Curling Ontario Opens Applications for the Sticks & Stones Curling Club Bursary Supported by SportsPay
Curling Ontario Opens Applications for the Sticks & Stones Curling Club Bursary Supported by SportsPay
Up to four $1,500 bursaries are available to help member clubs break down barriers and introduce curling to new and underrepresented communities across the province.
Curling Ontario has officially opened applications for the Sticks & Stones Curling Club Bursary, supported by SportPay. The initiative provides financial support to member clubs ready to develop inclusive, accessible programming that connects curling with equity-deserving groups, including racialized communities, New Canadians, low-income households, persons with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Grounded in the core belief that curling should be a sport where everyone has an opportunity to participate, the bursary is designed not simply as a funding opportunity, but as a catalyst for clubs to try something new, remove systemic barriers, and welcome participants who may not currently see themselves reflected on the ice.
Last season, four Curling Ontario member clubs utilized the bursary to create distinct, community-driven programs tailored to local needs:
North Grenville Curling Club welcomed 42 participants through Queer Curling – Fun For All. The five-session program provided a safe, supportive introduction to the sport, resulting in 78% of surveyed participants expressing interest in a weekly Rainbow league.
Rainbow Rockers Curling League (Ottawa) partnered with Capital Rainbow Refuge to introduce 30 participants—many of them 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers to Canada—to curling. For many, it marked their very first experience on ice, generating strong interest in forming new teams for future seasons.
Paris Curling Club collaborated with Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre to run a six-week program for 12 participants with varying developmental abilities, fostering independence, confidence, and a lasting connection to the club.
High Park Club (Toronto) partnered with Indigenous community leaders to offer programming for Indigenous youth. By covering equipment, meals, and transportation at no cost, the club removed financial and logistical barriers in a culturally respectful environment.
To read the complete 2025–2026 Sticks & Stones Bursary Impact Summaries and learn more about how last year’s recipient clubs turned their funding into action visit our Sticks & Stones webpage:
“There is no single formula for making curling more accessible,” said Erin Jarvis, Senior Manager of Club Development at Curling Ontario. “The Sticks & Stones Bursary empowers our member clubs to look at their surrounding communities, ask who else could be part of our curling family, and build tailored programs that open doors for everyone.”
Bursary Details & Application Information
- Grant Amount: Up to four (4) bursaries of $1,500 each.
- Eligibility: All active Curling Ontario member clubs in good standing.
- Application Closing Date: November 20, 2026.
Curling Ontario member clubs interested in applying or learning more about program guidelines are encouraged to visit our website or contact erin@curlingontario.ca.
About SportsPay
SportPay is proud to partner with Curling Ontario to support grassroots sports growth, providing modern payment tools and financial sponsorship to help sports organizations break down barriers and build inclusive communities.
About Curling Ontario
Curling Ontario serves as the provincial governing body for the sport of curling in Ontario. We aspire to set the standard of excellence for sport development and participation, and we are committed to inspiring and energizing Ontarians to engage in curling.
Media Contact:
Kerri Lott
Communications & Brand Coordinator
Curling Ontario
kerri@curlingontario.ca