By Martin Cleary
Curling skip Hailey Armstrong from Carleton Place initially planned to take a different route for the 2025-26 competitive women’s season.
“I thought about playing less events,” she shared in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Despite having strong seasons with her teams from Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Kitchener-Waterloo over the last three years, the Ontario women’s championship left her wanting. Danielle Inglis of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club represented Ontario at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts national championships in 2024 and 2025, while Rachel Homan of the Ottawa Curling Club held that title in 2023.
Armstrong made it to the provincial playoffs in 2025 without a loss after seven straight wins. However, her team lost to Inglis 9-5 in their Page playoff match-Inglis scored five points in the seventh end-and then fell to Chelsea Brandwood of Niagara Falls by a score of 6-3 in the semifinals. It was so close to reaching the Scotties, especially since she didn’t make it into the Ontario playoffs in both 2022 and 2023.
Then came a call after the end of the 2024-25 season.
Grace Lloyd from Brantford, Michaela Robert from Markham, and Rachel Steele from Hamilton were looking for a skip and asked Armstrong if she would lead them into the upcoming season.
She considered it but ultimately couldn’t pass up another chance to compete for a spot at Scotties-a championship she’d never skipped before. Armstrong had played third for Quebec skip Laurie St-Georges during nationals impacted by COVID-19 in 2021 and 2022.
“I knew these girls wanted to play quite a few events,” Armstrong explained. “It’s hard. You want to make sure everyone is on the same page. If you are going to curl and go for Scotties, you need to put in all the hard work.”
“When they called, I knew as soon as they asked me I was not going to pass it up. They are great and awesome girls and are supportive.”
Armstrong made an excellent choice as she guided her Whitby Curling Club team through an intense week-long competition to win her first Ontario women’s curling title in Elmira with an overall record of 7-2.
After taking her only two losses against two-time defending champion Inglis during bracket play, Armstrong dominated middle ends to defeat Inglis decisively with a score of 10-3 in an eight-end championship final instead of ten.
“It’s so amazing. My teammates were in tears and I shouted, ‘We’re going to Scotties,’” recalled Armstrong, who was exhausted Monday night; she missed her regular curling session at North Grenville Curling Club along with receiving a balloon bouquet from friends.
During finals play, Armstrong stole two points in fourth end for a lead of 3-1 before seizing full control when her team stole five points during fifth end for an impressive advantage at 8-1 as Inglis’ shots fell short. She added another two points at eighth end before shaking hands with their opponents.
“The ice was tricky for finals with maybe more fans in arena,” noted Armstrong. “After we scored five points, we all said it’s not over till we shake hands. We didn’t think that score was at eight-one; we kept playing.”
“We worked with a sports psychologist all season long-we kept our focus after that game. We must stay present to keep grinding.”
This determination is how Armstrong emerged as the last rink standing under triple-knockout format used during provincials.
The opening match saw Armstrong drop her first contest against Inglis by seven-four within A event brackets but bounced back fiercely through B event defeating Jenny Madden from Ottawa nine-three across nine ends followed by edging out Emma Artichuk also representing Ottawa six-five thanks scoring one point on tenth end before facing another close loss against Inglis six-five again later on.
Apart within C event where just one loss meant elimination led them defeating Hollie Duncan from Woodstock six-five-stealing one point at tenth-and Breanna Rozon hailing from Vaughan four-three scoring again on tenth pitch.
Armstong counted three victories within third round turning back Carly Howard of Toronto seven-four during Page playoff clashes while overcoming Chelsea Principi hailing outta Niagara falls eight-seven thus advancing into finals state achieving first ever appearance amid competition zone.
“C-side got named grind because no more lives left ,” stated armstrong. “Didn’t think about being sem-finalist nor final there ; we laced those boots ready & went ahead doing what needed doing ! I desired holding last stone hand upon conclusion which achieved perfectly leading us forth !( playoffs ) ”
“Preferred traversing C-side rather than sitting around resting active gameplay knowing ice conditions well enough.”
Their rink shall host representation featuring our own province hosting aforementioned Scotties Tournament Hearts occurring January twenty-third till February first at Paramount Fine Foods Centre located Mississauga !
Jayden King originating Tillsonburg Curling Clubs tied connection towards city Ottawa winning provincial men titles via nine-six victory against Sam Mooibroek operating Whitby while fellow squad players included Dylan Niepage Owen Henry Victor Pietrangelo respectively !
King himself repped R. C. M. P club attaining earlier glory winning prior U21 championships reigning year hosted R. A curling excellence centers now heading forth towards Montana ’ s Brier league spanning February twenty-seventh until March eighth nestled Saint John ’ s Newfoundland Labrador area!
Winning streak started promptly qualifying playoffs outright claiming all three matches successfully within A bracket until suffering eventual defeat losing page matchup versus mooibroek sevens fives preceding edging down mark kean thereby reaching finals meeting once again opposed mooibroek thereafter clinching championship battle afterwards successful run !
OTTAWA SPORTS AWARDS UNVEILS FINAL SET OF WINNERS
The seventy-third annual awards dinner presented results unveiling concluding clusters champions set recognized fourth day february held Infinity Convention Center thus showing latest names recipient special recognition awards showcasing contributions made throughout local sporting realm!
Total honors given Emily Bertrand Allan Ryan gaining acknowledgment following community impacts rendered earlier this year … !]
An ex-equestrian champion , bertrand has worked tirelessly ensuring availability sport accessible coaching every level respectively including show jumping events encouraging students building teamwork , responsibility , work ethic plus confidence overall amongst themselves whilst aiming develop youth programs additionally focused instruction delivery assisting broader social skills too !! ]
[Ryan observed Goulbourn Sports Wall Fame one day expressing dissatisfaction stating clear upgrades required hence volunteered efforts triggering rename initiative now dubbed Stittsville Hall Of Fame established Cardel Rec Complex led modernization process inductee plaques finally resulting ceremony induction November previous month lastly completed successful round effort awarding honoring various achievers involved.]
[Emma Shimizu will receive Spirit Award which celebrates individuals setting meaningful examples inspiring others via personal journeys faced athletic endeavors despite struggles encountered whole heartedly committed coaching East Ottawa Stars U13 AA girls’ hockey team throughout treatment periods endured.]
[Employed currently high-performance coordinator working alongside wheelchair basketball Canada proudly continuing coach stars , accumulating noteworthy internships numerous experiences seeking triumphs previously mentioned organizations like abilities ottawa Special Olympics capital city condors Canadian Cancer Society respectively!]
[BGC Ottawa Thunderbolts selected winner receiving bursary amount totaling $750 awarded program enabling youth education leadership participation providing competitive experience zero cost respected each player regarded foremost student then individual subsequently basketball player naturally next!]
<[Thunderbolts managed obtain consecutive champions boys U19 North Pole Hoops Showcase League previously claimed victorious campaigns earlier seasons reached heights achievement!]
The local sports awards declared top athletes announcements celebrating achievements assembled across seventy sports ranging archery through wrestling ! Full listing available here click link provided below : [ Source Link Here ]
u OTTAWA MEN RECORD WINNING WEEKEND ON BASKETBALL COURT
The University Gee-Gees men’s basketball teams earned double victories OUA conference weekend defeating rival Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks seventy-two sixty-one further topped Queen’s University Gaels eighty-eight seventy-nine respective contests witnessed Brock Newton leading charge tally sixteen rebounds combined games providing solid performances supporting unit steadily growing comprised aforementioned players positively impacting broader dynamics among competitions surrounding locale!
Brock Newton shone bright particularly demonstrating skill effort closely alongside tesloch luc garnering respect contribution realizing twenty-point performance yielding rebounding success finding footing directly connected aiding transitions critical important moments altered final outcomes captured exhilarating experience together enjoyed thoroughly entertained fans residing near vicinity surrounding venues generally shared affection passion game where competing schools alike come alive through spirited plays executed brilliantly capturing attention crowd definitely raising excitement levels soaring higher above expectations fulfilled thrilling mannerism witnessed indeed most deserving commendations jointly deserved!)
