The Prince Edward Island curling community came together on Monday, June 8, at the Lone Oak Brewery & Taproom in Borden-Carleton to celebrate the individuals and teams who have made an outstanding impact on our sport during the 2025-2026 season.
Approximately 60 members of the curling community attended the 2026 Curl PEI ADL Awards Celebration, hosted by Curl PEI President Daniel MacFadyen. The evening recognized excellence in competition, coaching, volunteerism, mentorship, leadership, and community building throughout curling on Prince Edward Island.
This year, Curl PEI received an impressive 35 nominations across eight award categories, reflecting the depth of talent, dedication, and passion that exists within our curling community. The nominations highlighted not only athletic achievements, but also the countless hours contributed by volunteers, coaches, mentors, and supporters who continue to strengthen and grow our sport.
Congratulations to all nominees and recipients on their outstanding contributions to curling in Prince Edward Island.
Junior True Sport Award
Claire Bell
Claire Bell was recognized for exemplifying the True Sport principles of Give Back and Include Everyone. A dedicated curler at the Montague Curling Club, Claire has combined competitive success with a strong commitment to supporting and mentoring others.
Whether coaching U12 curlers, assisting with elementary school instruction, or welcoming younger athletes onto her teams, Claire consistently demonstrates leadership, patience, and sportsmanship. Her positive influence extends beyond the ice, helping create a welcoming environment for new and developing curlers.
Claire’s dedication to both her own development and the growth of others makes her an exceptional role model within the curling community.
Aaron Haight
Aaron Haight was also honoured with the Junior True Sport Award for his outstanding commitment to both curling and community service.
A member of the Cornwall Curling Club, Aaron enjoyed a successful competitive season while embracing leadership opportunities on and off the ice. His volunteer work with Learn to Curl, Novice, Parasport, and newcomer programs has helped introduce athletes of all ages and abilities to the sport.
Aaron’s enthusiasm, kindness, and willingness to help others have made him a valued mentor and ambassador for curling. His commitment to inclusion and giving back perfectly reflects the spirit of the True Sport Award.
Outstanding Athlete of the Year
Danny Kneabone
Danny Kneabone earned Outstanding Athlete of the Year honours following an exceptional season that culminated in a Provincial Masters Championship and a fifth-place finish at the Canadian Masters Curling Championship.
Competing in his first national championship, Danny played a key role in his team’s success while demonstrating tremendous dedication to improving his game. His commitment to practice, willingness to support fellow curlers, and positive attitude earned him the respect of teammates and competitors alike.
Known for his sportsmanship and friendly personality, Danny embodies the qualities of an outstanding athlete both on and off the ice.
Coach of the Year
Darren Gallant
Darren Gallant was recognized as Coach of the Year for his exceptional commitment to athlete development and coaching excellence.
Darren guided Team Myers to the U18 Women’s Provincial Championship and helped the team achieve success at numerous events throughout the season, including a berth at the Canadian U18 Curling Championships. His efforts were also recognized with the ASHAM Coach Award at the provincial championship.
Through his focus on skill development, sportsmanship, preparation, and personal growth, Darren has created a positive environment that allows athletes to thrive. His dedication to continuous learning and his commitment to helping athletes reach their potential make him an outstanding representative of coaching in Prince Edward Island.
Team of the Year
Team Watts
Team Watts captured Team of the Year honours after an outstanding season highlighted by winning the Provincial Club Championship and representing Prince Edward Island at the Canadian Club Curling Championship.
The team posted an impressive 5-1 round robin record at nationals before finishing fourth overall in Canada.
In addition to their competitive accomplishments, Team Watts members contribute significantly to the curling community through coaching and mentorship. Their commitment to developing future curlers and promoting the sport makes them exceptional ambassadors for PEI curling.
Volunteer of the Year
Wendy Fraser
Wendy Fraser’s dedication to the West Prince Curling Club earned her Volunteer of the Year recognition.
Throughout the season, Wendy played a critical role in organizing and preparing food services for bonspiels, provincial championships, fundraising events, and club functions. Her careful planning, tireless work ethic, and generosity helped create a welcoming atmosphere for participants and visitors alike.
Beyond her work in the kitchen, Wendy contributes as a coach, Learn to Curl volunteer, competitive curler, and community leader. Her selfless commitment has had a tremendous impact on both her club and the broader curling community.
Mentor of the Year
Sarah Doak
Sarah Doak was named Mentor of the Year for her outstanding leadership and commitment to curling development.
Serving as Development Coordinator at her club, Sarah leads a wide variety of programs including Learn to Curl, ParaSport, Little Rockers, Novice, and Junior Curling. She also coaches junior athletes and supports the UPEI women’s curling program.
Her passion for teaching, dedication to inclusion, and willingness to go above and beyond have helped countless new curlers discover and enjoy the sport. Sarah’s impact continues to strengthen curling participation and development across Prince Edward Island.
Contributor of the Year
Mike Forrest
Mike Forrest received the Contributor of the Year Award in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and service to his curling club and community.
As club president, Mike devoted countless hours to ensuring the club’s continued success, including leading the complex effort to repair the club’s ice plant and coordinating solutions that allowed members to continue curling during a challenging period.
Mike’s contributions extended to event organization, volunteer coordination, mentorship, and club operations. His dedication and commitment have been instrumental in supporting both his club and the sport of curling across the province.
President’s Award
Island Pride Curling
The 2026 President’s Award was presented to Island Pride Curling in recognition of its remarkable contributions to growing and diversifying curling participation on Prince Edward Island.
Since its formation, Island Pride Curling has created a welcoming and inclusive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community while introducing many new participants to the sport. The organization has experienced significant growth, expanded programming opportunities, and developed a nationally recognized annual bonspiel.
This season also marked a major milestone as Island Pride Curling qualified and sent a team to the Canadian Pride Curling Championships for the first time. Their commitment to inclusion, community building, and sport development continues to have a meaningful impact on curling in PEI.
Special Recognition and Honorary Lifetime Memberships
Kay Atkinson and Cliff Poirier
A special highlight of the evening was the recognition of Kay Atkinson and Cliff Poirier, two individuals whose decades of service have shaped the landscape of curling officiating in Prince Edward Island.
Through their leadership, education, mentorship, and dedication to excellence, Kay and Cliff helped develop one of the strongest officiating programs in Canadian curling. Their efforts ensured Curl PEI championships were conducted to the highest standards while creating opportunities for generations of officials to learn and grow.
Although both have retired from active officiating leadership, the systems, standards, and volunteers they developed continue to benefit the sport today.
In recognition of their extraordinary contributions and lasting legacy, Curl PEI proudly presented both Kay Atkinson and Cliff Poirier with Honorary Lifetime Memberships.
Thank You
Curl PEI extends its sincere congratulations to all award recipients and nominees. The achievements celebrated on June 8 reflect the passion, commitment, and community spirit that make curling on Prince Edward Island so special.
Thank you to ADL for its continued support of amateur sport, to Sport PEI for its partnership in delivering recognition programs, and to the staff at Lone Oak Brewery & Taproom for hosting an outstanding evening of celebration.
We look forward to another exciting curling season and to celebrating even more achievements in the years ahead.
Curl PEI would like to thank our member clubs, volunteers, officials, sponsors, and partners for their ongoing support in delivering championship curling opportunities across the province.
