Curling Canada sets the path to mixed doubles representation at 2025 FISU World University Games

The mixed doubles discipline will debut at the 2025 FISU World University Games and Canada will be among the teams vying for the gold medal. To determine Canada’s team, Curling Canada is debuting the 2025 FISU World Mixed Doubles Qualifier event later this season.

The 2025 FISU World Mixed Doubles Qualifier runs from Oct. 18-21, 2024, at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton. The event features up to 20 teams divided into pools to play a round-robin schedule. The top teams will advance to playoff games, with the winner earning the right to represent Canada in mixed doubles at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Torino, Italy, in January 2025.

Teams can apply and will be selected by Curling Canada based on the 2023-24 Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings (CMDR), with the understanding individuals can combine their points for newly formed teams. Curling Canada will announce registration information in the coming weeks, with registration to open in early September.

Registration for the event is $200, and travel/accommodations will be the responsibility of athletes/teams. Teams can wear their own uniforms, pending sponsor logo approval from Curling Canada.

All athletes must meet the following criteria:

• A Canadian citizen;
• Enrolled at an eligible university or college, but do not have to be enrolled at the same university/college. 
• At least 18 and no older than 25 years of age on Dec. 31, 2025 (i.e. born between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2007);
• Not participating in the men’s or women’s curling competition at the 2025 FISU World University Games;
• Provide an official letter from their respective university/college’s Registrar’s office confirming either:
• the athlete is officially registered for and pursuing a full program of study leading towards a degree or diploma, or,
• the athlete has recently graduated and obtained their degree or diploma in 2024 from their university/college;
• A member of a Curling Canada Member Association.

Coaches are permitted at the event, must have a minimum certification as a competition coach, and must be at least 21 years old at the time of the qualifier. Coaches must complete Curling Canada’s mandatory education requirements, which include Safe Sport, match manipulation, and concussion training. However, teams do not need a coach to be eligible for the qualifying event.

The winning team will join Team Serena Gray-Withers of the University of Alberta and Team Joshua Bryden of the University of Regina, representing Canada in the women’s and men’s events, respectively, at the FISU World University Games in Italy. Both teams earned the right to represent the nation by winning the 2024 U SPORTS University Curling Championships in Fredericton, N.B.