Thunder Bay's Team Scharf has announced its disbandment after a decade of competition, including multiple appearances at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The team achieved notable success, such as two silvers and two bronzes at the Scotties and a bronze at the 2021 Olympic trials. While most members step away to focus on family, one plans to continue playing.
It's the end of a curling era in northern Ontario. After 10 seasons together, Team Scharf from Thunder Bay has decided to disband, as announced this week.
The team, consisting of skip Krista Scharf, Sarah Potts, Ashley Sippala, and Kendra Lilly, competed in nine Scotties Tournaments of Hearts, securing two silver medals and two bronzes. They also earned a bronze medal at the 2021 Olympic trials. "We've been together for 10 years and we've done a lot of curling together, and it's been an amazing time," Scharf said. "But all good things have to come to an end."
Scharf explained the decision stems from the demands of high-level competition. "I'm getting a little bit older, and you get to the point where it's so exciting to go to a Scotties to compete, but it does take a lot of time and energy and effort, and time away from your family," she noted. In a Facebook post, the team stated that Scharf, Potts, and Sippala are stepping away to focus on family, though they are not fully retiring and could return. Lilly, however, intends to continue curling and is exploring new opportunities.
Coach Rick Lang, a former world curling champion, reflected on the team's journey. "It's the end of an era," he said. "I feel like I just finished reading a good book and had to close it kind of sensation." He highlighted their championships, including multiple northern Ontario titles, and the challenges of balancing life and elite curling. "We've had wonderful times together, amazing success," Lang added.
Despite the disbandment, Scharf plans to remain active in the local curling community. "I still love curling," she said. "I want to be part of my kids' curling career. I'd like to be involved in volunteering and helping out where I can, and maybe trying to help out some teams, like maybe my daughter's team, my son's team, or some junior curlers around the club."
The team's departure opens opportunities for other women's teams in the region, as Lang noted: "The door is certainly wide open."
