Team N.L. skip says she's proud to represent home for first time at Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Mackenzie Mitchell said wearing the Team Newfoundland and Labrador jacket at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts has always been a dream. On Friday, that dream becomes reality.

"It's surreal," Mitchell, 24, told CBC News on Monday.

"Sliding over that Scotties logo is something I've been dreaming of for a long time."

Mitchell will act as skip for Newfoundland and Labrador during the annual Canadian women's curling championship, alongside lead Stacie Curtis, second Kristina Adams and third Jessica Wiseman. The squad won a thriller in the provincial qualifier, a match that came down to the final stone.

Learning the ropes

Originally from Irishtown-Summerside on Newfoundland's west coast, Mitchell got her start at the Corner Brook Curling Club at 12 years old.

She said she picked up the sport when an exchange student staying at her home wanted to try as many Canadian things as possible.

"I spent two years, pretty much, being the only girl in Corner Brook in juniors," Mitchell said.

"I had to do a lot of losing before I learned how to win … and once I got to the Canada Games, I was totally hooked."

WATCH | Mitchell's berth to the Scotties came down to the final stone:

Scotties qualifier comes down to one rock

January 8|

Duration 1:50

The women's provincial curling championship came down to the final stone. The 10-end battle ended with Team Mitchell defeating Team Locke 8-7. The win means that winning rink will represent Newfoundland and Labrador at the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Ontario. The CBC’s Jeremy Eaton was there for the action.

Mitchell said she grew to love the sport with the help of coaches Donna Davis and Gary Oke, and while representing the province at the 2019 Canada Games in Alberta.

Although she now lives in Dartmouth, N.S., Mitchell remains a member of the Corner Brook Curling Club.

She said she feels the support of the west coast anywhere she curls.

"The provincials, you know, I was coming back to Newfoundland, but I felt so much support from Corner Brook. And I mean every time I'm home, I'm at the curling club, and it's like I've never left," she said.

WATCH | Mitchell’s dream is now a reality:

Mackenzie Mitchell’s dream of representing N.L. at the Scotties is now a reality

January 22|

Duration 2:49

Mackenzie Mitchell started her curling career in Corner Brook at 12 years old. She says representing her home province at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts has always been a lifetime goal. Now, she has that chance. The CBC’s Alex Kennedy reports.

Corner Brook Curling Club president Susan Curtis told CBC News on Wednesday everyone has been watching Mitchell's success, and they're eager to cheer for their hometown star.

Curtis said she hopes young curlers in the region can see themselves in Mitchell.

"[I hope] for them to have the opportunity to say 'Hey, she started where I am right now, or she started where I was two years ago. This is something that I can do.' It's something that they can look towards," Curtis said.

"To see her now having the opportunity to perform on the national stage is just something we're all going to have our eyes glued to."

Team Mitchell will open up its tournament on Saturday against Team Peterson of Manitoba.

"I am just ecstatic, and I hope we can make Newfoundland proud," she said.

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.