With the on-ice portion of the curling season having come to a close, Member Associations are reflecting upon an array of programming initiatives for curlers over the 2025-2026 season.
Included in those programs for this past season was a series of youth pilots projects that were dispatched in Nova Scotia with support and funding from Curling Canada. These included U-9/U-12 Triples Jamborees and U-18 Regional Development Camps.
All of these pilots stem from Curling Canada’s overall plan for youth development, says Curling Canada’s Manager of Youth Development & Programming Dustin Mikush.
“There is real momentum building in Youth Curling right now, and it’s coming from strong partnerships across the system,” said Mikush. “When we collaborate with our Member Associations on creative pilot programs, from fun-first events to targeted U-18 Development Camps, we are able to meet athletes where they are and support their progression in meaningful ways. Through working together, these powerful initiatives are a great example of how aligned efforts can elevate Youth Development nationwide.”
Learning in curling can begin at any age, and for the youngest students of the game, the U-9/U-12 Triples Jamboree offers a fun-oriented learning environment where players dabble in the newly established Triples curling format. Triples curling is shorter than the traditional four-person format and allows curlers to rotate positions to experience which portions of position play that they might like best. The U-12 players play on a full-sized sheet with regulation rocks, while the younger U-9 players play on a half sheet with regulation rocks; all under the tutelage of U-20 Youth Leaders.
It’s a series of events that proved extremely valuable when they were rolled out in 2026 says Nova Scotia Curling Technical Director Jill Brothers.
“Participants at the 2026 U-9/U-12 Triples Jamboree had an absolute blast,” said Brothers. “With individual registration, athletes had the chance to register with old friends while also making plenty of new ones – creating a fun, inclusive environment for everyone involved. Feedback surveys were overwhelmingly positive, highlighting just how much participants enjoyed the experience, along with some helpful suggestions to make future events even better. We’re also excited to share that dates and a host club are already secured for the 2026/27 season.”
And while technical development may be at the forefront of this programming, the emphasis on having fun on the curling sheet certainly hasn’t taken a backseat. Participants were tasked with making team signs for their first draw, enjoyed a pizza lunch, and even had their own personal curling player cards made up by an on-site photographer.
“At this stage, the focus is all about fun,” said Brothers. “Technical development happens naturally, with Youth Leaders on the ice offering guidance on strategy and positioning along the way. It’s great to see participants learning and improving without even realizing it – simply because they’re out there enjoying themselves. This format creates a zero-pressure, no-expectations environment where kids can just play, connect, and grow their love for the game.”
For older youth athletes, U-18 Regional Development Camps were also run at the Berwick, Chester and Windsor Curling Clubs. These camps fall under the Youth Development pilot program supported by Curling Canada and are designed for athletes between the age of 12-18 with at least three years of curling experience.
These Regional Development Camps are four-hour curated sessions to bring the latest tactics, techniques, and strategies to participants with each sheet being supported by a dedicated coaching consultant, ensuring personalized feedback and meaningful connections with every curler. Participants received an official Nova Scotia Curling Regional Development Camp Certificate at the conclusion of the camp, snacks, and a tote bag; with registration fees being $100.
“Our U-18 Regional Development Camps were created to help bridge the gap between our High-Performance athletes and the many talented athletes across Nova Scotia,” said Brothers. “With the HP program limited to just eight teams each year, these camps provide an opportunity to extend that same level of knowledge and support to the broader U-18 curling community.”
The development camps are also buttressed by the Skills Curling App; a mobile app designed by Curling Canada to help young athletes across the country develop and measure their on-ice performance in a fun, structured, and competitive way.
Brothers, being one of Canada’s premier shot makers as third of the CTRS-ranked No. 6 Team Christina Black (Halifax), sees parallels in how her team practices and what the Skills Curling App can offer.
“Our team places a strong emphasis on practice planning and scoring our practices, which has a big impact on both performance and confidence,” said Brothers. “That structured approach is essentially what the Skills Curling app provides for young curlers across the country. Not every team has the time or access to coaches who can build detailed practice plans, but the app helps fill that gap by taking care of much of the planning – making quality, purposeful practice more accessible for everyone.”
And thanks to the development plans of Brothers, alongside Nova Scotia High Performance Coach Kevin Ouellette, more camps are in development to cover a broader section of skills, including sweeping and strategy.
“Something Nova Scotia Curling really values is training together, regardless of skill level,” said Brothers. “It’s important that athletes get to know their teammates, have fun on and off the ice, and grow together as a group. We also feel that being a smaller province is actually a strength in this regard, as it naturally creates more opportunities for athletes to connect, train together, and build a strong, supportive, curling community.”
Additional details about Curling Canada’s youth development programs can be found by CLICKING HERE.
