By Bob Weeks
For the first time in Canada, an active elite curler will have a direct say in how decisions affecting the game are made.
In a significant move last weekend, Curling Canada’s board of governors officially added Edmonton’s Laura Walker to the council, marking the first time an active player has been a part the sport’s governing body.
Walker is a former Canadian mixed doubles champion and bronze medal-winning skip at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She is currently a mixed doubles specialist, partnered with Kirk Muyres and ranked second in the world.
“That current competitive piece was a voice that was missing on the board,” said Walker of her new role, “and none of [the current board] had any reservations. They were all very open to moving forward with having me or somebody part of the work.”
Walker has also been active with AthletesCAN, an organization created to give national team athletes from every sport a voice. She attended a conference last year that focused on governance and that made her an ideal choice to step up to Curling Canada’s board. She will remain a member until September 2024.