AMHERST – The Grey Cup 100 Train Tour made a whistle stop at the Amherst Curling Club on Sunday to do a story about Canada’s other Grey Cup.
“Janice (Amos, curling club president) reached out and explained there is a Grey Cup here at the Amherst Curling Club that is two years older than the (Canadian Football League) Grey Cup and asked if we would like to visit, so we decided to take up her offer,” said Kate McKenna, social media host for CFL on TSN.
Governor General Earl Grey presented the curlers of Amherst a Grey Cup for their first Maritime Curling Bonspiel in 1907.
Two years later, in 1909, the Governor General presented the Canadian Rugby Union with the Grey Cup.
At the time, Canadian football was different than the rugby game it grew out of.
The first Grey Cup was won by the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, and several Grey Cups weren’t played during WW1.
McKenna said she is happy TSN can introduce Canada’s first Grey Cup to Canadians.
“This is something most Canadians aren’t familiar with but they should be,” said McKenna. “The Grey Cup, as it pertains to football, is so popular and famous, but curling is one of the most popular sports in the country, so it’s important people know about this Grey Cup as well.”
“It’s a privilege to have TSN recognize our much older Grey Cup,” said Amos with a laugh. “Actually, we’re very pleased that TSN and their Grey Cup committee took the time to come to Amherst and help us to recognize our Grey Cup.”
The TSN Grey Cup train, which carries the Grey Cup, is a Grey Cup Museum on wheels. During its 10-week 4,100 km journey, the train will stop at 100 communities across Canada.
“Every year fans make a pilgrimage to the Grey Cup, so seeing how it’s the 100th anniversary we thought we’d make a pilgrimage to the fans, “ said McKenna. “We’re in Moncton today, but we’ve been to Toronto, St. John’s, Charlottetown, Iqaluit, Halifax, and our next stop is tomorrow in Quebec City.”
McKenna, who is from Toronto, said she has ‘loved’ her visit to the Maritimes.
“My god-parents live out here and my sister goes to Dalhousie,” she said. “The people out here are so wonderful.”
The 40-second video about the Grey Cup at the Amherst Curling Club can be found at
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404744. It is on the video player section on the right-hand side of the screen.
The 100th Grey Cup is Nov. 25 in Toronto.
