Amber Holland
Encyclopedia
Amber Holland (born July 10, 1974 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan
) is a Canadian
curler
. Holland skipped
Saskatchewan's team to a national women's championship in 2011 by defeating defending champion Jennifer Jones
in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
. She also won a national championship at the junior level in 1992, and captured a silver medal at the World Junior Curling Championships
in 1993 after losing in the final.
in Vernon, British Columbia
, where she skipped
her Saskatchewan team to a national championship. Her teammates at the event included Angela Street, Tracy Beach and Cindy Street. Holland and her rink represented Canada at the 1993 World Junior Curling Championships
, where they captured the silver medal.
After beginning play on the women's circuit after her junior career was finished in 1993, Holland did not have immediate success. She has played in Saskatchewan's provincial playdowns ten times, but did not appear at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
until 1999, when she served as an alternate for her former junior teammate Cindy Street. She also served as an alternate for Tracy Streifel's team at the 2006 event. Holland competed in Canada's Olympic curling trials in 2001 and 2005. She skipped her own entry in 2001, and played as an alternate with Sherry Anderson
's rink in 2005.
Holland's rink, including third Kim Schneider
, second Tammy Schneider
and lead Heather Kalenchuk
have been together since 2005. In 2008 they won the World Curling Tour
Players' Championships
. The team is coached by Merv Fonger and the alternate is Jolene Campbell
.
On January 10, 2010, Holland advanced to her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts
as a skip by defeating Sherry Anderson
9-6 in the final of the Saskatchewan championship
in Eston
. Skipping team Saskatchewan, Holland's rink finished the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
with a 6-5 record, out of the playoffs. Holland captured the Ford Hot Shot skills competition at the 2010 tournament, defeating Ontario lead Kari MacLean
to win a two-year lease on a 2010 Ford Taurus.
Holland and her rink again represented Saskatchewan at the 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
. They started the round robin portion of the tournament with an eight game winning streak, and finished in first place overall. Holland played defending champion Jennifer Jones
in the final. The final was tied at seven heading into the final end. Holland stole a single point to win after Jones missed her final shot. After the tournament, Holland was awarded the Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award
. Sandra Schmirler
skipped the last team from Saskatchewan that won the national championship in 1997.
Key
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
curler
Curling
Curling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is related to bowls, boule and shuffleboard. Two teams, each of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called "rocks", across the ice curling sheet towards the house, a...
. Holland skipped
Skip (curling)
The skip, in conjunction with the team, determines strategy. Based on the strategy, the skip holds the broom indicating where the player throwing must aim . When it is the skip's turn to throw, the vice-skip holds the broom...
Saskatchewan's team to a national women's championship in 2011 by defeating defending champion Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones (curler)
Jennifer Jones is a Canadian curler from East St. Paul, Manitoba. Jones, a lawyer, is corporate counsel for Wellington West Capital and a Windsor Park Collegiate graduate.-Early success:...
in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's national curling championship, was held from February 19 to February 27 at the Charlottetown Civic Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island...
. She also won a national championship at the junior level in 1992, and captured a silver medal at the World Junior Curling Championships
World Junior Curling Championships
The World Junior Curling Championships is an annual curling tournament featuring the world's best curlers who are 21 years old or younger. The competition for both men and women occur at the same venue. The men's tournament has occurred since 1975 and the women's 1988...
in 1993 after losing in the final.
Curling career
Holland's first experience curling at the national level came at the 1992 Canadian Junior Curling ChampionshipsCanadian Junior Curling Championships
The Canadian Junior Curling Championships is an annual curling tournament held to determine the best junior-level curling team in Canada. Junior level curlers must be under the age of 20 as of December 31 in the year prior to the tournament....
in Vernon, British Columbia
Vernon, British Columbia
Vernon is a city in the south-central region of British Columbia, Canada. Named after Forbes George Vernon, a former MLA of British Columbia who helped found the famed Coldstream Ranch, the City of Vernon was incorporated on December 30, 1892. The City of Vernon has a population of 35,944 , while...
, where she skipped
Skip (curling)
The skip, in conjunction with the team, determines strategy. Based on the strategy, the skip holds the broom indicating where the player throwing must aim . When it is the skip's turn to throw, the vice-skip holds the broom...
her Saskatchewan team to a national championship. Her teammates at the event included Angela Street, Tracy Beach and Cindy Street. Holland and her rink represented Canada at the 1993 World Junior Curling Championships
World Junior Curling Championships
The World Junior Curling Championships is an annual curling tournament featuring the world's best curlers who are 21 years old or younger. The competition for both men and women occur at the same venue. The men's tournament has occurred since 1975 and the women's 1988...
, where they captured the silver medal.
After beginning play on the women's circuit after her junior career was finished in 1993, Holland did not have immediate success. She has played in Saskatchewan's provincial playdowns ten times, but did not appear at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is an annual Canadian women's curling championship, sanctioned by the Canadian Curling Association. The winner goes on to represent Canada at the women's world curling championships. Since 1985, the winner also gets to return to the following year's tournament as...
until 1999, when she served as an alternate for her former junior teammate Cindy Street. She also served as an alternate for Tracy Streifel's team at the 2006 event. Holland competed in Canada's Olympic curling trials in 2001 and 2005. She skipped her own entry in 2001, and played as an alternate with Sherry Anderson
Sherry Anderson
Sherry Anderson is a Canadian curler from Delisle, Saskatchewan.Anderson has been to five Scott Tournament of Hearts, four as a skip. Her first Scotts were in 1994 when her team lost in the semi-final. Anderson returned the following year, but finished out of the playoffs at 6-5...
's rink in 2005.
Holland's rink, including third Kim Schneider
Kim Schneider
Kim Schneider is a Canadian curler from Kronau, Saskatchewan. She currently plays third for Amber Holland.Schneider grew up in the small village of Kronau, Saskatchewan outside of Regina...
, second Tammy Schneider
Tammy Schneider
Tammy Schneider is a Canadian curler from Kronau, Saskatchewan. She currently plays second for Amber Holland.Schneider grew up in the small village of Kronau, Saskatchewan outside of Regina...
and lead Heather Kalenchuk
Heather Kalenchuk
Heather Mary Yvonne Kalenchuk is a Canadian curler from Regina, Saskatchewan. She currently plays lead for Amber Holland....
have been together since 2005. In 2008 they won the World Curling Tour
World Curling Tour
The Asham World Curling Tour is a group of curling bonspiels featuring the best male curlers in the world. A Women's World Curling Tour also exists....
Players' Championships
Players' Championships
The Players' Championships is the final event on the World Curling Tour, and a part of the Grand Slam of Curling, being the only slam to feature both a women's and men's tournament...
. The team is coached by Merv Fonger and the alternate is Jolene Campbell
Jolene Campbell
Jolene Campbell is a Canadian curler from Humboldt, Saskatchewan.Campbell is the alternate for the current Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion team, the Amber Holland rink. She has played in two Scotties as a member of the team, going 6-5 in 2010 and winning it in 2011...
.
On January 10, 2010, Holland advanced to her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts
Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is an annual Canadian women's curling championship, sanctioned by the Canadian Curling Association. The winner goes on to represent Canada at the women's world curling championships. Since 1985, the winner also gets to return to the following year's tournament as...
as a skip by defeating Sherry Anderson
Sherry Anderson
Sherry Anderson is a Canadian curler from Delisle, Saskatchewan.Anderson has been to five Scott Tournament of Hearts, four as a skip. Her first Scotts were in 1994 when her team lost in the semi-final. Anderson returned the following year, but finished out of the playoffs at 6-5...
9-6 in the final of the Saskatchewan championship
2010 Saskatchewan Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2010 Saskatchewan Scotties Tournament of Hearts is the 2010 edition of the Saskatchewan provincial women's curling championship. It was held January 6-10. Play began at the Kindersley Curling Club in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. However, due to a fire at the Kindersley Complex on January 8th, the...
in Eston
Eston, Saskatchewan
-External links:*...
. Skipping team Saskatchewan, Holland's rink finished the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's national curling championship, was held from January 30 to February 7 at the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario....
with a 6-5 record, out of the playoffs. Holland captured the Ford Hot Shot skills competition at the 2010 tournament, defeating Ontario lead Kari MacLean
Kari MacLean
Kari MacLean-Lavoie Kari MacLean-Lavoie Kari MacLean-Lavoie (born December 25, 1977 in Thunder Bay, Ontario; is a Canadian curler. She currently plays second for Krista McCarville....
to win a two-year lease on a 2010 Ford Taurus.
Holland and her rink again represented Saskatchewan at the 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's national curling championship, was held from February 19 to February 27 at the Charlottetown Civic Centre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island...
. They started the round robin portion of the tournament with an eight game winning streak, and finished in first place overall. Holland played defending champion Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones (curler)
Jennifer Jones is a Canadian curler from East St. Paul, Manitoba. Jones, a lawyer, is corporate counsel for Wellington West Capital and a Windsor Park Collegiate graduate.-Early success:...
in the final. The final was tied at seven heading into the final end. Holland stole a single point to win after Jones missed her final shot. After the tournament, Holland was awarded the Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award
Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award
The Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award is awarded to the top player in the playoff round of the annual Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The winner is selected by members of the media, and is awarded at the victory banquet held after the final game of the bonspiel. The top player at the...
. Sandra Schmirler
Sandra Schmirler
Sandra Marie Schmirler, SOM , was a Canadian curler, who captured three Canadian Curling Championships and three World Curling Championships. Schmirler skipped her Canadian team to a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, the first year curling was a medal sport...
skipped the last team from Saskatchewan that won the national championship in 1997.
Team history
| Season | Skip | Third | Second | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 | Amber Holland | Angela Street | Tracy Beach | Cindy Street |
| 1992-93 | Amber Holland | Angela Street | Tracy Beach | Cindy Street |
| 1997-98 | Amber Holland | Kay Montgomery | Patty Bell | Lisa Lewis |
| 1998-99 | Amber Holland | Kay Montgomery | Karen Purdy | Patty Bell |
| 1999-00 | Amber Holland | Kay Montgomery | Karen Purdy | Patty Bell |
| 2000-01 | Amber Holland | Kay Montgomery | Karen Purdy | Patty Bell |
| 2002-03 | Amber Holland | Kay Montgomery | Karen Purdy | Patty Bell |
| 2003-04 | Amber Holland | Karen Purdy | Carla Mack | Patty Bell |
| 2004-05 | Amber Holland | Karen Purdy | Carla Mack | Patty Bell |
| 2005-06 | Amber Holland | Kim Schneider Kim Schneider Kim Schneider is a Canadian curler from Kronau, Saskatchewan. She currently plays third for Amber Holland.Schneider grew up in the small village of Kronau, Saskatchewan outside of Regina... |
Tammy Schneider Tammy Schneider Tammy Schneider is a Canadian curler from Kronau, Saskatchewan. She currently plays second for Amber Holland.Schneider grew up in the small village of Kronau, Saskatchewan outside of Regina... |
Heather Seeley Heather Kalenchuk Heather Mary Yvonne Kalenchuk is a Canadian curler from Regina, Saskatchewan. She currently plays lead for Amber Holland.... |
| 2006-07 | Amber Holland | Kim Schneider | Tammy Schneider | Heather Seeley |
| 2007-08 | Amber Holland | Kim Schneider | Tammy Schneider | Heather Seeley |
| 2008-09 | Amber Holland | Kim Schneider | Tammy Schneider | Heather Seeley |
| 2009-10 | Amber Holland | Kim Schneider | Tammy Schneider | Heather Kalenchuk |
| 2010-11 | Amber Holland | Kim Schneider | Tammy Schneider | Heather Kalenchuk |
Personal life
Holland started curling when she was 11. She served as the technical director for the Saskatchewan Curling Association from 1997 to 2009. In 2009, she was appointed executive director of the organization.Grand Slam record
| Event | 2006–07 2006-07 curling season -Season of Champions top three finishes:-Other events:-Men's:-Women's:-WCT Money Ranking:... |
2007–08 2007-08 curling season -Season of Champions top three finishes:-Other events:-World Curling Tour winners:-Women's World Curling Tour winners:Events in bold indicate Grand Slam events.-WCT Money Ranking:-Sources:*... |
2008–09 2008-09 curling season -Season of Champions top three finishes:-Other events:-World Curling Tour winners:-Women's World Curling Tour winners:-WCT Money Ranking:... |
2009–10 2009-10 curling season The 2009–10 curling season began in September 2009 and ended in April 2010.-Season of Champions top three finishes:-Other events:-World Curling Tour events:-Women's World Curling Tour events:... |
2010–11 | 2011–12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Gold Autumn Gold Curling Classic The Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic is the very first Grand Slam event of the season on the Women's World Curling Tour. It is held annually on the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend at the Calgary Curling Club in Calgary, Alberta. The first Autumn Gold Classic was held in 1978, and at the... |
Q | QF | Q | QF | Q | Q |
| Manitoba Lotteries | Q | Q | Q | QF | Q | Q |
| Wayden Transportation Wayden Transportation Ladies Classic The Wayden Transportation Ladies Classic, also known as the Abbotsford Ladies was a Grand Slam event on the Women's World Curling Tour. It was held annually in November in Abbotsford, British Columbia... |
Q | DNP | Q | N/A | N/A | |
| Sobeys Slam Sobeys Slam The Sobeys Slam is the third Grand Slam event of the Women's World Curling Tour. It is held annually in November in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.The event began in 1998 as the Sobeys Curling Classic. It was added as a Grand Slam event for the 2007-08 curling season, and was renamed the "Sobeys Slam"... |
N/A | Q | Q | N/A | QF | |
| Players' Championships Players' Championships The Players' Championships is the final event on the World Curling Tour, and a part of the Grand Slam of Curling, being the only slam to feature both a women's and men's tournament... |
DNP | C | Q | DNP | - |
Key
- C - Champion
- F - Lost final
- SF - Lost semi final
- QF - Lost quarter final
- Q - Did not make playoffs
- DNP - Did not participate in event
- N/A - not a Grand Slam event that season