OUR House is YOUR House: Strategies for Inclusive Curling Spaces
Seminar at the Scotties
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn and share, as Partners Transforming Curling, hosts a panel of inclusivity experts and passionate change-makers of our game!
Join us, as Gerry Sundwall, Jess Guilbault, and Alex Turner-Bolt take us through their experiences in curling, and together, we explore strategies to expand our impact with diverse communities.
EVERYONE is welcome, but spots are limited. Sign up while there’s still space.
Date: Sunday, February 1
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Dixie Curling Centre
Expand your understanding. Learn how to make change. Discovery your community.
Meet our speakers
Jessica Guilbualt
Jessica has been curling competitively since she was 15 and has competed in tour events across Ontario, notably at the Ontario Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games Trials. Throughout her curling journey as a racialized female curler, Jess never felt adequately represented within the sport, which led her to her Masters research. Jess’ research is about exploring the experiences and barriers facing racialized women who participate in curling in Ontario. She is excited to share my findings and discuss how we can facilitate a more inclusive and safe environment for marginalized groups in sport.
Alex Turner-Bolt
Alex is a community organizer and DEI advocate focused on building more inclusive and welcoming curling spaces. She currently serves as Chair of the Inclusivity Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors at KW Granite Club. Alex has helped lead initiatives including the development of a new club Code of Conduct, the introduction of two all-gender washrooms, and the ongoing maintenance of period-positive washrooms to support accessibility and dignity for all members. Alex is also the co-founder of Out On The Ice, an LGBTQIA2S+ curling league created to reduce barriers in the sport and to foster connection, belonging, and joy through curling. Alex brings a community-centred approach to inclusion that is grounded in lived experience, collaboration, and the belief that curling spaces can evolve to better reflect the communities they serve.
Gerry Sundwell
Gerry has been involved in all aspects of curling over several decades. Recently Gerry served as Chair of the Ontario Curling Council, and on the Board of Directors for Curling Ontario where he chaired the Inclusive Diverse Equitable Accessible (IDEA) Committee. Gerry also serves on the Guelph Curling Board of Directors where he promotes inclusivity through their first of its kind IDEA strategy. Gerry brings a wealth of knowledge about how nuanced and rewarding nature of DEI conversations and is eager to show the impact change can make in the curling world, and the community as a whole
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