NTP & AAP Application, 4-person – 2026-2027

NTP & AAP Application, Mixed Doubles – 2026-2027

Click the following below to download information about the 2025-26 carding criteria:

Able-Bodied Program Criteria

Able-Bodied Carding Program

Curling Trials Funding

Team Selection – 2025 PCCC

Mixed Doubles Carding Program

Approved by: Curling Canada High-Performance Leadership Team (HPLT), Own the Podium (OTP), Sport Canada & Curling Canada Athlete Council
Effective Date: October 2025         Version 1.0

1. Purpose

1.1 This Policy establishes the procedures, criteria, and decision-making framework governing the selection of athletes and teams to Curling Canada’s National Team Program (NTP) and nominations for Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) for the 2026–2027 season.

1.2 The Policy ensures that selection decisions are transparent, equitable, and consistent with Curling Canada’s High-Performance strategy and the objectives of Sport Canada’s AAP.

2. Scope

2.1 This Policy applies to all athletes and teams seeking selection to the National Team Program (NTP) and nomination for AAP carding within the following categories:

• Four-Person Teams (Men’s and Women’s)
• Mixed Doubles Teams

2.2 The Policy is applicable for the 2026–2027 competition season and may be reviewed or amended for subsequent seasons.

2.3 The athlete must be a Canadian citizen or are otherwise eligible to compete in representing the NSO and Canada at the beginning of the carding cycle for which the athlete is being nominated. 

1. Under the eligibility requirements of the sport’s International Federation (IF) as it pertains to citizenship or residency status, the athlete must be eligible to represent Canada at major international competitions, including World Championships, at the beginning of the carding cycle for which the athlete is being nominated;
2. The athlete must participate in national team preparatory and annual training programs during the time period in which they are qualifying for AAP support;
3. The athlete must be available and intend to represent Canada in major international competitions, including World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games;
4. For athletes in Olympic sports who have been permanent residents of Canada for three years or more, continued eligibility to receive AAP support is contingent on the athlete becoming eligible to represent Canada at the Olympic Games;
5. The athlete must meet the published NSO-approved, AAP-compliant sport-specific carding criteria
6. Be a member in good standing of a Provincial/Territorial Association; and
7. Will notify the Executive Director, High Performance immediately of any circumstance which may affect their eligibility, for example, an injury, sport integrity violation, doping violation or other legitimate reason that will prevent the Athlete from attending training or event for which they have been selected.

3. Guiding Principles

3.1 Selection decisions shall:
a. Support the strategic objectives of Curling Canada’s High-Performance Pillar;
b. Prioritize athletes and teams demonstrating the potential to achieve podium performances at World Championships and Olympic Games;
c. Reflect a commitment to integrity, fairness, transparency, and accountability; and
d. Be informed by both objective evidence and expert professional judgment.

4. Program Overview

4.1 Curling Canada’s National Team Program (NTP) is the cornerstone of its high-performance system. It provides technical, financial, and operational support to elite curling athletes targeting international success.

4.2 The NTP operates in alignment with Sport Canada’s Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), which provides direct financial support to eligible athletes selected to the NTP.

4.3 The NTP supports athletes through a structured, tiered model based on development stage, performance readiness, and potential for international success.

5. Program Objectives

5.1 The objectives of the NTP are to:
a. Cultivate excellence across all Olympic disciplines;
b. Continuously strengthen world-leading athlete development pathways
c. Cultivate holistic athlete-first approach to high-performance; and
d. Foster a culture of integrity, ethics and fair play

5.2 Key performance deliverables include:

• Achieving and sustaining podium finishes at World Championships and Olympic Games;
• Maintaining NTP teams within the Top 15 of the World Curling Team Ranking System (WCTRS) and Next Gen teams within the Top 25;
• Demonstrating alignment with Curling Canada’s values, culture, and performance philosophy.

6. Program Philosophy and Culture

6.1 Curling Canada’s High-Performance Leadership Team (HPLT) is committed to optimizing athlete development and team selection to ensure that Canada consistently fields world-class competitors in Women’s, Men’s, and Mixed Doubles disciplines.

6.2 The overarching philosophy is to win now without compromising the ability to win in the future by fostering consistency, accountability, and alignment between Curling Canada, its athletes, and team coaches.

6.3 Key cultural priorities include:
a. Establishing consistent and frequent team training environments;
b. Integrating sport science, analytics, and coaching expertise into daily training;
c. Supporting Regional Performance Centres to optimize facility and resource access;
d. Promoting shared responsibility and performance accountability between Curling Canada and teams.

7. Funding and Carding Allocation

7.1 NTP and AAP allocations will be determined annually based on available funding, performance priorities, and alignment with program objectives.

7.2 AAP nominations are conditional upon NTP selection and subject to final approval by Sport Canada.

7.3 If duplication or ineligible teams occur, additional selected teams would be added to fulfill the 4 allocated slots per gender for NTP & AAP funding and carding.

7.4 All criteria qualified teams ranked 1-5 would only be selected to the NTP upon approval from the HPLT following their application & selection review.

8. Eligibility and Team Criteria

8.1 Four-Person Teams

Application & Selection (Teams 1–4, NTP/AAP):
a. 2025 Brier / Scotties Champions (must retain ≥3 of 4 players).
b. 2026 Olympic Teams (must retain ≥3 of 4 players).
c. 2026 Brier / Scotties Champions (must retain ≥3 of 4 players).
d. Remaining team/s selected via application & selection process by the HPLT.

Additional Requirement:

• Minimum of one athlete per team applying to be part of the NTP program must have competed in the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials.

Development Team (Team 5, NTP only):

• Selected through application and review by the HPLT.
• Cumulative team age ≤120years (4 player teams) or ≤150 years (5 player teams) as of June 30, 2026.
• Minimum of one athlete per team applying to be part of the NTP Development Team must have been an athlete in the NTP or National NextGen Programs in the past 2 seasons.

8.2 Mixed Doubles Teams

Application & Selection (Teams 1–4, NTP/AAP):
a. 2026 Olympic Mixed Doubles Team (must continue competing together).
b. 2026 World Mixed Doubles Team (Top 8 finish; must continue competing together).
c. 2026 Canadian Mixed Doubles Champions (must continue competing together).
d. Remaining team/s selected via application & selection process by the HPLT.

Additional Requirement:

• Minimum one athlete per team applying to be part of the NTP program must have competed in the playoffs at a Curling Canada national event between January 2025 and March 2026.

Development Team (Team 5, NTP only):

• Selected through application and review by the HPLT.
• Cumulative team age ≤60 years as of June 30, 2026.
• Minimum of one athlete per team applying to be part of the NTP Development Team must have been an athlete in the NTP or National NextGen Programs in the past 2 seasons.

9. Application Requirements

9.1 All Teams (1-5) meeting the eligibility criteria must submit a formal National Team Program Application (Form available in February) that includes:
a. Team performance plan overview and alignment with national high-performance objectives;
b. Training and competition schedule overview (domestic and international);
c. Three-month summer performance plan (June–August 2026), including physical, technical, mental, and recovery elements;
d. Evidence of access to suitable training facilities;
e. Team Coach credentials (minimum: Competition Development Certified or High Performance Consultant);
f. Confirmation of athlete availability and commitment.

Note: All teams who are confirmed onto the NTP will work with Program Managers and Support Staff to implement a comprehensive year-round Team and Individual Performance Plan which includes significant engagement in the daily training environment. 

10. Selection Criteria

10.1 Selection decisions will consider the following factors:

11. Selection Process

11.1 The Selection Panel will consist of the High-Performance Leadership Team (HPLT), including:

• Executive Director, High Performance (voting member)
• National Team Program Manager-either Men’s/Women’s or Mixed Doubles (voting member)
• Lead Performance Analyst (voting member)
• Own The Podium High Performance Advisor (non-voting member)
• Official Record Keeper (non-voting member)

11.2 The Selection Panel may consult additional experts (e.g., sport science, analytics, coaching) as necessary.

11.3 Selections are subjective, and decisions will be based on professional judgment informed by objective evidence, performance data, and expert opinion.

11.4 All decisions shall be made in good faith, guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and alignment with Curling Canada’s strategic objectives.

11.5 Final approval of team selections rests with the Executive Director of High Performance.

12. Key Dates

13. Appeals

13.1 Curling Canada maintains a formal Appeals Procedure for athletes or teams wishing to challenge a selection decision. This ensures fairness, transparency, and due process.

13.2 Appeals must be submitted in accordance with the timelines, format, and procedures outlined in the Curling Canada Appeal Policy

14. Governance and Authority

14.1 The Executive Director of High Performance retains authority for the final confirmation of all selections to the National Team Program.

14.2 The Executive Director may approve exceptions or adjustments where required to address unforeseen circumstances or to maintain alignment with Curling Canada’s high-performance strategy and international qualification requirements.

14.3 This Policy is subject to periodic review and amendment by the HPLT.

15. Effective Date and Review

15.1 This Policy takes effect in October 2025 and governs team and athlete selection for the 2026–2027 season.

15.2 The Policy shall be reviewed annually to ensure continued relevance and alignment with Curling Canada’s strategic objectives and Sport Canada’s AAP requirements.

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