Curling Canada announces recipients of 2021 For the Love of Curling Scholarship program

A handful of budding junior curlers with ambitious plans on and off the ice received financial aid to help make those dreams come true after being named For the Love of Curling scholarship recipients, Curling Canada announced today. 

The scholarship program received 61 entries, narrowed down to 11 recipients who will each receive $2,500 to support their educational goals and pursuit of excellence on the curling ice. A selection panel consisting of Curling Canada officials, high-performance athletes and former scholars selected the recipients. 

Of those recipients, the Governor General’s Curling Club – an honourary society under the patronage of the Governor General since 1874 – selected one deserving candidate to receive a scholarship financially supported by donations from its membership worth $2,500.

“Every year while reviewing these applications I’m reminded that the future of our sport is in terrific hands,” said Curling Canada CEO and selection panel member Katherine Henderson. “The core purpose of this scholarship program is to support young, talented and passionate curlers who will make a difference in society and this year’s recipients are no exception. They all exemplify the attributes of leaders in curling and in communities.”

The 2021-22 scholarship recipients are:

Ryleigh Bakker – Calgary (University of Calgary, Bachelor of Commerce/Accounting)

Piper Croisier – Sudbury, Ont. (Laurentian University, Sports Administration, Bachelor of Commerce)

Calissa Daly – Ottawa (Queen’s University, Master of Public Administration)

Celeste Gauthier – Ottawa (Ryerson University, Graphic Communications Management)

Jordon McDonald – Winnipeg (University of Manitoba, Engineering)

Christopher Pratt – Calgary (Carleton University, Bachelor of Global and International Studies [BGInS])

Michaela Robert – Clarksburg, Ont. (Queen’s University, Engineering Physics)

Carly Smith – Ammon, N.B. (University of New Brunswick, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology)

Jamie Smith – Sudbury, Ont. (Wilfrid Laurier University, Financial Mathematics)

Johnson Tao – Richmond, B.C. (University of Alberta, Bachelor of Commerce)

The additional For the Love of Curling scholarship, presented by the Governor General’s Curling Club, is awarded to Chantel Hoag of Gravelbourg, Sask. (University of Regina, Bachelor of Kinesiology).

“To be recognized as a For the Love of a Curling Scholar with the generous support of the Governor General’s Curling Club is an incredible honour. I am so grateful for the opportunity to join the Governor General’s Curling Club’s promotion of youth curling in my community and beyond,” said Hoag. “This award aids in my pursuit of excellence in both curling and my education. In the spirit of inclusion, I would love to use the platform set forth by this scholarship to encourage people of all ages, genders, orientations, and backgrounds to participate in the great sport of curling.”

Hoag will be honoured by the Governor General’s Curling Club at its Annual Meeting dinner on Sept. 13.

Applicants had to be enrolled full-time for at least two semesters at a Canadian university or college, registered to compete for Canadian Team Ranking System points during the 2021-22 curling season, and 23 years of age or under as of Dec. 31, 2022. 

In addition to Henderson, the selection panel included previous scholarship recipients Karsten Sturmay, Mackenzie Zacharias and Nathan Young, high-performance athlete and owner of Dynasty Curling Colin Hodgson and Olympian and six-time Scotties champion Jill Officer.

The Curling Canada philanthropic program, introduced during the 2013-14 season to help develop and grow youth and junior curling across Canada, received donations totaling more than $280,000 last season. Programs such as The Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings presented by Curling Canada, Hit Draw Tap presented by Tim Hortons and For the Love of Curling scholarships are only made possible thanks to the generous support of Canada’s curling community.