Maryfield curler represents Saskatchewan at Scotties
Rachel Big Eagle grew up in Maryfield and recently competed at third Scotties
February 9, 2026, 11:03 am
Ashley Bochek
Rachel (Erikson) Big Eagle of Maryfield represented team Saskatchewan at the Scotties in Mississauga, Ontario from January 23 to February 1. She grew up on her family farm by Maryfield and credits her love for the sport to the volunteers involved in the town’s curling community.
“I am from Maryfield. I was born and raised there. I was involved in curling at a very young age,” she says. “We have a very driven community around curling in Maryfield and I believe that is what motivated me to curl. I started at a young age and then began curling competitively. I stuck with it all throughout university and then graduated, got a job, and still continue to curl.”
Big Eagle played against Scotties Champion Val Sweeting, another successful curler from Maryfield.
“I have been to the Scotties before. I was there in 2021 and 2022. Those were during Covid years, so it was a very different experience. I was a fifth player as well, so I was primarily on the bench. I did play a few games, but this time was a completely different experience. You’re on the ice every day and that is a grind. It is a lot of games, and it is physically and mentally tough and to have the crowd there—I was lucky enough to have lots of family and friends come out to support me—that was super special.
“Playing against Val, I’ve gotten to know her through the curling world. Our paths have crossed a few times, but it is really neat to see someone with similar roots as me doing as great as she is. She is a very successful curler and it is really neat that we share that beginning point of Maryfield.”
Vibrant curling community in Maryfield
Big Eagle says she enjoys returning to Maryfield to practice in her home curling rink.
“We have some very dedicated curling lovers in Maryfield and they have really just taken on that role of passing it down to younger curlers. I am sure it is the same for Val, but the program I started curling in is still around and still going. It is a lot of the same people still running it honestly, and that passion of theirs just translates down the line.
“I live in Manor on a farm, but I practice in both Carlyle and Maryfield. I work on our family farm in Maryfield so I am there quite often, and they’re always very accommodating and welcoming. It is always fun to practice back at home. I really enjoy going there.”
She says other successful curlers in the community motivated her to pursue it competitively.
“The Scotties was always the dream for me. I think growing up it was so motivating having people from Maryfield that I knew personally do well with it and who were very successful. The Lemon girls, they had very successful junior careers and even into university, so it is neat when you know someone personally. I think it makes that dream a little less out of reach because you can picture yourself in that position. So, it has been cool to have that many people to look up to over the years.”
Curling a small world
Big Eagle says she thanks curling for the people and opportunities she has experienced.
“The people I’ve met during curling and crossed paths with, it is a very small world, even talking about crossing paths with Val who is a five-time Scotties Champion now. It is insane how often that happens. Just the people you get to know along the way. The curling world is so small, but it is also so supportive and welcoming, so that has been really special for me.
“I would also say I am a competitor through and through. You get to a stage like that, and you want to win. It is such a fun experience being there competing. When you get on a stage like that, it makes all of the tougher moments worth it and all the practice hours worth it because that is what you do it for, to get to that stage.”
Next steps
Big Eagle says she plans to return to the Scotties next season in hopes of representing team Saskatchewan again.
“For women’s specifically my season is done. Curling keeps going, there are lots of opportunities for people who want to play mixed and mixed doubles. I am not sure what is next for me. I am going to take a break at the moment, it has been a busy season. I will keep practicing of course.
“Next year our team is unfortunately going to look a little bit different. Our skip Jolene is stepping away from curling, which is sad because she has been such a great teammate of mine for so many years, but I totally understand that is what is best for her right now. We are going to miss her, but of course that is the dream to go back to the Scotties, and I will be looking for a team I can do that with for sure.”
