Part of the Club, Not of the Club: The Experiences of Racialized Women in Canadian Curling

This thesis examines the experiences of racialized women who participate in curling in Ontario, Canada. Drawing from eleven semi-structured interviews, I argue that racialized women are not simply underrepresented in sport but actively marginalized by oppressive systems of patriarchy, classism, and racism that are deeply entrenched in the culture and traditions of curling clubs. Using a Bourdieusian framework, my analysis demonstrates how curling participation and success are not determined solely by invested time or skill, but also by the unequal distribution of economic, social, cultural, and symbolic capital. I contend that curling participation requires substantial time and financial commitment. Next, I illustrate the invisible yet powerful nature of connections, explaining that entry into the sport is often contingent on having a connection to a curler, with intergenerational relationships offering early advantages. I analyze alcohol as a form of cultural capital, and the normalization of alcohol consumption through rituals and traditions—explaining how non-drinkers are consequently marginalized. Throughout my analysis, I consider the intersection of gender, race, class, age, and religion to shed light on the nuanced lived realities of racialized women in sport. Within participant stories, I identify discriminatory and exclusionary behaviours that undermine the competence, authority, and legitimacy of curlers who do not align with the dominance of whiteness and masculinity. Ultimately, this thesis aims to illustrate the social hierarchies that function to inhibit the participation and power of racialized women in curling. Thus, I advocate for transformative EDII measures grounded in anti-racism and anti-sexism focused on dismantling power imbalances and the redistribution of power.

Department dc:contributor.department

Kinesiology and Health Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Guilbault, Jessica

Advisor dc:contributor.supervisor

• King, Samantha

• Curling
• Intersectionality
• Race
• Women in Sport
• Equity Diversity Inclusion and Indigenization
• Economic social and cultural capital

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1974/34967

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/34967