In August 2026, four Limestone District School Board (LDSB) students will represent the Canadian Ice Stock Federation (CISF) at the U16 European Stock Sport Championships in Oberwart, Austria.
Representing Loughborough Public School are Caleb Hammer and Preston Klein, both in their final year of elementary school. They will be joined by Jayden Kermeen of Frontenac Secondary School and Lucas Hammer of Sydenham High School.
Often described as a combination of curling and bocce, stock sport originated centuries ago in the Alpine regions of Austria and Germany. Players slide a stock toward a target, known as a daube, using precision and strategy to place it closer than their opponents. While the sport began on ice, it is now played on both ice and non-ice surfaces using specialized equipment.
This August’s European Championships will mark the first time a Canadian youth team has competed in an international stock sport event. The team will compete against athletes from several nations in Austria, widely considered the heart of the sport. These LDSB students are not only representing Canada—they are making history. This experience will also provide a unique opportunity for international competition and cultural exchange.
To help offset travel and accommodation costs, the team has been actively fundraising and seeking sponsorship support. Their next major fundraiser will be a Schnitzel Dinner on July 18, 2026, at Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith, with both dine-in and take-out options available. Tickets are $25 and include schnitzel, sauerkraut, and German potato salad. The meal will be prepared by Brian Breitwiesser, former owner of the Amadeus Café in Kingston.
Those interested in attending can reserve tickets by contacting Chris Hammer at hammer4974@gmail.com.