Robertson’s resume worthy of the Curling Hall of Fame

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Team Robertson gradually came together over the course of a few years between 2008 and 2011. Competing out of the Neepawa Curling Club, the quartet quickly established themselves as a dominant squad, winning the Manitoba Senior Men’s Championship in 2011, 2012 and 2014. They also reached the provincial final in 2013.

In an interview with the Banner & Press, Robertson noted that was a great run of success for them.

“We were able to put something together there for those few years. We just had a good chemistry out there,” noted Robertson.

The provincial success followed them to the national stage at the Canadian Senior Championships. In 2011, Team Manitoba finished the round robin with an 11-1 record. They followed that up by sweeping through the playoff, on their way to a 7-5 win over Alberta in final.

In the World Championship in 2012, Team Robertson was also Team Canada, representing our nation against the very best. The squad proved to be up to the challenge with an undefeated record up until the final, where they were finally upended by Ireland 6-5. It truly was a showdown of the elites in senior curling, as these two clubs were the only unbeaten teams at that year’s event.

Robertson’s team would make one more impressive run to the Canadian

Seniors Championship in 2014, finishing second to Nova Scotia that year.

Honoured by the acknowledgment

While that four year stretch was something special for Kelly Robertson, it was never something he thought about as ‘Hall of Fame’ worthy. So, when he received the call from the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame, he was humbled by the acknowledgement.

“It was kind of hard to believe [at first], that we were put in this category of being worthy of the Hall of Fame. When you start playing a sport, any type of sport, you’re just doing it for the love of the game and not for any accolades,” said Robertson. “But, the older you get, the more you appreciate [this type of acknowledgement]. How it’s going to be for the grandkids and further on down the line.”

As for the ceremony itself, Robertson said it was great to catch up with, not only his teammates, but also some many other clubs and players he has encountered over the years. He noted there was something extra special about this year’s class having so many from western Manitoba being recognized.

“It was pretty special. There were a lot of old acquaintances there and [as well] the other inductees, I know them all. The curling community is a tight knit one. So going into the Hall, it was already something special, but going in with this group, and as well, having the ceremony in Brandon, adds something to the whole thing.”

Robertson closed his conversation with the Banner & Press by noting he also feels an intense pride in being able to represent Neepawa through the sport of curling, in sucha positive way

“It’s a special thing, but I never even thought about it. That is never why I curled, I just loved the game and it just happened that we did pretty good at it. It’s nice that this, perhaps in some way, helps put Neepawa a little bit on the map, so to say, because now there’s a [Neepawa] team in the Hall of Fame.”

Along with his conversation with the Banner & Press, Robertson also sat down with Lyle Watson on NACTV’s Coffee

Chat. That full interview will appear on NACTV on May 15 at 8:00 p.m., May 18 at 5:30 p.m. and May 20 at 7:30 p.m.