Curling champ Dean Hewitt from Glen Waverley aims for 2022 Winter Olympics

Curling runs in the blood for champ Dean Hewitt, who is the second generation in his family to take on the Olympic sport. Now the national champion is aiming for the 2022 Winter Games.

Dean Hewitt curling.

Nominee: Dean Hewitt, 25

Suburb: Glen Waverley

Sport: Curling

Club: Victorian Curling Association

Coach: Pete Manasantivongs

How old were you when you took up your sport? 5

How did you get involved in this sport?

Both my parents had played for Australia numerous times. They taught me to play from a young age and have been hooked ever since.

Recent competitions:

Competed in the Australia National Championships three times in 2018-19 and won each event (men’s and mixed doubles twice). This translated into numerous international championships representing Australia. Most notably, placing fourth at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships in April 2019.

Biggest success?

Reaching the semi-finals at the 2019 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships. We finished fourth out of 48 countries and qualified for the 2020 World Championships where we will have the opportunity to gain valuable Olympic qualification points towards 2022. This is the highest placing Australia has ever achieved in mixed doubles.

Dean Hewitt is a national champion in curling. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Describe your training routine:

I am training six days per week and putting numerous hours in working on strategy and game analysis. For years, we would go train before the sun came up in a tent ice rink since the ice would begin to melt once the heat of day began.

What do you love most about your sport?

The camaraderie and the spirit of the game is integral to curling. Being able to compete at the highest level while having a sense of curling family is what all sports should have.

Toughest challenge:

I only get one session per week on the ice. Unfortunately, curling needs very flat ice which staking ice is not. So this one session is equivalent to playing lawn bowls on the sand at the beach. It’s far from ideal but I make the most out of what we can get. To actually train as a team we train at the closest dedicated curling facility which is in New Zealand.

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What is your ultimate sporting goal?

To reach the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Who are your sporting heroes?

Roger Federer.

‘I couldn’t have done this without …’

My parents Steve and Lynn Hewitt are, no doubt, the biggest influencers I’ve had in pursuing my sport and achieving my results. They have taught me so much from a young age about curling and have even been lucky enough to compete at two World Mixed Doubles Championships with my mother. There aren’t many other sports you can do that.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add?

Unfortunately curling is a small sport in Australia and doesn’t get the recognition and funding like some other sports get. It’s amazing we can get to such a level without financial sponsorship. Imagine where we could get to if we did have financial sponsors and a dedicated curling rink.