Who We Are
We at UnitedWeCurl came together in a time of need, to commune, to heal, and to advocate for change in the face of racial injustice. The murder of George Floyd revealed to the world what our group already knew, that racialized people in society live under constant fear for their safety, under threat of violence and legacies of oppression.
2020 Changed Our World
Our emotions surfaced in frustration, in anger, but also in hope. We saw an opportunity to share our voices to echo throughout the spaces that we occupy and demand action to dismantle systemic racism in our society and in our sport.
Tragedy may have brought us together, but it is passion and hope that fuels our drive for the future at UnitedWeCurl. It informs actions and practices that express compassion, empathy, and humanity produced by working together. It is a state-of-being we want share to ensure that this world is for us all, by us all.
Opening Up Curling For All
People often speak of a special feeling in curling. A feeling of welcome held in the faces that greet you when you enter, in the exchanges of “good curling” as a sign of respect of our opponents, and in the comradary exhibited after the game. It is held in a common experience out on the pebbled ice. and embraced by the community formed around it.
Our Story
Sadly, that feeling isn’t shared by everyone. As welcoming as the sport claims to be or appears on the surface, racialized and marginalized persons do not always feel that their presence or their very being is valued or wanted in curling.
Making Sport Safer
At UnitedWeCurl, our goal is create safe spaces for those who have not experienced that special quality, where they can see themselves and express their entirety with the empathy and caring of a supportive community. We want to ensure everyone’s experience matches those feelings of fun, joy, and social bonding free of discrimination due to race, religion, physical ability or lifestyle. We believe in fostering a passion for the game playing the sport we love: to connect and learn about each other, and elevate curling to new heights.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) frames our actions to drive awareness, advocacy, and change in curling. We serve as champions for racialized and marginalized persons, elevating and amplifying their stories to be heard by a wide audience. Our partnerships and programs reflect a commitment to change the face and space of curling that we all seek.
Changing the World Through Curling
Sport is about working together to elevate the best in us, rising above our differences, and challenging ourselves to reach new heights. Our team shares that passion and embodies a dream where curling represents everyone as a truly welcoming space where we all belong.
Our Board of Directors
Sabena Islam
President
Sabena Islam is a long time curler, youth instructor, and competitive coach. She has held various administrative and volunteer roles in curling, including providing contributions to the early stages of Curling Canada and CurlON’s DEI processes. She is on a continual learning journey in the DEI space, pursuing Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate and immersing herself in anti-racism training.
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Brittany Tran
Secretary
Brittany Tran is a competitive curler and a national junior champion. In addition to currently chairing Curling Alberta’s DEI Task Force, she has volunteered in many roles for national and international curling competitions. Brittany has also given back to the sport as a curling coach and instructor. Brittany is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a B.Sc. in Environmental Science and is employed as a program analyst.
Richard Norman
Treasurer
Dr. Richard Norman is a researcher + lecturer + futurist who works with people to affect change towards a more socially just, sustainable, and resilient future. His work is focused on the lived experiences of peoples who have been marginalized in our society continuing with the “Sport, Diversity & Race Project” as a post-doctoral fellowship for the Future of Sport Lab (FSL) in the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University.
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Our Members
Andrew Paris
Ambassador
I’m a Nova Scotia curler, coach and former sport administrator living in Truro, Nova Scotia. I’ve been curling for almost 25 years and threw my first rocks in my hometown (Summerside, Prince Edward Island) at the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club.
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From 2017 to 2020, I worked with Nova Scotia Curling as the Technical Director and Provincial Coach. I’ve used my passion to help rollout a province-wide Junior Development Program and create a High Performance Program for junior curlers representing Nova Scotia on the national stage. I also was the Team Leader with the provincial teams at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Canadian Under-18 Boys and Girls Championships and the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
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Deb Martin
Ambassador
I simply think of myself as a crazy fangirl who just can’t get enough when it comes to curling. It’s clear to everyone who knows me and my wife, Charlotte, that curling is a HUGE part of our lives.
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I’m not a Black Curler, or a Female Curler, or a Queer Curler. I am a Curler – who just happens to be all those things and more. Personally, I look forward to a day when it’s not a unique and notable thing to see a face like mine and my wife’s out there throwing rocks, calling shots and brushing our guts out. A day when we are known for our gameface – not our face in the game.
I sincerely appreciate Goldline for choosing such an original and creative way to spotlight these unique experiences and hope that it helps to deepen the understanding of would-be allies who are inclined to increase their understanding as to what it is like to walk through the world on the margins in spaces where we are always the exception. I hope we are all prepared and committed to consciously creating a culture where curlers like us are no longer an exception – but a rule; a community where representation is the standard both on and off the ice.
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Greyden Yee Louison
Ambassador
’m a Saskatchewan First Nation curler from a reservation called Kahkewistahaw First Nation #72 which is 10 minutes north of Broadview Saskatchewan, and is 2 hours east of Regina. I have been curling for 12 years and first started to curl at Broadview Curling Club in 2009 at the age of 8 years old.
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Growing up on the reservation, there was not much offered for curling. The only time I would get to curl would be at league nights in Broadview. Around 2014, I wanted more opportunities in curling so I started a school curling team at the reservation and began to play in youth bonspiels, as well as joining a youth league in Regina with my school team. These efforts brought many wins and success for the youth school team and created a reputation that this First Nation team meant business when they got on the ice.
After I graduated, I moved to Regina for university to study Kinesiology, and played in a competitive league at the Caledonian Curling Club. In my time playing in the league, I met many individuals that loved to play the sport as well. I even had the chance to play against curling announcer and former professional curler, Joan McCusker.
Today, I continue to go to university online, because of COVID-19, and I work as well. I strive to continue my curling career in hopes that it brings a chance to play for the Regina university curling team. I’ve also partnered with UnitedWeCurl in hopes to encourage more BIPOC youth to get into the game of curling.
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Erin Flower
Founding Partner
Doug Flowers grew Goldline Curling into the largest supplier of curling equipment in the world. Doug officially retired in October 2018, turning the business over to his daughter Erin and her two business partners, Andrew Brett and Pete Townshend.
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Erin has been immersed in the world of curling from an early age and has built strong relationships with a worldwide community of grassroots curlers, elite athletes, and partners. Her vision for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive sport was a major catalyst in the birth of the UnitedWeCurl movement. Her infectious energy has helped our team align with media partners, ambassadors, and high profile curlers to bring UnitedWeCurl to the forefront of the curling community. With her partner Kris and her son Dreylin, Erin is a champion for #changingthefaceofcurling at every level – from the grassroots curling club to the highest levels of international competition. She continues to inspire our entire team as UnitedWeCurl takes on a life of its own.
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Calissa Daly
Member / Social Media
Calissa Daly is a competitive curler and MPA candidate at Queen’s University. Throughout her undergrad, Calissa focused her research on issues within Indigenous communities such as gaps in educational funding and resource allocation for communities. As someone who is passionate both about curling and Indigenous studies, Calissa aspires to promote curling in Indigenous communities. Currently, Calissa is a director with the Black Rock Initiative which runs programs introducing BIPOC youth to curling in Nova Scotia.
Shannon Kleibrink
Member
Shannon Kleibrink is a former competitive curler and Olympic bronze medalist. She currently works for Curling Alberta as the Director of Community Curling Development. Shannon is passionate about sharing her love of the sport with others and has recently launched the “Ready to Rock” program.
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