Oakville Curling Club
HUGH MURPHY
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Public Release and Application Information
For Immediate Release
Oakville Curling Club Announces the Hugh Murphy Scholarship to Support Junior Curlers Pursuing Post-Secondary Education
The Oakville Curling Club is proud to announce the creation of the Hugh Murphy Scholarship, a new award established to support young athletes from our club as they pursue post-secondary education.
Hugh Murphy was a long-time member of the Oakville Curling Club and a friend to many. He is fondly remembered for his warm, genuine personality and his great big smile. His record as a Mixed Curling Club Champion is unmatched and he is dearly missed by all who knew him. As impressive as Hugh’s accomplishments were as a curler, his true legacy was not measured in banners—it was measured in people.
Hugh’s real passion was junior curling. He believed deeply in helping young curlers grow in skill, confidence, and love for the game. He gave his time generously offering on-ice instruction, making introductions and opening doors for young athletes, and creating opportunities for kids to build friendships and community. Many will remember Hugh for the joy and connection he brought to youth curling through events like his Orphans Bonspiel, and for the many fun, welcoming junior experiences where kids could laugh, play, and enjoy the great game of curling.
The Hugh Murphy Scholarship will be awarded to Oakville Curling Club youth curlers who are seeking financial support to assist with post-secondary education. Youth curler is defined as any curler who spent a portion of their youth career in a program at the Oakville Curling Club. The scholarship reflects the values Hugh lived every day: kindness, encouragement, and a belief that character matters as much as competition.
Scholarship Qualifications
- Good character
- Good sportsmanship
- Propensity for leadership
- A great team player
- Active involvement as a curler at the Oakville Curling Club
- Plans to attend post-secondary education
About Oakville Curling Club
Oakville Curling Club is a community-driven club dedicated to the sport of curling and to creating an inclusive environment where athletes of all ages can learn, compete, and thrive.
Application & Criteria
About the Scholarship
The Hugh Murphy Scholarship was established by the Oakville Curling Club to support youth curlers of the Oakville Curling Club who are pursuing post-secondary education. This scholarship honours Hugh’s long-standing dedication to junior curling and his commitment to helping young athletes grow—on the ice and beyond it.
Purpose
The scholarship provides financial assistance (up to $2000) to help reduce the cost of post-secondary education (for example: tuition, books, and required academic supplies). The award is intended to recognize applicants who reflect the values Hugh embodied: character, sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork.
Eligibility
- Current or former youth curler at the Oakville Curling Club
- Be pursuing post-secondary education (college, university, apprenticeship, or another recognized post-secondary program)
- Demonstrate strong character, sportsmanship, leadership potential, and a team-first mindset
Selection Criteria
- Character: Demonstrates integrity, respect for others, and a positive presence within the club and community.
- Sportsmanship: Competes with fairness and respect, supports teammates and opponents, and represents the club well.
- Leadership Potential: Shows initiative, responsibility, and the ability to positively influence others on and off the ice.
- Team Player: Contributes to team culture, encourages others, and demonstrates commitment and reliability.
- Commitment to Curling and the Oakville Curling Club: Participation in club programming, junior events, volunteering, mentorship, or other forms of involvement.
- Educational Goals: Clear plans for post-secondary education and thoughtful reflection on how the scholarship will help.
Application Requirements
- Applicant Information — Name, contact information, and OCC involvement (years at club, teams/programs participated in).
- Education Plans — Name of institution/program (if known), intended area of study/training, and anticipated start date.
- Personal Statement (300-600 words recommended) — Your curling journey; how you demonstrate character, sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork; your educational goals; and how the scholarship would support your next steps.
- Reference / Letter of Support (1 required) — From a coach, teacher, club volunteer, employer, or community leader. Should speak to character, sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork.
- Optional Additions — Volunteer involvement, awards, community participation, curling highlights, and/or context regarding financial need (optional).
Submission Process
- Applications must be submitted by April 19th, 2026, at 12 noon.
- Submissions will be reviewed by a scholarship selection committee appointed by the Club.
- Recipients will be notified by April 30th, 2026, directly and may be recognized by the Club during an OCC event or announcement.
Notes
- Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award.
- All information will be handled respectfully and used only for the purpose of scholarship selection.
- All submissions can be directed to General Manager – Ian Tetley and emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.