Curling DNA runs throughout veins of storied Howard clan
Ashley Howard learned from her father, uncle how to become contender on ice
Growing up in a curling family can be tough, especially when you’re watching from the wrong side of the boards.
Just ask Ashley Howard — daughter of curling legend Russ Howard.
“It’s so hard to watch. You have no control,” Ashley says about watching her dad and uncle win Briers and an Olympic gold medal.
“You are sitting amongst family members who are all so nervous and have no control. It’s far more easy to be out on the ice and competing and controlling what’s going on.”
Ashley Howard’s first memories of the Brier are from 1999 when, at the age of six, she saw her dad’s New Brunswick team lose out to Saskatchewan in the 3-4 Page playoffs.
She recalls getting a chance to hang around the players’ lounges and meet the competitors, something she called an inspiring experience.
“It was unbelievable — really well-attended and such an eyeopening experience as a kid,” she says. “As a youth, it was so amazing to me that the players were such normal people. They would go out of their way to say hi to you or talk to you and have a normal conversation.”
But she always wanted to be on the ice.
“In our house, the goal was always to go to the Brier,” she says. “I was a little devastated I couldn’t play in the Brier, but found out that the Scotties (Tournament of Hearts) are pretty amazing as well.”
As a fan, Howard was able to soak in everything she could, and it helped her grow as a curler and a person.
“The experience of attending an event has helped my curling career quite a bit,” she says. “Just understanding some of the things that happen that you don’t see on television, whether it’s the Ford Hot Shots at the start of the event or practice, that’s there is music playing between ends that you never get to see unless you’re at the event live.
“So all of those little things, you wouldn’t believe it, but it definitely helps when you’re in that position yourself.”
Howard found her own success in curling as she grew older. She competed with Jolene Campbell’s team at the 2016 Scotties in Grande Prairie, Alta., where the Saskatchewan narrowly missed making the playoffs.
How Howard ended up playing for Saskatchewan after growing up in Eastern Canada can be traced back to curling. She met her boyfriend, Scott Deck, in Saskatoon at the 2012 Brier, which was won by her uncle Glenn Howard’s Team Ontario.
Ashley moved to Regina and would become the executive director of CurlSask. Aside from donning Saskatchewan garb at curling tournaments, she became steeped in the curling culture in her adopted province.
“It was amazing to me to see the trophy with Sandra Schmirler’s name on it and my name on it after we won the Viterra Scotties,” she says. “That was pretty incredible because that’s just one example of the great curlers in that this province has. To be a very small part of it and wearing the green jacket was pretty special and a true honour.”
Having played in and watched national curling events in Saskatchewan, Howard is confident that Regina will host a first-class Brier in 2018 that will mean a lot to the fans and players.
“I think the knowledge of our fan base here in Saskatchewan will really add to that experience for the players,” she says
“There’s nothing like playing in front of a knowledgeable crowd that knows when to cheer and not to cheer and are there taking in every shot like you are.
“The Brier atmosphere can’t be replicated in any other event. It’s so special in what it means to the players, so I’m looking forward to seeing the players enjoy that and translating that into great shots and entertainment for the fans.”