight of the annual Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner presented by Wellington-Altus.
Presented initially at the Viterra championship to the competitor who “shows competitive spirit, love of the game, respect for the tradition and spirit of the sport of curling and on ice curling ability”, consultation with the Spiring family and the dinner’s presenting sponsor, Wellington-Altus, and CurlManitoba has resulted in a transition of the award to become one which is available to both men and women. It also transitions to recognize leadership in the sport of curling along with the sportsmanship, competitive spirit and respect for the traditions of the game which Pat Spiring embodied.
The nominations of several worthy candidates received from curling clubs across the province presented a challenge for the selection committee and the two recipients are exceptional examples of the quality of nominees.
This year’s Pat Spiring Award honourees, Jay Kinnaird (Virden) and Kim Link (East St. Paul) both skipped teams at this season’s Seagram’s Whisky Club Championships, continuing their competitive careers at the same time as their primary focus is club leadership. In the recent past, Link has been a regular competitor at the Senior Women’s level as well, winning Manitoba in 2021 and competing for the third time at the Canadian Seniors in 2022. Kinnaird continues to compete at the men’s level, qualifying as recently as 2023 for the Viterra Championship.
Both Spiring Award recipients have a history of dedicated service, notably as the leader of major events hosted by their respective clubs along with their volunteer board and committee commitments.
Kinnaird was co-chair of the 2019 Viterra Championship in Virden and most recently was a leading force behind the Virden CC’s 125th Annual Bonspiel — an ambitious and successful event that brought together over 120 teams (men, women, mixed teams of all ages) utilizing the local curling club and ice in their arena. His nomination notes “for the past 10+ years, Jay has been a driving force at the grassroots level, serving on the board of our local curling club and contributing to the growth and strength of the curling community – he loves curling and is a skilled competitor and one of the best at bringing the community together at the rink. His ability to balance competitive drive with respect for opponents and officials reflects the core values that the Pat Spiring Award seeks to honor.”
Link was co-chair of East St. Paul’s provincial Scotties in 2023 and before that was involved with organizing other provincial championships including Mixed Provincials, Senior Provincials and another Scotties. Those are the showcase events. Less visible but equally (or more) significant is the leadership provided in 25+ years on the club’s Board of Directors including two terms as President, multiple years as Treasurer, and a valued role as mentor/adviser to new Board members. Her nomination notes “Kim values the curling tradition of sportsmanship and while she plays to win, she does it with respect for her opponent and the rules of the game – the true spirit of the game, the fun and comradery, is what keeps her coming back year after year. Winning is icing on the cake but her true motivation is the love for a game that is steeped in tradition and forms lifetime friendships.”
“CurlManitoba is honoured to participate in this recognition of two skilled competitors who exemplify all that is great about our sport – competitiveness, sportsmanship, respect for opponents and for the traditions of the game. We have deep appreciation for the fact that they have taken on such a strong local leadership role at the same time as they continue to compete at a very high level,” says CurlManitoba Executive Director Craig Baker.
The Pat Spiring Awards will be presented May 3, 2025 at the Victoria Inn, Winnipeg as a feature of the annual Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame Induction Dinner presented by Wellington-Altus.
Friends, family and curling fans wishing to celebrate with the recipients and with 2025 Hall of Fame inductees can still purchase tickets – the advance ticket price of $115 has been extended to April 15. The deadline for ticket purchase is April 24.
Purchase tickets on-line:
ADULT ($115) https://mb.curling.io/en/products/9138-manitoba-curling-hall-of-fame-fundraising-dinner-ticket-adult
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The 2025 Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame inductees include:
- BUILDER: Darren Oryniak
- CURLER: Dan Carey
- CURLER: Dawn McEwen
- CURLER: Raunora Westcott
- TEAM: Mike McEwen, BJ Neufeld, Matt Wozniak, Denni Neufeld, Coach Chris Neufeld
- TEAM: Randy Neufeld, Dean Moxham, Peter Nicholls, Dale Michie
- TEAM: Ron Westcott, Ken Dusablon, Bob Boughey, Howard Restall
