CENTRE WELLINGTON: For the first time in over 100 years a competition banner will be raised at the Fergus Curling Club.
It was 1899 when a team representing the Fergus Curling Club won the Ontario Tankard and it would be the last time for over a century until a club team in Fergus would be once again victorious in provincial competition.
It was February 2026 when Team MacDougall, bearing the Fergus Curling Club’s banner, took the provincial U20 curling title and qualified for national competition later that year in Sudbury.
It was April 2026 when Team MacDougall claimed the top spot at the 2026 U20 Canadian Junior Curling Championships and punched their ticket to World Juniors in Aberdeen, Scotland, slated for February 2027.
Skip for Team MacDougall, Evan MacDougall, said the team was so overcome with accomplishment there was no single feeling to describe the massive victory in Sudbury.
Like the rest of the team Evan MacDougall has been curling for roughly a decade and has experienced profound success with the current team roster.
MacDougall eyeing his shot | Canada Curling/Duncan Bell
Another aspect to consider is the supporting club; MacDougall and the rest of the team said they had never seen such a passionate club in their years of playing.
No matter what happens at Worlds, MacDougall is proud to be bringing the team banners back to Fergus.
Team MacDougall’s manager and Evan’s father, Steve MacDougall, said there aren’t many clubs as caring as the Fergus Curling Club.
The other athletes are Dylan Stockton (Third/Vice), Evan Madore (Second), Carson Kay (Lead) and Ryne Fisher (Fifth/Alternate).
For Carson Kay in particular Team MacDougall was his first experience playing on the national stage and the first team he has been apart of to qualify past provincials.
Kay said there is no other group of guys who could replicate this level of success.
In speaking with MacDougall, Stockton and Kay, they said this deep bond and level of understanding is one of the keys to being a competitive curling team.
Though good coaching helps too and Stockton said their coach for this year, Jordan Thin, was an absolute masterclass.
The team said this year has seen a lot of personal growth and skill development | Curling Canada/Duncan Bell
In the coming months Team MacDougall will be working with the national sport organization, Curling Canada, to prepare as best they can for World Juniors in Aberdeen.
Evan MacDougall said the team has also been selected as part of Curling Canada’s NextGen program to further enhance their skill ahead of the international competition.
However, crossing the pond for international sports harbours a significant cost.
Calum McGeachie is the former Fergus Curling Club president and is now very involved with the U18 program at the club.
McGeachie said this achievement is nothing short of amazing.
To support Team MacDougall as much as they can, the Fergus Curling Club has organized a fundraiser scheduled for the end of August.
Registration will be open for the euchure, cornhole and waddies tournaments until Aug, 24, 2026, and must be completed online.
The main fundraiser day will be on August 29.
The Nationals champs (from left to right;) Athletes Ryne Fisher, Carson Kay, Evan Madore, Dylan Stockton, Evan MacDougall and coach Jordan Thin | Curling Canada/Duncan Bell
