Curling Canada unveils new National NextGen Program to develop next wave of podium-bound athletes

A revamped program designed to nurture the next generation of elite athletes and teams aiming for the podium is now accepting applications, it was announced today by Curling Canada.

Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program, supported by Own the Podium, aims to identify and cultivate young talent and provide world-class training, coaching, and support to aspiring curlers across the nation.

The National NextGen Program is strategically structured to influence younger athletes in their pursuit of excellence, while also shaping them into ambassadors and competitors for Canada. The program helps in training, preparation and competitive performance while offsetting some of the financial burdens associated with elite-level participation.

The makeup of the National NextGen Program comprises:

• 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Men’s and Women’s Curling Champions: Team Kenan Wipf of Calgary and Team Ally MacNutt of Halifax;
• 2024 U-25 NextGen Classic winners (Aug. 27 – Sept.2): Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles;
• Under-27 teams ranked within the top 15 of the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) & Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings (CMDR) as of May 1, 2024.

Selected teams will spend two years in the program, with funding and support contingent on meeting performance standards and expectations. Coaches will play a pivotal role, guiding teams through training and providing mentorship.

“We want to empower our nation’s brightest young talent, and this initiative underscores our commitment to fostering their excellence in curling while also ensuring that we develop a steady pipeline of podium contenders for the years to come,” said Helen Radford, Curling Canada’s Manager of NextGen and Youth Programming. “We’re dedicated to providing this supportive environment so these athletes can thrive and realize their full potential through personalized training programs, analytics review and ongoing mentorship.”

Under-27 teams interested in applying for the National NextGen Program are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and submit their applications before May 31. For more information, interested parties can contact Helen Radford, Manager of Curling Canada’s National NextGen Program at [email protected].

Apply for the Under-27 National NextGen Program here: