A Selkirk-based community mental health worker is hurrying hard toward a lifelong dream of competing in the Brier, Canada’s national curling tournament.

Corey Chambers plays third on Team Calvert, which recently won the 2026 provincial curling championship at the Selkirk Recreation Complex. With the win, the team – that also includes skip Braden Calvert, lead Brendan Bilawka, second Kyle Kurz and alternate Rob Gordon – qualified to compete in the 2026 Montana’s Brier in Newfoundland from Feb. 27 to March 8.

The winner of the Brier gets the honour of representing Canada in the World Curling Championship, which will be held this spring in Ogden City, Utah.

“It feels absolutely unbelievable. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to win provincials and represent Manitoba at the Brier,” he said. “I’ve lost the final three times previously, so to finally accomplish the goal and get the opportunity to play in the Brier is incredible.”

It’s been a long time coming, since Corey has been immersed in the curling realm his whole life.

“Basically my entire family curls or loves watching curling, so I was playing from a pretty young age,” he said. “I’ve always loved the competition and relationships you build along the way.”

When he’s not throwing rocks in the curling rink, Corey is making a difference through his professional role in health care. Although he lives in Winnipeg, he has built his career in the Interlake. He worked at Selkirk Mental Health Centre for seven years before joining Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2019.

“I work as a community mental health worker. I’m responsible for assessing and triaging new referrals at intake as well as completing geriatric mental health assessments,” he said. “My team is amazing – everyone is always available for support or assistance whenever needed.”

Marlane Gibbs, IERHA’s health services manager for mental health and addictions, outlined the important role Corey plays in the health region.

“He’s our intake worker, which is an integral and prominent role as he’s often serving as the liaison between our program and other programs in health care. He is very dedicated to his work with mental health services for the elderly and knows the program inside and out,” she said.

“He is our go-to guy, and he is a great team player on and off the ice. We are so very proud of him.”

From his unique vantage point, Corey can draw connections between positive mental health and engagement in activities like curling.

“Regardless of the activity, I think it’s an important concept to just try to maintain a positive outlook, even when faced with adversity or challenges,” he said. “Just believing that you are always building towards something can help when trying to achieve a goal.”

Looking ahead, Corey is proud to represent the province in St. John’s.

“It’s been a long-time goal to get to the Brier,” he said. “We hope to represent Manitoba well.”