Curling Québec is proud to launch, in 2026, the program “Women and Sports Leadership: Developing the Next Generation in Coaching.” This initiative aims to strengthen female leadership in our sport by providing participants with the tools, mentorship, and experience needed to become inspiring coaches and actively contribute to the development of curling in Quebec.

Curling remains a sport in which the majority of participants and coaches are men: nearly 72% of players and most coaches in Quebec are male. Yet providing young athletes and future generations of female curlers with female role models in sport is essential to inspire, motivate, and demonstrate that sports leadership can also be female.

It is with this perspective in mind that the program “Women and Sports Leadership: Developing the Next Generation in Coaching” was created. It aims to support and guide women who are passionate about curling by offering them practical tools and a network to strengthen their coaching and leadership skills.

The cohort, composed of a maximum of 20 participants, will take part in a six-month program during which several meetings, workshops, and training sessions will be offered to help them grow as coaches and ambassadors of the sport. This program therefore represents a unique opportunity for women to position themselves as leaders in curling, enhance their skills, and actively contribute to the development of women’s curling in Quebec, while serving as inspiring role models for the curlers of tomorrow.

The program is intended for women who are passionate about curling and eager to develop their sports leadership. To maximize impact and meet the program’s objectives, participants must meet the general criteria and fit one of the following profiles:

General Criteria

  • Be a woman aged 16 or older
  • Be a member in good standing of a curling club affiliated with Curling Québec
  • Demonstrate an interest in leadership and coaching in sport
  • Be available to participate in the various sessions, workshops, and training activities over a six-month period
  • Commit to actively contributing to the development of women’s curling in Quebec

Participant Profiles

  1. Competition Coaches

    • Already Trained and/or Certified : Have completed the Competition Coach – Introduction training or are already certified.

    • Wish to further develop their role as a role model and enhance their skills as a coach.

  1. Aspiring Coaches

    • Have not yet completed Competition Coach training.

    • Wish to become certified and become coaches.

    • Seek to acquire technical and leadership skills to guide teams and become role models in the sport.

  1. The Next Generation: Women Aged 16 to 20

    • Young women passionate about curling and interested in developing a coaching role.

    • Seek to gain practical experience and become familiar with sports leadership.

    • Intend to become coaches in the near future.

Key Dates and Activities

Registration:

  • First week of March 2026: Registration opens
  • March 23, 2026: Registration deadline

April 2026:

  • In-person meeting over a weekend to introduce participants and address key topics in sports leadership and on- and off-ice technique.
  • From Friday evening, April 17, to Sunday, April 19, 2026, Montreal.

May 2026:

  • 75-minute virtual meeting.
  • Date to be determined during the April meeting, Workshop #1.

June 2026:

  • 75-minute virtual meeting.
  • Date to be determined during the April meeting, Workshop #2.

July 2026:

  • 75-minute virtual meeting.
  • Date to be determined during the April meeting, Workshop #3.

August 2026:

  • 75-minute virtual meeting.
  • Date to be determined during the April meeting, Workshop #4.

September 2026:

  • Two 75-minute virtual meetings.
  • Date to be determined during the April meeting, Workshop #5.
  • Date to be determined during the April meeting, Closing session.

Price

All participants in the program “Women and Sports Leadership: Developing the Next Generation in Coaching” must pay a registration fee of $100, covering all essential elements required to fully participate in the cohort. This amount contributes to their learning experience while allowing participants to focus fully on their development as coaches and leaders, without worrying about the financial aspects related to training, workshops, and in-person meetings.

What the registration fee covers:

  • A 50% discount on the Competition Coach – Introduction training, as well as certification for those who have not yet completed it (must be completed between April 1, 2026, and April 31, 2027)
  • Materials provided to participants for the duration of the cohort
  • Participation in workshops and meetings (virtual and in person)
  • Meals and activities during the in-person meeting
  • Transportation costs for the in-person meeting (flat rate based on the distance between the participant’s residence and the meeting location)
  • Accommodation in a double room for the in-person meeting for participants residing more than 30 minutes from the meeting location (maximum of 3 nights)

Registration

All interested individuals must read the information document before proceeding with registration. Registration does not guarantee participation in the program. Applications will be accepted based on the applicant’s file and the number of participants in each profile category.

Registrations are accepted until March 23 at 11:59 p.m. Women will be notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance into the program by March 31, 2026. The registration fee must be paid between April 1 and April 15, 2026.

Register