Happy International Women's Day

Editor: Anthony Lutz
Date: 2025-03-08

Women's curling has roots that stretch back centuries, with the sport originating in Scotland in the 16th century. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that women began to organize and compete in formal competitions. The first recorded women's curling club, the "Ladies Curling Club of Scotland", was established in 1885; and by the early 1900s, women's curling had gained traction in Canada, where the sport found a second home. The first Women's World Curling Championship was held in 1979, marking a pivotal moment in the sport's history. This event provided a platform for female curlers to showcase their skills and compete at an international level. Since then, the championship has grown in stature, attracting teams from around the world and elevating the profile of women's curling.

One of the most significant drivers of growth in women's curling has been the breaking down of gender barriers. In the early days, women often faced challenges in gaining access to ice time and resources, but dedicated athletes and advocates worked tirelessly to level the playing field. Pioneers like Sandra Schmirler became household names and inspired young women to take up the sport. The inclusion of women's curling at the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998, won by Schmirler’s Canadian rink, was another game-changer. This milestone not only provided female curlers with a global stage but also highlighted the sport's appeal to a broader audience. The Olympic spotlight brought increased media coverage, sponsorship opportunities, and recognition for women's curling, further fueling its growth. The expansion of women's curling can also be attributed to grassroots initiatives aimed at encouraging participation at all levels. Curling clubs and organizations around the world have implemented programs to introduce the sport to girls and women, offering learn-to-curl sessions, youth leagues, and mentorship opportunities. These efforts have been particularly successful in countries like Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Korea, where curling enjoys widespread popularity. In addition, the rise of mixed-gender curling events has played a role in promoting inclusivity and collaboration within the sport. Mixed doubles curling, which features teams of one man and one woman, was added to the Winter Olympics in 2018, further diversifying the curling landscape and providing new opportunities for female athletes.

Today, women's curling is a truly global sport, with strong teams emerging from traditional powerhouses like Canada and Sweden, as well as newer contenders like South Korea and Japan. The sport's competitive balance has never been stronger, with thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes becoming the norm at major tournaments. The success of teams like South Korea's 2018 Olympic silver medalists, led by skip Kim Eun-Jung, has demonstrated the sport's growing international appeal. Similarly, the dominance of teams like Sweden's Anna Hasselborg and Switzerland's Silvana Tirinzoni has raised the bar for excellence in women's curling, inspiring fans and aspiring athletes worldwide. As women's curling continues to grow, the future looks bright. Advances in technology, such as live streaming and social media, have made the sport more accessible to fans, while increased investment in training and development is helping to nurture the next generation of talent. The sport's emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship resonates with audiences of all ages, making it a unique and enduring part of the winter sports landscape. Moreover, the ongoing push for gender equality in sports is likely to benefit women's curling further. As more women take on leadership roles within curling organizations and advocate for equal opportunities, the sport is poised to reach new heights. The growth of women's curling is a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of the athletes who have paved the way. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global phenomenon, women's curling has come a long way, and its journey is far from over. As the sport continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly inspire more women to pick up a broom, step onto the ice, and make their mark on the world of curling.

The Milton Curling Club is doing its part to help foster the growth of women’s curling. We currently have 376 registered full participating members, 171 of which are female (45%). While a great majority of these members play in mixed leagues our club does provide leagues intended for women only, including the Day Women’s Social, Day Women’s Choose Your Own, and Tuesday Night Women’s Social. In addition to those dedicated leagues, there are several full women’s teams competing in our Open Choose Your Own leagues including Team Philpott (Becky Philpott, Catherine Kaino, Aleecia Brunberg, and Brenda Nix) who represented Milton Curling Club at the 2024 Provincial Curling Club Championship earlier this season. Perhaps our club’s most Golden example of developing women’s curling is Kirsten Wall, who developed her skills playing at the Milton Curling Club in her early years, and won gold at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi as the alternate for Jennifer Jones’ rink. Leigh Armstrong and Katelyn Wasylkiw, who both currently hold memberships at the Milton Curling Club, competed for separate rinks in January for a chance to represent Ontario at this year’s Scotties Tournament Of Hearts. Wasylkiw’s “Carly Howard” rink advanced to the playoffs and was narrowly defeated by the Chelsea Brandwood rink in the Page 3 vs. 4 game. Armstrong, who plays for the Breana Rozon rink, began her life in curling playing Little Rocks at the Milton Curling Club. Leigh had previously competed with Team Middaugh in 2014 reaching the gold medal game at the Canadian Olympic qualifier losing to eventual Olympic champion Jennifer Jones.

The Milton Curling Club, its board of directors, and membership would like to wish everyone Happy International Women’s Day!

 Monday and Tuesday Day Ladies Leagues

Tuesday Night Women's Social