Applications for Curling Canada’s NextGen Program now open for U-27 teams

Under-27 men’s, women’s and mixed doubles curling teams with the goals of reaching the podium in 2030 and beyond can now apply for funding and support for the 2025-26 season through Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program.

The National NextGen Program, supported by Own the Podium and Curling Canada, aims to identify and cultivate young talent and provide world-class training, coaching and support to aspiring curlers across the nation.

The program is strategically structured to influence younger athletes in pursuit of excellence, while also shaping them into ambassadors and competitors for Canada. The program assists by providing support in training, preparation and competitive performance, while offsetting some of the financial burdens associated with elite-level participation.

The makeup of the National NextGen Program comprises:

• 2025 New Holland Canadian Under-20 Men’s and Women’s Curling Champions: Team Calan MacIsaac of Halifax and Team Myla Plett of Edmonton & Sherwood Park, Alta.;
• 2025 U-25 NextGen Classic winners (Aug. 26-31): Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles winners;
• Under-27 teams ranked within the top 15 of the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) and Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings (CMDR) as of May 1, 2025.

Selected teams will spend two years in the program, with funding and support contingent on meeting performance standards and expectations. Coaches will play pivotal roles in guiding teams through training and providing mentorship.

Teams that qualified for the program during the 2024-2025 season are eligible to continue in the National NextGen Program for a second season if they meet the criteria. Those teams include:

U-21: Women – Team Ally MacNutt, Men – Team Kenan Wipf;

U-25: Women – Team Taylor Reese-Hansen, Men – Team Jordon McDonald, Mixed Doubles – Team Mackenzie Arbuckle/Aaron Macdonell;

U-27: Women – Team Kate Cameron, Team Serena Gray-Withers, Men – Team Rylan Kleiter, Team Sam Mooibroek, Mixed Doubles – Team Paige Papley/Evan Van Amsterdam, Team Jessica Zheng/Victor Pietrangelo.

“The National NextGen Program is all about investing in the future of Canadian curling,” said Helen Radford, Manager of Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program. “We’re looking to support driven, talented athletes who are committed to reaching the podium and proudly representing Canada on the world stage. This is an exciting opportunity for U-27 teams to access the coaching, resources and mentorship they need to elevate their game.”

Under-27 teams interested in applying for the National NextGen Program are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and submit their applications before May 31. 

For more information, interested parties can contact Helen Radford, Manager of Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program at [email protected].

Apply for the Under-27 National NextGen Program here: