Unirope Sponsors Team Inglis Curling Squad
Canada-based Unirope Limited is sponsoring the Team Inglis curling squad, as they continue to work towards qualification for the Olympic Trials.
Unirope’s package includes logo placement on team uniforms, a corporate event appearance, and various digital marketing activities. It is the business’s first foray into sports marketing, having sought a national-level team that shares its culture and values. While the group receives backing from the Ontario Curling Council's NextGen Program, most funding comes from personal contributions and sponsors.
Unirope is a specialist in the manufacture, distribution, testing, certification, and inspection of high-performance wire rope and rigging products. It has manufacturing facilities in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, which combine to deliver products nationwide and to select customers in the U.S. and Europe.
Justin Brown, president at Unirope, said: “This is about more than sponsoring a curling team — it's about investing in excellence, resilience, and the future of Canadian sport. At Unirope, we understand the importance of precision, teamwork, and grit — qualities that Team Inglis exemplifies both on and off the ice.”
Team Inglis includes Skip, Danielle Inglis; Vice, Kira Brunton; Second, Calissa Daly; and Lead, Cassandra de Groot. As the 10th-ranked team in Canada, the squad had an impressive 2024-25 season, defending their title as Ontario women’s provincial champions and representing the province at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The foursome will once again aim for success at provincial level, before the Scotties Tournament of Hearts take place January 23-February 1 at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, where Unirope’s Ontario facility is located.
Danielle Inglis said: “Sponsorship is essential to our success. It helps cover travel costs, accommodation, tournament entry fees, coaching, equipment, team apparel, and sport psychology and fitness training. These investments directly improve our performance and allow us to compete in more high-level events across Canada.
“We’ve always appreciated the value of corporate partnerships, not just for financial support, but for the relationships and mutual growth they offer. Sponsorship allows us to represent our partners with pride, both on and off the ice, and we make a point of integrating them into our season storytelling and outreach.”
Tradition and prestige
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is essentially a national championship and represent the pinnacle of women’s curling in Canada. “It’s steeped in tradition and prestige,” said Inglis. “Teams must win their provincial or territorial championship to qualify or rank within the top three in Canada — so just getting there is a major accomplishment. The event is televised nationally and features the very best teams in the country. It's also a crucial step in earning ranking points that help with Olympic qualification. This season is incredibly important for us. The stakes are high, but we’re more motivated than ever, and excited for what’s ahead.”
Olympic Trials only happen once every four years and bring together the top-ranked Canadian teams for a shot at representing the country at the Olympics. To get there, Team Inglis will need to consistently perform well on the national circuit, earn points through the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS), and qualify for key events, like the Pre-Trials, which take place October 20-26 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, from where the top team moves onto the Trials the following month.
Unirope’s Brown added: “Curling holds a unique place in Canadian culture. It connects generations and communities, and women's curling in particular is gaining powerful momentum. Female athletes, like those on Team Inglis, are not only competitors — they are role models, influencers, and ambassadors for a more inclusive and inspiring sporting landscape.
“By supporting Team Inglis in their pursuit of such ambitious but clear goals, we are proud to be part of a purpose-driven movement. We believe that elevating women’s sports creates opportunities for meaningful connection with a passionate audience — and helps drive progress in sport and society alike.”
Team Inglis has been competing together at a high level for several seasons, with the current line-up solidifying ahead of the 2023-24 season. Danielle Inglis and de Groot have been playing together for 12 seasons; Brunton joined four years ago, and Daly was the latest to join, a year later. They train on-ice multiple times per week, with additional sessions for fitness, mental training, and strategy work.
Inglis said: “Each of us treats curling like a second job; we travel regularly for competitions, often flying or driving to events across the country, while balancing full-time careers and studies. In total, we easily dedicate at least 20 to 30 hours per week, per player during the [September to April] season.”
- To discuss corporate sponsorship opportunities, email: teamingliscurls@gmail.com.
Mark Bridger
Richard Howes
