Today, Curling Canada announces its next class of scholarship recipients, honouring and supporting 20 young curlers who are contributing to their communities through on- and off-ice achievements.
Ten curlers received the For the Love of Curling Scholarship, intended for young Canadian student-athletes who excel in curling, maintain strong academic standing and demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities.
Another 10 curlers are being recognized with the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship for Canadian student-athletes who embody the values of curling, prioritize giving back to the sport and are passionate about sharing curling with their communities.
“The Curling Canada scholarship program is about recognizing the strength of our sport—our people,” said Brodie Bazinet, Director of Philanthropy and Youth Impacts at Curling Canada. “Across both scholarship streams, we look for well-rounded curlers who demonstrate leadership, commitment and a passion for making a positive impact both on and off the ice. These are the qualities that strengthen our sport and our communities, and we’re proud to invest in the next generation of curlers as they pursue their goals. We’re also incredibly grateful to the donors and partners who make this investment possible.”
The Governor General’s Curling Club, an honourary society under the patronage of the Governor General of Canada since 1874, is very pleased to once again partner with Curling Canada and the For the Love of Curling scholarship program to fund, select and present two of the 20 annual scholarships.
“For more than 150 years, many of those who have served curling with significant leadership, distinction and achievement, locally, provincially, nationally and/or internationally, have been inductees into the Governor General’s Curling Club. Our members are proud to support these aspiring scholar-athletes and their efforts for curling excellence, academic success, volunteerism and to become the next generation of leaders for our sport,” said Pat Reid, Chair of the Governor General’s Curling Club Scholarship Committee. “Congratulations to our selectees, Nicholas Codner of Newfoundland & Labrador and Katrina Frlan of Ontario and indeed to all the winners of the For the Love of Curling and Fran Todd All-Heart Scholarships.”
Eighteen of the For the Love of Curling and Fran Todd All-Heart scholarships are valued at $2,500. This year, the Governor General’s Curling Club has increased the value of its scholarships to $3,500 each.
Recipients of the 2026 For the Love of Curling Scholarship are:
- Justin Anderson – Greely, Ont. – Manotick Curling Centre – University of Guelph, Bachelor of Computer Science, specializing in Cyber Security
- *Nicholas Codner – Torbay, N.L. – RE/MAX Centre, St. John’s Curling Club – Memorial University of Newfoundland – Bachelor of Arts, major in Criminology, minor in Law and Public Policy
- **Dylan Derksen – Hague, Sask. – Martensville Curling Club – University of Saskatchewan – Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
- **Tyler Derksen – Hague, Sask. – University of Alberta – Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
- Chloe Fediuk – Edmonton – Sherwood Park Curling Club – Concordia University of Edmonton – Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Jolianne Fortin – Jonquière, Que. – Kénogami Curling Club – Cégep de Chicoutimi – Biomedical analysis technology
- *Katrina Frlan – Ottawa – Huntley Curling Club – University of Guelph – Arts and Science
- Nathan Gray – Dartmouth, N.S. – Mayflower Curling Club – Dalhousie University – Mechanical and civil engineering
- Hayley Gushue – St. John’s, N.L. – RE/MAX Centre, St. John’s Curling Club – Memorial University of Newfoundland – Business degree
- Rebecca Regan – Halifax – Halifax Curling Club – Dalhousie University – Doctor of Pharmacy
Recipients of the 2026 Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship are:
- **Megan Blandford – Paradise, N.L. – RE/MAX Centre, St. John’s Curling Club – Memorial University of Newfoundland – Bachelor of Science
- Colsen Flemington – Oakville, Ont. – Oakville Curling Club – University of Guelph – Business Commerce Real Estate
- Zachery French – Brigus, N.L. – RE/MAX Centre, St. John’s Curling Club – Memorial University of Newfoundland – Bachelor of Commerce
- Gabrielle King – Burton, N.B. – Oromocto Gage Golf & Curling Club – University of New Brunswick – Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry
- Elex Lockhart – Berwick, N.S. – Berwick Curling Club – Acadia University – Bachelor of Science
- Mya Sharpe – Spencerville, Ont. – RCMP Curling Club – Loyalist College – Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Program
- Charles Snider – Whitehorse, Yukon – Whitehorse Curling Club and Saville Community Sports Centre – University of Alberta – Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- **Karstin Soucy – Leoville, Sask. – Leoville Curling Club and Spiritwood Curling Club – University of Saskatchewan – Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences
- Justine Toner – Sudbury, Ont. – Northern Credit Union Community Centre – Queen’s University – Nursing
- Riley Winters – North Bay, Ont. – North Bay Granite Club – Laurentian University – Business Administration
*Funded and presented by the Governor General’s Curling Club.
**Funded by the Secord family legacy gift.
With the two $3,500 scholarships awarded to Codner and Frlan, the Governor General’s Curling Club has invested $26,255 in young curling athletes as a valued partner of Curling Canada’s scholarship program.
Codner and Frlan will also be honoured and presented with their scholarships in their hometowns of St. John’s, N.L., and Ottawa, respectively, by Governor General’s Curling Club members from their communities. Those presentations will be shared with the Governor General’s Curling Club national membership at its annual gala on Sept. 14 in Victoria.
The scholarships awarded to Dylan Derksen, Tyler Derksen, Blandford and Soucy are funded by a new legacy gift from the Estate of Maureen Secord, honouring the lifelong love of curling shared by Maureen and her husband, James Bayne Secord.
Since the scholarship program’s launch in 2014, Curling Canada has awarded 179 scholarships to young curlers nationwide, helping offset educational costs while encouraging continued participation in the sport.
Curling Canada’s For the Love of Curling philanthropic program, introduced during the 2013-14 season to help develop and grow youth and junior curling across Canada, received more than $328,000 in donations and grants last season. The generous support of Canada’s curling community supports youth engagement and youth curling programs such as U-9 Hit Draw Tap, U-15 RockFest, Girls Rock presented by Scotties and the Curling Canada scholarship program.
