There might be some changes on the horizon for curling in Ontario.
This week, the province’s three curling bodies – the Northern Ontario Curling Association (NOCA), Curling Ontario, and the Ontario Curling Council – revealed their proposal for a merger.
“Right now, curling is a council sport in Ontario,” said Laura Forget, NOCA executive director. “We’re one of four council sports, and a council sport exists when more than one organization is administering a sport.”
“The province of Ontario only wants to deal with one organization, so the Ontario Curling Council was created to be that one provincial sport organization to handle funding from the government and all of that kind of stuff, so that Curling Ontario and Northern Ontario Curling could maintain separate organizations,” she said. “However, the council model is outdated and frankly is in jeopardy of being phased out altogether, so we’re just looking to get ahead of ourselves here and do it our way.”
Forget mentioned that if the merger goes through, northern Ontario would still have its own representation at major bonspiels. There would continue to be a Team Northern Ontario and a Team Ontario at events like the Brier or the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Jordan Potts, who plays second for the Trevor Bonot rink that represented northern Ontario at the 2024 Brier, expressed his main worry about losing regional identity through this proposal.
“Northern Ontario should always be separated,” he said. “Geographically, it’s just so tough for us to travel, so tough for us to build and get opportunities.”
“There’s a lot of honor on being a northern Ontario curler,” Potts stated.
Potts – whose wife Sarah Potts plays lead on Team Krista Scharf and has represented northern Ontario at several Scotties bonspiels including the 2026 edition – also shared concerns about northern curlers and clubs possibly losing their independence.
“Southern Ontario is bigger than us,” he pointed out. “So there would be just a little bit of concern on whether we’re going to lose our voice and kind of let southern Ontario run things?”
Forget reassured that most changes would primarily affect administrative matters.
“For the regular curler, very little would change day-to-day,” Forget explained. “What would change is what we’re able to offer behind the scenes especially to our member clubs.”
“More professional support, shared resources, stronger governance, improved programs specific programming and staff for youth development, higher quality service and less bureaucracy from three organizations governing bodies.”
Northern Ontario’s Scharf joined by daughter at Scotties Tournament of Hearts
Potts noted that an increased focus on youth development programs could really help.
(Krista) Scharf has highlighted how good curlers from the north can be,” Potts commented. “Trevor Bonot has been a big advocate behind growing the game and working youth programs so there are select people who are trying to grow it but honestly it’s just not where it was before.” “We need our youth engaged,” he added. “I feel like we’re moving in the right direction to gain some traction there but it’s something you always have to keep an eye on if you want your sport to thrive.” Curling Ontario and NOCA are hosting virtual town halls regarding this proposal-one took place Wednesday at noon while another was scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p. m. Two additional virtual town halls are planned for February 16th. You can find more information along with registration links on NOCA’s website; Forget mentioned these sessions will be recorded and uploaded onto their site for anyone unable to attend live. Forget stated that member clubs will vote on this proposal during a special meeting set for March 8th. “If there’s support during voting March 8.. that would lead into another special meeting where draft bylaws will be approved which you can currently check out on our website,” Forget explained further. “The new organization will then approve these bylaws; we’ve already outlined plans for a transition board lasting one year designed specifically help us navigate through becoming established as this new body; afterward an entirely new board will take office.”
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(Krista) Scharf has highlighted how good curlers from the north can be,” Potts commented. “Trevor Bonot has been a big advocate behind growing the game and working youth programs so there are select people who are trying to grow it but honestly it’s just not where it was before.” “We need our youth engaged,” he added. “I feel like we’re moving in the right direction to gain some traction there but it’s something you always have to keep an eye on if you want your sport to thrive.” Curling Ontario and NOCA are hosting virtual town halls regarding this proposal-one took place Wednesday at noon while another was scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p. m. Two additional virtual town halls are planned for February 16th. You can find more information along with registration links on NOCA’s website; Forget mentioned these sessions will be recorded and uploaded onto their site for anyone unable to attend live. Forget stated that member clubs will vote on this proposal during a special meeting set for March 8th. “If there’s support during voting March 8.. that would lead into another special meeting where draft bylaws will be approved which you can currently check out on our website,” Forget explained further. “The new organization will then approve these bylaws; we’ve already outlined plans for a transition board lasting one year designed specifically help us navigate through becoming established as this new body; afterward an entirely new board will take office.”
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