Selena Njegovan, a member of Team Lawes, has expressed her dissatisfaction with Curling Canada’s recent decision regarding pregnancy exemptions for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Njegovan, who is managing her pregnancy alongside her curling commitments this season, was initially relieved when her team received permission to include an out-of-province replacement player for the national championship. However, her satisfaction was marred by the restriction that only the top five teams in the national rankings could apply for this exemption.
This restriction has sparked significant debate within the curling community. Curling Canada’s choice to limit eligibility has been met with criticism from various quarters, including Njegovan, who argues that the policy unfairly excludes many teams. She voiced her concerns from Winnipeg, highlighting the inequity in restricting exemption applications to just the top-ranked teams.
In a recent news release, Curling Canada defended its decision by stating that only the top five teams could apply for the exemption due to the challenge of finding replacement players with comparable skill levels and commitment. This explanation has not quelled the backlash, and many prominent figures in curling have expressed their discontent. Two-time Olympian Dawn McEwen, for example, argued that this restriction should be reconsidered immediately to uphold fairness and support all athletes.
The controversy has prompted Curling Canada to amend its policy for future events. Starting in 2024, all teams will be eligible to apply for pregnancy-related exemptions. However, the change comes too late for the current season. Curling Canada CEO Kathy Henderson emphasized that the policy aims to balance the needs of competitive athletes with residency requirements, but this has done little to alleviate the frustration of those affected.
Njegovan, who is due in late March, finds the situation particularly grueling. She has been informed that if she attends the Scotties in Kamloops, she will face limited access to the venue, which adds to her disappointment. Curling Canada has stated that Njegovan will not be allowed to sit on the bench but can attend in a general capacity. This restriction, along with the original policy decision, has led to a challenging and disheartening experience for Njegovan and her team.