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Ten years ago, it was Sarah Koltun and Thomas Scoffin.

This past weekend, it was Alex Kopan and Inuvik鈥檚 Deklen Crocker taking tips from curling instructor Al Kersey.

The instructor from Surrey, B.C., held his annual two-day clinic at the Whitehorse Curling Club on鈥圫aturday and Sunday.

鈥淚鈥檓 able to read what their needs are,鈥濃�圞ersey said of his clinic鈥檚 purpose. 鈥淚鈥坉on鈥檛 come with too much of a plan. I design it as I go towards the appropriate needs. It鈥檚 kind of detect and correct.鈥�

Kersey鈥檚 lessons ranged from skill enhancement and situational game situations to team building and nutrition.

The coach said curlers begin charting their course at a young age.

The successes of skips Koltun and Scoffin over the past decade proves that.

鈥淢aybe I didn鈥檛 have so much to do with teaching Sarah and Thomas how to curl, but I鈥檇 like to think I had an influence on helping them make good decisions,鈥� Kersey said.

Inuvik coach Stephanie Crocker said the N.W.T. rink attended Kersey鈥檚 clinic as a means of preparing for the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C., next February.

Led by skip Deklen Crocker, 15, the team also includes Hay River resident Logan Gagnier (third) alongside Inuvik front end Braeden Picek and Ethan Allen.

The group beat a Yellowknife team for the right to represent the N.W.T. at nationals, coach Crocker said.

鈥淭his is all about progress and moving forward,鈥� she told the Star.

鈥淚t was good to see the camaraderie between the boys this weekend.鈥�

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Kopan and his boys team from鈥圵hitehorse are vying to be the Yukon鈥檚 next high-level junior curling rink.

Team members include Neil Mikkelson (third), Alex Sumner (second), Nathan Sumner (lead) and Alex Schultz (fifth).

鈥淚 expect to see them on the competitive circuit before long,鈥� Kersey said. 鈥淚鈥坰aw lots of potential. I spent the weekend giving them a bag of tools so they could develop themselves.鈥�

The Prepare for the Podium junior curling clinic was presented by the Whitehorse Elks Lodge.