Celebrating Women’s History Month: Sandra Schmirler

Sandra Schmirler – perhaps better known in many circles by her nickname “Schmirler the Curler” – is one of Regina’s best-known athletes. Originally born in Biggar, Saskatchewan, she went on to become one of the world’s best female curlers, leading her team as skip to win 6 provincial, 3 Canadian, and 3 world championships throughout the ‘90s before leading Team Canada to gold at the 1998 Olympic games. The win against Denmark solidified Schmirler’s place – alongside her teammates Jan Betker, Marcia Gudereit, and Joan McCusker – in history, with the medal being the first awarded for women’s curling since the sport’s last Olympic appearance in 1924.

Having earned a Bachelor’s in Physical Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1985, Schmirler moved to Regina and began working at the city’s leisure centres, where she ultimately became the supervisor of the South East Leisure Centre. She married Shannon England in 1996, and their two daughters were born in 1997 and 1999.

Schmirler passed away at in March, 2000 after a battle with cancer at the age of just 36. Her passing was mourned across the country, with Prime Minister Chretien memorializing her “as a champion curler” and “exemplary sports ambassador”, noting her “bright, engaging personality and her incredible zest for life, qualities that were so clearly in evidence as she fought so valiantly against her illness”. In honour of Sandra, the South East Leisure Centre was renamed in her honour, as was the road leading to her team’s practice rink at the Callie Curling Club.

In honour of Women’s History Month, we honour incredible contributions of the “Queen of Curling” to sport, to recreation in Regina, and her legacy that lives on through the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

Photo credit: Sandra Schmirler Foundation, retrieved from Discover Humbolt

Sandra Schmirler speaking at a banquet for her 1994 World Champion Women’s Curling Team. City of Regina Archives, CORA-C-1015. Lieutenant Governor Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk is in the background, herself the first woman appointed to the role.