Emma Miskew and the Evolution of Ottawa Sports Recognition
The Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame has undergone a significant shift in its eligibility criteria, a change directly inspired by the remarkable achievements of local curling icons Rachel Homan and Emma Miskew. Both curlers have consistently demonstrated excellence, securing three world championships and five Scotties Tournament of Hearts titles – a testament to their dedication and skill.
New Criteria for Induction: Recognizing Current Athletes
Historically, the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame only considered athletes for induction after their retirement. However, the recent success of Homan and Miskew prompted a re-evaluation of this policy. The new policy now allows any athlete from the Ottawa area who achieves a world championship, Olympic medal, or a significant international sporting event to be considered for induction, regardless of their current competitive status.
The Influence of Homan and Miskew
As of February 18, 2026, Team Homan is competing at the Milano Cortina Winter Games in Italy, with a record of 5-3 and needing just one more win to secure a playoff spot. Their ongoing success highlights the need to acknowledge athletes’ accomplishments while they are still actively competing. This induction marks a crucial step towards recognizing women’s achievements in sports, a field where representation has historically been limited.
Meet Team Homan:
- Rachel Homan: Skip of Team Homan, renowned for numerous national and world titles.
- Emma Miskew: Vice-skip and a pivotal member of the curling team, known for her precision and strategic play.
- Tracy Fleury: Vice-skip
- Sarah Wilkes: Lead
- Rachelle Brown: Alternate
A Question of Timing: Why Wait Until Retirement?
Dave Best, chair of the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame, eloquently questioned the previous policy: “Why wait until they’re retired?” He pointed out that many professional athletes, particularly in sports like curling and golf, enjoy extended careers, potentially delaying their well-deserved recognition for years. This change ensures that athletes are celebrated during their prime.
Beyond Curling: A Wider Scope of Recognition
The revised criteria extend beyond curling, opening doors for other Ottawa-area athletes. Brooke Henderson, a professional golfer from Smiths Falls with 14 LPGA tournament wins (including two major championships), and Gabriela Dabrowski, a talented tennis player boasting four Grand Slam titles (including two U.S. Open doubles victories), are now eligible for consideration. You can learn more about Brooke Henderson’s impressive career on the LPGA official website.
Looking Ahead: Future Inductees and a Changing Landscape
The changes have created exciting possibilities for the future. Athletes like Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann, who successfully defended their gold medal in the team pursuit at the Beijing Olympics, are now potential inductees. This policy shift reflects the evolving landscape of sports and the importance of recognizing contemporary athletes’ contributions.
The latest inductees, announced on January 27th, include Jason York (NHL) and Val St. Germain (CFL), demonstrating the Hall of Fame’s commitment to honouring athletes across various disciplines.
The Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame’s decision to embrace a more inclusive and timely approach to induction is a testament to the impact of athletes like Emma Miskew and Rachel Homan, who continue to inspire and redefine excellence in their sport.
