Team Cameron sets sights on Olympics

From the first time New Bothwell’s Kate Cameron decided to start skipping her own team, the goal has been to battle for an Olympic Games spot.

The team took a big step forward April 22, when they were named as one of the seven teams who directly qualified for the Canadian Curling Trials. Cameron said she knew from day one her team had the potential to directly qualify for the Trials, it was just a matter of putting good seasons together.

“Changes along the way, but we’re ultimately right where we want to be,” Cameron said following the announcement of the seven qualified teams.

“I think we have a really good line-up, and a really good chance.”

Team Cameron will be bringing a new line-up to the Trials, adding third Briane Harris, who was a huge contributor to the four-time Scotties champion Team Einarson.

“When you get a new player, you’re basically starting all over again,” Cameron said, noting the team is working hard to integrate Harris as soon as possible.

“It’s been busy, but exciting and getting the Trials spot just gives us something to work towards.”

Team Cameron qualified thanks to their high standing in the Canadian Team Ranking System, which awards points based on results throughout the season. Spots were awarded based on both single-season and two-year combined standings.

Cameron started this Olympic cycle playing on a team in Alberta, before returning to play out of Manitoba as a skip mid-way through the cycle.

The Canadian Curling Trials are one of the toughest tournaments to win. Not only do the top teams from the past two years in both cash and national events qualified, but the hottest team, fresh off winning a Pre-Trials event is also looking to make some noise. With only eight spots available on the men’s and women’s side, every draw turns into a marquee match-up and there is only one winner at the end of the week.

“It’s an event like no other,” Cameron said.

Experience could be key. While Cameron has yet to skip a team at the event, she’s played in it two other times as a third, quipping that stat “dated” her.

“The level of pressure, the do or die on every shot is that much higher and that much more intense at the trials,” Cameron said.

“You see it in your own team, you see it with the fans, you see it in your opposition. There’s a lot more living or dying for that moment specifically.”

Rachel Homan, who won both the 2024 and 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, was automatically qualified thanks to those results, although she didn’t need it thanks to a sparkling record over the past few years, including a near-undefeated year in 23/24.

Seeing their competition gave Team Cameron the motivation to add an experienced player to their line-up, with Harris replacing collegiate star Brianne Cullen on the team. Cameron said once they saw they would be playing at the Trials, the recruitment of Harris began.

The fact Cameron knew Harris well and both were based in Manitoba made the case an easy one one to make.

“It’s no secret, Rachel Homan is really good at curling right now,” Cameron said.

“I think to be able to compete, and not just keep it close, but be able to challenge ourselves and try and beat those teams, changes had to happen… It was a bit of a no-brainer for us.”

The final spot at the trials will be awarded at the Canadian Pre-Trials, where the top-ranked teams not already qualified will look to nab a spot at the Trials themselves. Both events will be hosted in Nova Scotia, with the Trials beginning Nov. 22 in Halifax.

Most teams in Canada look to grow throughout a season, but in an Olympic qualifying year, the biggest event takes place in November.

“We need to be able to start early, and start with a lot and be able to establish our identity and build that routine and structure for ourselves,” Cameron said on the team’s strategy to peak early in the year.

Other teams qualified on the women’s side include Manitoba’s Einarson and Kaitlyn Lawes. Team Kayla Skrlik, Team Chistina Black and Team Corryn Brown have also directly qualified.

Team Mike McEwan is the only Manitoba-based team to directly qualify on the men’s side. He’s joined by Brad Gushue, Brad Jacobs, Matt Dunstone, Kevin Koe, Rylan Kleiter and John Epping.

Cameron was also delighted to see the Grand Slam of Curling not only return to Manitoba, but right into her backyard. Steinbach is set to host the Player’s Championship in one of the final major pre-Olympics curling events in January of 2026.

“The facility is unreal,” Cameron said, noting she was able to take in a couple hockey games at the newly built Southeast Event Centre which will host the event.

“It’s been a really hot minute since Manitoba hosted any slams, so I think that in general is exciting… I hope we’re in a position to be playing in it.”