Richmond Curling Centre team member Johnson Tao is one of 11 athletes across Canada to receive the For the Love of Curling scholarship from Curling Canada.
The $2,500 scholarship is meant to help recipients enhance their skills in their sport.
“Every year while reviewing these applications, I’m reminded that the future of our sport is in terrific hands,” said Curling Canada CEO and selection panel member Katherine Henderson.
“The core purpose of this scholarship program is to support young, talented and passionate curlers who will make a difference in society and this year’s recipients are no exception. They all exemplify the attributes of leaders in curling and in communities.”
Tao, who is studying for his bachelor of commerce degree at the University of Alberta, was picked by a panel consisting of Curling Canada officials, high-performance athletes and former scholars.
The scholarship program received a total of 61 entries this year.
Scholarship recipients had to be enrolled full-time, for at least two semesters, at a Canadian university or college; registered to compete for the Canadian Team Ranking System points during the 2021-2022 curling season and had to be 23 years old or younger as of Dec. 31, 2022.
The Curling Canada philanthropic program was introduced during the 2013-14 season to help develop and grow youth and junior curling across Canada. The program received donations totalling more than $280,000 last season.
