Alisha Wilson memorial curling tournament returns to Elmira

Curlers gathered in Elmira to honour Alicia Wilson, a 14-year-old girl who died by suicide in 2018. CTV’s Krista Simpson has more on the memorial and message.

Twelve teams gathered at the Elmira and District Curling Club on Saturday for a bonspiel in memory of a young athlete.

Alisha Wilson died by suicide in 2018. A gymnast from Alliston, she was 14-years-old and her family said she had been bullied.

This is the fifth year for the Alisha Wilson Memorial Curling Spiel, organized by Ken Irwin, who worked at a gym where Wilson was an athlete.

He didn’t know Wilson personally but says her story resonated with him.

“When I was young, I was bullied as a student also,” Irwin told CTV News. “The story hit home to me. So, I wanted to try and make a difference.”

Those taking part in the memorial spiel say it’s important to have tough conversations about mental health and bullying.

“It means a lot to bring it up, especially in environments like this. Sometimes it’s like not always looked after, so I think in this competitive environment to really bring that aspect in, I think it’s really important,” says Isabel Rahnenfuehrer, who participated with her team from the KW Granite Club.

Rahnenfuehrer has taken part in three of the previous bonspiels in Wilson’s honour and said it’s particularly meaningful when they discuss mental health at the end of the event.

“It means a lot. It’s heavy, but I’m happy we’re here today and we get to represent that.”

Lilly Stanton, another member of the team, says it’s important for young athletes to prioritize mental health.

“There is a lot of pressure that comes from a lot of competition, and that can cause a lot of stress in teens,” Stanton says.

The annual bonspiel is open to both adult and youth teams.

Money raised from the event, which includes a silent auction, goes to support the Woolwich Counselling Centre.

Over the first four years of the tournament, Irwin estimates about $15,000 has been raised for the Counselling Centre as well as Youth Haven in Alliston.

Stanton said the cause is especially important as young people face new and complex challenges.

“I find it especially relevant in my life. A lot of my psychology classes will talk about it as well, how mental health in teens is not great right now. And having these support systems can really help.”

Irwin also hopes that the event will encourage more people to call out bullying when they see it, and be a source of support to those who experience it.

“I think one of the most important things for students in today’s day and age is to be aware of what’s around you, what’s happening around. And if you see something, say something.”