Life of satisfaction for curler

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"I'm the most fortunate guy in the world," said Winnipeg businessman Arnold Asham, his bemused tone hinting that even he isn't quite sure how his life turned out so satisfying and successful. "I get paid for doing something that I'd do for free."

Asham is talking about curling. It is a sport that has been the 52-year-old Metis man's passion for most of his life. It has taken him to countries all around the world. It is the sport his namesake company is built upon. Asham Curling Supplies dominates the market for curling apparel and accessories.

During his almost 40 years of involvement in the sport, Asham has played with and against most of the world's best curlers. He's introduced many welcome innovations to the sport, and tirelessly worked to increase curling's worldwide popularity.

Asham grew up on welfare in the small community of Kinosota, Man. He began curling at the age of 13 and took to the game immediately, continuing to play after he finished high school in 1970 and moved to Winnipeg to work for the Manitoba government's Department of Mines and Resources. A few years later, as an avid curler in his mid-twenties, Asham came across an innovative new slider (the item worn on the soles of shoes to help participants glide across the ice), without a hint that the product would soon change his life.

"I [installed it on] a friend's shoe. Then another friend's. Then more and more people. The next thing I knew, I was working in my basement until five in the morning, putting sliders on shoes," Asham explained. "Curlers went nuts over this product."

To take advantage of the demand, Asham borrowed money from friends and contracted the manufacture of 500 pairs of personally branded shoes.

The loans were paid off within months, and 350 pairs were sold in 1977, the company's first year of operation. By 1982, sales exploded to 15,000 pairs annually.

In the two decades since, Asham Curling Supplies has grown and diversified into a company that sells not just shoes and sliders, but also gloves, brooms, jackets, pants, and pretty much everything else related to curling. Asham products are available across North America and Europe, and the company has suppliers in such far away lands as China and Pakistan.

"I never just worked within the industry. I went out and tried to make things happen outside the industry as well," Arnold Asham said. "In 1989, I was the founder of the World Curling Players' Association, and in 1990, I was one of the co-founders of the World Curling Tour."

These initiatives helped curling rebound from a period of stagnancy, by bringing global organization, better exposure and increased prize money to the sport. And as a welcome by-product, they also allowed Asham to live out his dream life.

"My job is to go curl all around the world. It's wonderful!" he said. "I've been to Switzerland, Sweden, Scotland, Germany, Russia. I've been everywhere."

Although his extensive involvement in the sport certainly keeps him busy, Asham recently took up another recreational activity. Four years ago, he formed the Asham Stompers, a Metis jig group, and in keeping with his tradition of success, his group has already won several competitions.

With both competitive jigging and curling occupying much of his time, the married father of three is beginning to contemplate retirement from the company he has overseen for 25 years. Two of his offspring-son Nathan and daughter Amanda-have been working in the business for several years, and it is to them that Asham will soon turn over the company's reigns (his other daughter, Katlyn, is only 14, but she, too, has expressed interest in joining the family enterprise).

"I'm going to retire by the time I'm 60, for sure, and I'll probably be semi-retired by 55," Asham said.

Considering all he has done for the sport, the Asham name will continue to be synonymous with curling long after the man himself has stepped back from both business and competition. If any doubt remins as to Arnold Asham's impact and legacy, one need only look around the family's local rink. It's a safe bet that most of the curlers there are proudly wearing an Asham brand product.

Conference to provide funding availability info

Yvonne Irene Gladue, Windspeaker Staff Writer , Edmonton

The Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association's Funding and Information Conference will be held on Feb. 19 to 21 in Alberta's capital city. Held every second year, the conference, called this year Think Outside the Box, is focused on providing Aboriginal organizations and communities with an opportunity to learn about and explore current funding resources.

Kristie Gross, the conference co-ordinator, said the conference is expecting 50 guest speakers from government departments and from private sector agencies.

"Participants will be encouraged to be innovative as they think outside the box while seeking support in funding. I think this conference will help them be innovative in how they seek support on how to develop, enhance and deliver projects and services in their community. This type of conference provides them with an outlet, as to other sources of funding," she said.

The list of presenters and representatives scheduled to do presentations include Alberta Health and Wellness, Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Metis Nation of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment, Status of Women Canada, Volunteer Alberta and the Wild Rose Foundation.

The conference is open to both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and Gross believes that the organizations presenting can assist Aboriginal non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals hoping to start their own businesses.

"I think that is great. It is for any type of service provider for anyone who is interested. A lot of the people who attend this conference are a service provider in the areas of health and social. Two years ago we had people from all over Alberta-north, south, east and wet," she said.

"We like to see people leave with some important information on different funding sources other than from the federal and provincial governments, because there is funding available from foundations, corporations and from private sectors," she said.